What do you think?
Rate this book
Pearl of Pit Lane
A compelling saga filled with romance, drama and tragedy, ideal for lovers of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.
A dramatically powerful and romantic saga of tragedy and triumph, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.
'Put me to work on pit lane, would you? Is that all you think I'm worth?'
When her mother dies in childbirth, Pearl Edwards is left in the care of her aunt, Annie Grafton. Annie loves Pearl like her own daughter but it isn't easy to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Annie knows the best way to supplement their meagre income is to walk the pit lanes at night, looking for men willing to pay for her company.
As Pearl grows older she is unable to remain ignorant of Annie's profession, despite her aunt's attempts to shield her. But when Pearl finds herself unexpectedly without work and their landlord raises the rent, it becomes clear they have few choices left and Annie is forced to ask Pearl the unthinkable.
Rather than submit to life on the pit lanes, Pearl runs away. She has nothing and nowhere to go, but Pearl is determined to survive on her own terms...
Praise for Glenda Young:
'I really enjoyed... It's well researched and well written and I found myself caring about her characters' Rosie Goodwin
'All the ingredients for a perfect saga' Emma Hornby
'Glenda has an exceptionally keen eye for domestic detail which brings this local community to vivid, colourful life' Jenny Holmes
'I enjoyed it enormously, being totally absorbed from the first page. I found it extremely well written, and having always loved sagas, one of the best I've read' Margaret Kaine
Biographical Notes
Glenda Young credits her local library in the village of Ryhope, where she grew up, for giving her a love of books. She still lives close by in Sunderland and often gets her ideas for her stories on long bike rides along the coast. A life-long fan of Coronation Street, she runs two hugely popular fan websites.
For updates on what Glenda is working on, visit her website glendayoungbooks.com and to find out more find her on Facebook/GlendaYoungAuthor and Twitter @flaming_nora.
A dramatically powerful and romantic saga of tragedy and triumph, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin.
'Put me to work on pit lane, would you? Is that all you think I'm worth?'
When her mother dies in childbirth, Pearl Edwards is left in the care of her aunt, Annie Grafton. Annie loves Pearl like her own daughter but it isn't easy to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Annie knows the best way to supplement their meagre income is to walk the pit lanes at night, looking for men willing to pay for her company.
As Pearl grows older she is unable to remain ignorant of Annie's profession, despite her aunt's attempts to shield her. But when Pearl finds herself unexpectedly without work and their landlord raises the rent, it becomes clear they have few choices left and Annie is forced to ask Pearl the unthinkable.
Rather than submit to life on the pit lanes, Pearl runs away. She has nothing and nowhere to go, but Pearl is determined to survive on her own terms...
Praise for Glenda Young:
'I really enjoyed... It's well researched and well written and I found myself caring about her characters' Rosie Goodwin
'All the ingredients for a perfect saga' Emma Hornby
'Glenda has an exceptionally keen eye for domestic detail which brings this local community to vivid, colourful life' Jenny Holmes
'I enjoyed it enormously, being totally absorbed from the first page. I found it extremely well written, and having always loved sagas, one of the best I've read' Margaret Kaine
Biographical Notes
Glenda Young credits her local library in the village of Ryhope, where she grew up, for giving her a love of books. She still lives close by in Sunderland and often gets her ideas for her stories on long bike rides along the coast. A life-long fan of Coronation Street, she runs two hugely popular fan websites.
For updates on what Glenda is working on, visit her website glendayoungbooks.com and to find out more find her on Facebook/GlendaYoungAuthor and Twitter @flaming_nora.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published November 14, 2019
75 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 7, 2020
Novel set in early 20th Century RYHOPE, Sunderland
Do check out our author interview on You Tube: https://youtu.be/2ExnWPHqoOE
Pearl Edwards is living in reduced circumstances with her aunt Annie, her mother’s sister. Her mother died when she was younger and she has no knowledge of her father. Her aunt, however, has to make ends meet by wearing a small red feather in her black hat, which shows that she is offering herself to any customer who wants to avail himself of her services. When the landlord turns the screws, Annie has no recourse but to encourage her niece into the same profession. They cannot even afford to feed Pearl’s little dog, Boot, and so he is sold off as a ratter, to a local farm.
Solace to date has been found in Pearl’s friendship with Joey, to whom she offers her job, as she has another job lined up but her luck is running out. Her new job is no longer an option.
Pearl, after agreeing to Annie’s proposal, has various difficult encounters and resolves to escape this sordid life and make an attempt to make a new life for herself. She arrives at Watsons, a grocery store and is offered work and accommodation. Soon she is falling for Billy, the son of family, and her feelings are reciprocated but his harridan and social climbing mother, Renee, determines he should marry the daughter of the local doctor. He is a little wimpish and goes along with her wishes, although his heart strings are firmly attached to Pearl.
