Nellie’s Vow is an uplifting true tale of triumph over tragedy. Confronted by one devastating blow after another – including the sudden death of their beloved father, the crippling mental illness suffered by their mother, the vicious abuse dished out by their stepfather and years of loneliness and deprivation at a Narellan orphanage – the four Peisley girls seem destined for a life of despair and hardship. But with courage and conviction, Nellie is able to lead her three younger sisters – Kathleen, Clare and Millie – to lives filled with love, optimism and the strength and enduring comforts of family.
Brimming with historical detail – from fascinating chronicles of country life to heart-rending descriptions of Depression-era Sydney – Nellie’s Vow is a rich tapestry that interweaves a tragic family saga with national and global events of the early twentieth century. Sepia photographs of the people and places in the story bring the narrative to life. History enthusiasts and those who enjoy moving family dramas will be enraptured by the twists and turns within Nellie’s Vow.
From 11-year-old Nellie’s powerful promise that she would take care of her sisters to the moment she is finally able to welcome her youngest siblings into her marital home, this touching memoir is a poignant tribute to one young woman’s extraordinary fortitude in the face of unimaginable misfortune.
