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Wounderful !
You'll be so suprised at this one . Catherine cookson
books are great .I love everything she writes !

Two Lessons in First Impressions
The Garment tells of a young woman (Grace), recently married to Donald Rouse, a parson whom she adores. Over the first two years of their marriage, Grace's eyes are opened to the real man behind the facade, as she experiences the frustrations and feelings of rejection of an unconsummated marriage. Grace suffocates under this oppression, until she finds love, passion and more elsewhere. The Garment shows how vital it is for a woman to find love and fulfillment in her life, even when it comes at great sacrifice.

Slinky Jane is the story of an innocent but very private woman who stops over in a small town, only to turn the town upside down.Her behavior raises the suspicions of the town's women, who believe she threatens their marriages. It is also about finding love when and where one least expects it, and how thatlove can be strong enough to facelife full of uncertainies. ... Read more

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Alison Read, orphaned at two years old, is brought up by her guardian Paul Aylmer, an antique dealer who she works for. When he asks her to value the contents of Beacon Ride, matters do not proceed as expected, leading to a chain of events that reveal a secret Paul has concealed for years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent, Well thought out novel!
The lady on my left is an excellent novel with a well thoughtplot.It is suspensful and full of unique characters.The dialogueis superbe and interesting.The only low point of the novel is that it drags a bit in the end.I would recommend this to all those who love suspense and mystery. ... Read more

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Catherine Cookson was one of the world's most beloved writers. Her books have sold millions of copies, and her characters and their stories have captured the imagination of readers around the globe. She passed away in 1998, but luckily for her fans, Cookson left behind several unpublished works, including the magnificent Kate Hannigan's Girl -- her 100th book, the powerful companion to her first novel, Kate Hannigan.

Set in the English countryside in the early twentieth century, Kate Hannigan's Girl is the story of Kate's eldest daughter, the lovely, free-spirited Annie Hannigan. Blessed with silver-blond braids and a lighthearted disposition, Annie enjoys a life her mother never had. She is surrounded by material comforts and a loving family, protected from the poverty and shame her mother endured in the slums. But as Cookson fans have come to expect, no good life can go unmarred by heartache.

Annie grows into a beautiful young woman, and soon she draws the interest of both friends and neighbors. She falls in love with Terence Macbane, the elusive boy next door. But there are those who would keep them apart: Her childhood friend Brian Stannard is determined to have her for himself, and her more worldly rival, Cathleen Davidson, harbors a bitter jealousy that will prove dangerous to all. Tormented by unrequited love, the revelation of her own illegitimacy, and the demands of her deep-seated faith, Annie discovers that sometimes love is not enough -- she must fight for what she wants.

Kate Hannigan's Girl is vintage Cookson. With its larger themes of early twentieth-century romantic love and class conflict, this novel showcases Catherine Cookson at the height of her storytelling powers, and it is sure to satisfy devoted readers everywhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Want more of Catherine's books on Kindle
I have every book that Catherine Cookson wrote and love every moment of re-reading them. No one could tell a tale like her. I have purchased the two that Amazon offers on Kindle and how I wish they could offer more. I have requested.
Carol from NC

Kate Hannigans Girl
The Catherine Cookson books, all of them, are amazing. Every one captivates me and I cannot stop reading them They make me stay on my Stairmaster way beyond my customary one hour workout. We are so lucky that Cookson wrote over 100 of them. I have read about 20 so far and there are others lined up. I am just going to have to go to the ones I have so that I can start ordering the other ones.
Is there life after Catherine Cookson?

Hmm..?
Sequels are usually very vague and boring compared to the first original works and this is by far no exception.

Annie Hannigan, the illegtimate child of Kate Hannigan goes through being made fun of for not have a real "father" and her enemy, so to speak, Cathleen Davidson amongst those who make fun of her out of jealousy.

I have noticed Chaterine Cookson makes a lot of religious references and after a while they get to be very annoying, like nails on a chalk board, she keeps rubbing into the reader about the character's beliefs and their significance. By the end of the book, Annie decides to turn to the church and become a nun and for the rest of the journey it is about her decision being vague, her parents (her mother mostly) suffering over her decision and everyone around her... I did not care for Annie as much as I did in the first book, whenever Catherine described her as a cold girl with her blank stare it just aggitated me, so perhaps if Catherine Cookson's goal was to deliver that type of a message - she has succeeded.

