Orphans of the Storm by Celia Imrie

                                           

Hardback:  408 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Bloomsbury 2021

Source:  Tywyn Library

First Sentences: 'They are here with you?' There was hesitation in Aunt Therese's voice that frightened Marcella

Setting: Nice, France and New York

Review Quote: Gripping . A moving tale of courage, survival and maternal love ― Sunday Express

My Opinion:  The fate of the Titanic is well known and Celia Imrie and Fidelis Morgan, who carried out the historical research, have taken some of the real life survivors and produced a poignant novel that successfully blends fact and fiction.

The female protagonist Marcella Caret was in 1911, living in Nice, France with her controlling husband Michael. She has bravely filed for divorce and the couple are awaiting the judges custody decision, with regards to their two sons. During this time Michael receives news that pushes him into making a momentous decision, nothing will ever be the same again.

The historical research that Celia and Fidelis carried out to enable this story to be written is fascinating and the section about this work at the end of the novel is definitely worth reading.  I have discovered online that the two ladies are speaking about the novel and the research behind it at various literary events around the UK this Spring. Information about these events can be found on Twitter @FidoMorgan.  Recommended then to those that enjoy historical fiction, fiction based on fact or those that have an interest in Titanic history.  Plus of course those readers that are fans of Celia Imrie.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: From internationally bestselling author and celebrated actress Celia Imrie, an epic novel set against the backdrop of the sinking of the Titanic.

Nice, France, 1911: After three years of marriage, Marcella Navratil has finally had enough. Her husband, Michael, an ambitious tailor, may have charmed her during their courtship, but their few years of marriage have revealed a cruel and controlling streak. The 21-year-old mother of two is determined to get a divorce.

But while awaiting the Judges' decision on the custody of their children, Michael receives news that changes everything.

Meanwhile fun-loving New York socialite Margaret Hays is touring Europe with some friends. Restless, she resolves to head home aboard the most celebrated steamer in the world.

But as the ship sets sail for America, carrying two infants bearing false names, the paths of Marcella, Michael and Margaret cross and nothing will ever be the same again.

Orphans of the Storm dives into the waters of the past to unearth a sweeping, epic tale of the sinking of the Titanic that radiates with humanity and hums with life.

Author Profile:         

                                                   

                                                         Courtesy of Wikipedia

Celia Imrie was born in Guildford on July 15th1952. She is best known for her role as an actress but in 2011 she published her first novel of which the latest in 2021 was 'Orphans of the Storm'  

A comprehensive biography can be read on Wikipedia

Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Wikipedia   Amazon - Author Page   Goodreads - Celia Imrie  Twitter - Fidelis Morgan

Twitter - Celia Imrie

Sail Away by Celia Imrie

Hardback: 364 pages                                                                                                 
Genre: Humorous Contemporary Fiction.
Publisher:  February 2018, Bloomsbury
Source: My own signed copy purchased from Waterstones.
First Sentences: Suzy Marshall's phone rang. It was her agent, Max. 'Interview, darling!'
Review Quote: Anything written by Celia Imrie is guaranteed to put a smile on our faces and her latest book is no exception (Good Housekeeping)
Main Characters: Suzy Marshall and Amanda Herbert.
Setting: Mainly onboard a cruise ship travelling from Southampton to New York.
My Opinion: Celia Imrie's third novel is mainly set on an ocean liner where the two heroines by chance come to be on the same ship. They do not know each other and only come to together as the story gains pace for the ending. The cruise is a traumatic experience for both protagonists and as first timers not at all what they expected.
The chaos that ensues makes for an enjoyable humourous read, though if I am honest I still prefer Celia Imrie's work as an actress. This will not stop me reading her future writing though as she writes with such warmth and humour and although firstly an actress, it is obvious that Celia also enjoys writing. Fitting this in between acting work, she admits that she always has a character in mind for herself if her dreams of her novels ever becoming films became reality. Recommended to not only fans of Contemporary Fiction but also to fans of Celia Imrie the actress.


My Previous Reviews For Celia Imrie:    Not Quite Nice    The Happy Hoofer

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

The deliciously witty, irresistibly indulgent new novel from the top ten Sunday Times bestselling author of Not Quite Nice follows the exploits of two retired women on an Atlantic cruise ship

The phone hasn't rung for months. Suzy Marshall is discovering that work can be sluggish for an actress over sixty – even for the former star of a 1980s TV series. So when her agent offers her the plum role of Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest in Zurich, it seems like a godsend. Until, that is, the play is abruptly cancelled in suspicious circumstances, and Suzy is forced to take a job on a cruise ship to get home.

Meanwhile Amanda Herbert finds herself homeless in rainy Clapham. Her flat purchase has fallen through, and her children are absorbed in their own dramas. Then she spots an advertisement for an Atlantic cruise, and realises three weeks on-board would tide her over – and save her money – until the crisis is solved.

As the two women set sail on a new adventure, neither can possibly predict the strange characters and dodgy dealings they will encounter – nor the unexpected rewards they will reap.

Vividly evoking the old-world glamour of a cruise ship – and the complex politics of its staff quarters – Sail Away is at once a hilarious romp and a thrilling tale of intrigue, from the acclaimed pen of Celia Imrie.


