Packards

by Patricia Burns

It is 1908 and the British Empire is at its zenith. At its centre, in London's Oxford street stands Packards Department store. Its founder, Sir Thomas Packard is now old and looks to his grandchildren for a successor: Perry is a charmer fit only for a life of ease, while Edward is ruthless, already regarding the store as his. But Amelie, reluctantly "doing the season" has ambitions of her own, though nobody takes them seriously except her grandfather.

Genres: Fiction, Drama

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Glenys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1908 Packards Department Store in Oxford Street London is the place to get all your shopping needs met. Sir Thomas who came to London with 3 shillings in his pocket at the age of 15 has built the store from nothing, although now as he approaches retirement he must decide who will takeover the store amongst his grandchildren. Amelie is back from the USA bursting with energy and lots of ideas to improve the store, Edward is ruthless and a tyrant who already works at the store, Perry is not shopkeeper material, gambles and loves a life of leisure. Amelie is about to be presented at court and join the debutante social scene while establishing a ladies sport department and hopes to take over advertising for the store.
Isabel Bland has escaped a tenuous situation, her brother in law fancies her and her parents have died leaving her with nowhere to go other than her sisters home. She has changed her name and moved to London, knowing about different sports she is fortunate in gaining a placement at Packards when interviewed by Amelie and lives in Packards Boarding House nearby, Daisy is also employed at Packards and the 2 girls share the attic bedroom becoming friends which at first seemed unlikely as Daisy is from the East End and the 2 girls do not have a lot in common, but each learns and teaches the other through their friendship.
An interesting read taking you back to the days of society, debutantes and social circles. The hardships faced by people living in the East End and lower socio economic areas and the ways of aristocracy and the elite.
A bit of everything in this novel, heartbreak, deviousness, weddings, social standing, and a lack of welfare for those unfortunate enough to be struggling to make ends meet.

[Terena · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, although a little uncomfortable in some places, and some of the outcome was very "of the era" with the way things were, with regard to men and women in the workplace. I'm now reading the sequel "Goodbye Piccadilly".

[Lynn Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable but interesting anyway.