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Maggie's War

An inspiring and moving WWII saga from the winner of the RNA Romantic Saga Award

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Maggie's War

By: Shirley Mann
Narrated by: Rosie Jones
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A brand-new novel from the RNA award-winning author of Bobby's War

It's 1942 and the Second World War is raging on. Maggie Carpenter led a seemingly quiet life as a teacher in Manchester, but as the fighting intensified, she made the decision to abandon everything she knows to do her bit for the war effort. As part of an army of girls working on the canals to deliver essential supplies around the country, Maggie's world is far from comfortable. She has to share a tiny cabin with two strangers, where there's no running water and a questionable lavatory set-up, and carry out back-breaking work from dawn until dusk.

As Maggie and her colleagues get used to their new existence, they grow gradually closer, but they soon realise that everyone has secrets. Maggie had reasons other than the war for fleeing Manchester while well-to-do Elizabeth is on the run from her own woes. And when the girls find themselves in a bit of bother, a young Army padre comes to their rescue. Against her better judgement Maggie finds herself drawn to this mysterious man, but as a woman scarred by her past, can she really let him in and learn to trust again? 20th Century Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Military War
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I've read all five of the series now and this is my favourite. I don't think they're necessarily marketed to people in my demographic (a man in my 30s), but these books are incredibly well researched, and they're a great combination of personal WWII stories, action, as well as the romantic storyline. Each book focuses on a different woman's time during WWII. Maggie's War concentrates on women working on the canals.

Even if the cover doesn't appeal, I'd really recommend giving this book (and the others in the series) a go. Great stuff.

The best of the series so far

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I accidently stumbled upon Shirley Manns books a number of years ago and have found them a delight! The vivd stories and well developed characters who amost feel like friends by the end. Truthfully this story was the one that appealled to me least but I bought it because I like the previous books, but happily I was wronng, this story is fun, and moves at a great space, and I learnt so much! I had no idea women piloted canal boats during the war. 10/10 would completely recommend.

Possible the best book in the series

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a lovely story and I found myself invested in each and every character. The narrator was great too!

Brilliant book!

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What can I say, except wow, what an evocative tale of life on the canals during the war.
Having read three other books by Shirley Mann in the last few months, I left this one until we were on board our family narrowboat on holiday this August.
Little did I know until I started listening to it, but we were travelling the same route Maggie and her companions took. I had been determined to reach Stoke Bruerne on this trip, a place I had visited as a child. There was the pub they visited, there was the house the waterways nurse lived in. There too the remains of the horse stables and farriers, near the entrance to Blisworth Tunnel. We motored through the tunnel, marvelling at how the boats would have been travelled through powered by lying in their backs and ‘legging it’. Even with a powered boat it was a solid half hour in the dark.
All of this was mentioned in Maggie’s story, a clear indication again of the author’s eye for detail.
A thoroughly enjoyable read for land-lubbers too.

A glimpse of the canal life during the war

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