A little local gossip goes a long way and soon Pearl is out on her ear. Misunderstandings abound, stoked by Renee. Once again Pearl has to decide her next steps.
This is very much a story about the plight of women, just after WW1 and describes life in a typical north eastern pit village. I have visited Beamish Open Air Museum (a must visit for anyone visiting North East England), which tells the story of local life in the 1820s and early 20th Century, and I could thus really imagine the setting of the book. Pearl is also busy working on clippy mats, a traditional way to create floor coverings. There are twists and turns and it is a nicely constructed story for readers who like determined womenfolk and passion and romance in their reading.
Do check out our author interview on You Tube: https://youtu.be/2ExnWPHqoOE
Pearl Edwards is living in reduced circumstances with her aunt Annie, her mother’s sister. Her mother died when she was younger and she has no knowledge of her father. Her aunt, however, has to make ends meet by wearing a small red feather in her black hat, which shows that she is offering herself to any customer who wants to avail himself of her services. When the landlord turns the screws, Annie has no recourse but to encourage her niece into the same profession. They cannot even afford to feed Pearl’s little dog, Boot, and so he is sold off as a ratter, to a local farm.
Solace to date has been found in Pearl’s friendship with Joey, to whom she offers her job, as she has another job lined up but her luck is running out. Her new job is no longer an option.
Pearl, after agreeing to Annie’s proposal, has various difficult encounters and resolves to escape this sordid life and make an attempt to make a new life for herself. She arrives at Watsons, a grocery store and is offered work and accommodation. Soon she is falling for Billy, the son of family, and her feelings are reciprocated but his harridan and social climbing mother, Renee, determines he should marry the daughter of the local doctor. He is a little wimpish and goes along with her wishes, although his heart strings are firmly attached to Pearl.
A little local gossip goes a long way and soon Pearl is out on her ear. Misunderstandings abound, stoked by Renee. Once again Pearl has to decide her next steps.
This is very much a story about the plight of women, just after WW1 and describes life in a typical north eastern pit village. I have visited Beamish Open Air Museum (a must visit for anyone visiting North East England), which tells the story of local life in the 1820s and early 20th Century, and I could thus really imagine the setting of the book. Pearl is also busy working on clippy mats, a traditional way to create floor coverings. There are twists and turns and it is a nicely constructed story for readers who like determined womenfolk and passion and romance in their reading.
November 13, 2019
I really do hope that readers will enjoy another of my strong, feisty heroines at the core of this evocative novel. The characters jump off the page and into your heart. Pearl is a gem of a leading lady and you just lose yourself in the setting and characters and story.
November 24, 2019
Pearl Edwards is a young girl living in Ryhope where she was born and raised by her aunt Annie her mams sister.Times are hard but pearl is honest and hard working and determined she will not walk the lane like her aunt.When pearl meets a young man she is hit by the feelings the meeting causes,as pearls begins her new life she has no idea what the future holds.I am still amazed at the books written by Glenda Young they are full of local knowledge and history and i cannot wait for her next book.5*
May 4, 2020
Everything I hoped it would be!
Having previously just read Belle of the Backstreets and loved it. This was purchased immediately..happy to say it was another fabulous story! Totally recommend both. Have now purchased The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon and can't wait to start it. Keep them the coming please Glenda!
Having previously just read Belle of the Backstreets and loved it. This was purchased immediately..happy to say it was another fabulous story! Totally recommend both. Have now purchased The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon and can't wait to start it. Keep them the coming please Glenda!
November 16, 2019
Pearl
What a page turner I couldn't put book down once I started reading it loved reading about pearl and Annie and there life's and also hearing about Hetty ,Sadie ,and Meg .a fantastic read 5 STARS.
What a page turner I couldn't put book down once I started reading it loved reading about pearl and Annie and there life's and also hearing about Hetty ,Sadie ,and Meg .a fantastic read 5 STARS.
November 13, 2019
The book set in Ryhope Sunderland County Durham takes us back to the year 1919, Pearl Edwards is left in the care of her aunt Annie Grafton after her mother dies in childbirth at the age of only sixteen years old she is forced to walk the streets of Pit Lane looking for men to pay Bernie Pemberton the rent of two rooms above his shop that Annie works for him, the two rooms were a hovel that needed repairing but Bernie kept fobbing off till the debts were payed. Pearl was having none of it so flees down to the village looking for work, everyone turns her away even Boot the dog wasn't wanted for ratting. Watson's Grocers was her last place even Boot was wanted so they both started work for Jim and took lodgings with them no way was Pearl to go back to Annie and the life she wanted her to lead. As you read on in this book, comes a lot of changes for poor Pearl, I found this book so well written after reading the other authors work was familiar how she brings characters that you know and recognise. It's captured Pearls life that makes you feel you are so involved in the story. Pearl is an inspiration kind thoughtful feisty young lady I don't think I can add anymore except that readers will enjoy and won't be disappointed. Been Sunderland born myself the history surrounding this book gripped me from the first chapter.