Overall I'd only recommend it if you really want to know what happened to Annie for it talks little about Kate and Rodney in this book, so unless this is your first book, don't read it, you will be disappointed.

A MEDIOCRE NOVEL BY A WONDERFUL AUTHOR...
In this, her one hundredth published novel, the author takes a nosedive. For the legions of Catherine Cookson fans, it would have been better not to posthumously publish this mediocre novel and let the author rest in peace on her well deserved laurels. Catherine Cookson was a wonderful storyteller, but this book falls a bit short of her previous high marks.

Set in early twentieth century England, this is the story of Annie Hannigan, a girl who, through her mother's marriage to a wealthy country doctor, went from rags to riches. A flaxen haired, blue eyed beauty, Annie has her share of heartache when the boy she loves, Terence MacBane, seems elusive and out of reach. Her heartbreak is compounded when a viscious acquiantance, Cathleen Davidson, makes it her business to try and see that Annie and Terence never get together by putting Terence into her predatory crosshairs. Who shall be the victor? I am afraid that you will have to read the book and find out.

The usual themes found in a Catherine Cookson novel are found in this one, as well. Class conflicts, as well as romance and familial ties, abound. Unfortunately, the characters are not particularly well drawn, and the reader will find it difficult to care about what happens to any one of them. It reads more like a work in progress. Unless you already are a Catherine Cookson devotee, you will find it hard to find this book of interest. If you are not a fan, deduct one star frommy rating.

Silly
I have read and enjoyed several of MS Cookson's earlier books when she was alive but I found this one to be soooo silly and farfetched.The characters were flat and unbelievable.You knew Annie was going to end up with Terrence from the very first and the action in between the first page and the last page was pretty boring.Lucky me, it was a Library book ... Read more

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Annabella Lagrange had the kind of childhood that most can only dream about. The only child of an aristocratic couple, raised on their magnificent estate in the English countryside, she was loved by her parents and coddled by servants who acquiesced to her every whim. She was allowed to do anything she wanted, except, of course, to stray too far from her wing of the house. But her seclusion didn't concern her too much, because when she grew up, she planned to marry her handsome cousin Stephen and live happily ever after.

However, on the morning of her tenth birthday, Annabella ventured farther than she'd ever gone before. Overcome with curiosity, she opened a forbidden door that led into her father's private quarters, and what she found there showed her with shocking clarity that her father was not the man she thought he was. And though she couldn't know it at the time, the events of that day set in motion the uncovering of a secret that had been kept for many years.

So begins the remarkable story of Annabella Lagrange, a sensitive, beautiful young woman who was raised as a lady. But when she turns eighteen, she learns the surprising circumstances of her birth, and her entire world quietly crashes around her. Suddenly she's forced from the genteel surroundings of her youth into the rough, lower-class society of Victorian England, where only her quick wit and determination can save her from starvation.

Catherine Cookson was one of the world's most beloved writers, and in The Glass Virgin her powers are at their height. Rarely has a heroine been portrayed more sensitively or a situation more compellingly. Filled with passion and drama, The Glass Virgin is a rare treat for lovers of romantic fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wonderful
This is the 31st book I have read by Catherine Cookson.I really loved this book as I did almost 95% of her other books.I had no idea how the story would end and was a little fearful because of the word "virgin" in the title.I won't say how it ended because that would be a spoiler.I liked the book all the way through and am always amazed at what an excellent story teller this author was.

Interesting historical
Annabella LaGrange is the daughter of English aristocrats who have absolutely nothing in common and who loath one another.

Annabella's father constantly holds his wife, Rosina, emotional hostage with Annabella,threatening to take the daughter away.When Annabella comes of age, her father Edmund LaGrange tries to marry her off to assuage for mounting debts that he has incurred.

Annabella refuses to marry the handpicked suitor and all hell breaks out. Secrets that have long be kept hidden are revealed and Annabella runs off with the groom for her father's estate, Manuel Mendoza.

