On the coldest night of 1975, a young man with shock-red hair tears though the snowbound streets of Warrington's toughest housing estate. He is Robbie Fitzgerald, and he is running for his life - and that of his young family. In his heart, Robbie knows the odds are stacked against them. In this unbending Northern town, he has married the beautiful brown nurse who once stitched up his wounds. Susheela is his Tamil Princess, but in the real world, the Fitzgeralds have to face up to prejudice, poverty and sheer naked hatred from their neighbours. Now Robbie has seen a way out, and he's sprinting to his date with destiny... But back at their low-rise flat, Susheela hears a noise. This single moment starts a chain of events that will reverberate throughout the lives of all four Fitzgeralds - herself, Robbie, their son Vincent and unborn daughter, Ellie. Over thirteen years of struggle, aspiration, achievement, misunderstandings, near-misses and shattered dreams, Helen Walsh plunges us into the lives and loves of the young, doomed Fitzgerald family. She shows herself to be a brilliant chronicler of our people and our times. And in the Fitzgeralds, she has created a family who will stay in your heart, long after the final page. Once Upon A Time In England offers an unforgettable portrait of the world in which we live, and confirms Helen Walsh as a writer of searing power.
Once Upon A Time In England
and over 1.5 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? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
... Walsh's writing has a wonderful, propulsive exuberance. -- The Times
explores the complexities of human relationships and creates a convincing and touching portrayal of family life -- Time Out
one of the 20 best novels published this year -- New Statesman
the kind of book whose events you find yourself repeating to friends. -- Telegraph
explores the complexities of human relationships and creates a convincing and touching portrayal of family life -- Time Out
one of the 20 best novels published this year -- New Statesman
the kind of book whose events you find yourself repeating to friends. -- Telegraph
Book Description
By the acclaimed author of Brass
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By traveller
Format:Hardcover
What an interesting read. Initially I didn't want to read much beyond the beginning when I knew that something awful was going to happen. But I did and it does. And then it's just a downward slide to an almost inevitable end.
But the book is compelling; Helen Walsh writes with real insight into lives and I suspect not all of this is fiction. The book made me cry at the end; but I could never say I am sorry I read it. I think it's a wonderful book, well written and incredibly real.
Wish I could find an e-mail address for her to tell her how much I liked her writing.
But the book is compelling; Helen Walsh writes with real insight into lives and I suspect not all of this is fiction. The book made me cry at the end; but I could never say I am sorry I read it. I think it's a wonderful book, well written and incredibly real.
Wish I could find an e-mail address for her to tell her how much I liked her writing.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Once Upon a Time in England - where to start? The initial ingredients are: the 1970s, the north of England, and a mixed marriage. You know something bad is going to happen.
Robbie is a carrot headed man of Irish heritage, living in Warrington. He sings with showbands and goes down a storm. Susheela is a Malay Indian from Kuala Lumpur who came to England to train as a nurse and find a husband. She found Robbie. Helen Walsh visits the family at three significant times - 1975, 1981 and 1989. In the first installment, Robbie and Susheela are in love; they have a young son Vincent and Susheela is expecting a second. But there are already tensions. The couple already seem to be divided on the question of exotic spice - whether in food (Susheela would like some, Robbie wouldn't) or in life in general. Robbie finds himself ostracized for his mixed marriage and he seems to find escape in his singing. Meanwhile, Susheela is threatened, and before long is raped in her own home by a gang of skinheads as part of a racial assault. Susheela tries to play it down - she decides to tell neither the police nor Robbie what really happened, but in truth she has lost her confidence for ever. By way of escape, she aims to integrate herself into white suburbia, surrounding herself with symbols of bland safety. And from this unpromising start, the family's lives start to unravel over the course of the next fourteen years.
