By: Julie Roxburgh
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Imagine being born into a harsh, 19th century institutional environment where the slightest deviation from the rules means cruel punishment. Yet Gertie’s indomitable spirit overcomes all obstacles as she applies to the Queen for help. Once out in the male-dominated world of politics and social unrest, her spirit unleashes her determination to create change.
Having left school at 15 due to deteriorating eyesight, which was gradually corrected, Julie entered the Royal College of Music, where she gained her associateship on oboe and piano.
Julie continued as a music teacher, also gaining a London University degree in English and history. Her early life in East London has been a constant inspiration to her historical research.
From the immediacy of the first descriptive paragraph, the reader is instantly connected with the main character – Gertie – in fact right there beside her; understanding the emotional as well as the practical needs of the poor child.
The novel is rich in characterization, dialogue, narration and language of the time –early mid-C19th – south London.
The characters draw the reader in one by one – some likeable, some predictable, others surprising in their tone and use of words – some even detestable, yet very much true to the historical period in which these characters live and move. Yet over time – these characters present and develop their own unique identity – by the use of the brilliant depth yet ease of language. Julie Roxburgh is able to convey upon the reader the full emotive response to any given situation. Full of sentiment, yet not sentimentality. As each character ebbs and flows throughout this stirring novel, they captivate the reader with their wisdom and insight- drawing pm their own experiences of life- poignancy, regret, rejoicing and emotional identity.
It is unquestionably a very vivid visual exposure of life and times – interjected with many true life events – perceive in every sentence and situation.
Even when the reader leaves the unfolding drama – the main characters Gertie and Amos stay living on in one’s mind – an understanding of a retrospective of happiness and of sadness flashing across the reader’s memory recall. This occurs because of the creativeness and brilliance of the dialogue and narration until once more the reader is compelled to re-appear (invisibly) in the scene adept masterfully set before them.
As the reader reads the final beloved words – you could still wish to continue – yet also having been drawn to watch the final curtain as it closes over the stage and every personalized contributor.
Three words to take away from this accomplished and gifted book’s author:-
Listen, Learn and Love.
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