- Paperback: 752 pages
- Publisher: Penguin; Paperback edition (4 May 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140282270
- ISBN-13: 978-0140282276
- Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 4.4 x 18.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 19,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Never Look Back
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
From the slums of Victorian London to a New World ...
Matilda Jennings was a poor flower girl in Covent Garden until the day she saved the life of a minister's daughter called Tabitha. Drawn into the bosom of little Tabitha's family, she little realises it will soon mean uprooting her own life.
For Matilda leaves Victorian London's slums and heads first for the darkest corners of New York, then beyond into the plains of the Wild West and San Francisco's gold rush. With only her beauty, intelligence and the strong will she forged on London's streets to guide her, Matilda must create a new life for herself and Tabitha. Between the sweat and tears, heartbreak and passion, she encounters Captain James Russell, a man in whom she might find true love. A love that must withstand separation, war and the birth pangs of a new nation. But through it all, Matilda knows she must never look back . . .
From the Author
I was very touched by some of the readers reviews about Never Look Back and felt I had to thank all those who took the trouble to write them. A writer spends a great deal of time in 'solitary' its the nature of the business, but when my readers opinions mirror what I was feeling while I was writing it, I know I have suceeded in what I set out to do. I often look at the amazon reviews when I'm feeling glum or worst still when I think I'm losing the plot. But then your voices come to me, and its like being given a hug. And I go back to what I'm working on with new heart.
So please don't stop telling me what you think. Good or bad, it's my life blood. x x x --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
So please don't stop telling me what you think. Good or bad, it's my life blood. x x x --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This epic, moving and awe-inspiring work of fiction is perhaps the greatest evidence of Lesley Pearse' commitment to extensive research and attention to detail.
It tells in incredible detail the ENTIRE life story of a London-born woman named Matilda Jennings. Her life begins in dire poverty and gradually progresses through an incredible amount of experiences, from moving to America, to working with the poor, business ventures, extensive travelling, romance, childbirth, and many, many others.
This book is particularly valuable because of it's descriptions of poverty in nineteenth century London, New York and San Francisco. It describes vividly the many afflictions of the poor: illness, starvation, exploitation and horrendous living conditions. Some of the descriptions here of the personal hygiene and lack of sanitation in the nineteenth century are truly mind-boggling, but this book is an excellent exploration of just how bad life was less than 200 years ago.
The extremely high mortality rate of that era is also touched upon frequently, as Matilda has person after person torn cruelly from her life. These chapters reduced me to tears, but the descriptions of Matilda putting on a brave face and continuing on with her life, in the spirit of strength and courage, was truly inspiring. This is an undoubtedly powerful and well-crafted story.
The theme of female emancipation is also explored, and if there's a more inspiring figure of female independence and strength in contemporary fiction than Matilda Jennings, I have yet to encounter her. With unbelievable guts, the lead character of this novel shows an incredible amount of strength, instinct, dignity, resourcefulness and determination to succeed at so much more than being a wife and Mother. Perhaps the character is fictional, but in theory, any woman should be able to succeed as Matilda does in this story, if only they learn how to utilise the strength and determination which every woman undoubtedly has.
This book is superbly-written, engaging enough to keep my attention for hours and hours on end, without stopping reading. Despite it's huge length, I found myself finishing it in less than three or four days. It's characters are well-crafted, strong and interesting. Anticipation for the next event in Matilda's remarkable life kept me reading with keenness. The historical research is considerable and the attention to detail is impressive.
I cannot reccommend this book strongly enough. Even if you don't enjoy contemporary fiction which is has a generally romantic theme, this book can be enjoyed for it's important historical context and it's incredibly vivid depiction of the grimness of life in the nineteenth century. As a study of poverty and courage, 'Never Look Back' is valuable and poignant, firmly establishing Lesley Pearse as a writer of great talent and integrity.
It tells in incredible detail the ENTIRE life story of a London-born woman named Matilda Jennings. Her life begins in dire poverty and gradually progresses through an incredible amount of experiences, from moving to America, to working with the poor, business ventures, extensive travelling, romance, childbirth, and many, many others.
This book is particularly valuable because of it's descriptions of poverty in nineteenth century London, New York and San Francisco. It describes vividly the many afflictions of the poor: illness, starvation, exploitation and horrendous living conditions. Some of the descriptions here of the personal hygiene and lack of sanitation in the nineteenth century are truly mind-boggling, but this book is an excellent exploration of just how bad life was less than 200 years ago.
The extremely high mortality rate of that era is also touched upon frequently, as Matilda has person after person torn cruelly from her life. These chapters reduced me to tears, but the descriptions of Matilda putting on a brave face and continuing on with her life, in the spirit of strength and courage, was truly inspiring. This is an undoubtedly powerful and well-crafted story.
