Maidens' Trip
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Review
'A joyous and rare memoir ... catching that era and that adventure that now will live forever
--Michael Ondaatje --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
--Michael Ondaatje --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
'It must have been an astonishing imposition for the canal people when war brought them dainty young girls to help them mind their business, clean young eager creatures with voices so pitched as to be almost impossible to understand." So begins this joyous and rare memoir of a time when a group of girls 'in the deep sea of adolescence' work the barges in England during World War Two. One envies Emma Smith's precise and sly humour in her portrait of life on the canals, the details on the opening of a lock, and most of all the catching of that era and that adventure that now will live forever' Michael Ondaatje 'It's wonderfully written, humorous and humane, and beautifully evocative of the time' Independent Summer Reads 'Hope and energy radiate from every sentence of this lovely volume as it emerges into the light after its long sojourn in the cemetery of forgotten books' Daily Mail 'Smith's writing exudes wisdom and humour, and her descriptions of the main activities involved [...] and of the accidents and frustrations, as well as the moments of teenage revelation, exhilaration and joy - are vividly drawn' Times Literary Supplement
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A very enjoyable read. Emma Smith brings her experiences on the canals to life - written from the perspective of a volunteer doing her best for England during the War. I knew of the land girls but had never known that the canals were supported during the war by similar patriots.
I read the book during a canal boat holiday covering some of the same waterways described in the book; the contrast in approaches (now 'safety first' and 'relaxed enjoyment', then 'get the goods delivered quickly') was clear.
I recommend reading this book - though the reader must not enter the book expecting the 'maiden' to have any form of sexual experience; perhaps a difference in expectation in literary content between today and 60 years ago!
I read the book during a canal boat holiday covering some of the same waterways described in the book; the contrast in approaches (now 'safety first' and 'relaxed enjoyment', then 'get the goods delivered quickly') was clear.
I recommend reading this book - though the reader must not enter the book expecting the 'maiden' to have any form of sexual experience; perhaps a difference in expectation in literary content between today and 60 years ago!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an evocative account of three young women encountering a truly alien way of life. I first read this book more than 40 years ago at the age of 8 or 9 ( we lived beside the Shropshire Union canal) and I was bewitched by Emma Smith's story and the vivid picture which she drew of a world with it's own rules and traditions, in many ways detached from the war and it's impact. I am about to reread it for the twelfth or so time, whilst on a narrowboat holiday and I will introduce it to my daughters.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I needed to know a bit about the book and finding it 'fun', ordered it. I will be passing it around various friends of all ages as it gives a fascinating insight of 'another' life.
I was also most pleased with the speed of Service provided.
I was also most pleased with the speed of Service provided.
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