Rabbit Stew and a Penny or Two: A Gypsy Family s Hard Times and Happy Times on the Road in the 1950s Paperback – November 29, 2010

Great story good read great find

This was one of those books I never wanted to end. I was mesmerized by the story of this 'clan' and how they lived; actually jealous! Yes, I know they were older when they finally went to school but youngsters don't know that. I thought 'this is the way humans were meant to live; with their family - nuclear and extended' - being with parents, siblings, cousins, etc. It's obvious that with the loss of common land this way of life could not continue but I mourned for these people who had lived this way for hundreds nad hundreds of years.Learned so much. An excellent book.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. I wanted to jump into the book & be one of the characters. Maggie's family was hard working & full of love. Beautifully written.

A moving story of the Roms in England, how they live as they journey to pick the crops, what it was like to grow up that way, andhow the writer is working to enable them to continue this life by providing places to camp in these times where such places are becoming fewer.

I am researching Gypsy life in early Europe up to WWII, and to do that you need to immerse yourself in the culture. This one is a good one to read to gain further knowledge of this very special culture that I am coming to love.

A good book well wrote.Explains a lot of travelers lives and customs.A book worth a second read.Maggie Smith Bendell did a good job.

I loved this book because it's a first hand experience, written by a Rom, of the travelling life on the road, how they made a living, some of the customs and her on-going work for the rights of the Romany people.

This is a wonderful book, telling the authentic experience of Romani and Travellers. It's thrilling to read a book about Gypsies, written by a Gypsy.This is a very important book especially in these times of growing hostility to Romani throughout Europe.Morgan

I read this whilst on holiday, and found it to be a real eye opener into the Romany world, Maggie gives it all, the hardships of struggling through Winter after Winter, often being moved on in treacherous conditions, the joy of Summer in the pea fields with her Romany friends and Gorjo friends, the extreme sadness of losing all those dear to her in awful circumstances. The skills she was taught as a child from generation after generation of travellers passing them down to her. As a child I too remember the real Romany ladies coming to our house selling lovely carved wooden Chrysanthemums and my mother always bought some, along with the pegs that they had too. Maggie has portrayed a life that is alien to Gorjo's, but yet it is a life that we two communities should get to know more, this lady has done more for her people than she will ever know. I shall look forward to Stow on the Wold Gypsy fair in October, and get an insight in the Romany way of life. I thoroughly recommend this book it is a must read!

Since reading this book I have great sympathy with the travelling communities. Inevitably their way of life has been changed forever by a modern fast moving world. It is hardship enough that their horse drawn homes are no longer safe on the fast moving roads of Britain but add to this the fact that, one by one, their traditional stopping places, used by their ancestors for generations, have now been closed to them, makes life as they have always known it almost impossible. Maggie Smith-Bendell writes with great clarity about the travellers struggle to become accepted against the prejudices, harrasment and mis-trust of non-travellers, council bodies and police. The book takes us through the yearly cycle of the travellers life moving from place to place depending where there is seasonal work to be had to earn a few pounds. The reader feels privileged to be allowed a fascinating insight into their traditions and unswerving loyalties, to be allowed to sit around an outdoor fire with colourful characters amidst their colourful homes. One chapter, Little Jess, is truly heart wrenching. Definitely a must read.

As most people in my age-group(68)I learned early that gypsies stole things,were dirty and loud and created chaos whereever they went. Gradually I grew out of this unfortunate prejudice,especially when I spent a few weeks in a group where one gypsy lady was also a participant. From her I learned a huge amount of their traditions,their christianity and loyalty. This book mirrors most of the misconseptions that still exist,more's the pity. I wish they could preserve their habits,but unfortunately our society still turn their backs to all people different. I just loved this book.

Lovely story I will tEll people this is a great story and u are a good write can't wait to read more of your books

Absolutely fantastic read,some parts happy some parts heartbreaking! Would reccomend