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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
No idea this was part of Canadian history- still not in the curriculum here it would seem. Great book, definitely will read more books by this author.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Forgotten Home Child is a fictionalized account of what is was like for children sent to Canada from England in the 1930s for a ‘better life’. I only learned of this part of history a few years ago, and I find it so interesting how something that affected so many children and families is so seldom talked about.
I enjoyed how the story of the past unfolded as the main character, Winny, shared her secrets with her granddaughter and great-grandson. It was believable to me that she would have kept that painful part of her life hidden to try to move on from it, and I felt like the author portrayed the emotions of all of the characters quite beautifully.
Certainly many of the British Home Children suffered from abuse and neglect, but not all did, and Graham did a great job of telling the different stories of her characters. You can tell she did her research to be able to accurately portray what life was like for these children. She didn’t shy away from painful details, but she handled them with sensitivity. I cared about her characters and shed tears with and for them.
Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Canada and Genevieve Graham for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed how the story of the past unfolded as the main character, Winny, shared her secrets with her granddaughter and great-grandson. It was believable to me that she would have kept that painful part of her life hidden to try to move on from it, and I felt like the author portrayed the emotions of all of the characters quite beautifully.
Certainly many of the British Home Children suffered from abuse and neglect, but not all did, and Graham did a great job of telling the different stories of her characters. You can tell she did her research to be able to accurately portray what life was like for these children. She didn’t shy away from painful details, but she handled them with sensitivity. I cared about her characters and shed tears with and for them.
Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Canada and Genevieve Graham for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Genevieve Graham, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This storyline was FASCINATING!! I had NEVER heard anything about the British Home Children and the transfer of "destitute and orphan" children from Great Britain to the Commonwealth countries occurred for almost 100 years. I think, initially, it was a generous and altruistic idea that outgrew the administration of the program. Two warrs, The Depression, and other historical events caused many of these children to be left alone as indentured servants/slaves. As always, every time that I read a book, I learn new things and this historical fiction was NO exception!!
The novel follows the journey of five children who became a family on the streets of London and how they fared through the British Home Children placement in Canada. I know that this was NOT a true story, but historical fiction, but as a mother, it broke my heart to read of the horrible abusive treatment that these children endured.
This story is very similar in a lot of ways to Before We Were Yours.
HIGHLY recommend!! Most especially if you like historical fiction!!
I received a complimentary e-book copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Genevieve Graham, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This storyline was FASCINATING!! I had NEVER heard anything about the British Home Children and the transfer of "destitute and orphan" children from Great Britain to the Commonwealth countries occurred for almost 100 years. I think, initially, it was a generous and altruistic idea that outgrew the administration of the program. Two warrs, The Depression, and other historical events caused many of these children to be left alone as indentured servants/slaves. As always, every time that I read a book, I learn new things and this historical fiction was NO exception!!
The novel follows the journey of five children who became a family on the streets of London and how they fared through the British Home Children placement in Canada. I know that this was NOT a true story, but historical fiction, but as a mother, it broke my heart to read of the horrible abusive treatment that these children endured.
This story is very similar in a lot of ways to Before We Were Yours.
HIGHLY recommend!! Most especially if you like historical fiction!!
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was such a sad story! Even more so when you consider that these events likely happened to many of these children. I cried so much reading this book. I really enjoyed the story overall, but Billy's storyline seemed a bit much to me. It was just one more tragic thing in a long line of tragedies that Winny and Jack faced in their lives. I think this is an important book to read, as it highlights a part of our history that you normally don't hear anything about.
The tale is told both in the present and in the past from the same point of view, as ninety-seven-year-old, Winnifred Ellis moves in with her granddaughter and great-grandson in 2018. A suitcase filled with old-things soon has her sharing a story neither she nor her husband shared. Not even with their own children. The past takes us back to 1936 and the streets of London as Winny, and many other children who fled Ireland with their families struggle in Liverpool. Winny and her street friends Jack and Mary Miller and two brothers, Cecil and Edward steal to survive. The child are arrested for shoplifting and the girls end up at Dr. Barnado’s Home for Children.
