Abandoned Wharf Sisters

By: Faye Godwin

Narrated by: Gareth Richards

Length: 4 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

The streets of Whitechapel are a savage place to grow up, especially during the terrible winter of 1895. Even before she was brought into the world, the odds were stacked against Effie Wilson.

Born to two irresponsible, alcoholic parents, Effie is the eldest of five children - none of whom really stand a chance. Matters are made even worse when Effie’s parents disappear one day, never to return.

Effie, who is only 13, and her brother John need to care for their three little sisters, but London is no place for children on their own. Scrambling to stave off starvation and homelessness, Effie and John disagree on how to protect their siblings.

Now alone with her sisters, Effie will do anything for them, but she’s beginning to realize that her efforts will never be enough. Her only hope could rest in Willie Green, a sweet boy with bright hazel eyes who comes and goes from Effie’s life.

If only she knew when he might appear again...

©2020 Tica House Publishing LLC (P)2020 Tica House Publishing LLC

good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

4/5 stars

Summary:
Effie and John, 13 and 10/11 respectively, struggle to help their 3 younger sisters alive. But the best they can do is beg or work on the docks selling fish. London in 1895 is unforgiving to poor people in the winter, especially kids on their own.

Additional Comments:
• The title fits but is kinda unfair to poor John because he too was abandoned.
• One can’t help but want to hug Effie and her siblings. Not sure how anybody could just abandon their kids, but I guess people do what they do.
• There are several time skips in here, but it makes sense in this story.
• There are quite a few repeated lines in the book, which is downright disconcerting to hear.
• The romance angle was okay. The kid didn’t have much choice even if she didn’t fall in love with her childhood friend.
• Several plot points were a stretch.
• I had to stop listening at some points because it was just downright depressing.
• I wondered why they selected a male narrator when the MC was a 13-year-old girl. He did a nice job, but a woman probably would have fit Effie better. As this did not have a first-person perspective, it worked out fine.

Conclusion:
Not much happens if you think about it. Try not to starve. Try not to starve. Rinse and repeat. But rendered in the lovely British accent and complete with the descriptions of the 1890’s, it’s still worth experiencing.
*I got the book on a free code site. I understand I do not have a set-in-stone obligation to share my thoughts, but have freely chosen to do so anyway.