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Mollie Pride
Publication Date: April 11, 1991
Hello, America, this is Mollie Pride…
In the hectic days of flappers and dance marathons they play carnies and fairs from Maine to Texas. They're the Fabulous Pride Family, featuring six-year-old Mollie and her acrobatic Charleston – who cares if it's slightly off the beat, the kid's adorable. "Don't worry," Mollie's dad promises, "Easy Street is just a whistle-stop away." Seventeen years on, Mollie hasn't found Easy Street, only bit parts on popular radio shows like Tom Mix and The Lone Ranger, and One Man's Family. And a marriage that breaks her heart, but propels her across the Atlantic where the opening bars of the Charleston will introduce her intrepid broadcasts from blitz-battered London. In a world where the news is considered strictly a male preserve and a woman needs a man's signature to open a bank account, Mollie proves that "human interest" is not to be despised, that instead it's the key to ultimate victory. But while her broadcasts fascinate two continents, there's a secret no one suspects, terror and treason shadow Mollie's every word.
The widely acclaimed author of Bristol House and the City of Dreams series offers here the riveting story of the role radio played in the great and terrible drama of WWII, and the individual bravery and devotion that in the end prevailed. Smart, savvy, and enriched with Swerling’s trademark historical accuracy as well as an intricately constructed plot, this is a page-turning romantic thriller sure to delight her many fans.
Mollie Pride is a Beverly Swerling Encore Edition, and is appearing for the first time as an E-book.
Praise for Mollie Pride
"Sweeping from 1898 and the American brides who exchanged their fortunes for an English title to the Allied alliance that ultimately saw off Hitler, this is a page-turning saga sure to delight fans of the genre." —Journal and Times
"Early 20th century America (and England) have never been more vivid…" —West Country
"Pacy, Racy romantic thriller, mightily deserving of success…" —Mail
Hello, America, this is Mollie Pride…
In the hectic days of flappers and dance marathons they play carnies and fairs from Maine to Texas. They're the Fabulous Pride Family, featuring six-year-old Mollie and her acrobatic Charleston – who cares if it's slightly off the beat, the kid's adorable. "Don't worry," Mollie's dad promises, "Easy Street is just a whistle-stop away." Seventeen years on, Mollie hasn't found Easy Street, only bit parts on popular radio shows like Tom Mix and The Lone Ranger, and One Man's Family. And a marriage that breaks her heart, but propels her across the Atlantic where the opening bars of the Charleston will introduce her intrepid broadcasts from blitz-battered London. In a world where the news is considered strictly a male preserve and a woman needs a man's signature to open a bank account, Mollie proves that "human interest" is not to be despised, that instead it's the key to ultimate victory. But while her broadcasts fascinate two continents, there's a secret no one suspects, terror and treason shadow Mollie's every word.
The widely acclaimed author of Bristol House and the City of Dreams series offers here the riveting story of the role radio played in the great and terrible drama of WWII, and the individual bravery and devotion that in the end prevailed. Smart, savvy, and enriched with Swerling’s trademark historical accuracy as well as an intricately constructed plot, this is a page-turning romantic thriller sure to delight her many fans.
Mollie Pride is a Beverly Swerling Encore Edition, and is appearing for the first time as an E-book.
Praise for Mollie Pride
"Sweeping from 1898 and the American brides who exchanged their fortunes for an English title to the Allied alliance that ultimately saw off Hitler, this is a page-turning saga sure to delight fans of the genre." —Journal and Times
"Early 20th century America (and England) have never been more vivid…" —West Country
"Pacy, Racy romantic thriller, mightily deserving of success…" —Mail
- GenresHistorical Fiction
ebook
First published January 1, 1991
21 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Swerling
24 books251 followersI’m told that a number of critics who have said kind things about my books, have been less kind about the very brief bio on my book jackets. First, don’t blame Simon & Schuster; it’s my fault. Publishers use the data supplied by the author for this kind of thing, and I didn’t supply much. I guess because it seems that almost everything needs a long explanation. Which is probably me being egotistical. What do you care, right? You buy my books to be entertained (and very grateful I am), you don’t give two hoots about me.
But there are those picky critics…
Here then is a somewhat less abbreviated version.
I grew up in the Boston suburb of Revere, and while I won’t tell you when, I will say that it was very different from what it is today. The beach was, as it still is, one of the natural wonders of the state of Massachusetts, but the front was NOT lined with condo high-rises. It was a boardwalk with stands selling fried clams (Massachusetts has the world’s best fried clams – made from the Ipswich soft shells, they remain what I’d choose for my last meal on this earth) and French fries and soft ice cream that we called frozen custard. Plus there were all kinds of gambling games of the sort found at any fairground – pitch ‘til you win, folks! – and a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster and a tunnel of love.