May 17, 2020
A great read
A very compelling read and great to see another author bringing an old coal mining village where I was born and bred into the limelight.
A very compelling read and great to see another author bringing an old coal mining village where I was born and bred into the limelight.
March 28, 2020
Saga fans who enjoy the gritty, dramatic and heart-warming novels of Rosie Goodwin and Anna Jacobs are going to want to add Glenda Young’s name to the top of their must-buy list. Her latest saga, Pearl of Pit Lane is a spellbinding tale of courage, survival, love and loss that tugs at the heartstrings and will keep readers absolutely glued to the page.
Annie Grafton had made a promise to her sister Mary on her deathbed: that she would look after her daughter Pearl and always be there for her. Annie vowed to protect and take care of Pearl, however, life in post-war Ryhope is anything but easy for a single woman with no money, prospects or an education. Forced to sell her body and walk the streets to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, each day is a struggle for Annie. Annie had done her utmost to shield her niece from the harsh realities of her profession, but as Pearl got older, there was simply no hiding from the fact that all that stood between them, homelessness and destitution was prostitution. Selling her body has enabled Annie to keep herself and Pearl fed, clothed and watered, but with each passing day, surviving has become a struggle. With their landlord increasing the rent on the room they live in and Pearl getting older, Annie does not know which way to turn and it looks like her beloved niece is going to have to follow her aunt and begin to sell her body as well. However, Pearl has got other ideas about how she will earn her keep and secure her future.
Pearl knows how tough things are for her aunt. Not scared of rolling up her sleeves and working as hard as she possibly can, Pearl is adamant that she will not follow her aunt into prostitution. Selling her body is definitely not something which she is prepared to do – especially as she witnesses the depraved and lascivious desires of some of the men who pay her aunt for her services. Pearl knows that forging her own path is going to be tough for a girl like her from a pit village, but she will not be deterred. She is determined to make something of herself and to prove all those people who doubt her that she is capable of becoming her own woman. All the odds might be stacked against her, but Pearl will not cowed and she vows to succeed and provide a secure future for herself.
Pearl is determined to make her own rules and to be the architect of her own destiny and on her journey towards fulfilment, she will encounter plenty of hardships and challenges, but the girl from the lane will never lose hope – but she may lose her heart…
Glenda Young is a master storyteller and Pearl of Pit Lane is a gritty, gutsy and gripping saga which has at its heart a determined, resilient and resourceful heroine readers cannot help but admire. Pearl is a wonderful character it is impossible not to care for. She is intelligent, courageous and never loses hope even when everything seems to be against her. A bold, brave and brilliant heroine readers will root for, Pearl is a character that is sure to linger in the heart and mind long after the last page is turned.
An exquisitely written saga from a writer with a very bright future ahead of her, Glenda Young’s Pearl of Pit Lane is storytelling at its finest.
Annie Grafton had made a promise to her sister Mary on her deathbed: that she would look after her daughter Pearl and always be there for her. Annie vowed to protect and take care of Pearl, however, life in post-war Ryhope is anything but easy for a single woman with no money, prospects or an education. Forced to sell her body and walk the streets to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, each day is a struggle for Annie. Annie had done her utmost to shield her niece from the harsh realities of her profession, but as Pearl got older, there was simply no hiding from the fact that all that stood between them, homelessness and destitution was prostitution. Selling her body has enabled Annie to keep herself and Pearl fed, clothed and watered, but with each passing day, surviving has become a struggle. With their landlord increasing the rent on the room they live in and Pearl getting older, Annie does not know which way to turn and it looks like her beloved niece is going to have to follow her aunt and begin to sell her body as well. However, Pearl has got other ideas about how she will earn her keep and secure her future.
Pearl knows how tough things are for her aunt. Not scared of rolling up her sleeves and working as hard as she possibly can, Pearl is adamant that she will not follow her aunt into prostitution. Selling her body is definitely not something which she is prepared to do – especially as she witnesses the depraved and lascivious desires of some of the men who pay her aunt for her services. Pearl knows that forging her own path is going to be tough for a girl like her from a pit village, but she will not be deterred. She is determined to make something of herself and to prove all those people who doubt her that she is capable of becoming her own woman. All the odds might be stacked against her, but Pearl will not cowed and she vows to succeed and provide a secure future for herself.
