Riveting

The House At Silvermoor by Tracy Rees is an epic historical novel set in the south Yorkshire coalfields and beginning in 1897, moving into the new century.

The reader sees the hardship of the time. The miners are at the mercy of their superiors and the coal face. Their days are long and dangerous. Their futures bleak. It takes guts, determination and dreams to break out of the mould. The reader ‘experiences’ the hand to mouth existence. If the miners don’t work, they don’t eat. Tragedy is never far away.

The turn of the century saw a society very much divided into the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’ There was a strict hierarchy that was seldom breached.

Against this backdrop, friendships form. Some friendships always think of others first, even sacrificing their own dreams. Some are kind and loyal.

In contrast there are some cruel families who regard their children as their property. “By taking his daughter I had taken his property.” Child abuse was not unknown.

The characters are all wonderfully drawn, eliciting some strong emotional responses from the reader.

Education is important. Education will help you rise above your roots.

I absolutely loved The House At Silvermoor. It was a riveting read that I could not put down.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON