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Sally Patricia Gardner

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Lillian's Story, One Womans Journey through the 20th Century. Kindle Edition

by Sally Patricia Gardner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.3 1,312 ratings

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Lillian's life spans the 20th century, vividly illustrating a time in which the combination of conflict and technological advances changed the world more rapidly than ever before. Seen through the eyes of a woman who would describe herself as 'very ordinary' though many might disagree. She was largely inspired by the stories told to me by my mother-in-law.

.Born in Suffolk in 1900, in service at the age of 12, her life is greatly changed by her experiences in two world wars. The Great Depression, the austerity years,President Kennedy's assassination, Neil Armstrong's moon walk and the death of Princess Diana are among the many events of this turbulent century that are told through their effect on her long life.
Among the many plaudits the novel received on it's first publication, Tom Baker, the actor, wrote: 'Sally really can write - a real heartbreaking saga but with laughs too. And the subject! Well, how could one go better, war, women, children, love, death?'
Dora Bryan,OBE, MA, and much loved actress, wrote in her foreword:'Lillian's Story could only have been written by someone with great experience of life-someone who has survived great sorrow and great joy. Everything I read felt like my own life-the sadness and the joy, the love of animals, the comfort of friendship. This book is so truthful and I love truth in everything.'

To hear me reading an excerpt from Lillian's Story, and to watch other interviews about my novels please visit my web site: www.sallypatriciagardner.co.uk

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About the Author

Sally Patricia Gardner, has had several careers including acting, writing plays for her touring repertory company and running an animal sanctuary. She says she is an 'accidental novelist'. 'Lillian's Story' was inspired by a request for a short magazine article, and she just kept on writing until it became a full-length novel. No-one was more surprised than her! She has subsequently published 'The Sweetest Empire' and 'Painting by Numbers' and she has just completed her fourth novel, 'Finding Cordelia'. She lives in East Sussex with her husband (who is also a writer) and assorted cats and dogs, all rescued. For more information on Sally and her books, see www.sallypatriciagardner.com

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007KCMSI8
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry May Publications (March 9, 2012)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 9, 2012
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 898 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 314 pages
Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1484882903

Best Sellers Rank: #941,863 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,649 in Historical British Fiction
- #3,569 in Women's Historical Fiction
- #64,729 in Women's Literature & Fiction

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4.3 1,312 ratings

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Sally Patricia Gardner

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Since my first novel, Lillian's Story, came out, I seem to have become a compulsive writer. I am often asked if my books have a common theme, and having given this some thought, I think perhaps they are all about women who are defined by their strengths and experiences, not the the society that they are born into. i was greatly encouraged at the start of my writing career by my friend, the sadly missed Dora Bryan, a terrific actress and a very strong woman herself. i think she would like the pictures I have posted here of the two of us.

My sixth novel, The Ides of Daisy March is now available on kindle and paperback. I am hugely excited about this book as it was originally inspired by my personal history, although Daisy's life quickly becomes all her own. I had that wonderful and rare experience of it 'writing itself' in an amazing short time. Born ‘out of wedlock’ in 1910, the fictional Daisy’s life and eventual career as a war photographer has consumed me. The novel is motivated not only by what I knew about mother's difficult childhood but is also my own very personal tribute to the soldier father who died without me ever knowing him.

If you would like to know more do have a look at my video on this site. or visit my web site: www.sallypatriciagardner.co.uk

I love to write, but sometimes it takes a back seat to the demands of our pets. We have three dogs (one of whom is a working therapy dog) and some rescued cats. Connie, our therapy dog, is often asked to give talks about her work. On account of her being a dog, I write these for her, and also speak on her behalf. But she does sit beside me looking very professional. Mostly!

What makes you write?' and 'Is this one your life story?' are the two questions I am most often asked. The first is almost unanswerable. To say 'well, these people came into my head and I had to find out what they would do next' is the nearest I can get to a coherant response. They then live and breathe in my imagination and obsess me until their story is written. It probably makes me a very uncomfortable, (and mildly schizophrenic) person to live with.

