Two teenage girls from opposite sides of the tracks in 1960s Midlands England are forced into prostitution in this engrossing tale of loss, liberty, and love.
Two teenage girls from opposite sides of the tracks in 1960s Midlands England are forced into prostitution in this engrossing tale of loss, liberty, and love.
1 review for Newspaper curtains
sian_cowper –
FIRST-EVER READER REVIEW OF ‘NEWSPAPER CURTAINS’!
The ‘number 1 fan’ of author Mike Leaver has given her exclusive
feedback on his latest saga novel ‘Newspaper Curtains: Who Really
Knows What Lies Behind.’
Local lady Sheila Chalmers has now kindly reviewed all Mike’s 4 books
before anyone else. ‘Newspaper Curtains’ will be available locally and
exclusively from Browsers Bookshop in early-May.
Former teacher and Women’s Institute officer Sheila says:
“As I reached the final paragraph of chapter one, I knew I could sit
back and enjoy the unfolding of an exciting journey – both physical,
social, and emotional – for Janet and Priscilla, as they overcome
their early problems and find their place in the world.
“Author Mike once again shows his ability to create a scenario,
peopled with eccentric characters, and fluently tell their story. We
meet a diverse cast, all realistically portrayed, with lots of
physical description: heroine Tara surely belongs in a pre-Raphaelite
painting, with her long, flowing, red-gold hair.
“The main characters are influenced by each other, and grow and
develop as the story unfolds. Mike’s principal females are
particularly three-dimensional, but teacher Richard and his monstrous
father Reginald are also interestingly drawn.
“We deviate occasionally from the main pathway and are introduced to
minor passing characters. I particularly enjoyed the encounter with
Albert and Alice in the cemetery in Menai Bridge: a delightful glimpse
into the world of grief. Graham (the Aviator) and Thomas (the Tank)
also appear only briefly, but play their part in moving the plot
forward.
“Through Janet, with her love of all things natural, we are introduced
to the private lives and ‘thoughts’ of animals: the Jackdaw’s views on
human mothers and their babies is delightful.
“The physical settings lend much to Mike’s own experience,
particularly in the stunning area of North Wales, where much of the
novel’s second half takes place. Particularly realistic is the account
of Richard’s foolhardy attempt to climb Yr Wyddfa.
“In contrast, the graphic portrayal of the inner-city Midlands slum
where Janet’s story begins, leaves us with no illusions at all about
the difficulties the 12-year-old managed to overcome.
“Although covering similar themes to his two earlier and equally
enjoyable novels, ‘Newspaper Curtains’ is more gentle and moves at a
slower pace as the story unfolds.
“Like those first two, it still confronts strong themes. Childhood
poverty and neglect, sleeping rough, sexual coercion, harsh employment
practices, and even murder, all feature. Some of the language used may
offend some readers’ taste, but it is always appropriate to the
situation.
“This third novel has much to entertain the reader, but it is also
thought-provoking, exploring the theme of successful lives emerging
from a seemingly deprived or problematic background.
“Though an optimistic story overall, it raises many queries. But, as
Mike himself points out ‘books which cause the reader to ask
questions, are often considered to be the most interesting.’ ”
Sheila has been an avid reader since childhood and progressed to a
degree in English and Education. A career in Early Years teaching
followed, nurturing children’s literary skills and love of story
telling. She later moved to North Wales to pursue other interests, and
was a WI officer for many years.
sian_cowper –
FIRST-EVER READER REVIEW OF ‘NEWSPAPER CURTAINS’!
The ‘number 1 fan’ of author Mike Leaver has given her exclusive
feedback on his latest saga novel ‘Newspaper Curtains: Who Really
Knows What Lies Behind.’
Local lady Sheila Chalmers has now kindly reviewed all Mike’s 4 books
before anyone else. ‘Newspaper Curtains’ will be available locally and
exclusively from Browsers Bookshop in early-May.
Former teacher and Women’s Institute officer Sheila says:
“As I reached the final paragraph of chapter one, I knew I could sit
back and enjoy the unfolding of an exciting journey – both physical,
social, and emotional – for Janet and Priscilla, as they overcome
their early problems and find their place in the world.
“Author Mike once again shows his ability to create a scenario,
peopled with eccentric characters, and fluently tell their story. We
meet a diverse cast, all realistically portrayed, with lots of
physical description: heroine Tara surely belongs in a pre-Raphaelite
painting, with her long, flowing, red-gold hair.
“The main characters are influenced by each other, and grow and
develop as the story unfolds. Mike’s principal females are
particularly three-dimensional, but teacher Richard and his monstrous
father Reginald are also interestingly drawn.
“We deviate occasionally from the main pathway and are introduced to
minor passing characters. I particularly enjoyed the encounter with
Albert and Alice in the cemetery in Menai Bridge: a delightful glimpse
into the world of grief. Graham (the Aviator) and Thomas (the Tank)
also appear only briefly, but play their part in moving the plot
forward.
“Through Janet, with her love of all things natural, we are introduced
to the private lives and ‘thoughts’ of animals: the Jackdaw’s views on
human mothers and their babies is delightful.
“The physical settings lend much to Mike’s own experience,
particularly in the stunning area of North Wales, where much of the
novel’s second half takes place. Particularly realistic is the account
of Richard’s foolhardy attempt to climb Yr Wyddfa.
“In contrast, the graphic portrayal of the inner-city Midlands slum
where Janet’s story begins, leaves us with no illusions at all about
the difficulties the 12-year-old managed to overcome.
“Although covering similar themes to his two earlier and equally
enjoyable novels, ‘Newspaper Curtains’ is more gentle and moves at a
slower pace as the story unfolds.
“Like those first two, it still confronts strong themes. Childhood
poverty and neglect, sleeping rough, sexual coercion, harsh employment
practices, and even murder, all feature. Some of the language used may
offend some readers’ taste, but it is always appropriate to the
situation.
“This third novel has much to entertain the reader, but it is also
thought-provoking, exploring the theme of successful lives emerging
from a seemingly deprived or problematic background.
“Though an optimistic story overall, it raises many queries. But, as
Mike himself points out ‘books which cause the reader to ask
questions, are often considered to be the most interesting.’ ”
Sheila has been an avid reader since childhood and progressed to a
degree in English and Education. A career in Early Years teaching
followed, nurturing children’s literary skills and love of story
telling. She later moved to North Wales to pursue other interests, and
was a WI officer for many years.