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Queenie of Norwich
"You're Nellie Westrop and don't you forget it.
We'll see each other again one day, but until we do, take good care of yourself.
Live a good life.
Now go, my love."
From the author of Silver Darlings comes LK Wilde's captivating portrayal of the life of Queenie Read.
Heart warming and breaking in equal measure, Queenie of Norwich is perfect for fans of The Foundling, Where the Crawdads Sing, and The Smallest Man.
People say you get one life, but I've lived three.
I was born Ellen Hardy in 1900, dragged up in Queen Caroline's Yard, Norwich.
There was nothing royal about our yard, and Mum was no queen.
At six years old Mum sold me. I became Nellie Westrop, roaming the country in a showman's wagon, learning the art of the fair.
And I've been the infamous Queenie of Norwich, moving up in the world by any means, legal or not.
I've been heart broken, abandoned, bought and sold, but I've never, ever given up.
After all, it's not where you start that's important, but where you end up.
Based on a true story, Queenie of Norwich is the compelling tale of one remarkable girl's journey to womanhood.
Spanning the first half of the 20th century, Queenie's story is one of heartbreak and triumph, love and loss and the power of family.
It is a story of redemption, and how, with grit and determination, anything is possible.
We'll see each other again one day, but until we do, take good care of yourself.
Live a good life.
Now go, my love."
From the author of Silver Darlings comes LK Wilde's captivating portrayal of the life of Queenie Read.
Heart warming and breaking in equal measure, Queenie of Norwich is perfect for fans of The Foundling, Where the Crawdads Sing, and The Smallest Man.
People say you get one life, but I've lived three.
I was born Ellen Hardy in 1900, dragged up in Queen Caroline's Yard, Norwich.
There was nothing royal about our yard, and Mum was no queen.
At six years old Mum sold me. I became Nellie Westrop, roaming the country in a showman's wagon, learning the art of the fair.
And I've been the infamous Queenie of Norwich, moving up in the world by any means, legal or not.
I've been heart broken, abandoned, bought and sold, but I've never, ever given up.
After all, it's not where you start that's important, but where you end up.
Based on a true story, Queenie of Norwich is the compelling tale of one remarkable girl's journey to womanhood.
Spanning the first half of the 20th century, Queenie's story is one of heartbreak and triumph, love and loss and the power of family.
It is a story of redemption, and how, with grit and determination, anything is possible.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2022
2035 people are currently reading
4885 people want to read
About the author
L.K. Wilde
8 books59 followersAuthor and musician LK Wilde was born in Norwich, but spent her teenage years living on a Northumbrian island. She left the island to study Music, and after a few years of wandering settled in Cornwall, where she raises her two crazy, delightful boys.
Her exquisite debut novel Silver Darlings captures the glory days of the herring industry, when coastal towns were prosperous, and women had independence like never before.
She juggles writing with motherhood, teaching and work as a musician, but still finds time to explore the beautiful countryside of her adoptive home, Cornwall.
Her exquisite debut novel Silver Darlings captures the glory days of the herring industry, when coastal towns were prosperous, and women had independence like never before.
She juggles writing with motherhood, teaching and work as a musician, but still finds time to explore the beautiful countryside of her adoptive home, Cornwall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
February 28, 2023
I read a lot and I enjoy many of the books I read. However, there are times when a book becomes more than a read, it becomes part of you. Whether it be from the messages in the book, a character that resonates with you or an author writing so beautifully that it touches your heart. Queenie of Norwich is one of these books. I loved it, I adored Queenie and I was left feeling connected to her and her family. Poignant, memorable, stunningly written. This book will stay with me, for a very long time and has to be one of the best I’ve ever read.
March 2, 2024
[3.25] This was an odd reading experience. “Queenie” kept me marginally interested throughout the entire journey but failed to truly engage me. For lack of a better term, there wasn’t quite enough “bang for book” here. That’s surprising given the fact that I’m typically a pushover for coming-of-age sagas that place memorable characters in unique historical eras. The fact that this was a fictionalized look at a real figure in Norwich’s history added to the intrigue. True, the feisty protagonist was impressive. However, the book’s overall structure didn’t quite work for me. One astute reviewer aptly described it as “more like lots of mini-stories.”
