Hannah Massey [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Catherine Cookson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1972 | Series: [Ulverscroft large print series. fiction]

An omnibus edition of two stories from the author of THE GOLDEN STRAW and THE GAMBLING MAN. In HANNAH MASSEY, Hannah's favourite child returns from London with a devastating secret. In THE FIFTEEN STREETS, the O'Briens make the best of their lot to survive the tough Fifteen Streets.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

'Catherine Cookson's novels are about hardship, the intractability of life and of individuals, the struggle first to survive and next to make sense of one's survival. Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues, in a world which she often depicts as cold and violent. Her novels are weighted and driven by her own early experiences of illegitimacy and poverty. This is what gives them power. In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory' - Helen Dunmore, The Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, whom she believed to be her older sister. She began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married a local grammar-school master. Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - in 1968 her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award - her readership quickly spread throughout the world and her many bestselling novels have established her as the best-loved of contemporary writers. After receiving an OBE in 1985, Catherine Cookson was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993. She was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997. For many years she and her husband Tom lived near Newcastle upon Tyne. She died shortly before her ninetysecond birthday, in June 1998. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 406 pages
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd; Large Print edition edition (November 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0854561536
• ISBN-13: 978-0854561537
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, whom she believed to be her older sister. She began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master.

Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular of contemporary women novelists.

After receiving an OBE in 1985, Catherine Cookson was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993. She was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.

For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne. She died shortly before her ninety-second birthday, in June 1998.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mother and daughter like night and day, September 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Hannah Massey (Paperback)

Of all the Catherine Cookson novels I've read, this is one I'll never, ever forget! Hannah Massey is a shallow, controlling and obsessed woman whose only goal in life is to impress others. She's competely out of touch with reality and the true needs of her large family. Those of her children who can see through her distance themselves. When Rosie, Hannah's only daughter, is forced to come back home, she is at once reminded why she left and knows she cannot stay long. Hannah's plans begin to unravel as Rosie hits rock bottom, but out of a tradegy, Rosie's life takes a turn for the better. Good triumphs over evil, and the last become first!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars an evil and manipulitive mother desroys her family., October 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hannah Massey (Paperback)

I READ THIS BOOK MANY YEARS AGO.IT WAS SO POWERFULL I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN IT.THE MOTHER IS SO WRAPPED UP IN HERSELF THAT HER FAMILYS NEEDS AND RIGHTS MEAN NOTHING TO HER AND IN THE END SHE ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY THEM WHEN HER DREAM IS RUINED.