A moving story of heartbreak and friendship in 1950s Britain Tilbury, 1950s. The Empire is a pub run by Vi, Doris's mother, but when Doris falls pregnant out of marriage, she is kicked out of the house and forced to fend for herself. Desperate to look after her daughter, Doris finds refuge in Southend and takes a job in a factory, hoping for a better life. When she finds herself cast out one night, Doris has nowhere to go but home - back to Tilbury. When Doris falls in with the Windrush immigrants, she finds herself helping one to a new life in Britain. But not everyone is happy with her decision and Doris must decide where her friendships lie.
Sue Wilsher Books
Sue Wilsher crafts compelling narratives centered on the lives of women in Essex, particularly during the mid-20th century. Her novels explore themes of societal expectations, class struggles, and the fight for women's and workers' rights. Wilsher excels at portraying characters navigating challenging circumstances, from single motherhood to striving for a better life and discovering their identities amidst social upheaval. Her writing is noted for its emotional depth and resilience, powerfully reflecting the determination of her heroines.




An uplifting, moving new saga from the talented Sue Wilsher set in Essex in during the First World War
A dramatic and emotional saga set in 1950s Essex from a great new voice
The Copperettes at War
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
An uplifting, moving new saga from the talented Sue Wilsher set in Essex in during the First World War as two very different women tackle the challenges of policework