Pearl is determined to make her own rules and to be the architect of her own destiny and on her journey towards fulfilment, she will encounter plenty of hardships and challenges, but the girl from the lane will never lose hope – but she may lose her heart…
Glenda Young is a master storyteller and Pearl of Pit Lane is a gritty, gutsy and gripping saga which has at its heart a determined, resilient and resourceful heroine readers cannot help but admire. Pearl is a wonderful character it is impossible not to care for. She is intelligent, courageous and never loses hope even when everything seems to be against her. A bold, brave and brilliant heroine readers will root for, Pearl is a character that is sure to linger in the heart and mind long after the last page is turned.
An exquisitely written saga from a writer with a very bright future ahead of her, Glenda Young’s Pearl of Pit Lane is storytelling at its finest.
June 1, 2020
I have to be honest and say that I was a bit nervous about reading Pearl of Pit Lane as I don't usually read sagas but I am so glad that I made an exception for Glenda Young. I clapped my hands with glee when I opened the book and found a map of Ryhope in 1919 (the setting of the book); I do love maps in a book as they really help to bring the story to life. I enjoyed Pearl of Pit Lane so much more than I expected and Pearl's story is so compelling that I found myself reading just one more chapter until I'd devoured every single page.
I'm from the North East so I was brought up reading Catherine Cookson books and it's inevitable that any sagas based in the North East will be compared to Dame Catherine's famous novels. So it is praise indeed to say that Pearl of Pit Lane would definitely come top of my Catherine Cookson chart any day. Through her vivacious and descriptive writing, Glenda Young has an amazing ability to bring her characters and scenery to life and breathes new life into the tired and dusty saga genre.
Pearl is such a brilliant character with an outstanding story; brought up by her Aunt Annie in the shadow of the local colliery and living in squalor, the pair don't have two pennies to rub together. Annie's meagre income in the shop they live above doesn't even pay the rent so she is forced to sell herself on the street. When Annie's debts mount up, she can only see one way out of the hole she finds herself in and that's for Pearl to walk the streets with her. Pearl is such a strong, steely character that she runs away to the village in search of work rather than follow in her Aunt's footsteps and her story just gets better and better from there, although I'm not saying any more about the plot.
Surrounding Pearl are some tremendous characters; I've already mentioned her Aunt Annie but there's also her friend Joey, Reverend Daye the benevolent vicar, Jackson the local bad guy who keeps crossing paths with Pearl, Jim the grocer who takes a chance on Pearl despite the protestations of his wicked witch of the west wife Renee, and last but by no means least Boot the dog who stays by Pearl's side watching out for her. Such a colourful cast of characters brought amazing depth to the story and brought the whole book to life.
Pearl of Pit Lane is an exceptional and impeccably well researched novel by Glenda Young; Glenda even joined a clippy mat workshop so she could write about Pearl's creations and I'm sure she visited a few of Ryhope's pubs, purely for research, of course! I found Pearl of Pit Lane surprising enthralling; I'd given myself a couple of days to read it because I thought I would struggle to connect with a saga, however, I was riveted from start to finish and ended up reading it cover to cover within 24 hours. I can't praise Pearl of Pit Lane highly enough and I would recommend it to all; it's nice to escape to the past sometimes and I loved seeing Ryhope (in Sunderland) through Glenda Young's eyes.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
I'm from the North East so I was brought up reading Catherine Cookson books and it's inevitable that any sagas based in the North East will be compared to Dame Catherine's famous novels. So it is praise indeed to say that Pearl of Pit Lane would definitely come top of my Catherine Cookson chart any day. Through her vivacious and descriptive writing, Glenda Young has an amazing ability to bring her characters and scenery to life and breathes new life into the tired and dusty saga genre.
Pearl is such a brilliant character with an outstanding story; brought up by her Aunt Annie in the shadow of the local colliery and living in squalor, the pair don't have two pennies to rub together. Annie's meagre income in the shop they live above doesn't even pay the rent so she is forced to sell herself on the street. When Annie's debts mount up, she can only see one way out of the hole she finds herself in and that's for Pearl to walk the streets with her. Pearl is such a strong, steely character that she runs away to the village in search of work rather than follow in her Aunt's footsteps and her story just gets better and better from there, although I'm not saying any more about the plot.
Surrounding Pearl are some tremendous characters; I've already mentioned her Aunt Annie but there's also her friend Joey, Reverend Daye the benevolent vicar, Jackson the local bad guy who keeps crossing paths with Pearl, Jim the grocer who takes a chance on Pearl despite the protestations of his wicked witch of the west wife Renee, and last but by no means least Boot the dog who stays by Pearl's side watching out for her. Such a colourful cast of characters brought amazing depth to the story and brought the whole book to life.
