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Liverpool Sagas
The Cobbler's Kids
Returning from the war, handsome Michael Quinn the cobbler is a changed man. He moves his family from their comfortable home to live over a shop in Liverpool’s notorious Scotland Road. Admired and liked by his customers, he is a tyrant at home, ruling his family with a rod of iron and a fist of steel. When their mother dies, 14-year-old Vera is expected to keep house for him and her brothers Eddy and young Benny. And so begins a life of hardship and little joy for Vera, where Michael drinks away their money, and even the small wages Eddy and she manage to earn are barely enough to keep the small family going. Then one day Michael brings Di Deverill home and life becomes an even greater hell for Vera—will she ever be saved from a life of drudgery and few rewards?
- GenresFictionHistorical
362 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
76 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Harris
44 books31 followersRosie Harris was born in Cardiff and for several years worked in the City Hall. Her husband, Ken, was from Wallasey and after they married they lived on Merseyside for many years.
She has been writing since the 1950’s. In the 1960’s she ran her own agency, Regional Feature Service, writing articles for most of the provincial newspapers.
During the 70’s she became Editorial Controller for a non-fiction house.
In the 1980’s, after publishing a number of non-fiction titles she turned to fiction and during the 1980/90’s had a number of short stories published as well as five books by Sphere under the name Marion Harris.
Since 2002 she has had some 20 books published by Heinemann/Arrow. She sets her books in the 20’s because she has a great admiration for the women who were wives and mothers in those days. They had none of the current time-saving equipment – no washing machines or vacuum cleaners, no instant electric fires or cookers, and certainly no Internet. Their days were long and arduous and often they had to manage on very little money.
In 2005 she was one of the judges when Arrow and Asda collaborated in a major national competition to find the next big saga writer.
Her most recent titles are Love Changes Everything and The Quality of Love. The next, Whispers of Love, will be published in March 2010.
She has been writing since the 1950’s. In the 1960’s she ran her own agency, Regional Feature Service, writing articles for most of the provincial newspapers.
During the 70’s she became Editorial Controller for a non-fiction house.
In the 1980’s, after publishing a number of non-fiction titles she turned to fiction and during the 1980/90’s had a number of short stories published as well as five books by Sphere under the name Marion Harris.
Since 2002 she has had some 20 books published by Heinemann/Arrow. She sets her books in the 20’s because she has a great admiration for the women who were wives and mothers in those days. They had none of the current time-saving equipment – no washing machines or vacuum cleaners, no instant electric fires or cookers, and certainly no Internet. Their days were long and arduous and often they had to manage on very little money.
In 2005 she was one of the judges when Arrow and Asda collaborated in a major national competition to find the next big saga writer.
Her most recent titles are Love Changes Everything and The Quality of Love. The next, Whispers of Love, will be published in March 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 27, 2019
Boring
The writer kept repeating the same thing about how her dad had changed. Surely she could have got a life of her own (Vera) abrupt ending as well
The writer kept repeating the same thing about how her dad had changed. Surely she could have got a life of her own (Vera) abrupt ending as well
April 30, 2018
Cobblers
I enjoyed this book once I got into it at first it was hard going but I persevered and then I really enjoyed it life for Vera was hard after her mam died looking after her dad wasn't easy he wasn't an easy man to look after but Vera was a strong lady and coped even when her dad went strange but she found out it was all to do with shell shock after the great war . Definitely worth reading give it a try 5 STARS .
I enjoyed this book once I got into it at first it was hard going but I persevered and then I really enjoyed it life for Vera was hard after her mam died looking after her dad wasn't easy he wasn't an easy man to look after but Vera was a strong lady and coped even when her dad went strange but she found out it was all to do with shell shock after the great war . Definitely worth reading give it a try 5 STARS .
October 7, 2017
Really heartbreaking and compelling story about the hardships faced by the family especially the children when the father returns home from war a different man. The scoundrel drinks away the little money this family has and their lives are deeply affected.