The success of the novel is the enormity of what it takes on. It addresses a whole heap of social issues - race, mixed marriage, rape, homosexuality, queer bashing, drugs, social class, adultery, ambition, and the list goes on. Yet the skill is that it never feels as though it is ticking issues off on a list.... Read more ›
Robbie is a carrot headed man of Irish heritage, living in Warrington. He sings with showbands and goes down a storm. Susheela is a Malay Indian from Kuala Lumpur who came to England to train as a nurse and find a husband. She found Robbie. Helen Walsh visits the family at three significant times - 1975, 1981 and 1989. In the first installment, Robbie and Susheela are in love; they have a young son Vincent and Susheela is expecting a second. But there are already tensions. The couple already seem to be divided on the question of exotic spice - whether in food (Susheela would like some, Robbie wouldn't) or in life in general. Robbie finds himself ostracized for his mixed marriage and he seems to find escape in his singing. Meanwhile, Susheela is threatened, and before long is raped in her own home by a gang of skinheads as part of a racial assault. Susheela tries to play it down - she decides to tell neither the police nor Robbie what really happened, but in truth she has lost her confidence for ever. By way of escape, she aims to integrate herself into white suburbia, surrounding herself with symbols of bland safety. And from this unpromising start, the family's lives start to unravel over the course of the next fourteen years.
The success of the novel is the enormity of what it takes on. It addresses a whole heap of social issues - race, mixed marriage, rape, homosexuality, queer bashing, drugs, social class, adultery, ambition, and the list goes on. Yet the skill is that it never feels as though it is ticking issues off on a list.... Read more ›
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am a voracious reader yet this type of book (contemporary urban fiction I suppose) is not the sort of thing I would normally read. I usually read sci-fi , fantasy , horror thrillers or non- fiction yet for some reason I wanted to read this book and whatever sixth sense made me want to do that was especially well attuned that day For Once Upon A Time In England is a stunning memorable book.
I assume it's fair to call Once Upon A Time In England a modern kitchen sink drama though it is also fair to say it covers more universal theme's like how bigotry and racial intolerance tear families and communities apart and breed more intolerance. The story starts in the 1970,s where flame haired Robbie Fitzgerald is married to his Malaysian born wife Susheela .They have a baby son Vincent and a daughter Millie and live on a working class estate in Warrington where people ordering Chinese take aways are viewed with suspicion so this family are ideal targets for the local extremists. The story moves into the 1980,s and the family have moved into a more affluent part of town yet they are still treated with wariness and more subtle and sly forms of racism as high unemployment and the menacing rise of the BNP cast a vindictive shadow over the family.
What makes this book so terrific is that Helen Walsh has not only got a pragmatic handle on these characters but also of the times they set in . The music , fashion socio-politics (It helps that Helen Walsh has led a fairly colourful life herself) are all spot on and there are helpful doses of earthy humour. The ending is tragic and moving yet importantly retains an edge of hope as Vincent claws his life back for himself. It's very rare for a book to leave me with a lump in my throat but this book did.
I assume it's fair to call Once Upon A Time In England a modern kitchen sink drama though it is also fair to say it covers more universal theme's like how bigotry and racial intolerance tear families and communities apart and breed more intolerance. The story starts in the 1970,s where flame haired Robbie Fitzgerald is married to his Malaysian born wife Susheela .They have a baby son Vincent and a daughter Millie and live on a working class estate in Warrington where people ordering Chinese take aways are viewed with suspicion so this family are ideal targets for the local extremists. The story moves into the 1980,s and the family have moved into a more affluent part of town yet they are still treated with wariness and more subtle and sly forms of racism as high unemployment and the menacing rise of the BNP cast a vindictive shadow over the family.
What makes this book so terrific is that Helen Walsh has not only got a pragmatic handle on these characters but also of the times they set in . The music , fashion socio-politics (It helps that Helen Walsh has led a fairly colourful life herself) are all spot on and there are helpful doses of earthy humour. The ending is tragic and moving yet importantly retains an edge of hope as Vincent claws his life back for himself. It's very rare for a book to leave me with a lump in my throat but this book did.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Wow! I have just finished reading Once upon a time in England and it has
hit me as powerfully as my all time favourites did twenty years ago.
This novel is an emotional rollercoaster with a finale that had me
using every ounce of self control not to burst into tears.
This is undoubtedly the best novel I have read in years.
If you only read one novel this year, make it this one.
hit me as powerfully as my all time favourites did twenty years ago.
This novel is an emotional rollercoaster with a finale that had me
using every ounce of self control not to burst into tears.
This is undoubtedly the best novel I have read in years.