May 29, 2024
Such a great story!!! I felt so bad for her being sold. But she had a better time with Julia and Henry. Barny was a good man too. I'm glad Queenie's story was shared.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2022
What a wonderful story! The character of Queenie jumps off the pages from the very start, full of life and with a sharp wit (and even sharper tongue!). This is life in another era, much tougher than anything most of us will experience, and at times it is heartbreaking.
Based on a true story, I didn't realise just how much it meant to the author until I saw the photo at the end. It is written with passion and love, and you can tell the author has poured her soul into every word. She has brought Queenie to life for a new generation of readers, and given us an insight into times gone by. I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, but I didn't imagine to be quite so affected by these wonderful characters. Highly recommend.
Based on a true story, I didn't realise just how much it meant to the author until I saw the photo at the end. It is written with passion and love, and you can tell the author has poured her soul into every word. She has brought Queenie to life for a new generation of readers, and given us an insight into times gone by. I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, but I didn't imagine to be quite so affected by these wonderful characters. Highly recommend.
February 2, 2024
Enjoyed it on the whole but it wasn't the normal story where it builds towards the end...more like lots of mini stories.
July 10, 2022
A fascinating historical novel which combines an education about the lives of England's poor working class and, most interestingly, the travelling fair folk of the early 20th century, with an entertaining tale.
By turning her great-grandmother's life into a novel, LK Wilde has given Queenie immortality and a place in the hearts of many, many readers. What a character! Outgoing, a born leader, a showman (or show off), being sold to a travelling fair at the age of 6 turned out to be the best thing for our young heroine. First as Ellen, then Nell, then Queenie, our protagonist adapts and proves she is well able to take care of herself even in some very nasty situations. Yet there is a softness about her, a gentleness seen through her love for her siblings, and especially sister Florrie, which brings her close to us and makes us want the very best for her. There's pathos here, including in the plight of the mother, so often seen in those times, as well as in other tragedies that befall Queenie. But it's never sentimental and there's plenty of humour too.
Wilde writes very well, bringing her situations and characters to life. She has also ensured her book is well edited, which massively helped my enjoyment of the story. Thank you.
If I have a complaint, it's that I was surprised at how the book ended. My kindle refused to show me what percentage I'd read, so I had no idea where I was up to. I was expecting, hoping, for a little more so was taken aback when I swiped the page and it said The End. What? Perhaps a sequel, following Barbara's life, might be in order.
Highly recommended.
By turning her great-grandmother's life into a novel, LK Wilde has given Queenie immortality and a place in the hearts of many, many readers. What a character! Outgoing, a born leader, a showman (or show off), being sold to a travelling fair at the age of 6 turned out to be the best thing for our young heroine. First as Ellen, then Nell, then Queenie, our protagonist adapts and proves she is well able to take care of herself even in some very nasty situations. Yet there is a softness about her, a gentleness seen through her love for her siblings, and especially sister Florrie, which brings her close to us and makes us want the very best for her. There's pathos here, including in the plight of the mother, so often seen in those times, as well as in other tragedies that befall Queenie. But it's never sentimental and there's plenty of humour too.
Wilde writes very well, bringing her situations and characters to life. She has also ensured her book is well edited, which massively helped my enjoyment of the story. Thank you.
If I have a complaint, it's that I was surprised at how the book ended. My kindle refused to show me what percentage I'd read, so I had no idea where I was up to. I was expecting, hoping, for a little more so was taken aback when I swiped the page and it said The End. What? Perhaps a sequel, following Barbara's life, might be in order.
Highly recommended.
June 10, 2023
I enjoyed this book so much that at times I couldn’t put it down! It’s an incredible true story of someone who overcame the odds. Highly recommend!