Pearl of Pit Lane is an exceptional and impeccably well researched novel by Glenda Young; Glenda even joined a clippy mat workshop so she could write about Pearl's creations and I'm sure she visited a few of Ryhope's pubs, purely for research, of course! I found Pearl of Pit Lane surprising enthralling; I'd given myself a couple of days to read it because I thought I would struggle to connect with a saga, however, I was riveted from start to finish and ended up reading it cover to cover within 24 hours. I can't praise Pearl of Pit Lane highly enough and I would recommend it to all; it's nice to escape to the past sometimes and I loved seeing Ryhope (in Sunderland) through Glenda Young's eyes.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 8, 2023
Fabulous,local ( to me) novel set in Ryhope SUNDERLAND Tyne and Wear .
Excellent research and knowledge of the area paired with a multi- faceted plot involving the friends and family of Pearl,a 16 year old girl from the ' pit lanes' of the village of Ryhope Colliery.
The tale weaves around whether Pearl will succumb to working the streets ,the only feasible way to provide food and shelter herself and aunt .The story, of course,takes place in the year 1919/ 20.There was no such thing as the NHS or a state benefit system then.It is sad and shocking to think that poverty and hunger were so prevalent.
I enjoyed the mentions of old traditions such as taking a new-born baby to three houses for bread,salt and water. ( To guarantee freedom from lack of these in the child's life)-I'd not heard of this one ,nor of the red feather in the hat for" ladies of the night".
And as always a happy ending,for surely that makes the whole book give a cosy afterglow of a story well read and digested.
Brilliant.
Excellent research and knowledge of the area paired with a multi- faceted plot involving the friends and family of Pearl,a 16 year old girl from the ' pit lanes' of the village of Ryhope Colliery.
The tale weaves around whether Pearl will succumb to working the streets ,the only feasible way to provide food and shelter herself and aunt .The story, of course,takes place in the year 1919/ 20.There was no such thing as the NHS or a state benefit system then.It is sad and shocking to think that poverty and hunger were so prevalent.
I enjoyed the mentions of old traditions such as taking a new-born baby to three houses for bread,salt and water. ( To guarantee freedom from lack of these in the child's life)-I'd not heard of this one ,nor of the red feather in the hat for" ladies of the night".
And as always a happy ending,for surely that makes the whole book give a cosy afterglow of a story well read and digested.
Brilliant.
August 31, 2024
This book is just okay. The plot wasn't really that interesting. And there are things I wished did not happen. Also, I just want to point out the fact that Pearl is 16! And she got pregnant. Well, I don't really know what to think about that but maybe it got to do with the fact that the setting was during the 1900's but I don't know really. I feel like all throughout the book Pearl was considered a teenager then all of a sudden she just gets pregnant so there you go. I loved Billy though, I just hoped he had more spine and hoped that he would grow more back bone. I hate Renee. If I do get married, I hope I don't end up with someone like her as my in-law. That's all.
August 24, 2020
Captivating!
I love Glenda's books. As a Silksworth lass who went to school in Ryhope, I can picture the surroundings that this book is set in. Although much has changed in the 100 years since this book was set, the walk up from the Village to what was the Colliery remains a 'long walk up the bank'. Glenda brings the troubles and hardship to life and it helps to remember the hard graft that my great grandparents out into keeping their family going. Wendy never forget our past, because it homes our future.
I love Glenda's books. As a Silksworth lass who went to school in Ryhope, I can picture the surroundings that this book is set in. Although much has changed in the 100 years since this book was set, the walk up from the Village to what was the Colliery remains a 'long walk up the bank'. Glenda brings the troubles and hardship to life and it helps to remember the hard graft that my great grandparents out into keeping their family going. Wendy never forget our past, because it homes our future.
May 9, 2022
Another great book from Glenda Young couldn’t put it down just as always I wish it had never ended
So happy I decided to read the authors books And can’t wait for my next books to come
This was a lovely story of poverty at its worst what most decent women had to go through to keep a roof over their heads
Pearl the main character was such a tough character with a heart of gold she never gave up and won through in the end
So happy I decided to read the authors books And can’t wait for my next books to come
This was a lovely story of poverty at its worst what most decent women had to go through to keep a roof over their heads
Pearl the main character was such a tough character with a heart of gold she never gave up and won through in the end
March 28, 2020
Romance around
Glenda writes fabulous stories that come alive. Her characters are real and become our friends. Poor Pearl suffers and fights to change her life and her family. A must read book.