The theme of female emancipation is also explored, and if there's a more inspiring figure of female independence and strength in contemporary fiction than Matilda Jennings, I have yet to encounter her. With unbelievable guts, the lead character of this novel shows an incredible amount of strength, instinct, dignity, resourcefulness and determination to succeed at so much more than being a wife and Mother. Perhaps the character is fictional, but in theory, any woman should be able to succeed as Matilda does in this story, if only they learn how to utilise the strength and determination which every woman undoubtedly has.
This book is superbly-written, engaging enough to keep my attention for hours and hours on end, without stopping reading. Despite it's huge length, I found myself finishing it in less than three or four days. It's characters are well-crafted, strong and interesting. Anticipation for the next event in Matilda's remarkable life kept me reading with keenness. The historical research is considerable and the attention to detail is impressive.
I cannot reccommend this book strongly enough. Even if you don't enjoy contemporary fiction which is has a generally romantic theme, this book can be enjoyed for it's important historical context and it's incredibly vivid depiction of the grimness of life in the nineteenth century. As a study of poverty and courage, 'Never Look Back' is valuable and poignant, firmly establishing Lesley Pearse as a writer of great talent and integrity.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read all of Lesley Pearse's books and have found this one to be the best read. She takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride from England across to the shores of America. On more than one occasion it bought tears to my eyes and kept the pages turning. I have never been this moved by a book and can only hope that her next book will be just as good.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What a book!
This was not the first book by Lesley that I had read so I knew that it would be a good read. This author has the ability to draw you into every aspect of the characters' life, good and bad. I felt as though I was there beside Matty every step of the way from start to finish. If you have never read a book by Lesley Pearse then you are in for a real treat. Matty is the main character and you follow her from her humble beginnings in London over to the brave new pioneering world of America. As Matty travels she has many experiences but she never forgets where she came from or her family back in London. You have to read this book.
I would however like to pass on a word of warning - don't read this if you like to put books down or if you are short of time. I took this on holiday and didn't come up for air for 2 days! You have been warned!!!!
This was not the first book by Lesley that I had read so I knew that it would be a good read. This author has the ability to draw you into every aspect of the characters' life, good and bad. I felt as though I was there beside Matty every step of the way from start to finish. If you have never read a book by Lesley Pearse then you are in for a real treat. Matty is the main character and you follow her from her humble beginnings in London over to the brave new pioneering world of America. As Matty travels she has many experiences but she never forgets where she came from or her family back in London. You have to read this book.
I would however like to pass on a word of warning - don't read this if you like to put books down or if you are short of time. I took this on holiday and didn't come up for air for 2 days! You have been warned!!!!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stunning
This is the first Lesley Pearse book that I have read. I must say the story was 'Right up my street' I loved all the twists and turns and Lesley describes everything so well. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mrs. Anne D. Hudson
Like a parson's egg - good in places.
I'm truly torn as to how to review this book. On one hand it created a sweeping sense of time and place, on the other, it felt like an author's first book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by P. Elliott
This book will inspire you!
This book will inspire you!
The historical content of this book takes you on an incredible journey spanning from 1842 to 1900 during the main character Matilda Jennings life... Read more
The historical content of this book takes you on an incredible journey spanning from 1842 to 1900 during the main character Matilda Jennings life... Read more
Published 2 months ago by G Martin
best book my sister had ever read
THIS WAS THE DESCRIPTION MY SISTER GAVE FOR THIS BOOK. ID NEVER READ ANY OF THIS AUTHORS BOOKS BEFORE SO I DECIDED TO SEE IF HER DESCRIPTION WAS ACCURATE. Read more
Published 4 months ago by bibury blue
Best yet !
Lesley Pearse has been a favourite of mine for some time and I have read all her previous titles. This one has to be her best ever !! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Carol V
Wow!
This book was amazing! I thought, mid way through that it went a little off course and was a little boring. But towards the end it became camptivating again! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Miss Smith
I do love Lesley's books! wonderful author
Well I have to big up our Lesley as her writing is pure quality! I have never started one of her books and not finished it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Rachel Henry
Be aware
I have bought second hand books before and when the condition has been described as "Very Good" this is just how they have arrived, but not this time! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Blakeney
Disappointed!
This is by far my least favourite book by Lesley Pearse. I have read most of her books and have loved every one of them until now. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mrs P
Epic Saga - Never Look Back - Work of Art
I have read many Lesley Pearse books, and they are all brilliant, but 'Never Look Back is a work of art and the best book I have ever read. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. V. Leete
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Contemporary Fiction
- Books > Fiction > Family Sagas
- Books > Fiction > Historical
- Books > Romance > Adult & Contemporary
- Books > Romance > Historical
- Books > Romance > Sagas
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