And no, none of them are my life story. But all of them are informed by my life, my relationships, every single thing that has ever happened to me. Who, after all, could write in a vacuum? But some are obviously more biographical than others,and, for instance, 'Lillian's Story' was largely inspired by my first husband's family stories of WW2.

War has been the trigger for several of my novels. WW1 features prominently in 'The Sweetest Empire' and the Falklands War is the background for 'A Part of Having', whilst both 'Painting by Numbers' and 'Finding Cordelia' are set in a UK still coming to terms with a very changed post-war UK where attitudes, especially towards women and sex, were in free fall.

I love talking with book groups, or anyone who would like to chat about my work, so please don't hesitate to get in touch. My web site is: www.sallypatriciagardner.co.uk

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E. I. HOOD

A treasure trove of memories

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2014

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I downloaded this book to read while flying to and from a family reunion. I think the reunion helped me appreciate the book and the book helped me appreciate the reunion.

My first impression was positive when I found a full list of all the characters in the book and their relationships in chronological order. It is found on page 4 of the Kindle edition. This also made me appreciate the effort my sister-in-law went to in creating a similar list to be given out to the attendees at the reunion.

After starting the story, I remembered my grandmothers were both born just before the start of the 20th century. They both lived through 2 world wars (albeit from a farther distance.) They had husbands and sons go to a war "over there" but Lillian WAS over there.

The style read like a diary entry. I happen to have several diaries of relatives that I have found helpful with genealogy searches. Lillian's musings rang true as notes to self on what happened to her. I could visualize what was happening WHEN it happened. The author used language to its fullest. She put in "British English" phrases that made me remember this was not a modern American woman.

Reading her thoughts as the US was drawn into the war set me back and then gave me a better understanding of how our separatist policies would have felt to those in the thick of the war. I saw the world as it was during my first year of life .
I appreciated the entries from 1953 on since I could compare MY memories from here on. I too watched the coronation of the queen on TV in June 1953. Lillian and I learned to drive at about the same time but I was much younger than she. But we had the same problems for the same reasons. We both saw Julie Andrews in "My Fair Lady" I could go on and on down memory lane but that would spoil it for you.

In case you hadn't noticed, I loved this book. I would recommend it to old and young alike. Younger folks might appreciate knowing why parents roll their eyes and talk about this "younger generation" Old folks like me can appreciate someone who understands what I am feeling.

2 people found this helpful

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Grlou

Lillians's Story - A life well lived

Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2015

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I thoroughly enjoyed Lillian's Story. I enjoyed the colourful characters, the relationships, the historical references and I enjoyed watching Lillian's character interact with the changing world around her. From evolving fashion to the internet - Lillian was up to every challenge. Lillian was a nurturing woman and this expanded beyond her family. And what a delightful family it was! I loved their closeness and how they bonded together in good times and bad. In an age where Facebook reminds us to wish someone a happy birthday, I found the birthday celebrations so refreshing. Ms Gardner has done such an excellent job of character description. I had images of them in my head and this was accomplished with just a few pen/key strokes. As Lillian aged it was amusing that some of her sayings referenced a difference era: "He nearly blotted his copybook".
While the cast of characters is very large, they are all part of the colourful tapestry that was Lillian's life. As the book gallops through the century I was reminded of significant events such as the thalidomide horror, the cloning of Dolly the sheep,many political developments and the repeated devastations of war that prove that humans do not learn from their mistakes. In the year 1999 there is a mention of the Twin Towers that sent shivers up my spine. I would have rated Lillian's Story with the 5 stars that it deserves but I haven't come to terms with the ending yet. I need to cerebrate it for a few days. I highly recommend this delightful book.

3 people found this helpful

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GranJan

One Woman's Century of Life, Our Greatest Generation!

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2017

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I so enjoyed this book. I did not want it to end. If I were to change anything, I would ask that the author have as much detail in the second have of the century as she did in the first half. My grandmother also was born in 1900, like Lillian. I have often thought of all the changes she saw in her lifetime - and this book explores that. From coal oil lanterns to space exploration. From driving ox carts to modern aircraft. Modern telecommunications, microwave ovens, running water, indoor plumbing and electricity, what changes in life! Lillian is a working class girl who lives through two World Wars, financial depressions and worker's strikes - managing to survive it all. This is the story of our greatest generation from the British point of view. It is a fast read, full of great detail and strong emotion. I loved it!

