All reviews taken from amazon.co.uk
How to describe this wonderful little book. First of all I picked it up and browsed through it looking at the pictures of Barbie and her family, then the book fell open at chapter two, I started reading about the road that Barbie lived in as a child, the neighbours, the community spirit, her friends. That was it, I just had to sit down there and then and start at the beginning.
As a previous reviewer has said, once you start you just have to go on, nothing else enters your mind, the outside world disappears and you are magically transported back into the past, so many memories are brought into the present, you once again live through your own childhood, adulthood etc. Barbie takes you through her working life, the war years, the joyous meeting with her husband Bill, her new life as a wife and mother, it is the last section of the book that is the most moving and heartwarming story of a couple so much in love, of the happy times they shared, the travels, the friends they made and then on to the years when tragedy struck, their lives changed forever, their love became even stronger and without giving anything away, to the conclusion of this relationship, when I reached the very end, and the last words that Barbie had written I found I was more deeply moved than I had ever been with any other book....in a few hours I had lived through Barbies life with her and her family and I now feel incredibly humble.
This book should be on everyone's bookshelf and read more than once.
A gem of a book and a gem of a lady.
Thank you Barbie for sharing this with us.
What a wonderful book. This has to be my favourite autobiography. It was gripping, very interesting, easy to read, entertaining both in a fun and in a sad way. I could not put this book down. It's a page turner! Barbie talks in great detail about her childhood before and during the war, and mad me both laugh and cry. She also talks about her work in hospital catering and her life with Bill, her wonderful husband. She makes me feel like I know her whole family and friends.
Beautifully written, a must for any book lovers!
I am not many years younger than the author of this book and from the first page to the last I found myself re-living my own life along with her. Childhood memories emerged from the mists with startling clarity; it was as though I were there and starting out on life's journey for the first time. And, talking of first times, I experienced a new 'first' while reading this magnetic life story.
For the first time in my life I found that for a few hours I was totally unaware of the need for a meal, a drink or even a smoke. This true story was all that existed in my world until the very last page. From start to finish this book has immediacy, charm, passion, and a captivating atmosphere of love.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author takes you back to a time many of us didn't experience and it certainly opens your eyes to how life was eight decades ago. I think younger readers will find it intriguing, and would have a lovely insight to how life was for the older members of their families.
If you did live during those early years it will bring back many memories. However, I think the love that began so many years ago and how it endured through trials and tribulations, is what makes this book so different from other autobiographies. Barbie takes you through many happy times and some sad ones, and has the gift of taking you along with her, from her childhood to the present day. I'm so glad I took that trip with Barbie. An absolutely lovely book, fascinating and endearing. I would strongly recommend it.
From the moment I started reading, until the very last page, I was thoroughly captivated by the emotions that emanated from this wonderful book. The childhood memories came flooding back, the hardships and toils, the laughter and tears of growing up. The author has the gift of taking you on a journey which makes you feel as though you were with her every moment of her life. The feeling of unconditional love is so strong, love of the parents for the children, the children for their parents and siblings, the love of a wife for her husband and the love of a husband for his wife.
I challenge anyone who reads this, not to have tears in their eyes when you have finished reading.
So Now you Know,what a wonderful read,right from Barbies childhood to today,if you come from the area Barbie is writing about,you can really relate to the places that are mentioned,if you dont you will learn a lot and really want to visit the area,I laughed and cried,a real touching book,you must read it.
What a wonderful story. As a bank twilight nurse I was priviliged to meet Bill Smith, and Barbie. They were so devouted to each other, a true love story, that has at last been written.