July 23, 2025
I would give this book about a 4.4 4.5. this is a true story actually written by her great-granddaughter. this really is about the same person with three different names. Alan Hardy starts the book. she was born in 1900 in the Queen Caroline yard in Norwich when she's about 6 years old her mother sells her. she was the youngest at the time but her mother had had another child after her Frederick who she ends up not meeting until he's about 4 or 5 years old.
she has two two older brothers, Arthur and Albert. they both die. I won't let you know how they die. her father eventually leaves and so it ends up just being them. she's close to her sister Florence or they call her Flory. she had an older sister named Sarah and the last time that you hear that she was there was right around her sister's wedding. they all had matching dresses. her mother sells her to this family. Julia and Henry westrup. they are part of a carnival Fair type thing where they run a shooting gallery and although you might find it strange that she was sold to somebody. she actually has a better life traveling around with the carnival people because Julia and Henry never had any children and so they really treat her as their own daughter. it's got really sad moments in it when Henry who she considers more of a father figure dies and Julia has to decide what to do. and so in the meantime Lori she finds out her mother is sick and so flory suggests that she come and help because Lori is now getting married and is pregnant and they have their younger brother Frederick who needs taken care of
Julia goes off and lives somewhere else but does keep in touch with her so she goes from Ellen Hardy to being named Nelly westrop. that's two of them. she'll end up also being called Queenie Reed and I'll explain that in a little bit in her later life. so if the book of section the three it took me about till about 25% to get into the book, it was a little bit slow and boring. I think in the beginning her mother was a real wicked witch or b**** whichever you want to call it. she did not like or love her and even didn't care that she came back to take care of her. her brother who she adores the younger brother Freddie ends up. they find out having asthma and the house has got a lot of mold and dampness so she runs into her co-worker's mother offers for Freddy to go to Wales and help take care of her family. her parents who are elderly and it will get him out in the fresh air and away from the dampness. so she also forms this nice bond with her friend Olive.
her mother Ella's mother seems to be very nice to kind of more of a prominent person. they are kind of Rich. she also this is how she gets also meeting her future. husband Barney and she ends up doing an illegal gambling as a runner for him and she ends up making a lot more money cuz she works in a factory and she was trying to save to get another house for herself and Freddie be prepared to be engrossed in this novel. she's a very tough cookie and you'll find yourself cheering her on. she's definitely wise beyond her years. she's got grit and backbone. I really enjoyed her as a character.
she meets Barney and he's a friend of Olives and that's how she gets into the betting. he offers her to be a bank runner and they kind of develop a a kind of professional relationship. she actually gets me quite a bit older than her sisters and even her friend Olive. they all have kids by then. her sister flori's husband Joe is a real jerk. that's the only way I can say it keeps getting her pregnant and the doctor doesn't want her too. she experiences another loss with with flory and keeps the promise to her sister to take care of her youngest baby that she had. Barbara and so she ends up not being able to have any children. she has a heart-shaped womb and she lost like five or six babies anywhere from three months of pregnancy to 7 months in pregnancy. nowadays. should be able to pretty much have a baby at the 7 months but she ended up losing all these and she just felt like she would never be called mom. so now her and Barney have a beautiful little girl, Barbara.
you get to learn about the raids that they did because of the bedding in this time frame and in this country and also a little bit more about the carnival life that go into the details of that and even the Charlotte's yard. so it gives you a very good picture of that time frame. with all of this it gives you a better understanding.
The ending was just okay. it did tie up loose strings but I'm wondering if there could be a sequel of some sort because it it ended a little bit differently than what I thought it would be. but it was very touching because for the most part Queenie or Nelly or Ellen, all three of them was really a tough person and you did get to see her vulnerability.
