Try an audiobook on us
Twopence to Cross the Mersey
People who bought this also bought...
-
Thursday's Child
- By: Helen Forrester
- Narrated by: Carolyn Pickles
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Helen Forrester's moving story of an English girl and her love affair with an Indian man. Peggy Delaney was a Lancashire girl born and bred, beginning to live again after the heartache of the war. Ajit Singh was a charming young Indian student, shortly to return to his homeland and an arranged marriage. When Peggy and Ajit fell in love, each one knew the future would not be easy. But they found that love could bring two worlds together.
-
-
Excellent Story
- By Cobol on 13-06-15
-
The Liverpool Rose
- By: Katie Flynn
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lizzie is an orphan living with her aunt Annie, uncle Perce and two boy cousins within a stone's throw of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Lizzie loves her aunt but is hated by her uncle. She makes friends with Geoff Gardiner, another orphan, and is teaching him to swim in the Scaldy when Clem Gilligan rescues the pair of them from drowning. Clem works on the canal boat, The Liverpool Rose, with Jake Pridmore and his wife, plying between the great cities of Leeds and Liverpool. Lizzie's situation at home starts to worsen and eventually she is forced to flee. Her first instinct is to make for the canal, but finding Clem is not so easy....
-
-
Great listen
- By Amazon Customer on 19-05-18
-
Violet's Children
- By: Maureen Lee
- Narrated by: Julie Maisey
- Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beginning in 1950s Liverpool, Violet's Children is a warm and nostalgic story of a young woman who must adopt her sister's children after tragedy strikes.
-
-
Happy and sad.........but oh so perfect.
- By Sakazoke on 11-09-18
-
The Four Streets
- By: Nadine Dorries
- Narrated by: Emma Gregory
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1950s Liverpool. In the tight-knit community of the Four Streets, two girls are growing up. One is motherless and hated by the cold woman determined to take her dead mother's place. The other is hiding a dreadful secret which she dare not tell to anyone. The people of Four Streets laugh, grieve and hope together. But what can they do when a betrayal at the heart of their world comes to light?
-
-
Not for the faint hearted!
- By FOXY LADY on 23-04-15
-
The Girl in the Ragged Shawl
- The Children of the Workhouse, Book 1
- By: Cathy Sharp
- Narrated by: Antonia Beamish
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eliza was left as a small baby at the workhouse in Whitechapel, wrapped in her mother’s shawl, which is all she has of the mother she never knew. At 11 years old, she has survived sickness, near starvation and harsh beatings. Master Simpkins and his cruel daughter rule the workhouse with a rod of iron, but when Romany boy Joe arrives at the workhouse, his spirit and courage give Eliza hope. When she is sold into service, Eliza is relieved to be out of the workhouse and hopes her fortunes are changing for the better, but cruelty and unkindness are everywhere....
-
-
Great story.
- By Kindle Customerruthie on 04-01-19
-
Jessica's Promise
- By: Jill Childs
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell, Alex Lee
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Teresa’s heart stops when she enters her daughter’s bedroom to find that her sweet, trusting little girl is gone. Teresa can’t bear to think who would snatch a terrified three-year-old from her mother in the middle of the night, but all the signs point to someone close to home. Hasn’t Jessica’s stepfather been acting a little oddly? Or is it, as Teresa is beginning to fear, something to do with Angie, her daughter’s babysitter who lives next door...?
-
Thursday's Child
- By: Helen Forrester
- Narrated by: Carolyn Pickles
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Helen Forrester's moving story of an English girl and her love affair with an Indian man. Peggy Delaney was a Lancashire girl born and bred, beginning to live again after the heartache of the war. Ajit Singh was a charming young Indian student, shortly to return to his homeland and an arranged marriage. When Peggy and Ajit fell in love, each one knew the future would not be easy. But they found that love could bring two worlds together.
-
-
Excellent Story
- By Cobol on 13-06-15
-
The Liverpool Rose
- By: Katie Flynn
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lizzie is an orphan living with her aunt Annie, uncle Perce and two boy cousins within a stone's throw of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Lizzie loves her aunt but is hated by her uncle. She makes friends with Geoff Gardiner, another orphan, and is teaching him to swim in the Scaldy when Clem Gilligan rescues the pair of them from drowning. Clem works on the canal boat, The Liverpool Rose, with Jake Pridmore and his wife, plying between the great cities of Leeds and Liverpool. Lizzie's situation at home starts to worsen and eventually she is forced to flee. Her first instinct is to make for the canal, but finding Clem is not so easy....
