Harrow Road

Harrow Road was named as a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards!!

In December 1879, Annie Taylor, deserted by her husband, enters the Paddington workhouse on Harrow Road in London with her three children: Victoria, Edith, and her baby son, Edward. She is separated from her girls, stripped and bathed, and assigned a workhouse uniform. The food is inedible, the bed infested with lice, and every waking hour is regulated by the tolling of the workhouse bell. She is put to work in the laundry, a hell-hole of steam and sweat, and forbidden to speak to her fellow inmates. A confrontation with the Matron results in a terrifying night in the “Black Hole”, after which Annie realizes if she is going to survive she must conform to the rules.

Annie’s back story is told in alternate chapters that describe her childhood in the slums of Marylebone, her life as a “domestic”, and her ill-fated marriage to a newspaper compositor who eventually absconds to South Africa. The other two stories are those of Edith, who dreamed of a career on the stage, and Edward, who grew up in a home for orphans and eventually emigrated to Quebec as one of Canada’s “home children.”

What readers have said about Harrow Road:

“Highly recommend Margie’s book. Amazing story of Annie’s resilience and a haunting page-turner glimpse of London in 19th century. A classic.”

“The historical detail was amazing. The whole book sang to me. I stayed up late reading and reading. Now it is in the hands of my grand daughter who just finished law school and wanted something to read that was not school related and I handed her Harrow Road. She is loving it.” – Joan B.

“What a captivating and painful story!  I found myself being pulled into it, a bit too deeply, many times throughout. I truly was hooked and couldn’t wait to get back to it.” – Karin T.

“Just finished Harrow Road and loved it. Very impressed. Wonderful story. You really did a lot of research and as a reader I am  grateful as I did learn things about those times I sure didn’t know. Loved getting to know Annie and to feel for her and understand her life so am really looking forward to your next one to follow her and her family.” – Marg W.

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