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The Coal Boat
Frustrated by the suffocating cultural apathy of her 1930s northern pit community, teenager Nancy dreams of pursuing an emancipated life in London.
When her escape strategy derails, Nancy is forced to confront the questionable moral fabric of her sheltered world, and carve an alternative path to freedom that challenges her place as a young woman in a changing world.
Swept into a heady bohemian London lifestyle, Nancy soon learns that a life lived without restraint comes at a price. As the consequences of her actions mount, she faces a future defined by her past and by life choices made that will reverberate through time.
Unapologetic in its exploration of free will within a framework of religious and societal constraint, The Coal Boat is a coming-of-age novel that probes the deepest reaches of aspiration and personal responsibility.
When her escape strategy derails, Nancy is forced to confront the questionable moral fabric of her sheltered world, and carve an alternative path to freedom that challenges her place as a young woman in a changing world.
Swept into a heady bohemian London lifestyle, Nancy soon learns that a life lived without restraint comes at a price. As the consequences of her actions mount, she faces a future defined by her past and by life choices made that will reverberate through time.
Unapologetic in its exploration of free will within a framework of religious and societal constraint, The Coal Boat is a coming-of-age novel that probes the deepest reaches of aspiration and personal responsibility.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 16, 2018
A great read!
This is more than a coming of age story but more of a quest for freedom by a young girl from the North who is lured by the bright lights of London and the promise of a better life only to find all that all that sparkles is not gold. This has repercussions for her entire life.It is set against an interesting backdrop of early twentieth century religion and morals which control and shape Nancy's decisions however much she fights against it. I really enjoyed this book and think it's a very well written and thought out.
This is more than a coming of age story but more of a quest for freedom by a young girl from the North who is lured by the bright lights of London and the promise of a better life only to find all that all that sparkles is not gold. This has repercussions for her entire life.It is set against an interesting backdrop of early twentieth century religion and morals which control and shape Nancy's decisions however much she fights against it. I really enjoyed this book and think it's a very well written and thought out.
June 13, 2018
**An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.**
I like the premise of this story, however I felt like it really hard to get into and was really disjointed in parts- especially when the story flash forward
I like the premise of this story, however I felt like it really hard to get into and was really disjointed in parts- especially when the story flash forward
October 28, 2019
This is a really enjoyable and beautifully written book, but my only criticism is that it ended abruptly and could have been developed and expanded to fuller effect. I was all on for giving it a five star review but the sudden end made me revise this to a four star review.
April 10, 2018
A good read engaging and thought provoking although I disliked the part of the book which seemed confused between a novel and a self help book. A bit preach you in parts.
October 23, 2021
3.8
Loved the themes and the premise however I thought the pacing could have been better
Loved the themes and the premise however I thought the pacing could have been better
July 14, 2018
An Interesting and thought provoking read!
This novel was about a young girl coming of age in the 1930's in London. I found this read to be engaging but tedious at times. Nancy, the main character was frustrated with her life, living and growing up in a small coal town with her grandparents. She dreams of moving to London so she can be free and independent. She does manage to escape to London and is living a Boheman lifestyle but as time goes by She begins to question that lifestyle and many of her choices. The author does a great job of describing this life of the 1930's in London.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
This novel was about a young girl coming of age in the 1930's in London. I found this read to be engaging but tedious at times. Nancy, the main character was frustrated with her life, living and growing up in a small coal town with her grandparents. She dreams of moving to London so she can be free and independent. She does manage to escape to London and is living a Boheman lifestyle but as time goes by She begins to question that lifestyle and many of her choices. The author does a great job of describing this life of the 1930's in London.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
March 28, 2020
A book of two parts, the earlier life set in the North East was told with real depth and detail whereas the London years didn’t quite ring true.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews