Local Interest in my Book Cousins, Classmates and a Dog called Rover

People who grew up in a Fenland village, such as the imaginary one described in my book, have found it awakened many memories for them of their schooldays. Although it was written for children and young people of the 10–14 age group, people now in their seventies relate to the bleak isolation of the landscape, the strict school regime and the lack of entertainment for young people. Not all memories are negative though. They are also reminded of the warmth of close-knit families, the fun of simple games and pastimes, and the feeling that the world was changing, with the advent of television, labour-saving devices and growing prosperity.

The local bookshop in Spalding, Lincolnshire, BookMark, ordered copies at the request of a local customer and had a small display on a table. Meanwhile, the village shop in Abbotts Ann, Hampshire, where I now live, put a small display in the window as I am a ‘local author’, not intending to sell the copy that was part of the display, but someone came in from New Zealand, with no time to order a copy as he was about to fly home and they sold him the book that was on display!

The Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press, the local newspaper, featured a half-page article about the book, with pictures that I sent them of the book and of myself. I hope that has fostered further interest. I now think the ideal readership might be a grandparent and grandchild together, who read the book and then discuss aspects of life in years past and the issues raised in the narrative. After all, that is how the book originated, when I decided to write something during Covid lockdown that I hoped would interest my grandchild and keep us in touch.

Several people have asked if I am going to write a sequel and I can report that it is already underway.

Rachel Larkinson

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