she has two two older brothers, Arthur and Albert. they both die. I won't let you know how they die. her father eventually leaves and so it ends up just being them. she's close to her sister Florence or they call her Flory. she had an older sister named Sarah and the last time that you hear that she was there was right around her sister's wedding. they all had matching dresses. her mother sells her to this family. Julia and Henry westrup. they are part of a carnival Fair type thing where they run a shooting gallery and although you might find it strange that she was sold to somebody. she actually has a better life traveling around with the carnival people because Julia and Henry never had any children and so they really treat her as their own daughter. it's got really sad moments in it when Henry who she considers more of a father figure dies and Julia has to decide what to do. and so in the meantime Lori she finds out her mother is sick and so flory suggests that she come and help because Lori is now getting married and is pregnant and they have their younger brother Frederick who needs taken care of
Julia goes off and lives somewhere else but does keep in touch with her so she goes from Ellen Hardy to being named Nelly westrop. that's two of them. she'll end up also being called Queenie Reed and I'll explain that in a little bit in her later life. so if the book of section the three it took me about till about 25% to get into the book, it was a little bit slow and boring. I think in the beginning her mother was a real wicked witch or b**** whichever you want to call it. she did not like or love her and even didn't care that she came back to take care of her. her brother who she adores the younger brother Freddie ends up. they find out having asthma and the house has got a lot of mold and dampness so she runs into her co-worker's mother offers for Freddy to go to Wales and help take care of her family. her parents who are elderly and it will get him out in the fresh air and away from the dampness. so she also forms this nice bond with her friend Olive.
her mother Ella's mother seems to be very nice to kind of more of a prominent person. they are kind of Rich. she also this is how she gets also meeting her future. husband Barney and she ends up doing an illegal gambling as a runner for him and she ends up making a lot more money cuz she works in a factory and she was trying to save to get another house for herself and Freddie be prepared to be engrossed in this novel. she's a very tough cookie and you'll find yourself cheering her on. she's definitely wise beyond her years. she's got grit and backbone. I really enjoyed her as a character.
she meets Barney and he's a friend of Olives and that's how she gets into the betting. he offers her to be a bank runner and they kind of develop a a kind of professional relationship. she actually gets me quite a bit older than her sisters and even her friend Olive. they all have kids by then. her sister flori's husband Joe is a real jerk. that's the only way I can say it keeps getting her pregnant and the doctor doesn't want her too. she experiences another loss with with flory and keeps the promise to her sister to take care of her youngest baby that she had. Barbara and so she ends up not being able to have any children. she has a heart-shaped womb and she lost like five or six babies anywhere from three months of pregnancy to 7 months in pregnancy. nowadays. should be able to pretty much have a baby at the 7 months but she ended up losing all these and she just felt like she would never be called mom. so now her and Barney have a beautiful little girl, Barbara.
you get to learn about the raids that they did because of the bedding in this time frame and in this country and also a little bit more about the carnival life that go into the details of that and even the Charlotte's yard. so it gives you a very good picture of that time frame. with all of this it gives you a better understanding.
The ending was just okay. it did tie up loose strings but I'm wondering if there could be a sequel of some sort because it it ended a little bit differently than what I thought it would be. but it was very touching because for the most part Queenie or Nelly or Ellen, all three of them was really a tough person and you did get to see her vulnerability.
July 24, 2025
Audiobook, read by the author. Based on a true story and written by the main character’s great granddaughter.
I loved this book, and came to love Ellen/Nellie/Queenie as I followed her life through many struggles and heartaches. Through it all she remained loyal to family (even to a mother who treated her so badly) and worked hard even in dire conditions.
Thanks to the author for sharing such a remarkable woman with us.
I loved this book, and came to love Ellen/Nellie/Queenie as I followed her life through many struggles and heartaches. Through it all she remained loyal to family (even to a mother who treated her so badly) and worked hard even in dire conditions.
Thanks to the author for sharing such a remarkable woman with us.
July 26, 2025
Enjoyed the Audio book very much! The author did all of the voices and I loved hearing the British accents and phrases. A great summer read about a survivor who made it out of poverty, but not without heartbreak and hard work. It’s based on a real woman’s life beginning in the early 1900s - if you like historical fiction , you’ll enjoy the book.
July 2, 2024
Wonderful story based on the real life of Queenie Read. From an impoverished childhood, Ellen Hardy, then Nellie Westrop, and finally Queenie Read triumphs and overcomes each of life’s difficulties thrown in her path. It’s the story of life, love, struggles, torment, grief and more.
June 23, 2024
Thoroughly engaging story transporting the reader back in time along the eventful life of Queenie. Written so evocatively I could almost smell the scents (some not so sweet!) as well as hear the fairground banter and attractions.
August 23, 2024
Okay so being a Norwich girl myself made me want to read this book and I did love this book butttt it kinda left out so much that I personally think should have been told.
