David Gilbertson

a fine line

A story of the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Set between Victorian Liverpool and Dundee and the battlefields of the First World War, three families face the perils of life on the economic cliff-edge, where a single misstep can send lives plunging out of control.
Crossing a century of dramatic change, their journey begins in the aftermath of the slave trade, moving through the era of Empire expansion and Industrial Revolution to a time of religious strife and global conflict.

Discover an Amazing Story of Resilience and Survival with “A Fine Line” by David Gilbertson

Are you prepared to embark on an unforgettable journey, travelling through adversity and time with an incredible historical novel?

The novel, “A Fine Line“, written by David Gilbertson, tells the story of three generations of three families: ordinary people facing extraordinary challenges first in Victorian Liverpool and Dundee and then on into the battlefields of the First World War.

The compelling saga of these families as they battle to keep their lives together and to survive will leave you in turn heartbroken and uplifted as you witness them steer through the perils of life on the economic cliff edge..

Do you want to delve into this heartrending journey to experience the essence of survival, courage and resilience? You must explore the captivating narrative offered by David Gilbertson through his literary writing.

A Fine Line” will transport you into the heart of the experience of people with little financial wealth or influence but who drew instead upon other riches: their deep reserves of resourcefulness, resolution and love.

Explore Different Themes in “A Fine Line”
Survival and Resilience through Life’s Tough Phases

Overcoming life’s adversities, the three central families of “A Fine Line” – the Steggles, the Simpsons and the Garstons – persevere with remarkable resilience. Their courage and determination sees them overcome exploitation and instances of violent abuse and incarceration as they battle to keep their lives together and food on their families’ tables. Despite poverty, lack of influence and victimising law which does little to help them, their resourcefulness, closeness and determination carries them through this epic family saga.

the author

With a deep background in Journalism and Business Information Publishing David Gilbertson makes his entry into the realm of fiction with his amazing debut novel “A Fine Line”, published by Austin Macauley. He brings to the novel a wealth of publishing knowledge of the workings of business and commerce from the worlds of commodities, shipping, medicine and trade and industry. This is supported by David’s extensive research of the social context of his characters and the narrative.

After a long executive career, David now advises media and information companies as a non executive chairman and director. He is married with two children. His first non fiction work “Wine Bar Theory”  was published by Phaidon in 2013.

Changes in Different Historical Periods

David’s exceptional storytelling will leave you awe-inspired when you get to know the extraordinary life experiences of these ordinary people, crossing a century of dramatic social and economic change.

Their journey begins in the middle of the nineteenth century where Britain, hugely enriched by the profits of the era of slavery, stands at the centre of the world at the head of a global Empire. It advances through the Industrial Revolution and lays bare the profound changes industrial progress brought to the lives of working people and those that employed them. The next phase sees  a tumultuous period of domestic religious and racial unrest and violence before ultimately moving into the horror of global conflict with the onset of the First World War.

This story will move you as a reader because you’ll explore the changing times of Empire expansion and the Industrial Revolution era. You will meet those who prospered in those periods and those who did not. The main characters of “A Fine Line” are the major highlights as they face up to the very real challenges of life with few resources  in  a time of religious discord and global conflict. 

Inequality: Social and Economic Struggles

Imagine spending your life in extreme social and economic crises and struggles. The narration given by David Gilbertson in this novel starts with the harsh realities of survival, infusing into the themes of extreme poverty, inequality, friendship, faith, and resilience.

The characters’ world is one of great inequality where those who have profited most from this unprecedented period of profound commercial and social change have amassed quite prodigious wealth, often through the ruthless exploitation of the power of money and influence. Factory owners, shipowners, traders and colonials were able to amass enormous wealth from this period of vast economic expansion but precious little of its found its way into the pockets of those who toiled in their mills, mines, docks and factories. The contrast between the haves and the have nots was complete.

Gilbertson’s narration is one of the finest representations of these moments of human history, in which no secrets are left untouched by him, either the intricacies of human relationships or the unseen economic hurdles and their impact on those individuals. Despite such difficulties, readers will discover the strong conviction among people to build a better future in this spellbinding story of courage, “A Fine Line”.  

Discount for Novel

Insisted out differed ham man endeavor expenses.

IF YOU TELL

Mark Twain

Lighting Thief

Mark Twain

Magnus Chase

Mark Twain

Exploitation, Manipulation and Prejudice

The book is about life’s challenges and it does not shrink from depicting the realities of survival in a world in which exploitation, zealotry and violence lead to fraud, prostitution, rape and murder.

With this heart-rending novel, “A Fine Line”, readers delve into the darker corners of human interaction. Nevertheless, exploiting aspects and inequalities are also the primary themes of this extraordinary tale of profound challenges. Manipulating ordinary people, done by authorities will make you grapple with the systematic sufferings of them, while readers will understand the extreme pressure on those people that threatened their well-being to a great extent. This is something readers will explore through the lens of David’s amazing storytelling skills, which will allow them to enjoy this fictional ride through moments of heartbreak, hope and resilience.

Human Connections with a Sweet Touch of Friendship

At the heart of the story is the connection between two indomitable women, Elizabeth and Jane, lifelong friend who are struggling through the tough phases of life. David Gilbertson presents this special bond between them as a beacon of hope and spirit.

But despite their shared experience and their close friendship the two women make very different life choices and choose rather different paths as they strive to keep their families together and to survive,

You may say that this particular bond is one of the most enlightening features in the novel “A Fine Line”. Gilbertson reflects this human connection by blending the enduring power of friendship with it, revealing it as a guiding light in life’s most difficult times.

Countless More Human Questions

The reach of “A Fine Line does not stop there as it examines many of the dilemmas of life and the choices we still face today.

Can we be held accountable for actions for which we were not responsible?

What is luck and can we aspire to be lucky? Is luck the same as fortune?

Can we really ever judge others without knowing the context of their actions?

 If something is lawful, does that make it justifiable? Does unlawful mean it cannot be?

Are life’s opposites truly poles apart? Is hate a mile from love; are prosperity and penury really strangers; is hope the absence of despair? Or are they all just two sides of a fine line?

“Take a look at what other people
are saying about the book"

Happy Customer

Table Read Magazine
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Unputdownable generational saga. A Fine Line by David Gilbertson captivates all those with a penchant for the genre or a love of social history. Forensically researched to create an authentic historical context, showcasing how societal changes and world events impact on lives. David Gilbertson's ability to understand intuitively what makes a great story jumps from every page and ensures emotional reactions are elicited for readers of this engaging, entertaining and hugely edifying novel throughout.
“A Fine Line" is one of the best novels in which David Gilbertson has masterfully intertwined historical events with convincing characters. This novel is a supreme example of storytelling by David Gilbertson, spanning over generations and continents. All the small details give an immersive experience to readers while defining the complexity of every situation with a depth of emotions. The themes of friendship, survival, resilience, and other societal forces add a resonating power in the overall mapping of this novel, "A Fine Line”, by David. I would say that this incredibly written novel, "A Fine Line”, engrossed me from the very first page until I turned the last page.
Lisa P Cowling OnlineBookClub.org official review.
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David’s writing style is amazing. This is a classic novel and it won’t be a surprise if it becomes a bestseller. This is about the best book I have read in a long while. The author’s ability to introduce elements of surprise at the beginning or end of a chapter unexpectedly is astonishing. Usually I am one to guess right about books but I was always taken by surprise at every turn.
Manic Book Dreamgirl on Goodreads
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I enjoyed this. It was really interesting to see the past brought to life like this. At times it read more like Non-Fiction which grounded the book in a distinctive way. David Gilbertson has a unique voice as an author.
Ian Phillips on Goodreads
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For anyone who enjoys a multi_generational saga A Fine Line is a must. It’s a vast canvas Gilbertson has totally mastered with a complex array of characters that I’m more used to in some of the great Russian novels. I defy anyone to read the denouement and not be moved. A tour de force that makes you care about the characters and the lives they lead. It will live long in the memory.
Amazon Customer
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David Gilbertson uses A Fine Line to weave a complex tapestry around his characters. We’re engrossed through the strong sense of time and place, whether in the moment or as the years pass. A story of Britain as well as its people. There’s an awful lot to enjoy here.
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