On Romford Road
A violent brawl and an act of kindness.
The effect of both will be felt for generations.
Six-year-old Maud, daughter of publican Ted Cotter, watches as her father is struck down by street fighter Charlie Sleet and his mob.
When Ted dies from his injuries, his wife’s terrible vengeance spins into a cycle of fear and hatred between Maud’s family and the ever-more-powerful Sleets.
On Romford Road follows the intertwined destinies of two tough-minded East London families as they climb from poverty to prosperity. One chooses the path of crime and corruption, the other toil and education.
That angry night in 1915 becomes a blood feud, a vendetta, eventually an uneasy pact. But fate has bound the adversaries together and will not free them.
The tide of history itself guides their steps as the century brings votes for women, the rise of the working class, World War and the Welfare State.
And far-reaching consequences flow from Ted Cotter’s help that night to a young couple, immigrant Jews who never forget their gratitude.
On Romford Road is a novel in four parts, for four generations of women,
Harriet, Maud, Elizabeth and Alex
On Romford Road
COMMENT & REVIEWS
Dynamic, optimistic, humane and romantic,
this is fiction at its most engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed it. - AMANDA CRAIG (novelist)
A wonderful and powerful novel.
An excellent historical drama of two East London families, and how their destinies become entwined. One family chooses a life of crime, the other of industrious hard work. We follow the story through the eyes of four generations of women on the 'good' side of the story, although even the nastiest of the villains have some redeeming features, while one of the 'good' women takes a horrible secret with her to the grave. It's a page-turner apart from everything else, a wonderful and powerful novel.- MIKE GERRARD (journalist, author)
A vivid take on 20th century Britain.
A revenge drama between two families, a double saga set against the story of the 20th century with four generations of matriarchs fighting for their kin. A damn good, believable, nail-biting tour de force. - CASSANDRA CLARK (novelist)
A gripping family saga
...and from another viewpoint, On Romford Road is a companion to the social history of East London and indeed, provides another perspective on major changes in British social life, customs and norms over the past century. - CHRISTOPHER DELISO (journalist, book reviewer)
A compelling historical novel.
A gripping read, action packed and moving, which charts the evolution of London's east end and its inhabitants in rich and fascinating detail. Perhaps Andrew Sanger's most ambitious novel so far, it pulls you into the lives of successive generations of women as they grapple with sweeping social change, secrets and affairs of the heart. Highly recommended! - AMAZON READER
All content copyright worldwide. © Andrew Sanger except where shown. Pictures of Andrew Sanger © Geraldine Dunham.