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A great book

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2014

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This is not the type of book I usually read. I like mysteries, cozy mysteries, biographies, etc. But this sounded good and once II started reading I didn't want to stop. The story flowed, the writing style is wonderful. It was so interesting, giving a great view of average people ( not perfect people but with real emotions) living though hard times but facing them with love and strength. Of a young lady going into service as a 13 year old and not going "poor me" but "At last I can help my family." A great view of people living through WW 2 in London and the hardships and tragedies they faced. I put this on my favorite list along with the 2 others that are already there, and I read lots of books. And I know I will read this one again. A great book.

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Susan Timmons

Covers a long time period in a short time period.

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2014

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I enjoyed this book but it's in a style of fast-forward. It covers major events very quickly: WW I, WW II, President Kennedy's assassination, Princess Diana's death, etc. in a paragraph or two, very briefly, skimming quickly while relating a story of Lillian and her family of many generations. Also, there are so many characters it gets confusing without a "score sheet." The setting is in England, my favorite, so I finished it but it's not the most gripping story I've ever read.

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Antony May

'A Stunning Debut From A New Author'

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2007

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Wow, this really blew me away! Sally Patricia Gardner may not be an author well known to the general public as yet, but boy on the evidence of this is that going to change! Mark my words here and now this is going to be BIG and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it dosen't eventually end up as a mini - tv series a la 'The Mallens'.

As the title suggests, this is the story of one womans life throughout the whole of the 20th century. Living such a long life, Lillian lives to witness so many social changes that to try to describe here the rich tapestry of her life in detail would be impossible. For this reason, I shall make do here with simply telling you about my idea of the most impressive part of the story, namely, the authors skillfull portrail of life during the second world war.

With every page you are made to feel that you're 'right there' with Lillian, living with the fear, coping with the terrible things that happen to some of the local people she knows and sharing in the temporary but incredible highs when good news is received. Thankfully, I am not old enough to have lived through either wars but, after reading this book, I now feel that I can almost genuinely say that I know how it felt. A crazy thing to say I know yet, such is the skill of the author, I'm sure if you read this you will know what I mean. The other impressive thing about the book being the way in which contempary events(throughout) are so acurately described, brought to life and interwoven into the text. This book is guaranteed to bring memories flooding back to not just those that lived through the war years, but to pretty much anybody old enough to have experienced any significan't period of the 20th century. I am even prepared to wager a good many tears shall be shed over these pages in the coming months (in fact the resulting emotional release might even help to patch up long festering family feuds!) But, don't take my word for all this, buy yourself a copy and share in Lillians fantastic and emotional journey. I'll see you in the trenches then!

6 people found this helpful

AmaDablam

The human voice of the 20th Century

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2012

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I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this being a freebie on the kindle, but I have to say it was a real page turner of the kind that has you getting up half an hour early so you can sneak in a few pages before work and staying up way past your bedtime to finish! With just the right amount of historical detail and a hugely endearing main character it is easy yet thought provoking reading that is gripping from start to finish.

I particularly enjoyed the section covering World War 2 and was glad the author chose to linger in these years. Anyone hoping for a passionate affair or an epic tale of daring heroism would be disappointed, but it's the fact that the story centres on ordinary people, trying to go about their ordinary lives, that makes it so believable. Lillian is kind and generous without being saintly; is drawn to some people, whilst others get on her nerves; and puts on a brave face for her family whilst sharing with the reader that she struggles with loss and hardship as much as the next person. She reminds me of my own grandmother, my mum, my auntie, even a little bit of myself.

I agree with many reviewers that there are quite a few characters and it is difficult to keep track of them all, however, this is just another way in which Lillian's character is utterly convincing. Anyone who has ever sat down for a proper chat with a lady of advanced years will know that the conversation soon becomes peppered with, "X used to do that during the war", or "I just heard Y's youngest is having a baby" and you're thinking "who are these people?" But ultimately it's irrelevant who they are, they're important to her and that's what matters.

