* THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *
Young Mary Newton, born into a large Irish family in a small Watford semi, was always getting into trouble. When she wasn’t choking back fits of giggles at Holy Communion or eating Chappie dog food for a bet, she was accidentally setting fire to the local school. Mary was a trouble magnet. And, unlike her brothers, somehow she always got caught…
Britain in the 1970s was a world where R White's lemonade was drunk in secret, curry came in a cardboard box marked Vesta and Beanz meant Heinz. In Mary’s family, money was scarce. Clothes were hand-me-downs, holidays a church day out to Hastings and meals were variations on the potato. But these were also good times which revolved around the force of nature that was Theresa, Mary’s mum.
When tragedy unexpectedly blows this world apart, a new chapter in Mary’s life opens up. She takes to the camp and glamour of Harrods window dressing like a duck to water, and Mary, Queen of Shops is born…
Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
ISBN: 9781784160319
Number of pages: 288
Weight: 199 g
Dimensions: 198 x 127 x 17 mm
Portas writes with wit and verve... The book has the narrative charm of Anita and Me or The Buddha of Suburbia; so when the darkness comes it's genuinely shocking. Shop Girl is a testament to survival. But most of all it is a love letter to her mother, Mary Flynn. Every joke, argument, cake baked, tenderness proffered, sings off the page. 'To my mum - How lucky was I getting you' is the book's dedication. And we are lucky to read it. - Independent
Enormous fun, readable, nostalgic, poignant and authentic... Read it then give it to your daughter - Daily Express
Absolutely fabulous... Colourful, camp and unexpectedly heart-rending, I loved it. - Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller
Her school stories are hilarious... a nostalgia-fest - Heat
Portas's memoir is witty, fascinating and, at times, sad but always compelling - Stylist
It breezes along seamlessly... with levels of charm, depth and humour - The Observer
Poignantly described - Telegraph
Heartbreaking - The Times
Inspiring and emotional - OK!
[A] delightful memoir... full of evocative images - Choice Magazine
Warm, witty and evocative, Shop Girl is a cloudless trip down memory lane - The Tablet
Undeniably compelling - Irish Sunday Independent
Searingly honest... A fascinating memoir - Hello!
[Shop Girl] is both a beautifully nostalgic look back at a world long gone and a testament to family ties and our inherent strength - Irish Independent
I found the book funny, entertaining and an insight into the '60's & 70's through the eyes and experiences of a girl growing up during those times.
Brought back memories.
In Shop Girl A Memoir new responsibilities at home for Mary means her ambitions to act are pushed to one side. Instead of RADA, Mary signs up for a local college course in visual merchandising in the hope that it... More
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