Dark Times for the Clarks Factory Girls by May Ellis
Series: The Clarks Factory Girls #3
Genres: Historical Fiction, Saga
1916: As fighting in Europe continues, the Clarks Factory Girls find themselves caught in a divided community...
With the country in the grips of conscription, the pacifism at the heart of Street village comes under scrutiny, and when Kate befriends Gerald, a young Quaker arrested for refusing to fight, she starts to understand the true dilemma the community finds itself in.
Still grieving the loss of her sweetheart Mattie, Louisa finds herself at odds with her parents, who refused them the chance to marry. As her mother’s attempts to find Louisa a husband show no signs of abating, Louisa takes solace in her friendship with Jeannie’s brother Lucas, but could an unexpected opportunity offer a solution to both their problems?
Meanwhile, Jeannie finds herself torn between her heart and her faith. With each other’s help, can the girls hold true to what they believe in, even as the village enters its darkest days yet?
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Review
This book can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. The story centers on Jeannie, Kate, and Louisa, three young friends and coworkers at the Clarks Factory who are navigating life during the turbulent times of World War I.
January 1916 after months on the front lines in France, Gerald, a pacifist Quaker, returns to live with his mother and work the land haunted by the horrors of war.
In May 1916, Louisa is grappling with anger because her parents have insisted her son be raised by her late boyfriend’s brother and sister-in-law. During her separation from Mattie the pain is unbearable and she befriends Jeannie’s brother, Lucas, who is recovering from a war injury. However, Lousia’s mother has other plans for her future and Louise is forced to face them.
Kate is struggling with her own grief both for her mother and her father’s decision to move his mistress into their home. This grief leads her to the Quaker church where she befriends Gerald, who now faces arrest for his refusal to fight. To make things more heartbreaking Kate’s brothers are called up for service.
With the Clarks shoe factory setting the backdrop of this we see the support the factory workers have for one another. However, tensions rise as pacifists and injured soldiers face hostility and even receive white feathers.
This was simply a great read. If you love sagas with war as the backdrop then this is certainly the series for you. I enjoyed all of the characters as they are well written. I did find myself feeling much more for Louisa than the others but I connected with her a little better. Nothing more than that. There is plenty of heartbreak and dram but also hope that fills the pages of this moving story.
Meet the Author
About May Ellis
May Ellis has been a legal executive, registered childminder, professional fund – raiser and a teacher. She has travelled the world, including trekking in mountains, deserts and the Great Wall of China, as well as helping build a house in Thailand. She went to university in her forties and gained a first class degree and an MA while still working full – time. Her first book, a contemporary romance, was published in 2014. Since then she has had five more novels published, including another romance and a YA time travel adventure. The last three are gritty dramas set in the 1960s/70s published by Darkstroke Books. She lives in Somerset, within sight of Glastonbury Tor, volunteering at her local library and for the Alfred Gillett Trust (custodians of the Clark’s archives). Her current series, based on the factory workers at Clark’s Shoes was inspired by her move to the area and her love of social history.
I also like the idea of this setting something totally different sounds good. I liked reading your review.
This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a good book. Added to the TBR. Thanks for your review, Rita! 🙂
This sounds like a good book! Gonna check it out further.