Too Many Mothers by Roberta Taylor
'I was born in a sideboard.' So begins Roberta Taylor's bittersweet memoir of her early years, a book that proves beyond doubt that real life is stranger than any soap opera. It's Boxing Day, 1956 in East London, and it's freezing, inside and out. Roberta, aged eight, sits in the kitchen in her overcoat, determined to make herself invisible, watching the shenanigans of the grown-ups. Her granny, Mary, reigns over the house with an iron will and an eye to the main chance. Roberta's cousin is on her hands and knees at the parlour grate, trying to retrieve grandad's dentures from the coals, dragging her coat in the dust. It's too cold to hang it up by the front door. Besides, Granny Mary makes no exceptions when it comes to the occasional light thieving. Aunt Doll learns that the hard way. Not even a padlock kept Mary from stealing Doll's wedding presents, although nobody can understand how she got the back off the wardrobe without Doll noticing. Too Many Mothers is a portrait of an embattled extended family at war with itself and the outside world. From petty crime to pet monkeys, tender romance to shameless emotional blackmail, illegitimacy, adoption and even murder, Roberta Taylor has written a kaleidoscopic and unforgettable memoir of her family and her early life.
"'Absolutely breathtakingWhat a fantastic read.' Martina Cole 'A gut-wrenching memoir that still has you gasping with laughter. A hell of a book. Give it to your prosperous friends who wonder what it's all about.' Frank McCourt 'A marvellous book! I couldn't put it down. Roberta Taylor brings that era and that part of London zinging to life with such an authentic voice. It's so rare to find the East Enders given their real voice.' Helen Mirren"
Roberta Taylor is one of Britain's most respected actresses. She became a household name as Irene Raymond in the BBC soap Eastenders and until recently starred as Gina Gold in ITV's The Bill. She lives in London.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781843543015 |
| ISBN 10 | 184354301X |
| Title | Too Many Mothers |
| Author | Roberta Taylor |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Atlantic Books |
| Year published | 2006-05-01 |
| Number of pages | 256 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |