“In hard times, true friendship will see them through…”
- Book: Hope For The Railway Girls (Railway Girls #5)
- Location: Leeds, Manchester
- Author: Maisie Thomas
If, after five books featuring ‘The Railway Girls’, you are thinking that the storylines might be getting rather stale and the characters all played out, let me assure you that is a million miles from the truth. Just because many of their menfolk are away fighting, doesn’t mean that everyday life with its mundane ups and downs, comes to a standstill for those left at home. All those daily challenges which we take in our everyday stride during peacetime, are still there in times of war, only they can often be a whole lot more difficult to overcome and reconcile. Plus, there is the added worry and stress of hoping that your loved ones will be coming back home safe and sound; whilst protecting the young and vulnerable, left in your care, against the bombs and privations of a war which is brought to your doorstep. Whilst also for many women, there is the entirely new prospect of forging a brave new path into the workplace, to take up some of those jobs left unattended by those men now away fighting on the frontline.
To say that this was a culture shock to those men who had been unable to join the frontline fighting forces, is to trivialise the feelings at the turning inside out of the very fabric of their lives. Many have accepted the inevitable with good grace, whilst some still harbour ill-will and grudges a plenty, especially when the women prove they are more than capable of ensuring that the most important of services are kept running efficiently, as well as still being able to maintain home and family with an almost ‘service as usual’ attitude and yes, even some smiles and a few light-hearted moments along the way!
With each new episode, author, Maisie Thomas, always manages to put a slightly different spin and focus on the action, both inside and around Manchester’s Victoria Railway Station, which keeps every storyline unique, fresh, vibrant and relevant to the cultural and societal mores of the times. Also, whilst written as a series, each book is expertly structured to sit happily as a standalone story, with any necessary backstory details fed seamlessly into the narrative, so that whilst a new reader would never feel left out or cheated in any way, a confirmed series reader like myself, wouldn’t notice any excess repetition surrounding past events and relationships.
You have no idea how lovely it was to be sat in the corner of the Victoria Station buffet again, sharing a cup of tea and eavesdropping on the conversations of my ‘Railway Girl’ friends, as they meet for the first time in the New Year, albeit a very poignant moment, as one of their original number, has sadly, but very bravely, lost her life in an air raid, just before Christmas.
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Although for this fifth story, the spotlight switches direction, to focus on three different members of the group, of course, it is still “all for one and one for all” when the chips are down, with the matriarch Mrs Dot Green, remaining the lynchpin which holds everything together and on whom they can all depend, either as a mother figure to the younger members, or as a sensible shoulder to cry on and offer words of advice and wisdom, to her fellow, more mature friends. The ladies all come from diverse backgrounds, some are more polished than others and whilst they may not under any other circumstances, be the most natural group of friends, they have quickly learned that war is a great leveller and defies class distinction. So, Dots down-to-earth Mancunian outlook on life, with no airs and graces, maybe a little rough around the edges and with not too many social skills or much etiquette, is respected and valued by all. That having been said, when occasion demands, Dot is only too happy enlist and defer to, the professional help which is offered by the more well-heeled ladies and indeed their husbands and families, in yet another seismic shift of those evolving class barriers.
Another of the stalwart members, Joan, is due to take her leave of not only her rather impromptu extended work family, but from the railway itself, as a happy event for her and husband Bob, is not too far away now. Joan has sought Dot’s advice on more than one occasion over the past couple of years and although she and Bob couldn’t be happier in their new life together, a secret from Joan’s past, which Bob knows all about, is set to rear its ugly head once again, with potentially devastating consequences for both their families. This is one of those occasions where, having friends in high places, is a definite advantage and the Honourable Persephone, or to be more exact, her even more Honourable father, steps up to help. The aftermath; whilst hastening some events along, albeit a tad inconveniently; might also heal a lifelong family rift for Joan, which will herald new and happy beginnings.
Margaret, a recent ‘newbie’ to the group, is settling in nicely, although not all the ladies are privy to the personal sadness and raw heartbreak, she is hiding from them, as she desperately tries to put the past behind her and move on with her life. In another family rift which also seems irrevocable, Margaret makes a brave and life-changing decision, however in doing so, her attempts to find closure are temporarily and unknowingly thwarted, this time by another member of the Railway Girls. When Margaret’s naivety and a blinkered and intransigent legal system, which refuses to move on with the changing times, threatens to thwart her plans, it is this time, Cordelia’s solicitor husband, who steps in to save the day.
I have also just learned that Alison, another member of the ‘gang’ has been sent on secondment for an indeterminate period, to help in the setting up of a new canteen facility to service the railway station and hospital – in Leeds. She has spent much of the last few months trying to get over a broken heart and has only very recently felt able to move on with someone new in her life, Joel, a doctor, so this feels like a real body-blow for her, although little does she realise that her private life is set to become a whole lot more complicated during the coming weeks and she will have to endure the pain of yet more difficult choices, especially when her decision could affect the harmony within the group of ladies, potentially forcing them to take sides. However, a brave confession and some plain honest talking, looks set to both break down yet another class barrier, bring herself and Margaret to forge a new understanding and tentative friendship, setting things back on track for future harmonious buffet meetings.
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Pages to the well-crafted, fluent, seamless chapters, simply turned themselves and passed by in the blink of an eye, leaving me surprised to have powered through the book in only three or four sittings, yet amazed at just how short a distance on the physical timeline I had actually travelled.
This multi-layered, immersive and beautifully textured storyline has been meticulously researched with a real passion and keen eye for detail. Some wonderfully descriptive narrative and dialogue gives an excellent and visually perceptive depth to the story, offering a truly evocative sense of time and place.
Maisie has created and brought to life, a well-developed and individually moulded cast of characters, who have grown in stature and confidence with each new visit, given them a strong voice with which to tell their tale and who totally owned this storyline. They were often complex and emotional, raw, passionate and sometimes vulnerable; but always totally authentic, genuinely believable and completely engaging. The dynamics and synergy between them, makes them easy to connect with, as a micro community I could totally invest in. Even the most stoic and private of them, quickly comes to realise, that in these times of doubt and uncertainty, a trouble shared is a trouble halved, as they prove time and again that they will always be there for one another, whether it be to lend a helping hand, a sympathetic listening ear, or simply as a shoulder to cry on. Maisie never forgets those poignant, unscripted moments either, the ones which are filled with spontaneous heart and humour and which she compassionately captures to perfection.
I read this series, for enjoyment, entertainment and escapism. Ideally, I also like my storylines to be engaging, emotional and educational. So, when each new book can continue to evoke all those feelings, time and time again, without losing its edge and its 5*+ rating, then I know I am still on to a winner!
I already have my eye on book #6, Maisie
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