Historical novel set around ENGLAND (Birmingham)
Historical novel set in 1930s ANCOATS, Manchester
6th March 2026
Rose and Renzo by Carolyn O’Brien, historical novel set in 1930s Ancoats, Manchester.
Rose and Ivy have moved into the Italian area of Manchester, a fairly run-down community. Their father, a vicar in Cheshire, recently died and they are struggling to make ends meet. Rose desires to go to Art School in the city but Ivy spells it out for her that they cannot afford for her to do this. She must bide her time and has already found her a job as a typist.
Crestfallen, Rose deals with the situation, befriends Freda who is Jewish and starts to become aware of the brooding political clouds forming across Europe, with reverberations even in her locality. In England there is a proliferation of fascist party membership under Mosley, with tentacles stretching back to Italy and Mussolini and beyond. The political extremism in that period reminds us to be wary in present day.
Rose first meets Renzo whilst visiting a gallery, he is wearing a fedora and naturally he catches her eye. He hails from Florence via Paris and, liker her, is invested in art. This gives them common ground as they find their way through the political and personal sphere.
The characters are sympathetically and thoughtfully drawn and it has been a pleasure to spend time with them.
The novel feels very well researched. As it opens, the over-use of commas, with clauses and sub-clauses makes for quite a stilted launch but as the author finds her confidence, a more natural writing style ensues. The descriptions of life in Little Italy are vivid, textured and transportive.
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