Video Trailer for ' Sail Away' Courtesy of YouTube

Do take a few minutes to watch this interview with Celia Imrie as she talks about her writing and acting.


Author Profile:

Born in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK on July 15th 1952, Celia is mainly known for her works as an actress. Her parents were mother Diana Elizabeth Blois and father David Andrew Imrie who was a radiologist and was from Scotland. She completed her high school from Guildford High School. Then she went to Guildford School of Acting. She has never married, but has a son Angus whose father is the late actor, Benjamin Whitrow.

For a comprehensive Biography please visit the Imdb Link


Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Celia Imrie - Goodreads Page     YouTube Interview    Imdb - Biography   Twitter Profile

Wikipedia - Celia Imrie   Amazon Author Page

Happy Hoofer by Celia Imrie

Paperback: 309 pages

Genre: Autobiography
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton 2011 
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences:'So when am I going to see you on the goggle-box?' my father said to me when I left drama school. Sadly he never did.
Review Quote: For tasty gossip, Celia is the hottest ticket in town...The Happy Hoofer is backstage gossip from the premiere league. (Robert McCrum, Observer)
My Opinion: What a strong spirited woman Celia Imrie is and funny as well a great combination. As a great fan of her work I laughed my way through much of her autobiography, hers has not always an easy life either. Recommended to her fans and to those that are not especially but want to know more behind the person, reading this may well change their opinion of this talented and delightful lady.


Précis Courtesy of Goodreads :

One of the UK's favorite comedy actresses—with starring roles in Calendar Girls, Acorn Antiques, and Dinnerladies—tells her extraordinary and highly entertaining life story. Celia Imrie was born one of five children to an aristocratic mother who married beneath her station. Desperate to be a ballet dancer, Celia was told by the Royal Ballet School that she was too big and in a desperate effort to lose weight Celia became anorexic. She underwent highly controversial ECT and brainwashing treatment. It didn't work and she eventually cured herself.


YouTube : Official Trailers:

These videos of Celia Imrie talking about her life are well worth watching.

Author Profile:

Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is an Olivier Award-winning English actress. In a career starting in the early 1970s, Imrie has played Marianne Bellshade in Bergerac, Philippa Moorcroft in Dinnerladies, Miss Babs inAcorn Antiques, Diana Neal in After You’ve Gone and Gloria Millington in Kingdom. She has been described as “one of the greatest British actresses of recent decades”.

Photographs and biographical information courtesy of the following sites.

Celia Imrie - Official Website     Celia Imrie - Wikipedia    Twitter - Celia Imrie

Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie

Hardback: 336 pages
Genre: Contemporary  Fiction
Publisher: Bloomsbury 2015 
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: The small town of Bellevue-Sur-Mer sparkled like a diamond on the French Mediterranean coast.
Review Quote: A hugely enjoyable romp of a novel with eccentric characters, a delightful background and a savoury tang of crime ( Author - Katie Fforde)
My Opinion: A pleasant read but to be honest I prefer Celia Imrie's work as an actress.



'Not Quite Nice' is the début novel from the actress Celia Imrie about the joys, trials and tribulations of living abroad as an ex-pat. A pleasant read but to be honest I prefer her work as an actress, although I admire her tremendously for writing a novel. Also I now plan to read her autobiography The Happy Hoofer, having discovered her humour translates to the written word.  This lovely lady is an all time favourite of mine and her wonderful personality definitely shines through in her writing. 
The location, storyline and antics of the characters cannot fail to lighten your mood.

Recommended to not only fans of Contemporary Fiction but also to fans of Celia Imrie the actress. I personally cannot wait to read the autobiography. Hopefully this début novel will delight you written as it is with such warmth and humour.


'Not Quite Nice' Précis Courtesy of Goodreads 
Theresa is desperate for a change. Forced into early retirement, fed up with babysitting her bossy daughter's obnoxious children, she sells her Highgate house and moves to the picture-perfect town of Bellevue-sur-Mer, just outside Nice.

With its beautiful villas, its bustling cafes and shimmering cerulean sea, the village sparkles like a diamond on the French Mediterranean coast. Once the hideaway of artists and writers, it is now home to the odd rock icon and Hollywood movie star, and, as Theresa soon discovers, a close-knit set of expats. There's Carol, the infinitely glamorous American and her doting husband David; the erstwhile British TV star Sally; the ferocious Sian and her wayward Australian poet husband; the sharply witty Zoe with her strangely youthful face and penchant for white wine - and the suave Brian who catches Theresa's eye.

As Theresa settles to the gentle rhythm of seaside life she embraces her new-found friendships and freedom. However, life is never quite as simple as it seems and as skeletons start to fall out of several closets, Theresa begins to wonder if life on the French Riviera is quite as nice as it first appeared.

Author Profile:

Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is an Olivier Award-winning English actress. In a career starting in the early 1970s, Imrie has played Marianne Bellshade in Bergerac, Philippa Moorcroft in Dinnerladies, Miss Babs inAcorn Antiques, Diana Neal in After You’ve Gone and Gloria Millington in Kingdom. She has been described as “one of the greatest British actresses of recent decades”.

Photographs and biographical information courtesy of the following sites.

Celia Imrie - Official Website     Celia Imrie - Wikipedia    Twitter - Celia Imrie