Really enjoyed this book that was written by Rosie Harris. Worth seeking out as it is such an easy and enjoyable read. Recommended.
Really enjoyed this book that was written by Rosie Harris. Worth seeking out as it is such an easy and enjoyable read. Recommended.
October 8, 2013
Read this book. Very good
October 8, 2022
Three cobblers kids
It was typical of the period hard work and poverty but a gentle sympathetic read. A rather sudden ending g I felt there was more to give it gave Eddy's life and Vee's/stroke Jack's but I felt Benny's was left unfinished.
It was typical of the period hard work and poverty but a gentle sympathetic read. A rather sudden ending g I felt there was more to give it gave Eddy's life and Vee's/stroke Jack's but I felt Benny's was left unfinished.
March 13, 2019
Enjoyable story
This rating was chosen because it was a sad, happy really good storyline i really enjoyed the book i would recommend it to anyone who likes stories like this.
This rating was chosen because it was a sad, happy really good storyline i really enjoyed the book i would recommend it to anyone who likes stories like this.
March 17, 2019
Beautifully written
What a lovely book ,poor vera, what a life she had,but through hard times,she came through it,sticking by her father,and family
What a lovely book ,poor vera, what a life she had,but through hard times,she came through it,sticking by her father,and family
May 19, 2019
happy ever after!
This story was very lovely story I could recommend to any one. These tales ale me feel that life nearly always turns out ok
This story was very lovely story I could recommend to any one. These tales ale me feel that life nearly always turns out ok
June 27, 2019
Hard gripping story
Whst a brilliant book I could not put it down. The story is upsetting in parts. But this is what make the book.. It brilliant written and true to life.
Whst a brilliant book I could not put it down. The story is upsetting in parts. But this is what make the book.. It brilliant written and true to life.
November 17, 2020
A very nice story would read it again.
February 12, 2022
Love this book
July 31, 2022
Cobbler's Kids
What a brilliant read. The things the family goes through and still come out in the end is amazing. Looking forward to reading other of Rosie Harris' books.
What a brilliant read. The things the family goes through and still come out in the end is amazing. Looking forward to reading other of Rosie Harris' books.
July 2, 2024
I loved this book! Such an easy read and a very satisfying ending!
August 2, 2025
Far too slow. I found myself skipping through parts.
June 8, 2015
Good read , starts out a fairy tale marriage then after the war her husband returns as a totally different man abusive , physically , mentally , not just to his wife but his once beloved children , he adored his wife and kids before the war then after he was so cruel , no compassion etc . Heartbreaking turn of events makes things even worse.
February 1, 2019
A very good novel about how hard life was in the 1930s. I recommend it for all the young folks...see how life was before we got spoiled. A great story about survival of a bad parent and a way to learn how to deal. I felt this book was well written and the type was nice and large in the paperback to make easier to read.
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June 14, 2015A Sad Family Drama
This story dramatizes the effects of post traumatic disorder on both the soldier and his family. The main character Vera shows the strength to keep her family together despite all the trauma caused by this disease.
This story dramatizes the effects of post traumatic disorder on both the soldier and his family. The main character Vera shows the strength to keep her family together despite all the trauma caused by this disease.
November 17, 2008
Was given this by a work Collegue and wasn't too sure of it but once i read it i enjoyed it and looked out for more of Rosie Harris books
April 21, 2013
Reaqlly enjoyed this book from the start.
October 29, 2013
a very good book, was so desperate for a happy ending for Vera and Benny.
May 7, 2014
A light sentimental novel set in Liverpool, England after WWI. Interesting historically but not terribly gripping. Main character a bit washy washy.
May 15, 2015
I ended up really liking this story. I will look for more books by Rosie Harris.
June 17, 2015
Illustrative story of how horrific PTSD can be.
April 5, 2019
This story was very true to live. It was a really good read, although I felt really sorry for the children of the family, having to put up with such a father.
January 23, 2020
Lovely little book fast read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews