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Blue Above the Chimneys
The wild childhood of a Glasgow tenement urchin
Born during the Second World War in Glasgow, Christine Fraser was her mother's eighth child. Growing up with her siblings in a tiny flat, learning to avoid her hardworking, hard-drinking one-eyed father, making a menace of herself in the streets along with the other urchins, Christine lived an impoverished life but never once cared. Until she was struck down by a terrible illness.
Suddenly, her wild days of childhood were over. A long spell in hospital completely changed her life. Now she found herself dependent on others for so many of her needs. And on top of that her mother and father died.
Yet Christine was always resourceful and never once looked down. She knew that always there, if you looked hard enough, was some blue up above the chimneys.
Born during the Second World War in Glasgow, Christine Fraser was her mother's eighth child. Growing up with her siblings in a tiny flat, learning to avoid her hardworking, hard-drinking one-eyed father, making a menace of herself in the streets along with the other urchins, Christine lived an impoverished life but never once cared. Until she was struck down by a terrible illness.
Suddenly, her wild days of childhood were over. A long spell in hospital completely changed her life. Now she found herself dependent on others for so many of her needs. And on top of that her mother and father died.
Yet Christine was always resourceful and never once looked down. She knew that always there, if you looked hard enough, was some blue up above the chimneys.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
68 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Christine Marion Fraser
60 books32 followersChristine Marion Fraser was one of Scotland's best-selling authors, outselling even Catherine Cookson. She published 22 books in 18 years and was the author of the much-loved Rhanna series. Her formative years were spent in the post-war Govan district of Glasgow and went on to become a beacon of Scottish publishing. Christine spent her later life in Argyll with her husband and family.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 15, 2023
Blue Above the Chimneys is the first book of an autobiographical trilogy. Christine Marion Fraser, born in 1938 to a large Scottish family living in the tenements of Glasgow, became ill and was hospitalized at ten years of age. First, she came down with bronchitis, then conjunctivitis, then shingles, an unusual illness for a kid to catch. Eventually she was diagnosed as having a rare bone disease related to a calcium imbalance. Multiple exploratory treatments and operations failed. Life in a wheelchair became her fate. She writes here of her family, her tomboy childhood, her hospital memories, the death of both her parents by the age of nineteen and ultimately her positive view of life. What is delivered here is her unique story of coping with and overcoming a physical handicap. The next book in the trilogy will I believe introduce us to her future husband. I have immediately begun it. There is no stopping in the middle! It’s captivating all the way through.
Why do I like this? Why is it worth four stars? It gives us a mix of both hard times and happy times! It is not soppy nor depressing, and yet at the same time the author speaks frankly and honestly of her fears, loneliness, of being different and not belonging. She speaks of the hardships her disability has entailed while we at the same time observe how this very same handicap has shaped her in a good way.
The book gives us an in-depth character portrayal. Her fears become our fears. We watch as she develops into a free-spirited and courageous human being, while still in her teens. She is full of fun. She is impulsive. She can sit and daydream too. Having been raised in drab tenement surroundings, albeit by a loving mother, we watch her growing appreciation of nature and the countryside. We watch as her first pets, caterpillars, hidden from probing eyes in the lid of a toilet, expand to include parakeets, a one-eyed cat and I see ahead a family life with dogs.
What I am trying to get across here is the mix of the difficult and sad with that which is happy and glad. Honesty and forthrightness give readers a true to life mirroring of Christine’s whole world. Humor and consideration for others are as much a part of Christine’s life story as are the grueling difficulties life has thrown at her.
At ten, I too was hospitalized. Christine’s fear was huge. So was mine. Learning how to cope with a serious illness is no easy task for a child. My point is that Christine is one easy to empathize with. I recommend this book for young people learning how to cope with an illness. It is both honest and uplifting. It encourages and gives hope. but not in silly, false ways.
The prose works for me. It’s down to earth.
The book draws a realistic picture of life in the tenements and housing estates for the poor in Glasgow during the 1940s through 1950s. Christine’s father works in the shipyards. Nights drinking too much, abusive slaps, irresponsible rages as well as fond memories of stories told and visits to fairs make up the mixed bag of Christine and her numerous siblings’ childhood reminiscences. The mother, loving and kind, . Consistently, we are served up both the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, over and over and over again. A full picture is drawn that is real and complete.
Caroline Guthrie reads this RNIB recording. She speaks with a strong accent. The words are in the dialect of the Glasgow area and mirror the lives of the struggling poor. This is appropriate. At the start, I sometimes had difficulty following. Now I am used to her manner of speaking and have little trouble. Four stars for the narration. I would not want it read differently.
I would like to bring your attention to one last thing. Consider the books’ titles. The books of the trilogy are listed below. It is common knowledge that Christine became an acclaimed author. Her prose is vivid, as well as being accurate and emotive. The titles foreshadow the infusion of color and light that envelope Christine’s life as well as her books.
