The struggles of war will build the strongest of friendships…
1940, Liverpool: Best friends Alice Turner and Millie Markham work for the war effort at Rootes munitions factory, making shell caps and Halifax bombers. Alice’s sweetheart Terry is home from the front for a brief period of leave, and the women are excitedly planning a whirlwind wedding.
But the honeymoon is soon over, and the ever-present air raid sirens quickly bring Alice back down to earth. When a terrible explosion at the factory leads to a tragic death, and a loved one is announced missing in action, it’s only their friendship and the support of the other factory girls which help to keep Alice and Millie’s spirits up.
As the war stretches on with no sign of an ending, can Alice and Millie help one another make it through – and find happiness even in the darkest of times?
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Many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for my copy of The Factory Girls of Lark Lane to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
The Mersey trilogy established Pam Howes as a bright new voice in the women's historical fiction genre and also as one of my favourite authors. Pam writes vividly of life for the women, families and friends left at home during World War Two whilst their men are away fighting against the maniac that was Hitler. The main theme of this new Factory Girls series is that the struggles of war will see friendships strengthen and this couldn't be more accurate.
In The Factory Girls of Lark Lane we are introduced to another strong, resilient and courageous young woman called Alice Turner. Alice is the stalwart of this story and as we journey with her through her experiences of the war and numerous life altering events the reader finds themselves once again hooked just as much as I had been with Dora's story in the previous series. At times, I feel war time family saga series tend to get a bit repetitive in their descriptions of life at home. Thankfully this wasn't the case here as the author manages to keep everything fresh and interesting and the fact I am still discovering new information about the war and how people coped on a daily basis is testament to the wonderful writing and in depth research undertaken by the author.
Alice works with her best friend Millie Markham in Rootes munitions factory in Liverpool. They work in the riveting section making the framework of wings for the planes that will go on to bomb the enemy. Their work is vital for the war effort and they take great pride in it. Alice likes to keep her business to herself but within a factory setting and on the street where she lives everyone knows everybody else’s business. This may seem overbearing to some people but I suppose this could be classed as being only a good thing as in times of need people will know when to step in and offer a helping hand. When we are first introduced to Alice she is bubbling with excitement as she is just about to marry her sweetheart Terry. They have one day before he has to return to training and then god knows how long before she will see him again as he could be shipped away to any place. Even an air raid warning won't stop them enjoying their big day.
We all know life was more than a struggle for people during the war and how it presented so many challenges and obstacles but to always have that threat of the air raid siren blaring out must have had people on edge twenty four seven. The calm, peaceful lives they led pre-war must have been but a distant memory replaced by worry, fear and anxiety. Their normal routine disrupted for six long years and beyond and those they loved the most taken away for them to fight for their country. A life without any luxuries or treats but entertainment and excitement was created wherever and whenever possible even b the tightest if means. Rationing became the norm but Alice proved to be resourceful and I loved how she was always willing to go that extra mile for her family which only highlighted the love and dedication she had for them. She always had a long term goal in her mind that drove her on. She wanted Terry to come back to some sort sort of security and family unit but with so much devastation, loss and upheaval surrounding them could this be at all possible?
Alice and Millie had a united friendship whose bonds were only strengthened through all the ups and downs they go through. I loved how they were there for each other every step of the way even if circumstances and opportunities did take them away for each other at some points. No matter how long the separation they would always reunite. Once you have that deep connection that goes beyond friendship it's hard to break it no matter the mountains placed in your way. Although I did laugh at Millie's attempts to join the Land Army! The only very minor fault that I found with this story, and it's more just a personal opinion rather than any error with the writing, is that I wanted to know more about Millie. I know this was Alice's story to tell but I would have liked to have read a few chapters from Millie's perspective, I wonder will the next book focus on Millie or rather extend and continue Alice's story?
The person who definitely held the spotlight throughout the story was undoubtedly Alice. As Terry leaves after their wedding night it is up to her to continue on. She was the one who had to keep her family going. Her father had died, her mother was very vulnerable and the place where she had worked had closed down. Older brother Rodney was away fighting in France and younger brother Brian had been evacuated to North Wales. Alice couldn't sit down and just let things crumble around her, there had to have been something for Terry and Rodney to return too. That's if they survived the horrors they were experiencing. Alice kept the show running and worked herself to the bone. She proved time and time again how responsible she was and above all else the word loyalty really sums up her character. Keeping enough food on the table, staying alive and one step of the enemy became common place and I felt she dealt with all the curve balls that life threw at her with dignity, respect and confidence. She had her friends and neighbours backs and they did the same for her. The community spirit and camaraderie was evident on the factory floor and this was extended outside of working hours. People didn't want to see friends and family suffer unnecessarily and they all roped in together when needed.
Alice came down to earth with a bang once Terry left and as she discovers something surprising but which will lead to happiness she is tested to the max. Terry's mother, Mrs.Lomax, played a pivotal supportive role throughout the story and Alice would have been lost without her as her own mother had her own issues to deal with. Quite often the mother-in-law in women's fictions books plays the baddie role, the woman we all despise and basically just want rid of so I was thrilled to see Mrs. Lomax hadn't been assigned that form of character. I wouldn't say it was all smooth sailing between herself and Alice but still I thought she really stepped up to the plate when Alice needed help. She wasn't going to let her daughter-in-law suffer when her son was away. She was kind, caring and offered so much help that she became like a surrogate mother to her and it shows during the times of war people put aside any issues or little resentments they might feel and always did what was best for one another. After all the war both on home and foreign soil brought countless highs and lows but this story shows how all women were proud of their war work either at home or in factories or on the land as they know they are doing their bit to prevent one man getting his ultimate way.
The most touching aspect of the story was in relation to Edith, Alice's mother. It was written with such sensitivity and tact and was just utterly heartbreaking. I don't know Alice kept going but she did and I thought if Terry could see her at home he would have been so very proud of her. The Factory Girls of Lark Lane was a brilliant introduction to this new series from Pam Howes. The fact I read in one afternoon shows how much I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It's true to life of the time and packed full of characters you wish nothing but a happy outcome for. Creating capable, steady irrepressible female characters is Pam Howes' forte. Alice is a stand out character whose story will transport you back in time to a period where a positive outlook and clinging to hope became the factors that got people through the war. Now if Pam Howes could just hurry up and write book two as I am very eager to return to Liverpool and the factory girls to see what happens next.
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