-
-
Great listen
- By Amazon Customer on 19-05-18
-
Violet's Children
- By: Maureen Lee
- Narrated by: Julie Maisey
- Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beginning in 1950s Liverpool, Violet's Children is a warm and nostalgic story of a young woman who must adopt her sister's children after tragedy strikes.
-
-
Happy and sad.........but oh so perfect.
- By Sakazoke on 11-09-18
-
The Four Streets
- By: Nadine Dorries
- Narrated by: Emma Gregory
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1950s Liverpool. In the tight-knit community of the Four Streets, two girls are growing up. One is motherless and hated by the cold woman determined to take her dead mother's place. The other is hiding a dreadful secret which she dare not tell to anyone. The people of Four Streets laugh, grieve and hope together. But what can they do when a betrayal at the heart of their world comes to light?
-
-
Not for the faint hearted!
- By FOXY LADY on 23-04-15
-
The Girl in the Ragged Shawl
- The Children of the Workhouse, Book 1
- By: Cathy Sharp
- Narrated by: Antonia Beamish
- Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eliza was left as a small baby at the workhouse in Whitechapel, wrapped in her mother’s shawl, which is all she has of the mother she never knew. At 11 years old, she has survived sickness, near starvation and harsh beatings. Master Simpkins and his cruel daughter rule the workhouse with a rod of iron, but when Romany boy Joe arrives at the workhouse, his spirit and courage give Eliza hope. When she is sold into service, Eliza is relieved to be out of the workhouse and hopes her fortunes are changing for the better, but cruelty and unkindness are everywhere....
-
-
Great story.
- By Kindle Customerruthie on 04-01-19
-
Jessica's Promise
- By: Jill Childs
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell, Alex Lee
- Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Teresa’s heart stops when she enters her daughter’s bedroom to find that her sweet, trusting little girl is gone. Teresa can’t bear to think who would snatch a terrified three-year-old from her mother in the middle of the night, but all the signs point to someone close to home. Hasn’t Jessica’s stepfather been acting a little oddly? Or is it, as Teresa is beginning to fear, something to do with Angie, her daughter’s babysitter who lives next door...?
-
Hattie's Home
- By: Mary Gibson
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 15 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hattie finds herself relegated to the factory floor on her return from the war. Her workmates are unforgiving at Hattie's attempt to raise herself up, and she is soon ostracised. After journeying to Australia to marry her husband, Clara is betrayed and returns penniless, homeless and trying to raise a child alone. Lou's daughter and parents are killed by a bomb blast. By day she works at the factory; by night she roams the bomb sites, half mad with grief. These women forge a bond that will ultimately allow them to find hope.
-
-
Hattie's Home
- By Mouse2560 on 27-03-18
-
Liverpool Sisters
- By: Lyn Andrews
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 1907. Liverpool is a bustling and busy city. Sisters Livvie and Amy Goodwin are just 16 and 13 years old when their adored mother dies in childbirth. They are still missing their mum every day when their father, Thomas, announces that he is going to marry again. His new bride is Mary Fitzgerald, a girl just a few years older than Livvie, and only time will tell whether Mary will be the kind of stepmother a motherless girl could love. There's more trouble ahead, for Thomas believes that he should make all the important decisions in his daughters' lives.
-
-
Engaging
- By Patricia Nicklin on 26-02-18
-
Christmas at Tuppenny Corner
- By: Katie Flynn
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Liverpool, 1939. As winter descends on Tuppenny Corner and rumours of war float across the canals, 15-year-old Rosie O’Leary must come to terms with her own dramatic upheaval. Forced to say good-bye to all she holds dear and embark on a new life aboard The Kingfisher, her world is suddenly full of uncertainty. But new beginnings open up new possibilities.... When fellow bargee Tim Bradley offers to show Rosie the sights of Liverpool, she jumps at the chance, and it’s not long before their friendship grows into something more.
-
-
Christmas at Tuppenny Corner
- By Sakazoke on 28-11-18
-
A Boy Without Hope
- By: Casey Watson
- Narrated by: Kate Lock
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Casey Watson is back, doing the job she does best - rolling up her sleeves and fostering the children who, on first meeting, seem like hopeless cases. But when she meets Miller and discovers the truth about his disturbing childhood, even Casey begins to doubt if this child will ever be able to accept love. Found naked and alone on a railway track, Miller was just five when he was first admitted into the care system.
-
-
love it
- By georgette jones on 14-12-18
-
The Nursemaid's Secret
- Tears, Smiles and a Guaranteed Happy Ending
- By: Sheila Newberry
- Narrated by: Eve Webster
- Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A warmhearted and nostalgic festive family saga. Will Tilly finally find a family to call her own? As Christmas grows nearer, Tilly, a young maid, is sent away from her home in London to care for a sick child in an old cottage on the Isle of Sheppey, and she little imagines how her life will change.... Having settled in with her new family, Tilly dares to believe that the happiness she's longed for could be hers at last and that she might finally be free from the secrets of her past.