Another feature of Revere back then was that it was almost entirely either Jewish or Italian (my own family is a mixture of both) and because the town had a dog track – Wonderland - and a horse track – Suffolk Downs – there was a lot of what is politely called off-track betting. Which wasn’t legal then, and for all I know still is not. Nonetheless, any number of family members rented rooms to bookies – the chief requirement being that these gentlemen of the turf had to be able to see one or the other of the tote boards with binoculars, (a world without cell phones, remember) and know how much they were liable to pay out, which in turn affected what odds they could offer on the next race.
I went from that upstanding childhood to a small Catholic girls college in the Midwest, then a job in New York as a file clerk to support my writing – all non-fiction at first – until I was able to earn my way as a free lance journalist.
For a time after that I lived in Europe.
Where I got married for a brief and unpleasant period, then came home and wrote more non-fiction. And got married again.
And went back to Europe.
And started writing fiction, and – hallelujah! – selling it.
And came back to New York with my by now long time husband, and began writing City of Dreams…
Which just about catches you up. Except for the bits I’ve left out.
And, oh yes, one other important part of my life and my work: On that so brief bio on the S&S book jacket it mentions that I’m a consultant. Many people have asked me what kind.
Happens that my husband – who has his own website at www.agentresearch.com – runs the world’s number one consultancy for authors looking for new (or sometimes a first) agents. It’s called Agent Research and Evaluation, Inc. and I do some work for some of his clients. I also occasionally mentor new writers – and some who are not so new. What they all have in common is a passion for what they’re writing, so working with them gives me great joy, and most have found it helpful. (Admittedly not all. I set the bar high.) Some of what I have to share about the hows and the whys of this wonderful but very tough business of writing can be found at The Business of Writing page. At other parts of the site you’ll find more about my books, including excerpts from some not yet published work, such as City of Glory, which continues the story of the Turners and the Devreys of City of Dreams. City of Glory will be out in January. We’ve also put up an excerpt from the next book in that series, still little more than a gleam in my eye.
But there are those picky critics…
Here then is a somewhat less abbreviated version.
I grew up in the Boston suburb of Revere, and while I won’t tell you when, I will say that it was very different from what it is today. The beach was, as it still is, one of the natural wonders of the state of Massachusetts, but the front was NOT lined with condo high-rises. It was a boardwalk with stands selling fried clams (Massachusetts has the world’s best fried clams – made from the Ipswich soft shells, they remain what I’d choose for my last meal on this earth) and French fries and soft ice cream that we called frozen custard. Plus there were all kinds of gambling games of the sort found at any fairground – pitch ‘til you win, folks! – and a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster and a tunnel of love.
Another feature of Revere back then was that it was almost entirely either Jewish or Italian (my own family is a mixture of both) and because the town had a dog track – Wonderland - and a horse track – Suffolk Downs – there was a lot of what is politely called off-track betting. Which wasn’t legal then, and for all I know still is not. Nonetheless, any number of family members rented rooms to bookies – the chief requirement being that these gentlemen of the turf had to be able to see one or the other of the tote boards with binoculars, (a world without cell phones, remember) and know how much they were liable to pay out, which in turn affected what odds they could offer on the next race.
I went from that upstanding childhood to a small Catholic girls college in the Midwest, then a job in New York as a file clerk to support my writing – all non-fiction at first – until I was able to earn my way as a free lance journalist.
For a time after that I lived in Europe.
Where I got married for a brief and unpleasant period, then came home and wrote more non-fiction. And got married again.
And went back to Europe.
And started writing fiction, and – hallelujah! – selling it.
And came back to New York with my by now long time husband, and began writing City of Dreams…
Which just about catches you up. Except for the bits I’ve left out.
And, oh yes, one other important part of my life and my work: On that so brief bio on the S&S book jacket it mentions that I’m a consultant. Many people have asked me what kind.
Happens that my husband – who has his own website at www.agentresearch.com – runs the world’s number one consultancy for authors looking for new (or sometimes a first) agents. It’s called Agent Research and Evaluation, Inc. and I do some work for some of his clients. I also occasionally mentor new writers – and some who are not so new. What they all have in common is a passion for what they’re writing, so working with them gives me great joy, and most have found it helpful. (Admittedly not all. I set the bar high.) Some of what I have to share about the hows and the whys of this wonderful but very tough business of writing can be found at The Business of Writing page. At other parts of the site you’ll find more about my books, including excerpts from some not yet published work, such as City of Glory, which continues the story of the Turners and the Devreys of City of Dreams. City of Glory will be out in January. We’ve also put up an excerpt from the next book in that series, still little more than a gleam in my eye.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 24, 2013
4.0 out of 5 stars - "Moved by love, honor and duty."
Anyone who knows me or reads my reviews understands that I love historical fiction and that one of my favorite authors is Beverly Swerling. When I opened this book, because of the author's meticulous research, I was transported to the time period, the environment, and the culture that came alive under her skillful prose.
The time is 1930s in the period of unrest just before events led up to WW II and the initial setting is America. Citizens in the US weren't looking to be involved in any of what was going on "across the pond" and the isolationist views held by most businessmen and politicians were also supported by many of the people living in the country.
