This is a review of the 2009 book 'The Palace of the Strange Girls' by Sallie Day. This book was a readitswapit swap and I was drawn to it because it was about a family who holiday in Blackpool during the 1950s. As Blackpool was a childhood hoiday for me during the 80s I was keen to see how it compared.

A bit on the storyline

The book follows the Singleton family on their week long annual holiday during the factory shutdown week. The Lancashire family are Jack the dad, Ruth the mum and daughters Helen (15) and Beth (7). On the outside, they appear to be a normal family but the book reveals a host of secrets are being harboured.

Format

Each chapter begins with an excerpt from Beth's holiday reading; a i-spy book with challenges to complete at the seaside. Beth is on a mission to collect the points she needs to join the i-spy official club. She refuses to cheat but greatfully accepts help from sister Helen who is great at the game.

Characters

The characters in the book are colourful and entertaining. Dad Jack is dark and troubled, mum Ruth is old fashioned and spoils everyone's fun, but only because she loves them all, Helen is desperate for some freedom and Beth is recovering from heart surgery and was my favourite character.

The title?
You might be wondering about the strange title of this book, I know I was. It refers to the old fashioned 'freak show' attractions often found at the seaside. In the book, Beth wants to go to the strange girls show but her mum won't let her (and it is adult only) but Beth is drawn to the tiger woman whom she fortunately gets to meet in the back strrts of Blackpool. They bond over their matching scars - Beth's are due to her heart surgery - and the woman boosts Beth's confidence which has been failing of late.

My thoughts

I loved this book and would recommend. All the characters are compelling, each has their own problems they are troubled by. I felt drawn to Beth and loved her innocence amongst all the seedy goings on in Blackpool.

Final word
Whilst it's not the Blackpool I know, it is portrayed as a place people go to have fun in 1950s England. A well researched and written book that will make you smile and maybe even laugh too. Four out of five stars from me. This book is currently back on readitswapit if you fancy a swap.

PS. I was telling my mum about this book and she can remember as a girl in 50s Blackpool visiting an attraction which was a little woman who lived in a miniature house. You paid to walk round her garden and peer in her windows to watch her cleaning and making tea ... now that's strange!!