The Sewing Room Girl

By: Susanna Bavin

Narrated by: Julia Franklin

Born into service, 16-year-old Juliet Harper has always idolised her mother, Agnes. But Agnes is haunted by what could have been and the glamorous life she might have lived if she had stayed in Manchester rather than settling down in the Lancashire moorland with her husband. Life takes another unexpected turn when Juliet's father suddenly dies.

Agnes' reputation as a seamstress leads to her being taken on by local landowners the Drysdales, where she is proud to work. But it will be a bumpy road for both of them as they settle in to their new lives. Will Juliet ever be able to choose her own path? And what will become of them when Agnes falls ill?

©2018 Susanna Bavin (P)2019 Soundings

Disappointing

I started listening to this book and enjoyed the setting of the story. I noticed a lot of negativity at first, but I thought it would get better as the story evolved. However, the main character was just violated so many times and I don’t understand why that has to be part of the story of a successful young woman. The world itself has enough depressing events without listening to a book made up of depressing events. Yes life is hard and bad things happen. However, a more creative author could come up with different challenges, other than the often used violation of a woman. Some people might enjoy this type of storyline, but I would like something more positive. I stopped listening halfway through the book.