Dolly Ramsden has had a tumultuous life. From seeing her father go off to war at the age of 9, to seeing the tragic effects of it on her parents' relationship during his absence and upon his return, she experiences more downs than ups, yet manages to persevere and push through it all. Sherrie Hewson delivers a surprise package in The Tannery, telling Dolly's tale very passionately but also very regularly, almost distantly and factually. You get a strong visual image of the places and events and people that Hewson describes, as the 1940s becomes a decade to forget for Dolly. The way her mother is always off paying for things in sexual favours and working at the ...  Read the complete review

I have to say I normally don't choose to read short stories (a throw back to school days) as I prefer something with a bit more depth that allows a story to develop, but as this book was priced at only £1.99 I decided to give it a go. I am so glad I did as I really enjoyed it. I thought that Sherrie did a great job as I did feel that I got to know the main character, Dolly Ramsden, very well. The story takes her from childhood to adulthood. The book starts pre war when Dolly is six and is told through her eyes and from her perspective. It tells of her love for her parents and how the war causes the family to change through events out of her control and how ...  Read the complete review