September Starlings: a tender but true to life saga about families and all they entail

by Ruth Hamilton

Laura Starling, now wealthy and successful, has survived a bitter past. She fled from a tyrannical mother into the clutches of a sadistic man. She endured poverty, fear and pain. Then along came Ben Starling, older, wiser, who smoothed her path and gave her love and security.





But now Ben has become a stranger who has slipped beyond her reach. As her stability threatens to disintegrate once more, a thin, waif-like girl from Liverpool thrusts her way into Laura's life - a girl who is to prove a link with the past. But no one can help Laura make the decisions that will alter the course of her existence. As the September starlings gather, Laura realises she must take courage and forge her own future.

640 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Ruth Hamilton was one of North West England's most popular writers. She was the bestselling author of twenty-five novels, including Spinning Jenny, The Bells of Scotland Road, Mulligan's Yard, Mersey View and That Liverpool Girl. She was born in Bolton, which is the setting for many of her novels, and spent most of her life in Lancashire.

(source: http://www.panmacmillan.com/author/ru...)

Reviews

[Linda Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

I only gave it 4 because it was quite long and tedious in some parts although the descriptions were good. One item to point out although Bolton football club was formed before Everton and Liverpool Blackpool was formed after Everton in 1887 Everton were formed in 1878 although they were not called Everton

[MRS MOLLY J SMALLMAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very life like

I enjoyed reading this book. In many places it took me back to places I have been although it seemed like a second life. It was different to most of her books which was nice.

[Hazel McHaffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of this book (on my version it was different) was a real turn-off for me but I overcame my feelings because the book is about Alzheimer's. It tells the story of Laura Starling who survives a bullying mother, a monster of husband and abject poverty, eventually finding security with an older enigmatic man. But when Ben Starling develops Alzheimer's disturbing behaviours give Laura glimpses into a troubled past. Gritty characters, lots of tension - I really liked it.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the novel opens, Laura visits a place from her childhood. Then there's a lengthy flashback, which continues for most of the novel. Good characters and atmosphere, excellent insight into caring for the terminally ill.