********************
1.Blue Above the Chimneys 4 stars
2.Roses Round the Door 5 stars
3.Green Are My Mountains 3 stars
Why do I like this? Why is it worth four stars? It gives us a mix of both hard times and happy times! It is not soppy nor depressing, and yet at the same time the author speaks frankly and honestly of her fears, loneliness, of being different and not belonging. She speaks of the hardships her disability has entailed while we at the same time observe how this very same handicap has shaped her in a good way.
The book gives us an in-depth character portrayal. Her fears become our fears. We watch as she develops into a free-spirited and courageous human being, while still in her teens. She is full of fun. She is impulsive. She can sit and daydream too. Having been raised in drab tenement surroundings, albeit by a loving mother, we watch her growing appreciation of nature and the countryside. We watch as her first pets, caterpillars, hidden from probing eyes in the lid of a toilet, expand to include parakeets, a one-eyed cat and I see ahead a family life with dogs.
What I am trying to get across here is the mix of the difficult and sad with that which is happy and glad. Honesty and forthrightness give readers a true to life mirroring of Christine’s whole world. Humor and consideration for others are as much a part of Christine’s life story as are the grueling difficulties life has thrown at her.
At ten, I too was hospitalized. Christine’s fear was huge. So was mine. Learning how to cope with a serious illness is no easy task for a child. My point is that Christine is one easy to empathize with. I recommend this book for young people learning how to cope with an illness. It is both honest and uplifting. It encourages and gives hope. but not in silly, false ways.
The prose works for me. It’s down to earth.
The book draws a realistic picture of life in the tenements and housing estates for the poor in Glasgow during the 1940s through 1950s. Christine’s father works in the shipyards. Nights drinking too much, abusive slaps, irresponsible rages as well as fond memories of stories told and visits to fairs make up the mixed bag of Christine and her numerous siblings’ childhood reminiscences. The mother, loving and kind, . Consistently, we are served up both the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, over and over and over again. A full picture is drawn that is real and complete.
Caroline Guthrie reads this RNIB recording. She speaks with a strong accent. The words are in the dialect of the Glasgow area and mirror the lives of the struggling poor. This is appropriate. At the start, I sometimes had difficulty following. Now I am used to her manner of speaking and have little trouble. Four stars for the narration. I would not want it read differently.
I would like to bring your attention to one last thing. Consider the books’ titles. The books of the trilogy are listed below. It is common knowledge that Christine became an acclaimed author. Her prose is vivid, as well as being accurate and emotive. The titles foreshadow the infusion of color and light that envelope Christine’s life as well as her books.
********************
1.Blue Above the Chimneys 4 stars
2.Roses Round the Door 5 stars
3.Green Are My Mountains 3 stars
August 9, 2024
Let me hug this memoir ❤️🩹
BLUE ABOVE THE CHIMNEYS, a memoir by Christine Marion Fraser is NOW one of the best memoirs (or for that matter one of the top nonfiction reads) ever.
The book reads like a perfect historical fiction with easily accessible writing, no info dumping, good flow and good narrative.
What the memoir includes:
It is the story of a Glasgow tenement urchin finding her way against adversity.
Born during the Second World War in Glasgow, Christine Fraser was her mother’s eighth child.
Growing up with her siblings in a tiny flat, learning to avoid her hardworking, hard-drinking one-eyed father, making a menace of herself in the streets along with the other urchins, Christine lived an impoverished life but never once cared.
Until she was struck down by a terrible illness. Suddenly, her wild days of childhood were over. A long spell in hospital completely changed her life. Now she found herself dependent on others for so many of her needs. And on top of that, her mother and father have died.
Yet Christine was always resourceful and never once looked down. She knew that always there, if you looked hard enough, was some blue up above the chimneys.
I would say the memoir perfectly describes coming of age and the struggles of a growing up child.
Hopefully you LOVE this book as much as I do!
BLUE ABOVE THE CHIMNEYS, a memoir by Christine Marion Fraser is NOW one of the best memoirs (or for that matter one of the top nonfiction reads) ever.
The book reads like a perfect historical fiction with easily accessible writing, no info dumping, good flow and good narrative.
What the memoir includes:
It is the story of a Glasgow tenement urchin finding her way against adversity.
Born during the Second World War in Glasgow, Christine Fraser was her mother’s eighth child.
Growing up with her siblings in a tiny flat, learning to avoid her hardworking, hard-drinking one-eyed father, making a menace of herself in the streets along with the other urchins, Christine lived an impoverished life but never once cared.
Until she was struck down by a terrible illness. Suddenly, her wild days of childhood were over. A long spell in hospital completely changed her life. Now she found herself dependent on others for so many of her needs. And on top of that, her mother and father have died.
Yet Christine was always resourceful and never once looked down. She knew that always there, if you looked hard enough, was some blue up above the chimneys.
I would say the memoir perfectly describes coming of age and the struggles of a growing up child.
Hopefully you LOVE this book as much as I do!