-
The Midwives of Raglan Road
- By: Jenny Holmes
- Narrated by: Anne Dover
- Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Summer, 1936. Newly trained midwife Hazel Price returns to the Yorkshire streets of her childhood, only to find that her modern methods and 'stuck-up' ways bring her into conflict with her family and other formidable residents of Raglan Road. Determined, Hazel battles on, assisting with home deliveries and supporting the local GP. The days are long and hard, but Hazel brings knowledge and compassion to the work she loves.
-
-
The Midwives of Raglan Road.
- By Ian Long on 18-06-18
-
The Liverpool Matchgirl
- By: Lyn Andrews
- Narrated by: Julie Maisey
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Liverpool, 1901. The Tempest family is all but destitute, barely able to put food on the table. When Florrie falls ill with pneumonia and Arthur is imprisoned after a drunken fight, their 13-year-old daughter, Lizzie, finds herself parentless, desperate and alone. Despite her young age, Lizzie has spirit and determination, and she knows that she must find work to keep herself off the streets. In a stroke of luck, she gets a job in the match factory, and foreman George Rutherford takes her under his wing.
-
-
The Liverpool matchgirl
- By Sakazoke on 10-01-19
-
A Ration Book Christmas
- By: Jean Fullerton
- Narrated by: Rosie Akerman
- Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With Christmas approaching, the Brogan family of London's East End are braving the horrors of the Blitz. With the men away fighting for King and Country and the ever-present dangers of the German Luftwaffe's nightly reign of death and destruction, the family must do all they can to keep a stiff upper lip. For Jo, the youngest of the Brogan sisters, the perils of war also offer a newfound freedom. Jo falls in love with Tommy, a man known for his dangerous reputation as much as his charm.
-
-
awfull narrater
- By june barran on 20-11-18
-
A Sister’s Bond
- Bittersweet Legacy, Book 1
- By: Kay Brellend
- Narrated by: Annie Aldington
- Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wood Green, North London, November 1913. The storm clouds of war gather overhead while one brave girl fights to save her family.... After her mother dies, Livvie Bone knows it's down to her to protect her younger siblings from their drunken father. But life on the worst street in London is dark and dangerous, and one night she needs protection herself. When the mysterious Joe Hunter steps in to help her, Livvie's fascinated by him, in spite of his unsavoury reputation.
-
-
lovely
- By Amazon Customer on 11-06-18
-
The Lost Daughter of Liverpool
- The Mersey Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Pam Howes
- Narrated by: Georgia Maguire
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Liverpool, 1946: the blackout blinds may be coming down, but one family is about to face devastating misfortune. Dora Evans is finally marrying the love of her life, and her dreams of opening a dressmaking business look as if they might come true. With twin daughters on the way, Dora has everything she's ever wanted. But then tragedy strikes: one of Dora's babies dies in infancy, and a catastrophic fire changes their lives forever. Can Dora save herself, her marriage and her daughter?
-
-
Slow, too much unnecessary detail.
- By Patricia Nicklin on 17-03-18
-
The Perfect Family
- By: Shalini Boland
- Narrated by: Katie Villa
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Gemma Ballantine is getting ready for work one morning when her eldest child comes running down the stairs saying the words every mother dreads. The front door is open. And her six-year-old daughter has disappeared. Frantic with fear, Gemma starts a nail-biting search for her little girl. After what feels like forever, her mother-in-law, Diane, finds Katie wandering lost a few streets away. Relieved to have her youngest child back in her arms, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair, Gemma thinks the nightmare is over. But then her perfect family starts to fall apart....
-
-
Fairly good read.
- By Sue on 04-12-18
-
The Orphans of Ardwick
- By: Emma Hornby
- Narrated by: Julia Franklin
- Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Taken in by the firm but kind-hearted cook, the young friends can hardly believe their luck. But behind Bracken House’s impressive façade lies a household steeped in troubles and mystery, with residents above and below stairs battling their own demons and dark secrets. Not everyone is happy about the new arrivals, and soon the orphans’ safety is in danger. If they want to stay in the first home any of them have known for years, they must unravel the past and bring hope to the future. Will they succeed? Or will they come to regret ever leaving the mean slum streets they once called home?
-
-
BRILLIANT READ .