If you only read one novel this year, make it this one.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By E. Dennehy
Format:Paperback
This book is both vividly raw and yet deeply touching. It is a book about the complexity of people and in particular families. I have never cried after reading a book but was in a flood of tears at the end - I found it overwhelming.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Arkgirl
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is a powerful exploration of family life in Warrington through the 70's and 80's that hits hard. It was much grittier than I expected it was going to be from the cover with some brutal and shocking sections; it certainly packs an emotional punch. The four family members [Robbie, She, Vincent, and Ellie] all have times when their story come to the fore but it was Vincent who really leapt off the page to me. He was charismatic and vulnerable; he has to cope with so much pressure and you worry it might all become too much for him.
It starts with Robbie and Susheela in love and expecting their second child but then a shocking incident occurs that impacts on everything that is to follow. We then jump forward to life in a new suburb where racism is slightly more subtle than the brutality in their first home - Vincent is nearly ready for senior school and a target for bullies whilest young Ellie is starting school with no cares and lots of confidence. Finally we jump forward to life in the late 80's and what seems to be the inevitable tragic conclusion ... the only questions seem to be how, why, and to who. The twists and turns do lead you down some blind alleys but the ending is touching and you are left with some sense of hope for the family.
This is a book that will stay with you and would make a great book to discuss with a book group although some sections are not for the more sensitive reader. I will definitely be trying another book by Helen Walsh!
All of the characters are incredibly well drawn and thus have the ability to make you angry with them or make you feel protective when their actions lead them into difficult situations.
It starts with Robbie and Susheela in love and expecting their second child but then a shocking incident occurs that impacts on everything that is to follow. We then jump forward to life in a new suburb where racism is slightly more subtle than the brutality in their first home - Vincent is nearly ready for senior school and a target for bullies whilest young Ellie is starting school with no cares and lots of confidence. Finally we jump forward to life in the late 80's and what seems to be the inevitable tragic conclusion ... the only questions seem to be how, why, and to who. The twists and turns do lead you down some blind alleys but the ending is touching and you are left with some sense of hope for the family.
This is a book that will stay with you and would make a great book to discuss with a book group although some sections are not for the more sensitive reader. I will definitely be trying another book by Helen Walsh!
All of the characters are incredibly well drawn and thus have the ability to make you angry with them or make you feel protective when their actions lead them into difficult situations.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best novels I have read on modern British life
I came upon Helen Walsh in an article reviewing the list of the best young British writers which was bemoaning the fact that she hadn't been included on that list. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Angela Morrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Moving
I don't understand the negative reviews.
This book probably has the most moving ending to any book I have ever read, and the rest is excellent, gritty yes, but very absorbing... Read more
This book probably has the most moving ending to any book I have ever read, and the rest is excellent, gritty yes, but very absorbing... Read more
Published 11 months ago by pat28wpa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
The realistic, multi-dimensional characters make you feel almost a part of their family and you care about them all. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2010 by Not Much More
2.0 out of 5 stars
GCSE Novel Project Masquerading as Adult Fiction
I quite enjoyed Helen Walsh's first book `Brass', despite its flaws, and therefore approached her second book with high hopes. Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2010 by Zip Domingo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great
I approached this book with trepidation and then loved it. Mainy set in the 1980s in an England which I recognised. Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2010 by Louiseog
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gritty, real and sad reflection of our society
Reading this book made me feel sad for the society that I live in. It is about racism and its associated cruelty at all levels from the unintentional/ignorant actions of neighbours... Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2010 by Janie U
1.0 out of 5 stars
Awful! Don't believe the blurb.
The author's prose is so exaggerated and gushing that it made me actually cringe with embarrassment - it just doesn't suit the subject matter at all. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2010 by J. Marshall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harrowing
This book is so eloqently written that at times it made for a harrowing read but one that is well worth sticking with. Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2009 by kehs
5.0 out of 5 stars
a thing of awe and beauty...
This is the best book i have read in aaages. I loved her first book 'Brass' - a dark and seedy tale of drugs, sex and forgetting set in Liverpool - but this, is a total departure,... Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2009 by NB
4.0 out of 5 stars
Human Nature in a Nutshell
Susheela is Malaysian. When she marries a white man in a Northern town, she becomes pregnant with his children and settles into a life of drudgery and takeaways - a far cry from... Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by S Brewis
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
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.
