by Pat Barker
First published 2016
On Union Street, five women face the harsh realities of working-class life in post-war Britain. Widowed Jessie struggles to provide for her family. Young Joanne confronts an unwanted pregnancy. Embittered Muriel lashes out at her abusive husband. Alcoholic Iris seeks escape at the bottom of a bottle. And young Sheila dreams of a better life beyond the grimy streets. As their stories collide, they find solace, resilience, and hope in their shared struggles.
Genres: abuse, 20th-century, contemporary, adult-fiction, british-literature, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, resilience
Setting: Union Street
Period: Post-War
Kindle Edition · Virago Press (UK)
Content warnings: abuse, domestic-violence