The story is a rousing historical and though a bit overwrought at times, thoroughly enjoyable.

Fans of Romance Will Probably Enjoy This Story
This is a bit formulaic, the story wasn't unpleasant, if there had been more character development I would have enjoyed it more.As it was it was okay, not great, not awful.

vintage Catherine Cookson Edwardian tale
Annabella Lagrange has grown up as an overly protected aristocrat.She was never allowed to go outside the gates of her home Redford Hall though once she saw rioting children assault the grounds.She learned when she was younger that her parents were estranged as her father was a womanizer who lived in a different house.Her mother was a pious individual who showered religion on Annabella as if she must save her daughter's soul from the devil or her philandering husband, but never displayed one iota of affection or love towards her child.

Now seventeen, Annabella's gilded cage collapses when her father finally bankrupts her mother's Rosina's glass factory.Her personal life implodes too as Annabella finds out that Rosina is not her mother; that her biological mom is a local madam that her father impregnated.Annabella begins her new life far from wealth as a farmhouse maid with only handsome Manuel Mendoza willing to help her adjust.

This Edwardian tale is vintage Catherine Cookson at her best as the deceased author places her heroine in an extreme makeover in which the probability is that she will not survive.The bottom seems endless as one nasty revelation after another sends a formerly pampered Annabella into the working world.As she slowly adapts she falls in love, but her social upbringing remains part of her personal frame of reference so can she truly find happiness with a working class stiff?Though some readers will detest the myriad of sidebars that describe social conditions in Edwardian England, Ms. Cookson continues to be the best chef for cross-class historical tales of that era even several years after her death.

Harriet Klausner
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Customer Reviews (6)

superb! among my best of hers
Loved it! Unpredictable, enough highs and lows and of course a thoroughly nice ending. I love Cookson's books because she tries to encompass all that life offers -pain, tragedy, triumphs, challenges in short REALISM! No sentimental claptrap from her like some American female writers. Loved it.

A Story About Marriage
The parson's daughter is Nancy Ann.She comes from a sheltered home consisting of her pious parents, a fiesty grandma, and two brothers.Her little cocoon of safety is threatened, however, by a wealthy man old enough to be her father that desires her hand in marriage.His name is Dennison and he loves to gamble and womanize, but he has his heart set on making the young, free spirited, and innocent Nancy Ann his wife.

Despite her father's wishes, Nancy Ann marries Dennison.After Nancy's childhood mishaps and a few "get to know everybody" chapters, the novel focuses on Nancy and Denny's trying relationship.Nancy was a passing fancy for Denny.Denny is a spoiled brat that cannot change his bachelor ways and he chooses to lay the blame at everybody's door but his own, mainly at Nancy's.There is a lot of drama involving Denny's nephew, a few deaths in the family, and as usual with a Cookson novel, household servants that do not take too kindly to the lady "upstart" in their domain.

The parson's daughter has a few surprises up her sleeve tho.She doesn't turn the other cheek as one may expect.I laughed and cheered for her a few times as she used either her wit or her fists to defend herself from some less than savory characters.

Will Denny and Nancy's marriage survive a meddling mistress, the loss of a child, or even bankruptcy?

Four stars instead of five because I found myself infuriated with a lot of the choices Nancy makes.

Very well written, but...
I am using my husband's account..he wouldn't be reading a romance.LOL!Anyways, I just finished this book this morning, and as I commented above, it is very, very well written.The plotline is interesting, the characters, for the most part, believable, as is the dialogue.

*SPOILERS*
The only problem I have with the book is with the character of Nancy Ann herself.It became very annoying, watching her escape a rotten husband, marry a nice, caring man who, it was stated over and over throughout the story, she couldn't stop thinking about and even loving during her first marriage.When she is finally married to her second husband, suddenly he is not good enough.I was going, "HUH???"Fortunately for her, her unwanted husbands seemed to "loose this mortal coil" rather conveniently, leaving her a young, comfortably-situated, beautiful, skinny widow.ahem... .

So she ends up with the younger man whom, it appears, for some unknown reason, was the one she had desired all along.I couldn't quite understand where this all-consuming love for him had come from, esp. since they had had about two whole conversations in their entire lives, but it appears he resembled Fabio by the end of the book, and was a pretty good kisser to boot.(I suppose I just answered myself! :) By the last few sentences, though, I was just thankful there wasn't another chapter beginning, "Nancy Ann had been married to David for two years, when she suddenly realized she had been thinking of Shane quite often... ."

Other than that (ha!) it was a pretty good book, albeit, as others have stated, rather depressing at some points.I am just beginning a second of Ms. Cookson's novels, so I suppose that shows I enjoyed TPD.

Too much of it.
Okay, to be honest this book was good when it comes to writing. However, its dull tone and constantly depressing situations made me depressed while reading, skimming through the pages.

I was expecting some kind of a happy turn, some kind of a sign of that "happy love" like in Kate Hannigan, however, I was disappointed to witness and FEEL one death after the other, it felt like I was reading a grave, it was too much sadness, too much emotion too much everything! And I did not get any happiness in return either, no treat for the reader:(

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good writing style read; however once again, this is not the best plot story for it contains too much drama and too much pain in my opinion.

Catherine Cookson did an amazing job delivering the feeling and the vibe of the book, yet I think it was too much. Too depressing and not enough light and once again the religious reference and the illegitimate child is like part of her writing style, I only read her 2 books, Kate Hannigan (illegitimate child who faces religious questions) and Kate Hannigan's girl (also illegitimate child who wants to become a nun). It gets very very annoying after a while.

Excellent!
Thi book is absoutely gripping. Once you start to warm toward it you don'twant to put it down.

Nancy Ann Hazel, the 'heroine' in this novel is atomboy. Due to her elder brothers' training she does most of the thingsboys do in that time like fencing and a bit of wrestling. When she turnsthirteen, her parents decide to send her to dame school to learn the waysof a young lady. After two or three years there, her mother becomes gravelyill and she returns home to stay with her mum until her death or recovery.During this period, the man from The House, a rich, notorious womanizer andgambler pays calls and helps the family to get through their difficult timeby providing food and a doctor to attend to the mother. His intentions areto act as a suitor to this wonderful young girl, athough he is old enoughto be her father. The only one oblivious to his motives is Nancy Annherself. The mother wants to see her lovable tomboy settle down before shedies and suggests that she allow the man from The House to court herbecause he would be ale to provide for her without much effort. This is theexact opposite idea of the Parson, Nancy's father, because the man from TheHouse is known to have many mistresses and he is a man of the world. Hepleads with his wife to change her mind but her opinion can't be changed.Nancy Ann marries the man against her father's wishes to please her mother.After this she goes through trials where she shows incredible strength ofcharacter and mind and is able to come out on top, finally happy, with thelove she was avoiding.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit ofcomedy wrapped up in the joy and sorrows of life in the 19th century. Thisis the first novel by Catherine Cookson that I have read and it hasencouraged me to purchase more of her writings. ... Read more

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Three popular works by Catherine Cookson celebrate the romance of early North Country England and include the titles The Love Child, The Maltese Angel, and The Year of the Virgins. ... Read more

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Catherine Cookson, Three Complete Novels
awesomebooksusa was very responsive when I did not get a book I ordered in the mail.I recommend them as a reputable dealer.

Good Introduction to Cookson Novels
This trilogy of novelsis an excellent introduction to the works of Catherine Cookson.THE LOVE CHILDtells the story of a family whose children are all illegitimate.(This is a common theme of Cookson who was herself an illegitimate child, thought her mother was her sister until the age of 7.)The prejudice and cruelty to this family from the small town where they all live is shocking.Her second novel THE MALTESE ANGEL is about Ward'sobsessionand infatuation with a young woman he meets who performs on a stage as the Maltese Angel.After they marry, disaster follows them and their children.THE YEAR OF THE VIRGINSis a story of smother love.Donald's mother is a woman obsessed with her son's virginity prior to his marriage.He is crippled in a terrible car accident on his wedding day and his mother goes ballistic in her treatment of him, his wife and the rest of her family.Not a spoiler alert but her novels are not romantic in the Danielle Steel genre.They are gritty, showing all the hidden nuances of the human heart. However, her characters always triumph which I find so inspiring.I highly recommend the bookTHE GIRL FROM LEAM LANE by Piers Dudgeon (available from Amazon.com)This book includes interviews with Cookson, tells her life story and gives the back story to many of her novels, it makes a great companion guide to reading them.See my otherCookson reviews for books/series I recommend highly!