Glenda writes fabulous stories that come alive. Her characters are real and become our friends. Poor Pearl suffers and fights to change her life and her family. A must read book.
July 1, 2020
Unputdownable
Fantastic story, this one will make you laugh and cry, and I m sure you will really enjoy it. It is a credit to Glenda Young, as all her other books are. Joy Whitaker
Fantastic story, this one will make you laugh and cry, and I m sure you will really enjoy it. It is a credit to Glenda Young, as all her other books are. Joy Whitaker
October 15, 2020
Glenda Young is fast becoming the queen of the historical saga. I first read her books after noticing how popular they were with library borrowers, and this one doesn’t disappoint. An absorbing tale that kept me up late reading.
May 28, 2022
I am from the North East and I love the depiction of what is was like during and after WW1. The characters like Pearl, Annie, Dorothy, Joey and Billy are vibrant. It is a tale of hardship and poverty but with a happy ending.
May 7, 2023
I couldn't put this book down I wanted to find out if Pearl has a happy ending after losing her Mum Mary at birth, this book takes you right though her childhood. Will she find true Love and Happiness? Read it to find out
January 2, 2020
Brilliant
Another fantastic book from Glenda Young can’t wait for the next book already on order. Recommend Glendas books you don’t have to live in Ryhope
Another fantastic book from Glenda Young can’t wait for the next book already on order. Recommend Glendas books you don’t have to live in Ryhope
April 5, 2020
Loved this book couldn't put it down.
May 31, 2020
A Great Book
really enjoyed this book the story is amazing. I read it every night when I went to bed and again when I awoke in the morning
really enjoyed this book the story is amazing. I read it every night when I went to bed and again when I awoke in the morning
September 1, 2020
Brilliant couldn’t put it down!
May 12, 2022
A great read featuring Pearl, her aunt Annie, and best friend Joey, set in 1920.
September 26, 2022
Must read
Really enjoyed reading this book. Kept me wanting to read one more chapter then one more etc. Pearl had a lot to put up with but kept on going
Really enjoyed reading this book. Kept me wanting to read one more chapter then one more etc. Pearl had a lot to put up with but kept on going
July 28, 2023
Well written book. First I have read from this author. Will definitely read another tells of hard times and poverty
October 30, 2023
Good read.
February 13, 2025
I found this book enjoyable, especially how Pearl dealt with situations and never let anything break her
March 24, 2020
I have been a fan of Glenda's work for a little while now. I have read, reviewed and loved each of the three books that she has written about the lives and loves of the people of Ryhope, which is a little village just outside of Sunderland in the North East of England. I read the synopsis for 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' and I knew that I had to read it as soon as I could. So without further ado, I grabbed a copy of the book, settled down in my comfy spot on the sofa and began to read. Oh my word, 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' is an amazing book, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely adored the character of Pearl Edwards and I immediately warmed to her the first time I met her. Part of me might be slightly biased towards her because we share the same hair colour. Anyway back to the point. Pearl hasn't had the easiest of upbringings as her mother died shortly after giving birth to Pearl and Pearl's birth father isn't on the scene. Pearl was brought up by her maternal Aunt called Annie, who loves her dearly. Annie has a part time job but it doesn't bring much money in and so Annie has to earn money another way. Things become even more financially stretched and Annie is forced to ask the unthinkable of Pearl. Without giving too much away Pearl has other ideas and she decides to make a new life for herself. Her new life isn't without its hardships and there are many ups and downs. Pearl is a feisty young lady, who typically for a redhead has a stubborn streak about her and a determination to prove her doubters wrong. Will Pearl make a success of her life? Will she find the 'happy ever after' ending that she so deserves? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the fact that Glenda has written it. The second thing that attracted me was the bright and vibrant cover. Pearl and her red hair certainly makes the book stand out on the shelf. Thirdly, I absolutely loved, no make that adored the fact that the book is set in Ryhope, which as I mention at the top is a little village just outside of Sunderland. At the time of the story Sunderland was in County Durham, but it is now part of Tyne & Wear. I can almost hear Papa Ginger Book Geek telling me that County Durham stretched from the River Tees to the River Tyne, always has and always will. Anyway I digress again slightly so back to the review. Bear with me a little bit- I have been researching my family tree and as is common with a lot of North Eastern families, I have a long family history of at least 6 generations of coal miners. Some of my ancestors actually came from Ryhope. Of course they died way before I was born but by reading books such as Glenda's, I feel closer to them and I have a greater understanding of the conditions of the time and the circumstances in which they lived.
