Liverpool Miss (by Helen Forrester)

(Amazon UK link)

'Liverpool Miss' is the second in Helen Forrester's autobiographical series of four books. I didn't find this so instantly gripping and shocking as the first, but it's nonetheless very well-written and makes an excellent sequel.

Helen goes through her teenage years in this book. She starts work for a pittance, struggles to attend evening classes, goes through puberty, and continues to look after her six younger siblings. She also has to try and deal with her rather irresponsible and unpredictable parents.

It's an amazing story, all in all. It provides some very interesting social history and beautifully drawn people. The book flows so well that it's hard to remember, at times, that it's not fiction at all.

This book could be read alone, but is much better, in my opinion, read as sequel to 'Twopence to Cross the Mersey'.