Catherine Cookson: Three Complete Novels (Hardcover)
Wings Bestsellers: Catherine Cookson: Three Complete Novels

Very pleased with service and condition of book.I was unexpectedly out of USA, in England of course, when book arrived so apologize for late review. ... Read more

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Essential reading for the Cookson fan
This book makes an excellent companion guide to the readingof Cookson's novels.In addition to giving a detailed biography of her life, it also provides the back story tomost of her novels.The discovery of of her illegitimacy at age 7- "she had no da" is heartbreaking and is the inspiration for her first novel KATE HANNIGAN.But Cookson is plucky and like her characters, despite hardships, always triumphs in the end.She is oneof England's most beloved novelists, and is mine, too!

An important addition to any who want an in-depth survey of Cookson's life.
Prior fans of Catherine Cookson will appreciate a biography covering her troubled life, blending Cookson's own memoir with previously unpublished material which includes conversations between Cookson and the author to allow for a wide-ranging survey of her life and psyche. These conversations round out details on Cookson's contributions and the entire effort makes for an important addition to any who want an in-depth survey of Cookson's life.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

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Great Authors
These books are about life of ordinary people who by circumstances beyond their control suffer trouble and strife and as in real life rays of sunshine come from good people and love. Cathrine Cooksonwrites of time gone by but the essentials are very much the same as today, certian things never change, or the more they change the more they remain the same.
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A 15-year-old boy and his divorced father become stranded and are offered refuge by a kind family in their farm house where they hear screams in the night, meet a threatening character, and eventually encounter vicious sheep thieves. ... Read more

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Following the remarkable success of Let Me Make Myself Plain, Catherine Cookson has compiled a further selection of thoughts, recollections, and observations on life--and death--together with another selection of the poems she prefers to call 'prose on short lines'.

In Plainer Still, she reveals the source of the great inner strength she needs to carry on the battle of life, and which has, for the past fifty years, enabled her to write many novels, each of them inspired by the harsh and uncompromising nature of her early experiences.

As John Braine wrote when reviewing Catherine Cookson Country, 'One way or another, she is an inspiration, a noble spirit'.In Plainer Still, a new personal anthology illustrated by many photographs, readers will certainly find themselves inspired by the indomitable spirit of this remarkable lady. ... Read more

Product Description
Catherine Cookson spent her childhood trying to live down the stigma of her illegitimacy. Her mother was raised in dire poverty and brought shame upon her intolerant parents by bearing a child out of wedlock. Catherine never knew who her father was, only that he was a gentleman, and to this nameless gentleman she attributes her sensitivity and desire to rise above her drab surroundings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Book: Justice Is A Woman
As always, (especially since reading "Our Kate" and finding out about the medical challenges that
Catherine Cookson faced during her lifetime in the 20th century - and after losing my 2nd mother in
May - she fought Parkinson's Disease for over 3 decades! - I am delighted to have found a book by
Mrs. Cookson that I hadn't read!They truly are always a favorite to "re-read" after a few years
and my only wish is that it had been a bit longer. Top reading, if dated - but she writes with the
attitudes of HER TIMES - not as a woman living in the 21st century might.I love to read books about WOMEN - due to the societal demands placed on them all these years - who manage to "work
around the rules" or are TENACIOUS (stubborn) as I am. ... Read more

Product Description
Catherine Cookson's Hamilton novels have taken their place among the most widely acclaimed and enjoyed of her books. In this omnibus edition of Hamilton and Goodbye Hamilton, she shows her exceptional ability to tell a story in which good humor and a sense of compassion are finely blended, with characters so vividly alive they leap off the page.

