October book club - Miss Carter's War

No such thing as writing too much if it`s interesting Milly!

sorry I seem to have got carried away and written far too much.

Now I have finished Miss Carter's war I can see the overall picture (I had rushed to comment when half way through). Wonderful story of plucky young woman who still had her fighting streak well into old age. The description of the two "gay" friends was very moving, and indeed some of the book reduced me to tears. Interesting that gay meaning good as you, I've often wondered (unless Sheila Hancock made that up?) Not sure about the ending was it a bit Mills and Boon, but after all she had been through Miss Carter did deserve a bit of Mills and Boon I suppose!

But I found the presentation in the Festival Hall with her old students a bit unbelievable. Do people think that highly of their teachers. I left school at 14 to go to Secretarial college which I then left as soon as I was 15, the earliest I could leave in those days, a very badly trained shorthand typist. Delighted to have got away from school. Maybe if I had had a Miss Carter I would have felt differently. Are there such people?

All the background of Edward Heath, and Mrs. Thatcher and the marches made me feel as if I was in the book with them, so good to have something you can relate to.

By coincidence there was an old "Who do you think you are" on this week with Sheila Hancock, and I see she lived in Bexley Heath as a girl so maybe she actually went to Dartford Grammar. She also mentioned her two grannies living in their front room, unfortunately they didn't get on, but it was interesting that those were the days when families looked after their old folk, not put them in a home I am glad to say my family did much the same, Grandad spending a few months in each family home.

Thank you Sheila for a very interesting book.

Have now finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have liked to have seen the year covered at the beginning of each chapter - but that's because I have a terrible memory for dates!

How can one woman be so talented, not only a wonderful actress but also an engaging writer! This isn't the sort of book I would normally read but am so glad I did.

Sorry to say I did not get a copy of this book. However it sound so great that I have sent a sample to my Kindle and may even decide to buy it.

Just finished this great story. Sheila certainly did a lot of research and it shows. I was a grammar school girl in the 50's and 60's and worked in London thereafter, so down memory lane for me.
I do hope it becomes a best seller, certainly has all the makings of one.
I am hoping to hear Sheila speaking at an event soon. Fascinating. Many thanks.

Thank you for the book. It certainly brought back memories - having a conduct mark for not wearing my school hat - I was SO upset. After years of teaching, I often wondered if I had any impact on the youngsters I taught. I like the way Miss Carter was actually thanked by ex pupils. Being of a certain age there were lots of memories - I wonder how much memories played in the writing of the book, and how much research. Whichever way, it was an excellent read - I enjoyed it.

DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN"T FINISHED THE BOOK
I enjoyed the book on the whole but had a few problems with it. For example the description of Margaret Thatcher as "the first woman to gain a foothold on the political power ladder." Marguerite would surely have heard of another feisty red-head, Barbara Castle, responsible as a minister for many things-seat belt wearing and most importantly equal pay for women!
I didn't like the final party when all was resolved and Elsie and Irene reappeared. Teachers know that the children who pass through our hands go out into the wide world and are then lost to us. Occasionally we run in to ex-pupils in shops or on buses. We sometimes hear about their achievements, we sometimes read about their mis-deeds or even their deaths. We hope they have gained something from our teaching and will lead better lives for it. But we never know. And we accept that. The poem about parents applies equally to teachers
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams
Kahlil Gibran

Thanks again for my copy of Miss Carters War. I finished reading it last night. It is an excellent book and it brought many memories back for me.

I have now finished reading Miss Carter's War and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was born in 1946 so remember most of the events recalled in the book.
Sheila's storytelling is superb. Many congratulations on writing a book that will, I am sure, be a bestseller. I will now pass the book to my sister who will almost certainly love it to. Thank you Sheila and Gransnet.

Like Cagsy I also finished the book last night and enjoyed it a lot. I was born in 1945 and grew up in post-war London, was taken to the Festival if Britain in 1951 and was very impressed with the iconic Skylon and Dome of Discovery. Thank you Sheila for mentioning towards the end of the book that there is a plaque where the Skylon stood near the London Eye. As one of his 70th birthday treats I'm taking my husband on this soon, and will look for the plaque. I enjoyed and remembered the many details about London in the 50s, and recall the groups of men in hats and belted raincoats loitering on street corners taking illegal bets. I relished the introduction of a certain dowdy Margaret Roberts in the early stages of the book too!

Marguerite's story is like a broad brush stroke which paints a vivid picture of society through the decades following the war, a novel laced with social history. The characters of Tony and Donald really came alive for me, and they were treated with sensitivity and warmth, making me wonder if they were based on friends Sheila has known, and I enjoyed the sprinkling of Polari that Tony spoke. The attitudes and values which Marguerite, as the central character, expresses, also makes me wonder how much of Sheila is enfolded in this? I smiled at the reference to the demo at Greenham Common, and wondered if I might have bumped into Marguerite there! Sheila's book emphasises the importance of having good teachers who can be instrumental in having a beneficial influence on society. I attended a London comprehensive school with teachers not unlike Marguerite, and became a teacher myself.

