- Paperback: 260 pages
- Publisher: Silkmill Press (1 July 2008)
- Language English, Polish
- ISBN-10: 0955884004
- ISBN-13: 978-0955884009
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 442,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Black Madonna of Derby
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'I quickly became immersed in this story of a Polish immigrant family. The daughter is especially intriguing...' --The Guardian, December 27, 2008
Review
'The characters are well drawn, in particular the grandmother.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a beautifully matter-of-fact story about a family of Polish descent living in England, a seemingly ordinary family with an extraordinary history. In a humorous, gentle and understated way it illustrates the subtle differences that family culture and traditions make. The author brings to life characters you can relate to and yet they are fascinating. The short chapters and the good pace keep you involved and wanting to know more. The truth unravels itself throughout the book and there are surprises! This is a story that would appeal to all readers. I recommend it!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a second-generation Polish immigrant, this book may have been about my family- some of the characters could have been relatives from my own childhood; as were the Polish clubs of provincial 1960's/70's Britain, the Sunday Polish Masses in the local Catholic church and the need to be part of the "host" culture as young, alienated children of traumatized immigrants. The family story this depicts- secret suicides, war, unmentioned and unmentionable love affairs, death, tragedy, displacement and coming to terms with living in a totally alien and ignorant culture, were all elements of my own family history.
This is a very easy book to read, but with a very difficult subject matter- I found it almost impossible to put down- it's quite panaromic in terms of it's setting. Clever twists in the plot link scenes of 1970's Derby, (including that hot summer of 1976), the swinging London of the 1960's, pre-War Polish Aristocratic life, and the post-War bleak Soviet housing estates of Warsaw, together with sympathetic scenes of the beauty of the medieval centre of Krakow. Harowing at times, thought provoking and ultimately life-affirming, for me one of the books of the year.
This is a very easy book to read, but with a very difficult subject matter- I found it almost impossible to put down- it's quite panaromic in terms of it's setting. Clever twists in the plot link scenes of 1970's Derby, (including that hot summer of 1976), the swinging London of the 1960's, pre-War Polish Aristocratic life, and the post-War bleak Soviet housing estates of Warsaw, together with sympathetic scenes of the beauty of the medieval centre of Krakow. Harowing at times, thought provoking and ultimately life-affirming, for me one of the books of the year.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Black Madonna of Derby took me by surprise. Being set in Derby, I started to read a book about the town in which I live, but I could not put this novel down. I became so involved in the lives of these three generations of women with a Polish heritage/culture which - apart from the Polish element - so mirrored my own experiences of growing up in an ever-changing UK.
Written with a gentle humour, the characters spring to life. You can see them in your mind's eye struggling with their own problems.
I could relate their lives to those of my own maternal line, especially as it was set in the ever-changing 60's when young women felt more empowered than their mothers and grandmothers.
It could also be set in today's world, with other cultures being represented who are facing the same generation gap - between the *home country* and *birth country* causing friction within the home.
This is well worth a read, and the author could well turn her hand to a story about The Black Madonna itself, as I am sure she could weave any story around the history of this famous painting.
I await the next offering with anticipation and if that is also set in Derby, it would be a bonus!
Written with a gentle humour, the characters spring to life. You can see them in your mind's eye struggling with their own problems.
I could relate their lives to those of my own maternal line, especially as it was set in the ever-changing 60's when young women felt more empowered than their mothers and grandmothers.
It could also be set in today's world, with other cultures being represented who are facing the same generation gap - between the *home country* and *birth country* causing friction within the home.
This is well worth a read, and the author could well turn her hand to a story about The Black Madonna itself, as I am sure she could weave any story around the history of this famous painting.
I await the next offering with anticipation and if that is also set in Derby, it would be a bonus!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sentimental and warm.
This is not the best book you will ever read. The plot is rather contrived and certain episodes a bit embarrassing to read, but you may find yourself feeling sympathy for Wanda,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Alan
Insightful and enjoyable
An incredibly honest depiction of life as an immigrant family, and an astonishingly accurate insight into Polish family structure. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Rebecca
Loved it
I have no knowledge of what it is to be an immigrant of any generaton, but I found the characters of this book believabe. Read more
Published 13 months ago by maloy
A great novel
The Black Madonna of Derby (English version) or `Goodbye Polsko' (Polish version)
The novel describes the vicissitudes of a Polish immigrant family living in Derby and... Read more
The novel describes the vicissitudes of a Polish immigrant family living in Derby and... Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2010 by Mark
Absorbing family saga
I was quickly gripped by the cleverly interwoven stories of three generations of women in this novel about Polish immigrants to Britain. Read more
Published on 25 April 2009 by H. Hardy
This would make a great film
This is a lovely paced book that has everything. Gentle humour, pathos and tragedy all interwoven with an interesting storyline about a Polish immigrant family. Read more
Published on 23 April 2009 by K. Ray
I learnt a lot!
This book kept me entertained and at the same time it educated me in Polish culture and I enjoyed the scene changes between England and Poland. Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2009 by D. Fairey
Making you think
I think it must say something about this author's skill that although I didn't get 'into' the story straightaway, I was certainly glad when the writing itself kept me going. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2009 by Mrs. P. C. Alexander
I liked this a lot...
I liked this a lot. Since I grew up in Derby and still live there, I saw a review in the local paper and decided to buy it. Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2008 by B. M. Ray
A must-read book
I really enjoyed The Black Madonna of Derby and found myself drawn in from the first page. The central themes of family loyalties and traditions from a different time and place... Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2008 by Jacqueline Gallagher
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