- By Valerie on 26-01-19
Summary
This major best-selling memoir of a poverty-stricken childhood in Liverpool is one of the most harrowing but uplifting books you will ever hear. When Helen Forrester's father went bankrupt in 1930, she and her six siblings were forced into utmost poverty and slum surroundings in Depression-ridden Liverpool. The running of the household and the care of the younger children all fell on 12-year-old Helen.
With very little food or help from her feckless parents, Helen led a life of unrelenting drudgery and hardship. Writing about her experiences later in life, Helen Forrester shed light on an almost forgotten part of life in Britain. Written with good humour and a lack of self-pity, Forrester's memoir of these grim days is as heart-warming as it is shocking.
More from the same
What members say
Average customer ratings
Overall
-
-
5 Stars22
-
4 Stars6
-
3 Stars6
-
2 Stars1
-
1 Stars3
Performance
-
-
5 Stars16
-
4 Stars3
-
3 Stars7
-
2 Stars3
-
1 Stars4
Story
-
-
5 Stars25
-
4 Stars3
-
3 Stars5
-
2 Stars0
-
1 Stars1
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rick
- 15-09-18
Good story, grotesque accent
Incredibly distracting accent that wavered constantly with inflections in all the wrong places. Plus Helen Forrester grew up elsewhere and was teased about ‘speaking posh’ when she moved to Liverpool so doesn’t suit. Stopped listening after a few minutes.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ronald curran
- 22-06-18
terrible performance
Helen Forrester is a wonderful writer, Could a Liverpool actor not be found to narrate the books. I have tried to listen, but struggled to get passed 45 mins due to the false accent. What a shame, as it is the same narrator for the other books.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nichola
- 29-01-19
See through the accent !
I’ve read all these book before and whilst I agree with the reviews that say the narration is a little vexing stick with it ...I’m on book 3 now and have really warmed to the narrator !
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 15-04-18
Amazing book!!
I decided to listen to this book series as my wonderful Nan had loved them so much and had always talked about them. (She had grown up in similar circumstances to Helen so I think she could really relate to her and the stories). I have my Nan’s paperback copies of the whole series but unfortunately I don’t find much time to myself to actually sit and read as I am a busy mum. So, I decided to download the first book in the series and I’m so so glad I did!! It is such an emotional and heartbreaking story, and it really makes you think about the harsh adversities of life some people had to face. You really feel for poor Helen being exploited and leading a miserable existence. It’s such a gripping tale and does not disappoint! I couldn’t wait to hear more and now I can’t wait to listen to the next one in the series!! I highly recommend to anyone!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Denise N
- 09-04-17
A good insight into the history of social deprivation.
I read this book twenty years ago when studying on a social care course. Second time around it still aroused all the same feelings of sadness, the disbelief of child poverty and how we now are very critical of our educational system and take it for granted.
I found the Liverpool accent of the narrator slightly irritating .
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gill
- 26-02-17
a truly heartfelt story of deprivation & poverty.
well written and compelling; amazing how the children all survived. makes you want to go to the next book to see what happens next for Helen and her siblings.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- hazel
- 01-02-17
Dreadful Liverpool accent!
Read this book years ago and decided to listen to it, I couldn't get past the first chapter. The narrators accent was appaling . At least get a liverpuddlian to read it not someone who is trying and failing badly to sound like they come from there. Completely spoilt the book.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Supermum
- somewhere rural
- 18-01-17
Gritty story dodgy accents ..
I'm not sure the performance was right.. the scouse accent was weak and some of the other characters accents were terrible.. at one point sue pollard was voice actually in the story. Quite off putting story was good and gritty
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- shine-on2
- UK
- 20-11-16
A fabulous story ...
I originally read the books many years ago .. loved it just as much hearing it!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- wendy
- Sutherland, United Kingdom
- 13-10-16
Narrator is the worst ever
Could not even get passed first 10 minutes as narrator mocking the worst Liverpool accent I have ever heard
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Leah
- 05-12-16
Resilient little girl!
What did you love best about Twopence to Cross the Mersey?
That baby Edward loved her so unconditionally when no one else could.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Twopence to Cross the Mersey?
When Helen came to the realization that there would be no more upper class living, and that her needs were to be met by herself, in the best way she knew how, as a child with no loving guidance, and with her siblings survival in her own hands-with minimal earnings in which to do it.
Any additional comments?
I shiver when I think of Helen being so cold, and I ache when I think of her hunger pangs. And my Mommy arms long to hold her and tell her that she matters, and that I know life was difficult but that the feeling of gratitude for all she accomplished and endured, comes to mind with the very thought of the misery of her childhood.Trying to figure out why there are 8 children on the cover. There were 7 siblings.