I was aware of the inner and outer Marguerite - the inner appeared sporadically in the italicised sections, and I wanted to know more, so it was very satisfying that Sheila brought both the inner and outer Marguerite together in reconciliation and transformation towards the end of the book. It was also good to see on the final page that Marguerite never quite lost her feistiness!

My question to Sheila is about the inner and outer Marguerite. The book was mainly focussed on the post-war outer one. Are there any plans for a second book, maybe in prequel style, covering more details and stories of the inner Marguerite as an SOE agent during the war?

Thank you Sheila for a very enjoyable read and a memorable first novel.

I wasn't sure if I'd like it at first, but now I'm really enjoying it. I will post again when I finished. Thanks for sending me a copy.

I finished he book last night, such a sweep of the social/political attitudes of the time. I was born in 1951 to a very grey Britain. As Numberplease I too had to wear a hat whenever outside my grammar school or the punishment was indeed wearing it all day in school. I lived in the poor part of Liverpool in which the school was situated so walked to school while most of the girls came by bus from the suburbs. I came in for a lot of bullying, threats etc from local kids who thought I was 'above myself', which is why I tried not to wear it until really close to school.
Loved most of the characters, Tony and Donald were beautifully written. Marguerite's disillusion with the education system reflects many teachers today who are leaving the profession they have loved for years as they are no longer able to properly teach, merely instruct to a set of rules.
Thanks you for a wonderful experience Sheila, I do hope there's more to come.

Have really enjoyed Miss Carter's war. I was born in 1948 when the story starts, so in that respect, it is how Britain was through my life. I would be interested in reading a prequel - any chance of that, Sheila?
It's a great social history, as well as a novel - I shall pass it on to my daughter when I see her - there are things in there she will have no idea about - and she's pretty well read!
More please Sheila!

Thank you for my book. I am half way through and enjoying it immensely. Very nostalgic for old ladies like me (80 in Jan) - although I didn't go on the CND marches I had friends who did and we sang the songs at other venues. Eccentric old gel that I am I still get out my guitar and badly play a few chords I learnt then and sing about "If I had a Hammer" etc. I try and make sure no neighbours are about in case they have me put away.
The whole era is so different, with bedsits, and nice clothes.
It is particularly interesting the way the author keeps hinting at her experiences during the war, and I hope as I read more that more will be revealed.

What programme please rubysong. I would like to see that.

Sheila Hancock was on TV this morning talking about Miss Carter's War. I am enjoying it very much and it was good to hear what SH had to say about roles for older ladies. (I have to say she looks great for 81.)

Found my copy waiting on return from holiday, lovely surprise, thank you. Will start it soon.

Very good read, lots of detail - especially how gay men (and women) were forced to hide their sexuality for fear of losing their jobs. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book - I enjoyed it very much

Found this book waiting for me when I returned from holiday! I started reading and found I couldn't put it down. I keep promising myself to read just one more chapter but then just have to find out what happens next. I started reading it this morning and am already almost halfway through. Ms Hancock is a truly talented writer. As yet I have no question for her but when I finish the book (which at the current rate won't be long!) perhaps I will. Please Sheila, keep writing!

Thoroughly enjoyed "Miss Carters War" by Sheila Hancock. I felt that she was writing about things that she really knew about and had experienced, which is not always the case with other authors. I hope there will be more from Ms Hancock!!
Thanks again gransnet for an excellent book club choice!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will definitely recommend it to friends. Unlike Ms Hancock, I do not have a way with words but will do my best.

The book brought back many memories of the way things were in the 50's. For instance a woman could not get a loan, it had to be in a man's name! Also the way men 'talked down' to women.

I wonder if Ms Hancock has strong political and social views and wrote a novel round these views? This is in no way a criticism but I kept getting that impression.

Please keep writing Ms Hancock. I hope you have already started on your next book.

Maniac I was married in Aug 1958 and had a going away outfit of an Oyster grey silk dress and matching jacket with black suede shoes and bag.It seems so ludicrous now and todays brides would be amazed. I also had a "trousseau"(sp?) of new clothes which had been collected. It all seems a lifetime and lifestyle away.

Yes for my going away outfit after my wedding in Dec 1956 I had a deep red fitted coat in that style with a fur shawl collar. I loved it.

Just collected my copy as I was away when it was delivered. Thanks so much Gransnet. Really looking forward to reading it. Wonderful sense of anticipation!