Prized Possessions

by Jessica Stirling

Book Overview

Lizzie Conway has clawed her way out of the slums despite the crippling debt left behind by a long-vanished husband. To give her three daughters a better life, Lizzie sacrifices her own chance of happiness to break the endless round of poverty that engulfs them. But as the girls grow up, Lizzie is unable to protect them from the biggest threat of all--falling in love with men like their father.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312280572
• ISBN13: 9780312280574
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Refreshing

Although this book has nothing jumping out at you, it's storyline is good and quite entertaining.Set in Glasgow Scotland in the Depression Era we look into the life of Lizzy Conway, a poor widow whose husband is Missing In Action during the war. Lizzie has a load on her shoulders as she tries to make ends meet. She is indebted to the Italians through her husband's Frank unpaid debt and only managing on a small wage, it isn't easy. She has to care for three teenage daughters whom she keeps her protective eyes on, hopeful as they grow that they will find decent spouses to take them out of the slums into better living conditions and security. Lizzie Conway the good mother and fighter takes a last chance on life for the good of all....but will it work out as planned? Read this refreshing book....a wonderful book for women of all ages..

Insightful look at Glasgow during the Great Depression

Her husband probably died during World War I though officially he is listed as missing in action. For the last decade or so, Liz Conway has raised her three precious daughters by herself. Being a single mother is hard enough, but Liz also owes a lot of money, the debt being the inheritance from her missing spouse. Liz gives up her life sacrificing everything so that her three children can begin the climb out of poverty. Somehow love blossoms with Bernard Peabody even if Liz is reluctant to allow her heart to call the shots at least until she knows her three darlings are happily settled. Still, the girls follow her lead as they too begin to fall in love with what Liz prays are responsible caring men. Though there is some romance in PRIZED POSSESSIONS, the story line focuses on life in Glasgow during the Great Depression. Much of the moving plot occurs in slums teeming with abject poverty and hopelessness. Against that backdrop, Liz manages to keep her beloved family safe and secure. She is a heroine in her quiet way, which is why historical fiction fans will have a field day with this leisurely drawn character study of 1930s Glasgow.Harriet Klausner