Shoes Were for Sunday

good story

Molly Weir, who later became a relatively known TV actress, chronicles her childhood, growing up between the wars in Springburn, a Glasgow slum that's still notorious for being the poorest parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom. She was the youngest in a large family, born in 1910; her father was killed in War War I. Weir does nothing to romanticize her surroundings and makes it clear just how poor everyone was, and how hard life was, how there was no extra money for anything, but this book cannot be described as sad or depressing. She came from a warm, loving family that lived in an overcrowded apartment in a close-knit neighborhood where everyone looked out for each other, and she has a knack for describing the details of her life: the way her mother was able to hunt out bargains and using a bit of sewing magic to turn an adult's dress into a child's school uniform, for example. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's interest in the lives of the poor and working-class in the UK and Scotland in particular during this period. I'd be interested in checking out the other two books in the trilogy Weir wrote about her childhood.

Great read aloud with ages 9, 10. Let's you put yourself in her shoes. Learn history. It's a beautiful story.

This was a good book which reminded me of stories my mother used to tell us about growing up in Scotland.

I loved this book. I feel sad at some of the other reviews on here. The speech and Scottish slang words and stuff were a bit tricky to understand, but a lot of it was explained, and it wasn't hard to get the gist of it. Plus on the eBook you can use the dictionary if you click on certain words. But for me it brought to reality the life of Molly, and her grannie. It was lovely, and so interesting. I was hooked. I'm 30 years old from South of England, but I love hearing about this way of life, and from a Scottish perspective too was so enthralling for me. I even cried at the end of the book. I recommend it, just remember it isn't a story, it's a collection of memories of someone's life. Stick with it. I also learned a fair amount too

I remember Molly Weir as a comedian I was not aware she was a writer. Reading this book brought so many fond memories back when I lived in Scotland at an early age. Mum would tell me how important it was to keep all your good clothes perfect for Sunday School. Molly tells this story with such honesty, feeling,and a great deal of humor. The story covers the 1950's when a lot of people were poor and the only time they went out was on Sunday dressed in their best clothes and the children who were mostly barefoot throughout the week were allowed to wear their shoes. It gives an insight to what people had to put up with but still they were happy and especially caring for each other. This is an inspirational read as it shows us how far we have come from one era to another. Definitely recommend this to anyone who just wants to enjoy a very well written story not fiction.

This book transported the reader back to a time and place none of us can imagine. It gave us a look at poverty and optimism

I really enjoyed this book. Ms Weir has a wonderful gift in that she paints pictures in the readers minds. Her description of family life and family dynamics brought back lovely memories. I remember curling up with my Granny Bella in the bed in the wall. With only curtains to shield my young eyes from adult family life. I recall laying there on more than one occasion then giving away the fact that l was still awake and listening. My gran would tell me off for listening to the grown ups. I learned a lot laying in that wonderful bed in my grans little tenement flat in Johnstone. I would recommend this book to anyone who had or is interested in family life in Glasgow just after and indeed during the second world war. Many memories will be nudged back to life I promise.

My Sister has enjoyed reading it.