review written by Babs Simpson & read live on the bookshow Sept 2014
THIS IS THE STORY OF CONNIE CALLAWAY WHO WE MEET IN 1911. HER FATHER HAS
RECENTLY DIED AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY IS LIVING IN REDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES IN
NORTH LONDON.
CALLIE'S FATHER HAD INSTILLED IN HIS DAUGHTER A LOVE OF CRICKET AND WHEN
SHE HOLIDAYS WITH HER FAMILY ON THE SOUTH COAST SHE IS INTRODUCED TO WILL
MAITLAND, CRICKETER AND RISING STAR OF THE COUNTY TEAM. THEIR FIRST ENCOUNTER
IS NOT A PARTICULARLY HAPPY ONE AS THE OUTSPOKEN GIRL TAKES IT UPON HERSELF TO
SUGGEST TO WILL HOW HIS GAME MIGHT BE IMPROVED. BUT THEY DESTINED TO MEET AGAIN
MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE BOOK.
CALLIE IS ALSO DRAWN TO THE CAUSE OF WOMENS SUFFRAGE AND SERVES A TERM IN
HOLLOWAY PRISON WHEN CAUGHT SMASHING WINDOWS. THE DREADFUL TREATMENT METED OUT
TO THESE WOMEN IS GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED BUT WILL CANNOT ACCEPT CALLIES DEVOTION
TO THE CAUSE AND ABANDONS HER.
WE MEET MANY OF THE BRAVE WOMEN WHO FOUGHT AND SUFFERED SO THAT WE MIGHT
HAVE THE CHANCE TO VOTE, AS WELL AS THE LEGENDARY CRICKETER TAM TAMBURLAIN,
WILL'S IDOL, WHO COMES TO CALLIES RESCUE WHEN SHE IS AT HER LOWEST EBB.
THE FIRST WORLD WAR BEGINS AND AFFECTS EVERYONE, CALLIE BECOMING A NURSING
ORDERLY AND WILL A SOLDIER.
THE PERIOD AND PLACE ARE VIVIDLY BROUGHT TO LIFE AND THIS IS A VERY WELL
WRITTEN BOOK WITH A GOOD ABSORBING STORY.
IT IS NOT OFTEN, IN MY EXPERIENCE, THAT A MALE AUTHOR WRITES TO WELL FROM
THE FEMALE POINT OF VIEW AND CALLIE IS A COMPLETELY CONVINCING CHARACTER LEADING
A LIFE THAT THE READER IS GLAD TO SHARE.
DEFINITELY TO BE RECOMMENDED EVEN IF THE CRICKETING SCENES LAST A BIT TOO
LONG FOR MY LIKING
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