Nella Last's Peace: The Post-War Diaries Of Housewife 49
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Review
"'I've met such interesting people, and always heard unbelievable stories about people's lives. If I could put all in written language and sequence, I could write books, I'm sure.' Nella Last, September 1946 'A fantastic story...This is not the war of the newsreels - it's about tiny domestic difficulties, lumpy custard.' Victoria Wood 'I relished it...her personality is so powerful...There are so many things to admire about her.' Margaret Forster 'A classic of wartime literature...highly engaging, very moving. All Home Front life is here, especially the kitchen sink.' Simon Garfield"
A. L. Kennedy
"Nella's Last Peace is extraordinary - tender, intimate, striking, heartbreaking and witty - it grants us the lovely and dignified privilege of knowing a stranger's heart."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book for my Mum who was born in Barrow and lived there during the war.Nella writes with the pen of an ordinary woman in extraordinary times.Her writing is wonderful, from the description of an ordinary yet delightful lunch to her description of the countryside on a day out with a picnic, her fears for times to come and of course her family.Complemented with some black and white photographs,its amazing to think that if it had not been for the Mass Observation Project,we may have all been deprived of the world of Nella Last.
83 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you enjoyed the original 'Nella Last's War' then you will enjoy this second volume just the same. The end of hostilities doesn't mean the end of either Nella's writing, or her talent with words and observation. It also certainly does not mean the end of hardship and difficulty. I drove to Barrow on the strength of the first diary and was very fortunate to meet the present owners of Nella's old house - they actually bought it off the Last family forty years ago. Just sitting in her old living room, where all those words had poured onto the page, brought Nella and her time tangibly closer. I heartily recommend this book.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I absolutely loved "Nella Last's War" as did all the friends I passed it on to, so I was delighted to find that there was a second volume of her diaries. They are not as much fun as the war years diaries as they cover a period of real austerity when some food shortages actually got worse and Nella missed the voluntary work and community spirit of the war years. I was also deeply moved by the account of the mental breakdown (probably what we would now call post-natal depression) of her young friend Jessie.
Her descriptions of the beauty of the Lake District are very vivid and well-written. She longs for peace and harmony, but at the same time is feisty and not afraid to give as good (or better!) than she gets. You feel you really come to know her through her diaries.
Like another reviewer, I hate the inaccurate cover design which depicts a working-class street totally unlike the one in which Nella lived and unreflective of her way of life. She didn't need to scrub doorsteps - she had a cleaner, they had a car, and her husband owned a business. Why not put Nella's photograph on the cover of the next edition? Wouldn't that have thrilled her, to have become a published writer with her picture on the cover?
Her descriptions of the beauty of the Lake District are very vivid and well-written. She longs for peace and harmony, but at the same time is feisty and not afraid to give as good (or better!) than she gets. You feel you really come to know her through her diaries.
Like another reviewer, I hate the inaccurate cover design which depicts a working-class street totally unlike the one in which Nella lived and unreflective of her way of life. She didn't need to scrub doorsteps - she had a cleaner, they had a car, and her husband owned a business. Why not put Nella's photograph on the cover of the next edition? Wouldn't that have thrilled her, to have become a published writer with her picture on the cover?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Book
This is the second in the trilogy of Nella Last's diaries which span the Second World War to the early 1950's. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rachel
A great story ruined by Kindle quality
This volume of Nella's diaries continues the story of many of the characters from the previous volume but the focus shifts significantly. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Words Count
Nella Last's Peace
I'm finding this book really rather tedious. She seems to do very little, is permanently moaning about being tired, or nervy, or budgeting cash shortage, but all in all seems to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by JS
Excellent book.
Wonderful book, I will keep and read it again. Nella is great. The cover is not where she lived she was in a semi with a garden and a garage, which is a bit strange. Read more
Published 3 months ago by catwoman
nella last's peace
I love her diarys, so well written ...she is able to convey a true picture of post war England. Have ordered the next book about the 1950's....cannot wait to start reading.
Published 8 months ago by Christine
Nella Last's Peace
I loved this book by Nella - the entries read as though she was chatting, and she lives on through her diaries. Sad that she was unappreciated especially by her husband. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Corrybeag
A great read to understand war life for ordinary citizens
A fascinating & engaging read. You are able to really empathise with Nella's everyday life, hopes, fears & how the challenges of maintaining home & family life brought her new... Read more
Published 20 months ago by SueR
Great for the over 50s
Brilliant piece of history, not about the War but about women, men, relationships in the 30's in out of town Britain. Some read across to modern-day relationships too. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2010 by David J. Twitchin
Nella's life after the war
This book is just as captivating as Nella Last's War, and shows how everyone's lives are effected after the war. The book brings it to life far more than any history book. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by S. Hayday
housewife 49
the continuing story of Nella Last after the war full of interesting insights hope T.V. make another program with Victoria Wood in the lead role
Published on 31 Jan 2010 by Mr. John Finlay
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