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The Princess of Felling - Elaine Cusack


Absolutely delighted to be on the blog tour for this wonderful book today.

Description

The Princess of Felling describes Elaine’s childhood and adolescence growing up on Tyneside in the 1970s and 1980s. The book pays homage to her home town of Felling on Tyne and is an extended, loving letter to her late parents.

This illustrated poetic memoir features a Foreword by Michael Chaplin, photographs of Felling taken in summer 2018 by Rossena Petcova and unique maps by poet and artist Steve Lancaster.

The book contains reminiscences by Felling folk plus guest appearances by Nick Heyward, David Almond, Tracey Thorn, Sir Kingsley Amis, The Reverend Richard Coles, Lady Elsie Robson, U.A. Fanthorpe, Gyles Brandreth and more.

The Princess of Felling by Elaine Cusack resonates with readers of all ages. As actress and Felling lass Jill Halfpenny says in the book, “Reading Elaine’s stories and poetry takes me back to my childhood in Felling and all of the smells, sounds and tastes of that time. Her words allow me to remember things that I didn’t know I’d forgotten.”

Review

I was attracted to this book as as her reminisces are from part of my past too. This book is a brilliant slice of important social history that deserves to be recorded and preserved. Elaine's unique voice adds a a delightful and enchanting nuance to the reading. It echoes of a lost time that is so familiar to me.

Some of things that I fondly remember that she recalls are the Hamlyn Children's Bible, Nick Heyward and Haircut 100 (the first band I ever saw live) and Echo and the Bunnymen who I also saw live. Watching Dave Allen with her Dad which I also did.

At the front of the book Elaine has a picture of her and her Dad in a photobooth, I have several of those exact same posed photos! So many details in the book may not be from your geographical area but there are many you will recall and identify with. Such as trimphones, penpals and the post being delivered twice a day.

I'm not from the North East as Elaine is, but I am from a mining town and a saying she quotes from her Mother took me right back to my childhood. "look at the state of you, you look as if you've been working down the pit". I have not heard that said for so many years and had completely forgotten it until I read it in print.

It was so interesting to read of Elaine's life, I was just a little bit jealous of her claim to fame with TV programme The Tube. I hadn't realised it was filmed in the North East. Also to read about her family and friends, I will admit to shedding a tear as I finished the book which I eeked out over several weeks as I didn't want to devour it one sitting. 

I'm giving this book five out of five stars and my thanks to Elaine for a copy of the book to review. Also to Random Things Tours for the invite.

Elaine Cusack



Find out more about Elaine’s writing and forthcoming gigs by visiting www.dipdoomagazoo.wordpress.com, www.ticketsource.co.uk/cusackmansions and by liking her Elaine Cusack writer page on Facebook.

Buy your copy in person from selected outlets including Hexham’s Cogito Books, Felling Volunteer Library, Newcastle Central Library, Happy Planet Studio and Gallery in Whitley Bay and online from Elaine’s publisher www.limelightclassics.com
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