Maisie could never be quite sure when she first met Hamilton, but most likely it was when she started talking to herself as a lonely seven-year-old. She didn't know his name until much later,when she was fourteen and Dr. Kane had to pay her a visit. "Let us use our horse sense," he said, and at that moment Maisie saw a great horse galloping past him and all the time looking at her, its eyes full of knowledge and its lips drawn back as if in laughter. Soon after, Maisie adopted the name Hamilton for her new and secret companion. Of course, she couldn't talk about Hamilton to anyone -- but she could write about him. And write she did, with results that would eventually broaden her horizons far beyond the confines of the small town where she had spent her lonely girlhood. Hamilton would continue to be a pillar of Maisie's life for years, as she deals with the adult problems of work, love,and marriage and builds a life for herself.

Goodbye Hamilton picks up where Hamilton leaves off. By the time Maisie reaches her early thirties, she's escaped a disastrous marriage and become a bestselling author with her very first book: all about Hamilton, the remarkable horse who exists only in her imagination but had nonetheless proved a real guide, philosopher, and friend since her childhood. Now she's about to be married again, this time to a man whose deep and abiding love for her knows no bounds. And Hamilton, in turn, marks the occasion by taking a wife himself, an elegant (and equally imaginary) mare named Begonia.

So the outlook was fair, but it seems Maisie was destined never to know happiness untouched by sorrow, and the next few years would bring their share of fresh troubles -- some a legacy from the past -- to face and fight. But Hamilton and Begonia are there to back her up, and at a time when things are looking especially black, a very real flesh and blood boy (with a surprisingly deplorable vocabulary) comes tumbling into her life, providing the greatest support and joy of all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Absolutely marvelous, great book!
This is an absolutely great book that is hard to put down. Catherine Cookson has an absolutely astounding way with the words that lead the reader into all Maisie's experiences the way she looked at it.

It is humorous and sad book at the same time about a girl who grew up with abusive mother and who had artistic imagination that helped her to cope with her life and to remain kind and compassionate even having gone through such a harsh life.

This book will make you laugh and cry and delight in richness of words that portrays the events of a book in such a vivid and bright way as if you were there.

I recommend this book and can not wait to read more books by Catherine Cookson.

TYPICAL EXCELLENT WRITING THAT WE HAVE ALL COME TO EXPECT
While these two novels, Hamilton and Goodbye Hamilton, are somewhat different than the author's usual wonderful stories, I like both.I certainly won't rehash what the dust jacket says about the books as another reviewer here has already done that, but will just say this is the story of a young girl, growing up, with the help of an imaginary horse, Hamilton, to whom she talks to.Ther is no mystry here, only the great character developement that this author is know for.I cannot say that the books is "whimsical" and at the same time "deep," as that just does not work.I will say that the books are different, a joy to read and something a bit different.Recommend these two highly.

superior whimsical deep looks at a lonely person
"Hamilton".In Tyneside since she has only two memories before she turned seven, lonely Maisie Rochester assumes that is when she first met Hamilton.Having no friends and a mom who never spoke with her, Maisie mostly talked to herself or her secret companion Hamilton.She told no one about his existence because he explained to her that kids would taunt her worse than they do now and adults would lock her away as a horse cannot be a human mentor, but though she told no one about her beloved advisor, she wrote all about her only friend and the horse sense guidance he provided to her.Hamilton remains Maisie's only constant as she becomes an adult.

"Goodbye Hamilton".Hamilton left Maisie soon after she declared her love for Nardy as his horse sense told him she no longer needed him.On the plus side, her diary of her life with Hamilton has become a bestseller even if everyone assumes Hamilton only lived in her imagination.Still she has a chance to remarry, but she has doubts as she is dismal when dealing with people and her first time as a wife was a major failure.However, Hamilton has returned to help her, but this time he is accompanied by his fiancée, the beautiful mare Begonia.Maisie knows that whatever she does, if needed, her beloved Hamilton will return to guide her through the darkness.

This reprint contains two of Catherine Cookson's 1980s the Hamilton Trilogy (this reviewer has not read HAROLD) though I am unsure why only the first two tales were included in this collection.Both tales are superior whimsical deep looks at a lonely person who makes up an imaginary horse that seems very real as he guides her through human interaction and befriends her.

Harriet Klausner

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Product Description
Spanning the years from the 1880s to World War II, the epic tale of Emily Ratcliffe chronicles the dark destiny that follows the painful choices she made as a girl, choices that cloud her children's lives. 30,000 first printing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

VERY CAPTIVATING
This is the best book that I have read in a long while.It was a little slow to start off with then you are hooked. You will not put it down. Brilliantly written and I thouroghly enjoyed it.

A young woman's choices affect the next two generations.
Emily Ratcliffe's ill-fated affair with the charming jerk Paul Steerman ends with her frightening, unexpected rape by him, and subsequent pregnancy and delivery of twins. Loyal friend and would-be lover Dr. Steve Montane marries her and lovingly raises the boy and girl as his own.

But of course the past comes back to haunt Emily and her loyal lady's maid, Alice. The character of Alice is fascinating: at first she's the humble, grateful young maid to Emily, but as her loyalty to her mistress grows, she changes to the pointwhere her thoughts are not her own; she literally lives for her mistress.When the older Emily's past misdeeds more or less catch up to her, Alice becomes angry with anyone who dares oppose or accuse her mistress, citing "You don't know what she's been through!" as excuse for Emily's actions or unreasonable behavior.

Predictably Emily's daughter meets and falls in love with her half-brother, and must overcome obstacles of time and scandal to realize her heart's dream, while Emily herself becomes the antagonist in her own novel, along with stubborn, faithful Alice.

A tale about courage, fidelity, and mostly, fate.

A Classic Romance
The Golden Straw is a thick meaty saga which has it all. From love to rape to hardship and secrets; it really is vintage Catherine Cookson. The novel features Emily who having worked for milliner Mabel Arkwright decides to take a holiday in the South Of France, recommended by Mabel herself. There she meets a charming yet married man, Paul and soon she embarks on a torrid affair. However, when Emily decides to stop the affair, Paul gets drunk and he rapes her. And the effects of that night effect both her children and grand-children. In true Cookson tradition, you'll be spellbound and you're bound to keep turning the pages.There are many romance writers, but there is only one Catherine Cookson. ... Read more

Product Description
Orphaned at a tender age, Millie Forester is adopted by ""Raggie Aggie"" Winkowski, and she suffers misfortune and misplaced love as she grows to adulthood side by side with Aggie's son, Ben, whose love for Millie increases over the years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very Engaging
Catherine Cookson is an amazing author. I'm not quite sure why she never caught on in the USA. Her books are full of gritty social commentary usually with a romance and a mystery attached. Her characters are always strong and faced with difficult moral decisions. Their choices are human and the ending of each book is never a repeat of the last. This book is no exception and is one of my favorites. I got hooked on her books by watching the DVDs first. They are all extremely well done with excellent acting.

Ten year old Millicent Forester has been raised in an upper class environment. Her mother was a lady's maid who has fallen on hard times. Expelled from her position through the disgrace of her husband she is now trying to make a living as an independent prostitute. When Millie's mother is picked up by the police, Millie is grudgingly taken in by "Raggie Aggie" the local rag seller. Aggie has in her employ a young man of unknown ancestry who started out life on the street and who goes by the name of Ben Smith, Jones, or Robinson. The local pimp, Boswell, pays the bail of Millie's mother, and feels "cheated" when she won't "preform" and when he threatens to send her to the sailors, commits suicide. Boswell notices Millie and wants to regain the price of her mother's bail byattempting to pick up Millie to serve as a child prostitute for his gentlemen customers. Aggie and Ben decide its best to put Millie in a convent school. In the convent Millie makes a friend through whom she later gets a position as a nanny/governess. Millie is invited to the estate next door to a party for the servants in honor of the Mistress's half-brother, Mr. Bernard Thompson. Millie wears a beautiful dress and attracts the attention of the Master and also earns the jealousy of the Mistress. The Mistress invites her upstairs so she can have her sons rape her. Millie has also gained the attention of Mr. Bernard Thompson who intervenes and takes Millie home. Mr. Thompson pays Millie court and takes her to the home of his aunt who has been put away due to her senility. Millie and Aggie think Mr. Thompson intends to make her an offer of marriage, but Ben is highly suspicious. Mr. Thompson's actual intention is to make Millie his mistress. When Millie realizes this she runs away on foot only to fall into the clutches of Boswell. I would be giving the story away to go any further.....

a review
This book was delivered very promptly after ordering. The book was very good I enjoy all C Cookson's books. It was in excellent condition.

