The Earl Of Petticoat Lane
  • Published: 15 April 2007
  • ISBN: 9780099478737
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $27.99
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The Earl Of Petticoat Lane

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In this remarkable book, Andrew Miller tells the story of his grandparents, the children of Jewish immigrants to the East End, tracing their fortunes from Eastern Europe to their arrival in Regent's Park and the world of Astors and Parker-Bowles.

Henry and Miriam were raised in East London, but their families had emigrated from Eastern Europe, and they were not to end their lives in the East End. From a market stall on Petticoat Lane, their story led - from forays into the West End to the success of Henry's underwear business and a remarkable friendship with his upper-class mentor Walter - to a life lived among Astors and Parker-Bowleses, a grand flat on Regent's Park, and a world of Court, club and charity balls.

Andrew Miller's compelling family history tells, elegaically but without nostalgia, of London's many faces. It is a story of immigration and Anglicisation, of the significance of race and class and language and accent in our country, of how it has been possible for people in this country to change themselves and their lives.
  • Published: 15 April 2007
  • ISBN: 9780099478737
  • Imprint: Arrow
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $27.99
Categories:
Share…

About the author

Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller was born in London in 1974. He studied literature at Cambridge and Princeton, where he began his journalistic career writing travel pieces about America. Returning to London, he worked as a television producer before joining The Economist to write about British politics and culture. In 2004 he became The Economist's correspondent in Moscow, travelling widely across Russia and the former Soviet Union. He is currently the magazine's Writer at Large; he lives in London with his wife Emma, daughter Milly and son Jacob. Since his first book, The Earl of Petticoat Lane, he has written one novel, Snowdrops, under the name A. D. Miller.

Praise for The Earl Of Petticoat Lane

Andrew Miller, in recreating the story of his grandparents' early lives, has vividly drawn a picture of a vanished world, a world of desperate poverty but equally a world of hope. The Earl of Petticoat Lane is a magnificent achievement.

Judith Flanders

This is a treasure of a book. Andrew Miller's true story of love, fear, lingerie and social climbing is an unforgettably vivid picture of the old East End both at peace and war. Between the rollicking fun and the nostalgia it can also - like the best Yiddish songs - move you to tears.

Ann Wroe

'Meticulously researched and beautifully written, an inspiring true-life rags to riches story. I hope it does very well. I'm sure it will. Andrew Miller has done a terrific job.'

Melanie McGrath, author of Silvertown

'Please, please read this delight-filled book. It grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go until I had finished it. It offers more than pleasure; it should open the eyes of those who don't understand the colossal value that immigrants bring to this country.'

Claire Rayner