The Mill Girls

By: Tracy Johnson

Narrated by: Anne Dover

"I dragged my heels all the way to the mill. ‘I can’t do it!’ I sulked. Mother sighed and shook her head. My heart sank. Of course, I’d seen the mill hundreds of times before, but now it was different - now, I was going in. I’d never seen a place so depressing; I wanted to cry."

With tales from hardworking Audrey and mischievous Maureen to high-spirited Doris and dedicated Marjorie, The Mill Girls is an evocative story of hardship and friendship from when cotton was still king.

Through the eyes of these northern mill girls, we are offered a fascinating glimpse into the lives of ordinary women who rallied together, nattered over the beamers, and, despite the difficult conditions, weaved, packed, and laughed to keep the cotton mills spinning.

©2014 Tracy Johnson (P)2015 Magna Audiobooks, Random House Audiobooks 2015

Gentle Story.

What made the experience of listening to The Mill Girls the most enjoyable?

That the author had such a gentle voice to go along with a simple time in life as compared to modern days.

Which character – as performed by Anne Dover – was your favorite?

I loved them all. Each one played an important role in her own life and each girl's story was told so eloquently. Life was rough but it was what it was.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I listened each night as I walked my dogs. I began to walk further and further for the duration of the book as I hated to come back when the story had no boring spots.

Any additional comments?

This book took me back to yesteryear in a good way. I felt so wistful each time I had to stop listening. It reminded me of such simple times. Back when hard work was what one did, and chipping in, working together, and figuring out how to survive in those days-all together. Most everyone was poor although nobody knew it because people were all in the same boat.