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QueenSpark Books Archive - Free Full Text Books
A unique searchable archive of the books published by QueenSpark Books up until 2010. Free to view and full text this collection features voices that tell the story of Brighton and Hove, across the 20th Century, in their own words. The majority of these titles are now out-of-print.
You can buy those still in-print, and newer titles, with this link.
Me and My Mum - The story of five daughters and their relationships with their mothers
Author(s): Leila Abrahams, Irene Donald, June Drake, Monica Hastings, Violet Pumphery
Published: 1996
These childhood reminiscences examine the special and unbreakable bond between mothers and their daughters. Through the story of five daughters and their relationships with their mothers, the book charts the positive and negative experiences of family life. In particular, it examines the influence that their mothers had on their development as women and individuals in their own right. Each story is as different as the people involved and reflects the actions, attitudes, beliefs and subjectivity's of the authors, and is especially relevant to all mothers and daughters, whatever their ages.The Sudden Change in My Life
Author(s): Gary Irwin
Published: 1995
This is a powerfully honest account of one man's triumph against the odds. Gary Irwin survived major surgery to remove a brain tumour. In this book, he takes the reader on a journey that charts the progress of his illness, including the invasive and traumatic surgery that he underwent. He documents the long process of initial diagnosis, treatment and eventual recuperation. This first-hand account is narrated from the patient's subjective point of view as opposed to a medical perspective and is a fascinating and compelling read.The Lone Rangers - Single Parents' Writing Project
Author(s): Karen Clark, Dawn Evans, Liz Ezra, Miranda Frost, Sharon Halsall, Lorna Jones, Sophie March, Shirley May
Published: 1995
Seven single parents share their personal hopes, fears, struggles and achievements on their respective journeys through parenthood. The book focuses on the challenges they face, particularly when taking on the role of both mother and father in their children's lives. It acknowledges the effort and energy required of them, as they make important life choices about their children's schooling and welfare. The book is especially interesting because it documents what it means to live in an era where, unfortunately, discrimination can still exist. This is a must for every single parent in our community!Jobs for Life
Author(s): Joan Parsons
Published: 1995
Spirited Joan Parsons writes with enthusiasm about her working life in Brighton. She gives a light-hearted view of her employment for many years as a toilet attendant – which may not have been the most glamorous of jobs, but certainly provided Joan with plenty of material for her autobiography. She worked in many different areas of Brighton, including The Steine, Princes Place and the Aquarium, and during the course of her working day she would do many little things over and above the call of duty, such as keeping talcum powder for mothers and babies. Her fascinating story recalls many interesting incidents, including encounters with homeless drunks who had nowhere else to sleep! Overall, it is a book about a hard life, but Joan is a survivor. At the age of seventy, she was still working and still enjoying a good laugh!Refuge - Stories of Survival & Escape
Author(s): The Migrant English Project at The Cowley Club
Published: 2007
The Migrant English Project at The Cowley Club offered language classes to newly arrived migrants to Brighton and Hove. This book is the result of a series of workshops where participants had the opportunity to tell their stories.Take Him Away
Author(s): Ron Piper
Published: 1995
This adventure begins with Ron Piper, as a boy of seven, clambering around bombsites looking for shrapnel and ends with his appearance in the dock at The Old Bailey, as a notorious career criminal. It is a powerful wartime record of the author's steady progress towards a life of crime in war-torn East London. Ron's unique style and humour convey to the reader the tribulations of his life, as well as describing the deep camaraderie, friendship and mischief that he shared with his companions and fellow felons. Full of vivid memories and colourful characters, it's a compelling account of one man's life history, which also conveys a vivid picture of the social history of the time.Remember the First Time? - A Collection of Childhood Memories
Author(s): Martha Buckley, Rachael Collins, Tony Gates, Margaret Heal, Keith Jago, River Jones, Karen McMahon, Karen Monaghan, Celine West
Published: 2002
These diverse images of childhood recapture a world that was much bigger and full of the unknown than today; a place where so many territories still lay undiscovered. In brief autobiographies, eight writers share reminiscences of their childhood years of happiness and indulgence. The authors take us on a journey back to times and places where imagination was allowed to run wild and unfettered. Readers can gain insight into those bygone times of fun, fantasy and frolics, but it wasn't only halcyon days that are remembered. There were times when childhood memories invoke fear and bewilderment, and a wide spectrum of emotions is explored in the stories contained in this collection. It provides a legacy of childhood that can be enjoyed by children as well as adults, who will no doubt find echoes of their own childhood days.Tales from the Sanctuary - An anthology of readings from a QueenSpark Performance Evening
Author(s): Shirley Beckett, Danny Birchall, John Cranfield, Sonia Ctvrtecka, Cyril Daugy, Julie Everton, Sue Long, Simon Jenner, Lorna Jones, Nick Osmond, Sam Royce, Tim Shelton-Jones, Nicola Schouten, John Sitzia, John Tatum, Arthur Thickett, Deb Thomas, Alistair Thomson
Published: 1995
This is an anthology of readings that were given at a QueenSpark performance evening. The recital took place at the Sanctuary cafe in Hove, which is a popular location for community events. For some people, this was the first time they had read aloud in public, although this was not reflected in their performances! The work, however, does reflect the diversity of QueenSpark members. It includes prose and poetry, humorous and sad contributions; some brief, others far longer. In short, there is enough material in this collection to suit every reader's taste - an impressive anthology, featuring a truly inspirational body of work.Rare book
Paper on the Wind
Author(s): QueenSpark women writers
Published: 1984
This anthology contains poetry and prose from a QueenSpark Women's group. This was a group of women aged between 20 and 64 years, who met regularly to write and partake in group discussions and workshops. There is a strong feminist influence to the issues that are covered, encompassing the empowerment of women, particularly in today's world, when women have to balance multiple tasks in their daily lives. Paper on the Wind is relevant to all people regardless of age, disability, gender, religion and sexual orientation. It offers a forum for people to explore and experiment with their own creative writing processes and to take the necessary steps that will enable people to start writing for themselves, as well as providing encouragement to all those budding writers out there!The Town Beehive - A young girls lot in Brighton 1910 - 1934
Author(s): Daisy Noakes
Published: 1975(reprinted 1980)
This was first published in 1975 and was so popular that it quickly sold out. Brightonian, Daisy Noakes, tells her story from the age of fourteen, when she went into service. She gives us an insight into the life of a woman born and brought up in Brighton. Daisy documents – with humour - her inevitable trials and tribulations in the often physically demanding world that she inhabited during her working life. The autobiography covers her childhood, as one of a family of ten, living in Prince's Road and Vere Road, and her working days in service in different parts of the town. This is a special insight into Daisy's world and is a shining example of true grit and fortitude!