bought from BWB so I could read it first, then tag it to Eponine38 in the tag game

change status. Pulled to read, then tag rabck to eponine38

Interesting, different biography. Eva is born to a travelling Romany family, living in England. Dubbed "gypsies" by the "gorgers" (the non-travellers), they make their living going town to town for fairs and festivals, setting up whatever can sell and (her mother's specialty) reading palms. Eva never attended school, but through various means taught herself to read and write. The family lived in a Vardo (a wagon) most of her life, with no electricity, running water, refrigerator or anything. Bathrooms were the local pub, if they were lucky, or a toilet that Dad pitched at each site. More room was set up at each site with "bender" tents. She thought it was perfectly normal to put away the beds, so the family could eat and entertain. And the family's savings were worn - in the form of jewelry, since banks wasn't an option for a travelling clan. Amazing how the families would keep in touch with each other. Now that lifestyle is mostly gone.

Finally! The wishlist tag is being sent. Enjoy.

Thank you, Nancy!! I really look forward to this one!

This was an interesting and enlightening read. The Romany are so often maligned, often through sheer ignorance, so it was good to get the "inside" story. I loved learning about life in a vardo; I wouldn't have thought of them as particularly cozy, but I guess with the entire family sharing a small space there would be warmth and therefore, comfort. In some ways we could take a lesson from the importance of family in the Travellers' lives - ours have become so scattered and we are often out of touch, despite all the technology that should keep us connected.

It was interesting to read about the family's adjustment to living in a flat after all those years in the vardo. But it is sad that the travelling lifestyle has almost vanished.

There's not much else to add to your nice summary, NancyNova, so once again I will thank you for sharing this!

Lent to a (non-bookcrosser) friend. She's usually good about returning books promptly :-=)