A Field Full of Butterflies: Memories of a Romany Childhood

Rosemary Penfold

Orion, Apr 14, 2011 - Biography & Autobiography - 288 pages

Gypsy tales from the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author...

Rosemary Penfold was born in 1938 in a traditional Gypsy wagon, and grew up in the fields of the English countryside. In this beautiful and evocative memoir, she recounts her life within a loving extended family and small but close-knit community.

From early memories of her father bringing home oranges during the war, to the simple beauty of a field full of butterflies on a hot summer's day, Rosemary's stunningly elegant narrative captures the love and losses, hopes and struggles, traditions and prejudices that bound her to her family and helped her adapt to a fast-changing world.

Rosemary's story is a moving testament to a forgotten world and a rapidly disappearing way of life.

About the author

Rosemary Penfold lives with her husband of 54 years not far from where she grew up, in the heart of Somerset. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She is still close to her extended Romany family who meet regularly for family gatherings. Although 'settled', her Romany roots mean she is still a gypsy at heart.

Bibliographic information

• Title: A Field Full of Butterflies: Memories of a Romany Childhood
• Author: Rosemary Penfold
• Publisher: Orion, 2011
• ISBN: 1409122786, 9781409122784
• Length: 288 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / General