Simon Tomlin

Advantages: Great book
Disadvantages: I wanted to read more!

...We are at War I had heard of the Mass Observation scheme which got ordinary people to write down their impressions of everyday life and send them in to a central archive, where they would be kept for future generations. Well, guess what? We are a future generation and Simon Garfield has been allowed petty unprecedented access to the Mass Observation Archives at the University of Sussex. For his book, Garfield chose to follow five of the Mass Observation diarists, known only by their pseudonyms. There was Christopher Tomlin, who lived in Lancashire, he was a seller of writing paper which had the name and address of the correspondent printed on it. Tomlin was a committed Christian, who had a rather overbearing father who knew everything about any topic and seemed unable to understand that he might sometimes be wrong! There was Pam... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: helpful to others in similar circumstances as author
Disadvantages: none

...I was given this book by my daughter, as it had been recommended by a friend of hers. She knows I like reading biographical books, so bought it for me. I have previously read biographies with similar content, so she knew I would want to read this one. I read the book in 4 hours, and to be honest,I could not put it down. The subject matter of the book is something which goes on all too frequently in this day and age. This is a sad testiment of the times we live in. I felt for Jenny Tomlin, although I fortunately for me, I have never had the misfortune to endure what she did. This is one book I could not put down until it was read! This author is one strong lady to come through this and lead a fairly normal, happy life. I can only hope that by her telling her story, can help others who may be in the same situation, and give them... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: a truely inspirational, gripping book
Disadvantages: a disturbing read

...This is the story of Martine McCutcheon's mother Jenny Tomlin and the sexual, physical and emotional abuse she suffered as a child, growing up in the 60's. The only respite Jenny and her brother and sister get from their abusive every day life is when they are sent to visit their auntie, who gives them the love and nurturing that every child deserves. This was a quick and easy read; Tomlin writes in a frank, no-nonsense, "tell it like it was" style unlike some similar biographies. However this makes her story all the more disturbing. I found the most horrifying part to be that although Jenny and her brothers and sisters could report their mother and father, no-one would believe them; the police were happy to believe the father (who denied what was happening) and wouldn't even speak to the children, and the NSPCC officer did not try... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful