Cabbage and Semolina: Memories of a 1950s Childhood

Cathy Murray looks back on her own childhood in Britain during the 1950s, gathering memories and family anecdotes into a short, warm account. Her recollections move from the everyday routines of shopping and getting around, to the small treats and clothes of the period, to the steam trains that were part of ordinary life. Each piece is a brief scene from a time when money was tight and things were made to last, yet life still felt full. The slim book suits readers who enjoy nostalgia for postwar Britain, and it is the kind of read that can be picked up for a quiet half hour and enjoyed over a warm drink. Its tone is affectionate, personal and easy-going throughout.