Betsy & Lilibet

· Legend Press Ltd
5.0
3 reviews
Ebook
303
Pages
Eligible
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About this ebook

A novel of two Elizabeths, born hours apart into very different lives in London: "Clever and charming."—Katie Fforde

London, 1926. Two baby girls are born just hours and miles apart. One you know as the Queen of England, but what of the other girl—the daughter of an undertaker named in her honor?

Betsy Sunshine grows up surrounded by death in war-torn London, watching her community grieve for their loved ones while dealing with her own teenage troubles—namely her promiscuous sister Margie. As Betsy grows older we see the how the country changes through her eyes, and along the way we discover the birth of a secret that threatens to tear her family apart.

Sophie Duffy dazzles in her latest work of family/historical fiction. A tale which spans generations to explore the life and times of a family at the heart of their community, it is the story of a stoic young woman who shares a connection with her queenly counterpart in more ways than one.

"Both Betsy and Lilibet develop into strong and faithful women when the world plunges into World War II. As Betsy grows older, we see through her eyes the country changing through the decades. This makes for fascinating social history, full of both humor and tragedy...Highly recommended."— Historical Novel Society

"Told with wit and warmth, this is a gritty, truly British, drama."—Paul McVeigh

Ratings and reviews

5.0
3 reviews
Grace J. Reviewerlady
December 24, 2018
I've read a lot of domestic fiction set around the time of both world wars, and this has to be one of the most different ones, and quite possibly the very best. This is, essentially, the story of Betsy Sunshine; born on the same day as Queen Elizabeth II, but into a very different kind of life. This covers her childhood, growing up and her family at each stage of her life and it is and interesting and beguiling tale with it's roots set in realism.  Such a terrific read! At each age, Betsy demonstrates wisdom far beyond most of us; she lives in whatever present day she finds herself in and her body may get old but, my goodness, her mind is strong and her memories are entertaining. Her family are quite possibly the same as everyone else's, but they're hers and therefore so very different! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to discover that Sophie Duffy has written two other books, and I hope I can find the time to read them in 2019. If you enjoy domestic sagas, and in particular a packed novel with a different take from the norm, then this is one I heartily recommend.
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About the author

Sophie Duffy is the author of The Generation Game (2011), The Holey Life (2012), Bright Stars (2015) and Betsy And Lillibet (2018). Her work has won the Yeovil Literary Prize and the Luke Bitmead Bursary, and has been nominated for the Guardian Not the Booker and the Harry Bowling Prize.

She is a writer and creative writing tutor and mentor for CreativeWritingMatters, as well as an administrator for the Exeter Novel Prize and other literary competitions.

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