This book is set in Chelmsford Essex in the early 1960s and I did think it was good to have a book set in this area and to have places near where I live and grew up mentioned (Hatfield Peveral, Witham, Braintree).
The story centres around Linda a teenager attending Chelmsford High School, growing up as a mod, living on a council estate and her dad is a local Labour councillor in the town. She is asked by her mum to befriend a young unmarried mother Sylvia or Sylvie as she likes to be known. Things are so much different in the 60s and attitudes towards Sylvie are unkind. Sylvie is unwell with the baby blues and has even been put in Severalls Hospital in Colchester. Linda looks after Sylvies baby Mansell for short periods, getting two biscuits as payment! This is a book about growing up, music, boyfriends, cultures and friendships. I don't think things have really changed through the years it doesn't matter if you grew up in the 60s, 70s, 90s or present day although many things may change friendships are still there and choices to be made. A lovely nostalgic read.
The story centres around Linda a teenager attending Chelmsford High School, growing up as a mod, living on a council estate and her dad is a local Labour councillor in the town. She is asked by her mum to befriend a young unmarried mother Sylvia or Sylvie as she likes to be known. Things are so much different in the 60s and attitudes towards Sylvie are unkind. Sylvie is unwell with the baby blues and has even been put in Severalls Hospital in Colchester. Linda looks after Sylvies baby Mansell for short periods, getting two biscuits as payment! This is a book about growing up, music, boyfriends, cultures and friendships. I don't think things have really changed through the years it doesn't matter if you grew up in the 60s, 70s, 90s or present day although many things may change friendships are still there and choices to be made. A lovely nostalgic read.