My only criticism, and the reason I didn't give the book 5 stars, is that the first section of the book, concerning the first 39 years of Lillian's life, is rather brief. I know that making it much longer would risk losing the attention of some readers, but I would have loved to know a bit more about Lillian's early years in rural Suffolk, her time in domestic service, her thoughts on World War 1 and being a young wife and mother during the 1920's.

Overall though, Sally Patricia Gardner has created something a little bit special and unique with this book. I look forward to reading her next.

4 people found this helpful

pollyanna

fascinating book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2012

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When I started this book, thought it was non-fiction, being basesd on the diaries of a real person. It certainly reads this way. I was rather disappointed to find it was only fiction.

I was particularly interested in it as it was based for the middle part (the war years) in Penge, where I spent many years district nursing. I was rather surprised though, that the characters went to London, but never to Bromley or Croydon. I also know Suffolk and Brighton where the rest of the story is based, quite well.

The story has been summarised well by other reviewers, but I'll just add that if I was recommending it (and I do recommend it as a really good read -very honest and a fascinating journey through most of my lifetime), I'd suggest they keep a written list of the people in the story. There is a list at the end of the book (a bit late for Kindle readers) but it isn't complete, and I'd keep the list with everyone in their family groups. It is confusing with the huge cast of characters who come in and out of this story, and I kept forgetting who many of the minor ones were connected to.

I will look for more by this author,and remember that her works are fiction! It was very easy to believe that this was a real biography. I'm not sure what I felt about the ending - the only part I found a bit hard, though I can see why it was written this way. I would have loved Lilian's take on the centenary celebrations.

One person found this helpful

Breeze

Quite Frustrating At Times

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2012

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This would be good, as it gives a real flavour of Lillian's life and has some wonderful bits in it, except there are far too many characters in this. The author keeps introducing new ones but doesn't always tell you who they are.

For instance, I've just got to the a bit where her son William, whose pregnant wife Tilly was killed by a doodlebug, has visited Lillian on her birthday and given her a photo of little Rosalind.

Now we have no previous mention of Rosalind, so how the heck is the reader supposed to know who she is?

Then a couple of sentences later, we find out she's his child because he married Elsie. Shouldn't you introduce your characters first? Wouldn't it make more sense to say that William and Elsie got married and had a little girl who they named Rosalind, and on Lillian's birthday, William gave her a framed photo of the child.

This has happened throughout the whole book and is really frustrating because you have to keep going to the end of the book (it's at the end in the Kindle version, it may be at the beginning in the paperback) where there is a list of each character, to see who they are.

I'm going to try to persevere with it as I'd like to know what happens, but it's a really annoying aspect of the book and I can see many people getting so frustrated that they give up on it.

Also, from the book blurb, you are led to believe it's a true story, but it isn't, Lillian is a fictional character.

18 people found this helpful

Paul J Middleton

Lillian's extraordinary journey through the 20th Century

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2013

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Lillian's story is a book I would not normally have picked up to read. However, I enjoy historic accounts, particularly of the First and Second World Wars and somebody recommended Lillian's story to me. It spans the life of Lillian, born at the turn of the last century, January 1900. The Prologue has you from the start. "Was Lillian an extraordinary woman born in ordinary times, or an ordinary woman born in extraordinary times?" And so the story begins, with Lillian, twelve years of age. And from then on you become part of her captivating life, as it winds its way through the history of the last century. Encompassing both the First and Second World Wars, through recession, hard times, and joy. Through loss, triumph and love, this tale takes you on a journey familiar to us all, in a history we all have partly grown up in. I was completely taken with this incredibly engaging tale. Particularly Lillian's account of the Second World War and the incredible fortitude of the British people, through the hardship and suffering, and the laughter, as a nation pulls together. Beautifully told, Sally has cleverly written a historic account of the last century, but seen through the eyes of an ordinary person, a person who could be your grandmother, mother or aunt, someone familiar to us all. And so you cannot help but become a part of Lillian's life, and in so doing, her life becomes incredible. In my mind, Sally has written a masterpiece. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

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