For example -
What was life like for her siblings whilst she was gone? Why was her name changed to Nellie?
Plus it’s explained about the new housing that is built by her husband and partly owned by her, yet it doesn’t tell you where or what they are called? Being local I was so interested but instead I was left with questions and wanting to know more!
For example -
What was life like for her siblings whilst she was gone? Why was her name changed to Nellie?
Plus it’s explained about the new housing that is built by her husband and partly owned by her, yet it doesn’t tell you where or what they are called? Being local I was so interested but instead I was left with questions and wanting to know more!
June 3, 2024
What a fabulous story , I really enjoyed this one lots of familiar places , really tough moments full of joy and pain but I wonderful outcome , a great read
November 12, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I wasn’t sure how I’d feel when I got into it but didn’t want to put it down. The story blew me away - her Mum!!!! The cruelty, choking and then how do you sell your child? I get the time period but I just sat here like wow! Wasn’t really sure where it was going with Julia and then was so beyond happy for her. When I didn’t think things would end up better for Ellen/Nellie/Queenie - I found myself just so happy/relieved/proud for her of how she triumphed through and rose above everything and in every situation. I am flabbergasted of the relationship she had with Fred and how that evolved - so remarkable. And then saddened for Florrie and her life but given the greatest gift in the end to her sister. I just hope that Julia got to play Grandmum to the baby - curious what happened in Julia’s later years and her relationship with Nell. Very nicely written! I loved the Author’s Note at the end as it pushed me from a 4 to a 5 in my rating. I forgot it was based on a true story but the work, research and finding out this was her great-granddaughter writing - blew me away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2024
Picked this up in a thrift shop and absolutely LOVED it! I spent quite a bit of time in Norwich, which is what grabbed my attention but as it turns out, Norwich was just a backdrop. Queenie, Ellen, Nellie were the real gem. Her story is quite the treasure
I love books based on real lives and cheering for them along the way ❤️
I love books based on real lives and cheering for them along the way ❤️
December 24, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book based on the real life of Queenie Read. From her hard life as a very young but determined child until her marriage, Queenie’s quick wit courage and intelligence enabled her to overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges.
Written by Queenie’s great granddaughter with factual accounts of her life made this a compelling read.
Written by Queenie’s great granddaughter with factual accounts of her life made this a compelling read.
July 12, 2024
I loved this book! Picked it up at a free little library at the park across the street! I had a hard time putting it down every time I picked it up. Based on a true story about a girl overcoming so many obstacles in her life. Great read and definitely recommend it!!
August 24, 2024
So glad I stumbled on this to read. Based on a true story, a captivating story of a woman's grit. She was many names through her life, each name leading a totally different story, an amazing compilation.
April 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! I loved that it’s based on a real person too
October 11, 2024
Tough, but apparently true, story.
December 8, 2024
This is the sort of book that I will remember. Based on the life, or I should say lives, of Queenie Read. Wonderful.
February 5, 2025
A remarkable story of the difficult journey of a child as she follows her path to womanhood. It draws poverty, sadness, love and the importance of family.
March 12, 2025
2025: based on a true story of a local lady in the 1920/1940’s and a nice run though of local places for nostalgias sake! Story of rags to riches and life in the circus!
January 4, 2025
4 stars but knowing it’s a true story is important from the beginning!
February 9, 2025
Truly amazing Read ♥️… So very sad in parts but my word a beautiful book and true story 💖
June 20, 2024
From the very beginning, I was captivated by this amazing young girl of 6 years old, Ellen Harding, raise in the worst possible circumstances. We each go through chapters in our lives; however, Ellen closes one book and begins another with a new name and a new life. Nellie Westrop and Queenie Read, two of Ellen’s new names, each challenge the existing norms of women at the beginning of the 20th century. She shows grit and determination in the trials she faces and loves others along the way. What an amazing life!
December 29, 2024
A touching story with at least one piercing line I’ll never forget. Glad to have met Queenie, Nellie, and Ellen.
March 8, 2024
Outstanding ❤️
May 9, 2024
The writing really puts you there. This is an empowering story. Also makes me happy for modern conveniences. Mainly, soap. And clean water.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews