Bond Street Story

First published in 1958, this is the big, juicy story of a posh London department store known as Rammells. The storyline revolves around the workers and customers at the store, like shop girl Irene, who is biding her time at Rammells until she gets her big stage break, and Marcia, the long time model for the store who knows she’s getting on in years and worried about losing her job and her looks, and Eric Rammell, the manager who longs for a more simple life, one without the society trappings his wife lives for. Filled with beautiful language and eccentric characters, this is the kind of book that people don’t write anymore. And that’s a shame, because this is a sumptuous story.

A special thank you to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars

Bond Street, really Oxford Street, even so, it was indisputably one of the better stations. Norman Collins delivers BOND STREET STORY, a charming, nostalgic novel of post-war London set in a glamorous department store, Rammell's.

Rammell’s is famous. It has everything. A London department store. You could be clothed, fed, furnished, kept amused, and ultimately buried entirely by Rammell’s. Provided you are in the right income bracket.

Irene Privet, was only seventeen. Still living in the full turmoil of adolescence. Life opened out in front of her down a long corridor of chaos and confusion. She longs for the bright lights of stage.

Readers meet a variety of eccentric characters from Rammell’s—each with their connections, loves, hopes and dreams. From young to old and those in between.

The family From the owners, retired Sir Harry, and his son Eric with his digestive problems, his wife and son Tony -- to the newest salesgirl Irene, daughter of one of the shop-walkers Mr. Privett. Mr. Bloot, the senior shop-walker falls in love and marries. Tony has a fling with the model Marcia and Eric, in straightening this out, assumes Marcia as his responsibility until she pulls a mink bomb -- and it is Sir Harry who, at the end, takes Marcia off everyone's hands.

From life in the fifties— glamour, gossip, romance, intrigue with a cast of charming, and memorable characters. A look at post-war London when life was bustling –from shop girls, typist, cashiers and secretaries who running the show.

Broken down in sections with short chapters: Book One: Reluctance of a Female Apprentice Book Two: Love and the Shopwalker Book Three: private Affairs of a Leading Model Book four Case of the Missing Budgies Book Five: Bond Street in Retrospect

A timeless classic lighthearted fictional account, reminding us of the days when at one time or other in our younger years, there was always a job at an upscale department store (which we now call a boutique)--always those in charge. You can feel the buzz and nostalgia—Collins brings the characters to life in a simpler time.

Love the glamorous new cover!