A little girl grows up
This book takes place in England in the eighteen-fifties and sixties.It is about a well brought up little girl named Millie whose father "died" and whose mother was forced into prostitution.One day arag seller Raggie Aggie was on her way home when the mother pushed the waiftowards her and ran, being followed, presumabley, by the police, or polis. She reluctantly takes the aggravatingly polite little girl to her home, ause to be farm house, now surrounded by slums.A stunted young man, Ben,who she took in when he was very small lives in the back.Ben takes aliking to Millie and convinces Aggie to keep her until her mother gets outof jail.But unfortunetly a pimp pays her bail and she is taken to thebrothel where she proceeds to hang herself.Aggie adopts the girl,grumbling the entire time about it.But both Aggie and Ben fear for littleMillies safety after the pimp who took her mother takes an interest in thegirl.So the girl is sheltered and she grows up and longs to find hapinessand the truth.She finds the truth and she doesn't like it.

A greatstory with likable characters and a surprising plot.It was made into avery good mini series on the romance channel, which sparked my interest.Eli@ ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Tilly Trotter
Sorry, I would like to review this product but I ordered a audio casette and was sent a book. I was happy that a refund was prompt, but think there must be something wrong with the on-line catalogue, which clearly showed an audio casette,the vendor informed me that their paperwork showed a book.

If This Author Has A Fan Club, Sign Me Up!
Wow! I can certainly see why this became a mini series.I have just completed the first novel in the Tilly Trotter series and I am hooked.This novel takes readers back to the early days of Queen Victoria's reign, when beyond the glittery scenery of court, miners and farmers ran the land.Tilly Trotter is a young girl that has been raised by her grandparents.Due to a long ago scandal involving some missing money, that had nothing to do with her, some beligerent town folk brand Tilly a witch.When her dear grandparents finally leave this world due to old age, Tilly must make it on her own, despite the hatred of the townfolk and the danger that awaits her at every turn.A kind land and mine owner, Mark Sopwith, hires her to attend his children.Due to a bad judgement call on his part, Tilly is once again on the streets.Not for long tho!Tilly then takes up with a family called the Drews and enters the dark and dangerous world on mining.A twist of fate in the dark caverns of the mine throw Tilly and Mark together again.

The back of the book says Tilly becomes the loving mistress of a wealthy man.This gives the wrong impression as Tilly is not a prostitute of any sort, but more of a nurse and caregiver.So do not be put off by the use of the word "mistress."

I loved this book.Tilly Trotter is a realistic character, facing both happiness and misery.She experiences love, fear, and learns to face down cruel people that prefer to judge others rather than take a good look at themselves.Catherine Cookson also does a superb job showing us the early days of mining and the hardships and working conditions the miners faced.

What is going to become of Tilly Trotter?I must read the next one to find out.

Tilly
I think every book in this trilogy is excellent and unique...especially for Catherine Cookson whose books are all quite similar (yet all excellent.)I have read 52 of Cookson's books and the Tilly Trotter trilogy was among my favorite.I enjoyed the unique setting in the second book, taking place in America during conflicts with Native Americans. (Granted, the conflicts were a bit stereotypical of the attitude in the time this was written... The Native Americans being portrayed as vicious savages.)

Tilly Trotter
With 1100 pages in the Omnibus version of Tilly Trotter it seems daunting at first, but after already viewing the movie on the Romance Channel I was ready for the whole, unabridged story.It does a great job of tellingTilly's life but is short on romance and long on hardship.

Started off well but then a big disapointment
I thought I had bought myself a really good book . Then the ending spoiled it. This book is excellent right up until the very end, which is a shame because I really loved it. Buy it if you want, but don't be toodisapointed ... Read more