In a Class of Their Own: A moving family saga telling the story of a single mother's struggle to bring up her family in war-torn Edinburgh

by Millie Gray

A MOVING FAMILY SAGA TELLING THE STORY OF A SINGLE MOTHER'S STRUGGLE TO BRING UP HER FAMILY IN WAR-TORN LEITHAll Rachel Campbell really wants is a better life for herself and her children. But as the Second World War rages throughout Europe, life in Leith gets tougher day by day. Her feckless husband Johnny isn't helping either, so finally Rachel has no choice but to fend for herself and the children through the poverty and dangers of wartime. This is their story, as Rachel struggles to survive and the children grow up with all the joys and disappointments that life brings in difficult times.Based on the real-life wartime experiences of author Millie Gray, In A Class of Their Own brilliantly recreates the atmosphere of the time with all the hardships and struggles as well as the fun, warmth and humour of everyday life.

Genres: Historical Fiction

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2009

About the author

Millie Gray is a writer and professional storyteller. Her humorous plays attract audiences from all over Scotland and she is much in demand to do workshops and talks about her work. Millie Gray was born and raised in Leith and lives in Edinburgh.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this book as its full of Scottish slang. However I persevered and once I'd got into it I really quite enjoyed it although it was a bit open ended. Maybe a sequel? I would like to see one and would definitely read it.

[Margie · Rating 1 out of 5]

difficult to read

The language made it hard to read. The entire book was written with Scottish dialect and slang expressions. I felt bad for the children growing up in poverty but there was nothing special about this book or it’s family.

[mrs sd shellard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry but I found this book a bit slow also it was driving me mad the author has written in Scottish accent being welsh I couldn’t understand 🤨

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book but I found some of the characters, especially Rachel and Johnny, extremely irritating. I loved Sam's exploits and the details of how life was for many people at that time.

However there were parts of the book that I felt were unrealistic and it often seemed to jump periods of time without warning. The characters were suddenly obviously older but with no indication of how much time had passed, which I found frustrating as I had to read back to check I hadn't missed out parts of the story.

This book is not for anyone who has difficulties reading some Scot's dialect but will be particularly enjoyed by anyone with connections to the Leith area of Edinburgh.

[Jean Brodie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had thought this was going to be a true story but is in fact fiction.
Fairly uninteresting story of a family who have to resort to petty crime to make ends meet.
Excessive use of dialogue written in a Leith accent makes it a bit of a chore-if you're not Scottish I wouldn't bother with it (or as MG might say-if yer nae Scottish I widnae bither wa' it)

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, set in my home town. A story of a family and their ups and downs in life. You can really feel close to the characters but non scots may struggle with the local dialect. Definitely worth a read if you have connections with the Leith area of Edinburgh.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a complete change for me, as i usually read crime books, but once i'd got to grips with the Scottish words i was hooked, and was amazed that on the second day of reading it I was at the end.

[mr paul bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent storyline had to keep reading loved it I'm just waiting to see what to read from her next so going to look x

Excellent storylines you want to keep reading really loved the twang I'm just waiting to see which 1of hers I want to read next .

[jayne hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what has happen to Rachel and her family

Here we meet back up with Rachel she is now married but her man leaves her to bring up her bairns by herself we see how they all turn out

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good but struggled with the heavy scottish vernacular

[Tizmehr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this an 'okay' story but it could be a bit hard to read due the Scottish accent the dialogue was written in.

[Phyllis Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A good insight into the struggles to survive in those days. It Reminded me of the struggles of my parents.