It took me no time at all to become addicted to this fabulous book. As soon as I started reading that was it, I knew that I wouldn't be able to put the book down. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' is the true definition of an unputdownable pageturner. I couldn't get enough of the story and I had to keep reading to find out what fate had in store for Pearl. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the story, which I was disappointed about. I don't mean that in a negative sense but I was enjoying the characters, the storylines and the author's writing style so much that I just didn't want the book to end. Reaching the end of the story meant that I had to say a temporary goodbye to Ryhope and to Pearl.
'Pearl Of Pit Lane' is extremely well written but then I think that to be true of all of Glenda's books. She grabs your attention from the start and draws you into the story. In Pearl, Glenda Young has created a strong female lead, who is impossible to dislike and who feels more like a friend by the time you reach the end of the story. 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' certainly took me on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey with all the highs and lows, ups and downs, happiness and sadness and well you get the picture. Reading 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' is as near to travelling back in time and walking the same streets as my ancestors as I am going to get. I genuinely felt as though I was part of the story myself and that's all down to Glenda's exceptional storytelling and her very vivid and realistic descriptions.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Glenda's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I absolutely adored the character of Pearl Edwards and I immediately warmed to her the first time I met her. Part of me might be slightly biased towards her because we share the same hair colour. Anyway back to the point. Pearl hasn't had the easiest of upbringings as her mother died shortly after giving birth to Pearl and Pearl's birth father isn't on the scene. Pearl was brought up by her maternal Aunt called Annie, who loves her dearly. Annie has a part time job but it doesn't bring much money in and so Annie has to earn money another way. Things become even more financially stretched and Annie is forced to ask the unthinkable of Pearl. Without giving too much away Pearl has other ideas and she decides to make a new life for herself. Her new life isn't without its hardships and there are many ups and downs. Pearl is a feisty young lady, who typically for a redhead has a stubborn streak about her and a determination to prove her doubters wrong. Will Pearl make a success of her life? Will she find the 'happy ever after' ending that she so deserves? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the fact that Glenda has written it. The second thing that attracted me was the bright and vibrant cover. Pearl and her red hair certainly makes the book stand out on the shelf. Thirdly, I absolutely loved, no make that adored the fact that the book is set in Ryhope, which as I mention at the top is a little village just outside of Sunderland. At the time of the story Sunderland was in County Durham, but it is now part of Tyne & Wear. I can almost hear Papa Ginger Book Geek telling me that County Durham stretched from the River Tees to the River Tyne, always has and always will. Anyway I digress again slightly so back to the review. Bear with me a little bit- I have been researching my family tree and as is common with a lot of North Eastern families, I have a long family history of at least 6 generations of coal miners. Some of my ancestors actually came from Ryhope. Of course they died way before I was born but by reading books such as Glenda's, I feel closer to them and I have a greater understanding of the conditions of the time and the circumstances in which they lived.
It took me no time at all to become addicted to this fabulous book. As soon as I started reading that was it, I knew that I wouldn't be able to put the book down. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' is the true definition of an unputdownable pageturner. I couldn't get enough of the story and I had to keep reading to find out what fate had in store for Pearl. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the story, which I was disappointed about. I don't mean that in a negative sense but I was enjoying the characters, the storylines and the author's writing style so much that I just didn't want the book to end. Reaching the end of the story meant that I had to say a temporary goodbye to Ryhope and to Pearl.
'Pearl Of Pit Lane' is extremely well written but then I think that to be true of all of Glenda's books. She grabs your attention from the start and draws you into the story. In Pearl, Glenda Young has created a strong female lead, who is impossible to dislike and who feels more like a friend by the time you reach the end of the story. 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' certainly took me on an emotional rollercoaster of a journey with all the highs and lows, ups and downs, happiness and sadness and well you get the picture. Reading 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' is as near to travelling back in time and walking the same streets as my ancestors as I am going to get. I genuinely felt as though I was part of the story myself and that's all down to Glenda's exceptional storytelling and her very vivid and realistic descriptions.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Pearl Of Pit Lane' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Glenda's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
February 28, 2020
Such a good book I couldn't put it down. I loved Pearl and her Auntie Annie. If you like Dilly Court then this book is right up your street.
Living with her Aunt Annie after her mum died. Her aunt raises her to the best of her abilities. They live in one room that leaks, when it rains, has damp climbing the walls and a big hole in the middle of the room that if you didn't know it was there you would fall through it.
Annie works as a prostitute on Pit lane in Ryhope, they are so desperate for money that Annie persuades Pearl now 16 to walk Pit Lane in the hope of a punter. Pearl is horrified and dead against it but they are so desperate. Pearl makes the decision to run away before she has to do the deed.
Pearl looks for work but nobody wants to employ her until she goes to her last shop a Greengrocers where a lovely old man called Sid agrees to take on her and her dog Boot so he can catch rats. He offers her a room above the shop. But his wife is a nasty woman with thoughts of grandeur, she is aiming for her son to marry the local doctor's daughter, but he is too cowardly to stand up to his mother, then he meets Pearl....
I really recommend this book it is described in such detail that you feel you are actually living it with Pearl.
Thank you so much NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading and reviewing this book x
Living with her Aunt Annie after her mum died. Her aunt raises her to the best of her abilities. They live in one room that leaks, when it rains, has damp climbing the walls and a big hole in the middle of the room that if you didn't know it was there you would fall through it.
Annie works as a prostitute on Pit lane in Ryhope, they are so desperate for money that Annie persuades Pearl now 16 to walk Pit Lane in the hope of a punter. Pearl is horrified and dead against it but they are so desperate. Pearl makes the decision to run away before she has to do the deed.
Pearl looks for work but nobody wants to employ her until she goes to her last shop a Greengrocers where a lovely old man called Sid agrees to take on her and her dog Boot so he can catch rats. He offers her a room above the shop. But his wife is a nasty woman with thoughts of grandeur, she is aiming for her son to marry the local doctor's daughter, but he is too cowardly to stand up to his mother, then he meets Pearl....
I really recommend this book it is described in such detail that you feel you are actually living it with Pearl.
Thank you so much NetGalley for allowing me the pleasure of reading and reviewing this book x
September 21, 2020
This is a story of hardship and struggle, set in 1919, Ryhope. When Pearl's mother died during childbirth she is left in the loving care of her aunt, Annie. Annie adores Pearl and brings her up as though she is her own child, but is ashamed of the woman she has to be in order to live, working in a haberdashery shop by day and on the streets by night. Three promises she made to Pearl's mother about taking Pearl into her care, and all apart from one was broken. Pearl grows up well considering the circumstances, alongside her best friend Joey.
As they reach adulthood they have to make decisions for the future and seeing Joey take the wrong path in life, Pearl is determined not to follow in her aunt's footsteps. When things become progressively worse, Pearl makes a heartfelt decision to break away from her inevitable future and to seek a new one, where she can keep her dignity. For a time everything seems to work out well, but such is life, she finds herself facing new challenges and uncertain times. Even at her lowest, Pearl finds the strength to move forward.
I thought the storyline progressed well and was enough to keep my interest throughout the book. There were many strengths in the book, it developed well with a few surprises. However, there were times the book showed weakness and was sometimes too predictable. I thought the story had so much potential, there could have been more from it. Some of the decisions Pearl made and that of another (I do not want to give away any spoilers) were unbelievable, considering how close they lived to one another; why they did not pass in the streets or make an attempt to visit one another? With this section, there could have been more development and alternative reasons. Likewise, considering the time in which the period was set, the status quo (again, no spoilers) was not frowned upon as much as it should have been. Finally, as the women were uneducated their dialect did not reflect this, I would like to have seen more of a language divide between the different characters. In my opinion, all this could have enhanced the book further. I wanted more from it.
Indeed, the book was well written, the story was fast-paced and easy to read. It was well researched and Young created a detailed description of the time. I did care for characters, and I wanted to know how things turned out for Pearl and Annie. My interest was maintained and I would read more of Glenda Young's books.
As they reach adulthood they have to make decisions for the future and seeing Joey take the wrong path in life, Pearl is determined not to follow in her aunt's footsteps. When things become progressively worse, Pearl makes a heartfelt decision to break away from her inevitable future and to seek a new one, where she can keep her dignity. For a time everything seems to work out well, but such is life, she finds herself facing new challenges and uncertain times. Even at her lowest, Pearl finds the strength to move forward.
I thought the storyline progressed well and was enough to keep my interest throughout the book. There were many strengths in the book, it developed well with a few surprises. However, there were times the book showed weakness and was sometimes too predictable. I thought the story had so much potential, there could have been more from it. Some of the decisions Pearl made and that of another (I do not want to give away any spoilers) were unbelievable, considering how close they lived to one another; why they did not pass in the streets or make an attempt to visit one another? With this section, there could have been more development and alternative reasons. Likewise, considering the time in which the period was set, the status quo (again, no spoilers) was not frowned upon as much as it should have been. Finally, as the women were uneducated their dialect did not reflect this, I would like to have seen more of a language divide between the different characters. In my opinion, all this could have enhanced the book further. I wanted more from it.
Indeed, the book was well written, the story was fast-paced and easy to read. It was well researched and Young created a detailed description of the time. I did care for characters, and I wanted to know how things turned out for Pearl and Annie. My interest was maintained and I would read more of Glenda Young's books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews