The Road To Nab End

junetta · 19-07-2006, 01:13

I've read this book before, but it was years ago. It has beaten my computer today as I've haven't been able to put it down. No cleaning done either! It covers the lot, tippler toilets, Blackburn market, the mills and even Blackpool!

William Woodruff's story told of life in the twenties but although I wasn't born until the fifties I found I could identify with lots of things he has mentioned.

The one thing that sticks in my mind is a paragraph about 'wakes week' when everyone went off to Blackpool. The folks who couldn't afford it always said that they preferred day trips.

Fleetwood Market comes to mind!!

talentedbutslow · 19-07-2006, 06:52

think I might like to read that book too..........

grannyclaret · 19-07-2006, 10:38

me too ,,,,,sounds good

magily · 19-07-2006, 19:41

It is an excellent book, the sequel is called Beyond Nab End is also very good. Highly recommend both.

claytonender · 19-07-2006, 20:04

I couldn't put either or them down. It is also a very remarkable story, how he overcame such poverty to gain a place at university and become a professor of history.

Margaret Pilkington · 19-07-2006, 20:06

I took both books out to my sister in Brisbane....they made her feel a bit homesick....but she did enjoy them.

steeljack · 19-07-2006, 21:08

cross jumping from another forum a few weeks back about the closing of local bookstores (Wardleworths/Seed and Gabutts etc) I wonder how authors of limited appeal like William Woodruff will get to market , Supermarkets will carry the latest "shoot em up" best sellers but I cant see them carrying books with limited appeal

Doug · 19-07-2006, 22:50

It's a good book, I read it a long time back but I’ll pick a copy up and read it again. Anyone looking for a copy they had some in W.H.Smiths a week or so ago.

junetta · 19-07-2006, 22:56

I've just started 'Beyond Nab End', which I haven't read before, and it's just as good. I'm trying to limit myself with this one though as I really don't want to finish it!

Being one of those reader's who 'lives' with a good book, I know I'll miss it dreadfully.

There is one good thing, Steeljack, at least this thread might have sold another book or two for Mr Woodruff.

Doug · 19-07-2006, 22:58

This is worth a look...

http://www.williamwoodruff.com/work1.htm

green giant · 22-07-2006, 07:57

who is the author of this book g?

slinky · 22-07-2006, 10:42

I have read that book and still have it. It was years ago when I last read it and might have another read of it soon!!

Tinkerbelle · 22-07-2006, 12:13

I borrowed this book off slink but I gave it back to her un-read. I only got a few pages into it and didn't enjoy it. Maybe I should give it another go all the people in this thread can't be wrong saying it's a good read.

junetta · 22-07-2006, 19:53

You aren't alone tinks as 'im indoors couldn't get into it either.

I've almost finished the sequel now and I have enjoyed it but it didn't grab me as much as the first.