A SISTER'S SHAME by CAROL RIVERS

 A SISTER'S SHAME

by

CAROL RIVERS

THE BLURB:

They'd give up everything to dance on stage, but could they lose each other?

London's East End, 1934. Eighteen-year-old twins Marie and Vesta Haskins work at the local shoe factory but they've never given up on their dream of treading the boards in the West End. When a brand new club opens its doors, the girls audition and are over the moon to land two nights a week with their cabaret act. But little do they realise that the villainous Scoresby brothers are using the club as a front for a very different line of business.

Seeing what is going on behind the smoke and lights of the stage, sensible Marie vows to leave the club before it's too late. But headstrong Vesta has fallen for the handsome right-hand man, Teddy, and unwillingly leads her whole family into the Scoresby's clutches.

Will Marie be able to save her family from disaster? Or will Vesta's determination to become a star tear the Haskins apart?

THE REALITY:

This is one book that took a long while to read- not because it was bad, you understand, but because circumstances prevented me from getting past the first 80 or so pages. But once I picked it up again, I flattened it in days.

This book was character-led, and it was those with a more unusual past; such as previous pub landlady Elsie, and circus showman/ escapologist Wippet and his delightful performing monkey, Kaiser, who seemed to steal the show here. In fact, the latter two played a key role in the downfall of the (spoiler alert!) despicable Scoresby brothers, and we have them to thank for the happy ending.

The East End of London and working class people's habits and customs of the time were brought to life, and I'm glad that some modern day elements of the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich (namely the Greenwich Foot Tunnel) featured as it gave me a base to relate to. Unfortunately, the loving and forgiving nature of the Haskins family towards their errant daughter was not something I could relate to, as over 50 years on my parents were in no way so understanding; although my troubles were nothing like Vesta's. We modern girls have to be very thankful that time has moved on, and that we have the contraceptive pill and legal abortion on offer. Sadly, men like Teddy still exist everywhere. We also all know that the entertainment industry is very tough, and I'm sure the casting couch still exists.

This was a tale of a simple, traditional life winning over the chase towards bright lights and fame, and I really did feel sorry for Vesta and her predicament. I liked the way both girls were named after music hall stars (Vesta Tilley and Marie Lloyd) and could see how their daydreamer father's personality and ideals had impacted his married life. I also liked Marie's repeat horrible dream sequence, and how that was based on real-life circumstance that she'd stored in her subconsciousness. And, of course, I would like the way the fashions of the time were described, but that's just my personal quirk! One thing that did hit home was how simply life seemed to be in general, as to a person's wants and needs- with street parties to celebrate important national events, and a wedding in a local church with a second-hand dress and a reception held in the bride's childhood home. That's nothing like the stupid, extravagant lengths people go to nowadays to impress with their nuptials; forgetting that the relationship is the most important thing in a marriage. But, again, this book displays how there are people out there who want more form life. I can certainly relate to that, as I'm one myself, and could never have been happy with the basic job, husband and children scenario. Sometimes I really do wish I had been that person, but on the other hand I know that lifestyle wouldn't have made me happy.

A light, bright and trite, okay but not enthralling read.