The Pick Pocket Orphans by Lindsey Hutchinson
Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Victorian era
Read: 16th March 2024
Published: 21st March 2024
★★★★★ 5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
Thirteen-year-old Alice Truelove can’t take another day of her father’s cruelty.
Better a life on the streets than being constantly blamed for her mother’s sad death, or that’s what Alice thinks as she packs up her meagre possessions. But fending for herself in the Black Country town of Wednesbury is not as easy as she expected, and it soon hits her that without help she will quickly be hungry and cold.
Bertram Jordan, or BJ to his friends, became an orphan much too young after his parents were stolen away by influenza. Growing up on the streets has not been easy, but BJ has learnt to survive, and when he meets Alice, alone and desperate, he’s happy to take her under his wing.
As Alice learns the tricks of the pick-pocketer, the best ways to charm the stallholders on the market and the skills to get by, the two children become firm friends. So, when BJ makes a fatal mistake, Alice can’t bear the thought that she might lose her only friend – forever…
The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a heart-breaking tale of friendship, families and survival against the odds. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.
MY THOUGHTS:
The only way to survive is to stick together...
What a delightful yet emotional read this was, as most of Ms Hutchinson's books tend to be. From the streets of the Black Country to the sunny climes of Western Australia, we follow the story of two youngsters, relative orphans, who find each other on the streets.
Alice Truelove has bore the brunt of her father's anger and near-hate for most of her life, even moreso now after the death of her mother the year before. Tired of being his verbal whipping girl, Alice packs her meagre possessions and steals away from the two-up two-down she has called home for thirteen years. A life on the streets is far more inviting than another day bearing the brunt of her father disdain for her a moment longer.
But she soon finds that life on the streets is far from easy though she still favours it from the alternative. It isn't long before she meets BJ, Bertram Jordan, who has long since learned to survive on the streets, pilfering and scavenging where he can. Though of indeterminate age, he takes 13 year old Alice under his wing and teaches her the ways of the streets. She soon becomes adept at pick-pocketing, filching and scavenging in the market square at the end of the day. Together they look out for each other.
But then one day, BJ fails to return and Alice begins to worry when by morning he still hasn't returned. She begins to ask around the market, ending up at Green's Bakery who have always looked after the two youngsters. A quick visit to the local constabulary with the gift box of some delicious pastries, Josie Green returns with the solemn news that BJ has been arrested for burglary. An appearance before the cranky Justice of the Peace sees him bound over to the assizes for trial and sentencing, for which he receives seven years transportation to Australia. Without BJ by her side, Alice must learn to fend for herself once again.
No one could predict what comes next for the two youngsters. BJ on a ship to Australia and Alice taken in by the Greens. A brighter tomorrow may be in their futures but not before tragedy strikes sending their lives on a course they didn't foresee. Alice is lost without BJ and seven years is a long time. What if she never sees him again?
Another delightful read by Lindsey Hutchinson though the ending feels a little unfinished but I'm guessing that is because the story is not yet over, with this being the first in a trilogy.
I do so love this author and her heartwrenching tales and I even found parts of this one somewhat deprssing. But it does pick up with the promise of a brighter tomorrow...just what that all entails we will have to wait and see what's in store for them.
Another cracking read.
I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #ThePickPocketOrphans in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.
Social Media links:
Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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