Eventually, all of them board ships to Canada. There they will work for families until they turn eighteen and receive funds when they are twenty-one. A chance for a new start. But the friends and siblings are separated, and not all the homes are welcoming. Winnifred retells what happened to her, Mary and Charlotte, a girl they met at the home. We are also given Jack’s point of view as we learn what happens to the boys.
Graham delivered a rich tale that covered a wide range of the circumstances these children faced. Some moments will make you smile, and others will bring tears to your eyes as you wonder at the cruelty they endured. I wept just seeing these children pulled from their friends and siblings. Not knowing where their brother or sister was. Hadn’t they lost enough. While I think the intentions of these programs were good, it sadden me to see its failures.
As always, I loved the characters. Winny, brave Winny and Jack who shouldered the blame. I felt such emotions for the children we encountered, lost and discovered. Of course, Graham wove in happy moments, reunions and did Winny justice, but not at the sacrifice of sharing the Forgotten Home Child.
In the back, Graham shares her research, provides information and links. As so often happens when I read her books, found myself explore Google and my library for more information.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Eventually, all of them board ships to Canada. There they will work for families until they turn eighteen and receive funds when they are twenty-one. A chance for a new start. But the friends and siblings are separated, and not all the homes are welcoming. Winnifred retells what happened to her, Mary and Charlotte, a girl they met at the home. We are also given Jack’s point of view as we learn what happens to the boys.
Graham delivered a rich tale that covered a wide range of the circumstances these children faced. Some moments will make you smile, and others will bring tears to your eyes as you wonder at the cruelty they endured. I wept just seeing these children pulled from their friends and siblings. Not knowing where their brother or sister was. Hadn’t they lost enough. While I think the intentions of these programs were good, it sadden me to see its failures.
As always, I loved the characters. Winny, brave Winny and Jack who shouldered the blame. I felt such emotions for the children we encountered, lost and discovered. Of course, Graham wove in happy moments, reunions and did Winny justice, but not at the sacrifice of sharing the Forgotten Home Child.
In the back, Graham shares her research, provides information and links. As so often happens when I read her books, found myself explore Google and my library for more information.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
A moving story based on real events, we meet Winny, Mary, Jack, Edward and Cecil, “home children”. These children were poor, often orphaned and on the streets of London. Over 100,000 were sold as indentured to families in Canada, most on farms and used for labor. Often brutalized, but with nowhere to turn, they were able to leave at 18, if they made it through sleeping in barns and treated like chattel. I loved Winny’s strength, not just to plow through but to make something of her self, become a nurse, and keep promises. The home children program started in 1869, and went on until 1948, with the promise of better lives often false. The author researched this part of Canadian history that was not well known, and this novel is the result. I highly recommend this novel, for its historical perspective and the characters.
I highly recommend this book!
It is a historical fiction written based on British Home Children. I was not aware that these children were such an integral part of our Canadian history. This book has touched my heart. I was telling my friend about it and we wondered if it was something that actually happened, so I did some research about the children and their stories.
British children who lived in an orphanage were sold to Canadians to come and work here. More often than not, they were treated like animals, beaten and even sexually assaulted.
It is blowing my mind how I had no idea this happened in our country. Pick up this book and give it a read! I hope it touches your heart the way it has touched mine.
Google “British Home Children” and understand what happened from 1869 to 1948.
It is a historical fiction written based on British Home Children. I was not aware that these children were such an integral part of our Canadian history. This book has touched my heart. I was telling my friend about it and we wondered if it was something that actually happened, so I did some research about the children and their stories.
British children who lived in an orphanage were sold to Canadians to come and work here. More often than not, they were treated like animals, beaten and even sexually assaulted.
It is blowing my mind how I had no idea this happened in our country. Pick up this book and give it a read! I hope it touches your heart the way it has touched mine.
Google “British Home Children” and understand what happened from 1869 to 1948.