Customer Reviews

Tilly Trotter Wed

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Those who have read the first Tilly will know that Tilly finally crossed the line between nurse and "mistress" at the very end, becoming Mark Sopwith's lover. I feel the term "mistress" is the wrong word tho, as the relationship was quite respectable in my opinion and "mistress" may give the wrong impression. Tilly Weds opens twelve years after the first Tilly ended and she has been a loving wife to Mark in all but name. Now, she is pregnant with his child and he is going six feet under. Immediately following Mark's death, all his children gather around to debate and argue over her fate, her child's fate and of course, Mark's estate and finances.

She moves back and forth from the manor to her cottage, deals with the loss of yet another dear friend, plays matchmaker, and has her baby. As usual, the village is ceaseless in their gossip and speculations regarding her. One particular villager, however, goes too far, and threatens the life of her baby. Obviously, Tilly will never be happy nor safe and perhaps she should get away...

The opportunity for escape arises in the form of Matthew, the late Mark's son. This is where I got frustrated and started yelling "No, Tilly! No!" It's my personal opionion only, but I would rather have seen her wed Steve, a kind, doting fellow also come over from the first novel. Nevertheless, Tilly does not heed my warnings and she marries Matthew and with her beloved friend, Katie in tow, heads to Texas.

I didn't like the Texas tale. It felt too much like Cookson was trying to write a western at the spur of the moment. However, I eagerly await the next part of Tilly's life. Will she be able to deal with the secrets that arise regarding her new husband? Will she stay in America even after encountering more hostility from people?

Both Tillie Trotter and Tilly Trotter Wed are old books, but sometimes I think they're the best. They were written in the 40's, so you don't have foul language and "explicit sex" to deal with. You learn about the way of life then and how the poor people had to live. The heroine is delightful and there's plenty of romance. Both books are very good. There's a 3rd one, Tilly Alone, I believe, but I haven't read it as yet.

Tilly Trotter Wed is a good, well_illustrated book. It gives us an idea of what life was many years ago, how peolpe were judged then, and how many of them had to suffer through it all without a friend at hand.