January 22, 2014
A wonderfully written autobiography of a young girl growing up in Glasgow from about 1943. I was reading one night in bed after my hubby was asleep, trying really hard not to wake him, and I came to the chapter about Chris going to the cinema with her sister and Mam and Da and I started laughing so hard I had to get out of bed and run into the bathroom where I could laugh without waking him. So funny.
February 18, 2013
I read this book 2 or 4 years ago and I still remember so much about it. It was a great great book.
Although I don't cry or laugh while reading books or watching T.V., but this book brought me as close to sadness as I've ever been.
This was a very very good autobiographical work, really interesting and sad. It told me how life could change as you grow older and how you can always have something to smile at and cry about.
The landscapes and moments captured by Christine Marion Fraser are beautiful.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as I get my hands on it.
Although I don't cry or laugh while reading books or watching T.V., but this book brought me as close to sadness as I've ever been.
This was a very very good autobiographical work, really interesting and sad. It told me how life could change as you grow older and how you can always have something to smile at and cry about.
The landscapes and moments captured by Christine Marion Fraser are beautiful.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as I get my hands on it.
June 19, 2013
I love books that follow the life of a character throughout their whole life so we can see how it went for them "later". This book did that beautifully. It's unpredictable as real life usually is and to see this young lady's grit, humor and determination was inspiring. Its a story that will stay with you for days and make you appreciate every little luxury that we as the modern reader take for granted.
Some funny stories mentioned in this book involve newspaper toilet paper "kites", caterpillars and a runaway glass eye. Hilarious!
I should also mention that there is some language in this book so I kept a white out brush handy.
Some funny stories mentioned in this book involve newspaper toilet paper "kites", caterpillars and a runaway glass eye. Hilarious!
I should also mention that there is some language in this book so I kept a white out brush handy.
October 21, 2015
I think it would have helped to have read her autobiographical books in order, but I didn't. So here I am reading the first book last. But I'm very glad to have filled in all the missing pieces now. Reading a book about a childhood in the slums of Glasgow, with a harsh, drinking father, and a debilitating childhood illness, sounds very depressing! But it never was. In the least. Which says a lot for her attitude. She wrote 3 of these about her life, and I wish there were more. She wrote lots of fiction so I will try those next.
April 22, 2021
Reminds me of stories from home. I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this my 90yr old aunt gave it to me, as you know I'm normally a crime or horror kinda girl.
It was bloody lovely for a change and I actually want to read the next one 🤦🏼♀️ what's happened to me!!!
It was bloody lovely for a change and I actually want to read the next one 🤦🏼♀️ what's happened to me!!!
January 26, 2008
Growing upnin post WWII Scotland. A treasure, especially when read in a lovely Scots accent.
July 28, 2012
Compelling, and down to earth about family life, poverty and sickness in Glasgow.
May 16, 2018
Inspiring.
A true story of pain and disability, overcome by a sense of humour. A vivid picture of life in the tenements of the Given district of Glasgow. The writer is a woman to be admired.
A true story of pain and disability, overcome by a sense of humour. A vivid picture of life in the tenements of the Given district of Glasgow. The writer is a woman to be admired.
May 18, 2021
Easy read exptional story of family struggle and disability and bravery
Liked the story of love loss struggle and trying to enjoy life been disabled and caring for a family in morning
Liked the story of love loss struggle and trying to enjoy life been disabled and caring for a family in morning
July 28, 2018
Good light read
Good read about a different time from history and the way life was lived by the working class and the difficulty faced by one family
Good read about a different time from history and the way life was lived by the working class and the difficulty faced by one family
January 2, 2020
True story
January 4, 2020
Enjoyed the story
I was enjoying the story,but I was disappointed in the abrupt ending. Is there a sequel. I hope so as a lot seems to be left unsaid
I was enjoying the story,but I was disappointed in the abrupt ending. Is there a sequel. I hope so as a lot seems to be left unsaid
April 19, 2020
I first read this when I was about 8 or 9. It was one of my granny's books, probably the first memoir I ever read, and has stuck with me all my life - really nice to be able to read it again.
May 13, 2020
A great story
This book I couldn't put down! It really held me by It's simplicity and the felt that I knew the family personally!
This book I couldn't put down! It really held me by It's simplicity and the felt that I knew the family personally!
April 6, 2021
interesting biographical story. well written.
October 28, 2022
Absolutely love this book.
September 7, 2023
2.5 stars
April 28, 2025
A beautiful memoir of a young life and tough times but a wonderful family.
July 2, 2014
An autobiography about Christine's life; both funny and sad. The mix of emotions was what I found captivating... If there really is a sequel to this I'm up for it, as it was quite intriguing that Christine was hopeful and carried on even after she was diagnosed. The only question is what was her disease - it never was mentioned! That's driving me crazy. Nonetheless, it was a good read.
July 20, 2011
Re-read this book to see if it was appropriate for my 11 year old daughter.....I think we'll wait another year or so....
Read
January 5, 2015Very good easy read
Read
May 15, 2017Looking forward to reading the other books of hers
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews