The Girl in the Painted Caravan

by Eva Petulengro

Born into a Romany Gypsy Family in 1939, Eva Petulengro's childhood seemed to her to be idyllic in every way. She would travel the country with her family in their painted caravan and spend evenings by the fire as they sang and told stories of their past. She didn't go to school or visit a doctor when she was unwell. Instead her family would gather wild herbs to make traditional remedies, hunt game and rabbits for food, and while the men tended horses to make a living, the young girls would join the women in reading palms. But in the post-war era, Eva's perfect world would be turned upside down....

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

310 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s funny how tales of the Romany way of life has been embedded in us, yet according to the book this way of life started dying out in the 1930’s when much of the countryside was gripped in a depression and many people had no choice but to take to the roads. Unfortunately not all folks were honest and law abiding and lots of local landowners then started banning people from staying on their land and would not employ casual labour. This sounded the death knell to the Romany way of life. Eva Petulengro came from a well known family and her family travelled the roads between Norfolk and Lincoln. This book describes a childhood of travelling, animals especially horses were treated with respect and outsiders were not welcomed into the family, her mother and eventually, she made a living out of fortune telling. Her Mother made the mistake of marrying outside the Romany community and the relationship between mother and father was difficult and the children felt this. They eventually stopped travelling after the war, I think things became too difficult by then and settled down in a house and although life was easier they missed the closeness and companionship. This book tells of a way of life which has been lost, the language, the characters many of whom lived off the land, the beautiful horse pulled wagons. Eva went on to be a celebrity with her horoscope and fortune telling and seems to have had a very happy childhood. This is a very moving and evocative book of a time and life which no longer exists.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an engaging memoir about a way of life I only know about through the usual stereotypes. Eva and her family are an engaging bunch, and although life is not always easy for them, Eva looks back at her childhood in the idealised way that many of us look back at our own childhoods. There was a lot of love and fun however, although her father was a peculiar man given to sudden inexplicable cruelties. What comes across strongly however is how sad it was for the Romany people to watch the slow decline of their way of life. The idea of listening to the rain on the roof of an old painted Romany caravan is a romantic one – and certainly appeals to me. Although she didn’t go to school Eva made sure she educated herself, and was a determined young lady. Eva Petulengro finally settled in Brighton and met the love of her life, but tried to give her own children the same thrill as she had had – of waking up in a new place from time to time.

[Rachel Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. I love reading about other cultures, and I always find reading about the Romany culture fascinating. This book was such an easy read, full of warmth, humour, loyalty, and remnants of a not so distant past, that in some ways was easier. I'm not saying I have a completely romanticised view of Gypsy life as it too comes/ came with its problems, harsh living conditions at times, uncertainty over where they could stay, racism and the ability to make money to survive.

[HattieB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet read.

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eva Petulengro was born to a romany mother, and a gorger father. She spent her childhood living in her granmother's old vardo travelling as often as her mom could convince her dad to move along. Although Eva's mom married outside of her culture she was very traditional, and even passed on the fortune telling skills most romany women are known for to her daughter. Eva was very good at telling fortunes, and became quite successful. Eva like her mother fell in love with someone outside her culture which made her all the more nervous about taking the plunge. She held off the marriage for three long years until finally deciding she could not imagine living without her Johnny. That's where this book ends, and I guess it continues from there in her second book.

You learn a few fascinating facts about the romany culture in Eva's story, and a few sad ones as well. While Eva's father was away serving the country during the war his wife was denied a gas mask for her, and her baby because she was a gypsy I'm sure. They told her they were all out while they made sure all the gorgers had gas masks. Many were the nights that Eva's mom had a blanket soaking in a tin of water in the middle of their vardo. If they were attacked she was told to throw the wet blanket over her, and her child. You would think the soldiers families would be the first to have a gas mask handed to them. Eva also shared many funny moments, and the secret romany marriage ritual.

I know that there are many traveller groups, but there are also many different groups of romany gypsies. It seems many romany gypsies either don't mention, or maybe they really don't know which group they come from. I'm not quite sure why they have different tribal names, but that's something that would be interesting to look up. Maybe it's due to their skills? I do know each group has their own belief system on certain standards in their everyday life, and that they also have different styles of dress. Non of this is mentioned in Eva's book, but I'll be really excited when I do come across a book where these things are mentioned (if I ever do).

[H.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantastic honest account of a Romany traveler girls life. Reading research for a book I’m planning to write. Very informative, a real life account of Gypsy life. It was a warm touching read. You could see the love for her mother and aunts & uncles, but her father being a gorger wasn’t made for the community living of his Gypsy wife. He was notably different and not a very good father, he was incredibly cruel at times. His wife was happier when he wasn’t around, feeling their marriage was a mistake. The stark differences between them eat away at their relationship. There were some really comical and loving moments throughout the book as well as some frustratingly difficult ones, particularly when it came to being discriminated against by locals. It was really sad reading about their traveller heritage moving steadily toward it’s own decline, their way of life changing and dying.
Nb-I do not use the word gypsy as a slur, here in Somerset England I went to school with travellers and they are incredibly proud of being Gypsy, the people I’ve known since school don’t find the word offensive, it is a word they are proud of. There are slurs which they do find insulting which I would never use, but Gypsy isn’t one of them. Just for anyone thinking otherwise.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insightful and interesting look at the Romany way of life, Eva Petulengro paints a very vivid picture of her childhood during the 1940's as well as, of less interest to me, chronicling her career as a palmist/clairvoyant.

Wonderfully descriptive, the author gives us a rare (and at times I suspect rose tinted) glimpse of her family life, and the traditions and language of a vanishing way of life in a book that, though not the best written and somewhat lacking in the conversational element I prefer in memoirs of this type, is still very readable.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not very well written, especially from someone who is supposed to be a journalist. I can't say that this book made me understand the "traveling" way of life. I don't buy the whole clairvoyant thing, which basically seemed to be their main source of income from their palm readings and "crystal balls".

[Elise Hattersley · Rating 1 out of 5]

What should be an intriguing and effervescent auto-biography turns instead to boring, poorly worded ramblings hung together by the most tenuous of concepts. An interesting concept spoiled by tedious execution.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I've always had a fascination with gypsy life. This book is written by one of last few original caravan travelling gypsies. I loved her stories about the family & traveling life. Highly recommend this book.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The insight into romany gypsy life was a joy. Eva has a natural way of telling her story and is an interesting person with a great talent!

[Maria Argent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left this in wool shop and it was so boring never went back to collect it lol!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Beautiful as well as fascinating. It was a great book to read on my weekend trip to Norfolk.

[Jenny Carr · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started well, but lacked continuity from the middle to he end. Given the book was about the Romany life I was disappointed it spent so much time on her town dwelling life.

[Sara Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl in the Painted Caravan is a great read. It offers people a real insight into the lives and customs of gypsies. This book tells the story of Eva Petulengro a Romany gypsy. The book starts in 1939 when it was common place to see Romany gypsies on the road to a time when travellers were frowned upon and more and more travellers took to living in flats and houses. This book offers an insight into the characters the family came across on their many travels as well as looking at the prejudices they faced because of their way of life and their customs. An entertaining read that is hard to put down. This book has many funny tales and as well as some harsher ones. Life for Eva wasn't always easy or happy and at times it is hard to read the pages of this book. Eva never complained though and always made the best of every situation. This book tells it like it is or was and for that reason it is very refreshing to read. Overall a wonderful read that really engages the reader.

[Plum-crazy]

I gave up on this simply written but rather disjointed tale, I think she's looking back with rose-tinted glasses on. The early meeting with the Beatles didn't seemed a very likely scenario, I just couldn't believe it happened just like Eva said & after that I was taking it all with a pinch of salt.

Anyway I gave up at page 104 after the cruel way her father "taught" her to swim (lost the rose tinted glasses there!) & have lost interest.

One thing that made me laugh however, was the description that accompanied the photo of Eva's granny. Described as being beautifully groomed with the poise of a duchess, she was also as smart as a carrot - never heard that said before!

[Donna Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. I love the idea of the Romany lifestyle but it must have been so hard at times. It’s sad that the culture is dying out,Though it’s understandable.

Really enjoyed the book couldn’t wait to get into bed at night and join their story. I’m sad now I’ve finished it ...

I think Eva has also got an incredibly good memory for remembering all of these events and even the outfits she was wearing.

[Dayna Duchovney · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book told like many short stories rolled inti one to create one complete book, each chapter covers a different moment in Eva's life and even her parents life before she was born.
It gives a real insight into Romany life style and consequent decline of the traditional lifestyle due to changes in modern life.
As a whole a good book with many funny and sad smaller stories within it.

[Russell Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shame there was a trend by publishers to put the word ‘girl’ in every book titled release after the success of ‘Girl on a Train’ It nearly put me off buying this book. But I’m glad I did. It’s a great book about the real-life story of the author who is a Clairvoyant Romany Gipsy. It’s easy to read and well written and a fascinating insight into that world. Definitely worth a read.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read giving an interesting and honest insight into the original Romany way of life and how that all sadly came to change for the majority of Romanies with the advent of the motor car etc.
The book was enhanced by the photographs and I'm pleased to learn that the Petulengro name is still alive and well in the world of horoscopes etc.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual type of book but the title and cover grabbed my eye
I must admit it opened my eyes to a Romany life and as a kids gypsies stayed in our village over the years and their traditions and life style are not really that different to ours they have family traditions just like us
What a lovely read this was

[Ana Truta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Povestea unei familii de etnie roma unde bunicul se ocupa cu ingrijirea cailor și era chiar și un fel de tămăduitor al lor, iar bunica citea în palmă. Aceștia locuiau în caravane și tot timpul călătoreau, nu stateau niciodată prea mult timp în același loc. Totuși erau curați, nu purtau haine specifice ci moderne și nu furau.

[Jean Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting tale of a way of life that has pretty much disappeared now but the book brought back some memories for me as I did have a short relationship with a Romany guy at one time. The fact that they can usually sing, dance or play a musical instrument is very true.

[Kate Mountford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good insight into the Romanys culture and how they get on with things. This was picked in the book club I'm in and not something I may have picked out myself but an easy pleasant read and enjoyed it 😊

[Helen Pomfrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didnt enjoy this- I found it rambled

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I was hopeful for more depth

[Rosie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Babs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual type of book but was very interesting

[Amy Dance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the insights & explanations of Romany life. Her story is an Interesting one, covering a time of transition from traveling to stationary after WW2.

[Gail murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read and funny in places