This is an utterly charming story about twelve families & their tightly knit street in 1950s Maryhill. Following the end of the war the close rebuilds its ties & the strong sense of community & friendly neighbourhood bonds are soon back in place. There is young love for Rhea & Robert; a surprising new start for James; a change of direction for George; & all overseen by the matriarch of the street
- Granny Thomson. & of course all buoyed up by a big helping of Scottish humour & strength of spirit. Yet it is all not perfect in their world: the families have to deal with poverty religious bigotry racism heartbreak lies violence & death. But the powerful friendships cannot ultimately be broken. In Robert Douglas's first novel he recreates a time & place particular to Glasgow but to which everyone will relate.