Mollie Pride's unique family and upbringing lead her to a broadcast career that eventually takes her from America to London during the Blitz when she is not even 20 years old. "Hello, America, this is Mollie Pride..." Live from the battered streets, she interviews people at the scene, bringing the horrors, scarcities and tribulations of war home to households in human interest stories that make the realities of war evident to them in a society where real news is typically a man's world. Though she herself has suffered personal heartbreak and loss, Mollie finds that she will need every ounce of bravery and courage that she possesses in order to provide encouragement and support for those so affected by Hitler's war on so many foreign fronts. When the US enters the war, finally, Mollie is called on to keep secrets that put her in grave danger as some in power are listening to every word she says on air.
I found the novel fascinating as a glimpse into both broadcast journalism during the 1930s and as a study of how one woman entered that male dominated occupation and brought something new to those listening on the other end of the radio. The power of the spoken word over the airwaves of the day was never so evident as during this period in history. Propaganda was coming from Germany and from Japan, enemies and alliances changed by the day, and every broadcast was censored and controlled. How then would the truth be told? Molly, though often afraid of the ramifications, reported honestly the events she witnessed even when her own interests and needs had to be put aside for the greater good. She was a heroine in a time where honor and duty were evident in the actions of people in the most unlikely circumstances. There was also great evil and terror, and Mollie faced those with her indomitable personality and strong spirit.
There is also romance amidst the fear, the secrecy and the background of war, and the reader will root for Mollie all the way. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction set during the 1930s and early 1940s in both America and London.
I am eagerly looking forward to Beverly Swerling's next book!
Anyone who knows me or reads my reviews understands that I love historical fiction and that one of my favorite authors is Beverly Swerling. When I opened this book, because of the author's meticulous research, I was transported to the time period, the environment, and the culture that came alive under her skillful prose.
The time is 1930s in the period of unrest just before events led up to WW II and the initial setting is America. Citizens in the US weren't looking to be involved in any of what was going on "across the pond" and the isolationist views held by most businessmen and politicians were also supported by many of the people living in the country.
Mollie Pride's unique family and upbringing lead her to a broadcast career that eventually takes her from America to London during the Blitz when she is not even 20 years old. "Hello, America, this is Mollie Pride..." Live from the battered streets, she interviews people at the scene, bringing the horrors, scarcities and tribulations of war home to households in human interest stories that make the realities of war evident to them in a society where real news is typically a man's world. Though she herself has suffered personal heartbreak and loss, Mollie finds that she will need every ounce of bravery and courage that she possesses in order to provide encouragement and support for those so affected by Hitler's war on so many foreign fronts. When the US enters the war, finally, Mollie is called on to keep secrets that put her in grave danger as some in power are listening to every word she says on air.
I found the novel fascinating as a glimpse into both broadcast journalism during the 1930s and as a study of how one woman entered that male dominated occupation and brought something new to those listening on the other end of the radio. The power of the spoken word over the airwaves of the day was never so evident as during this period in history. Propaganda was coming from Germany and from Japan, enemies and alliances changed by the day, and every broadcast was censored and controlled. How then would the truth be told? Molly, though often afraid of the ramifications, reported honestly the events she witnessed even when her own interests and needs had to be put aside for the greater good. She was a heroine in a time where honor and duty were evident in the actions of people in the most unlikely circumstances. There was also great evil and terror, and Mollie faced those with her indomitable personality and strong spirit.
There is also romance amidst the fear, the secrecy and the background of war, and the reader will root for Mollie all the way. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction set during the 1930s and early 1940s in both America and London.
I am eagerly looking forward to Beverly Swerling's next book!
August 2, 2013
Excellent. This story, spanning 2 world wars and the emergence of mass media, carries not only the culture, politics and values of the time but includes intrigue, coming-of-age and love, with complicated and believable characters. This is a winner.
Want to read
March 25, 2021This was a great read. Love the life that Molly lived, she was daring, curious and a fighter.
June 11, 2018
Loved it! Couldn’t put it down!
June 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!
August 3, 2016
I was disappointed in this book. I had read such great reviews and could not wait to read it. While I enjoyed the history, I felt the characters were a little one dimensional and I had a hard time really caring about what happened to them. I also felt the Kate story line was probably unnecessary. However, the biggest disappointment was the fact that the book was full of grammatical and editing errors. I don't think the book was proofed at all before publication. There were several typos, words were misused, sentences and, in some cases, whole paragraphs were repeated multiple times. In most cases, the errors would have been easily noticeable and could have been fixed if someone had just taken the time to actually proofread.
November 19, 2013
Mollie Pride is another fascinating, beautifully written, winner from the brilliant Beverly Swerling. Set in the years leading up to and during WW II shifting from the US to Britain to Japan, the characters, storyline and historical detail make this one if those that you stay up all night reading. It is wonderful that Ms. SWERLING has updated this novel as well as Juffie Kane and made them available to her readers in e book format.
July 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews