THE PARSON'S DAUGHTER

by Catherine Cookson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 25, 1987

Fads and fashioners of pop fiction may come and go, but Cookson's richly prolific suds bubble on and on, with (mainly period, English/Scottish) heroines both tender and tough as nails, all sorts of family miseries, and true love--after several dry runs--sailing forth in the end. Nancy Ann Hazel, a clergyman's daughter in late-19th-century Northumberland, hearkens to her mother's dying wish and feisty grandmother's advice and, at age 17, accepts the marriage proposal of 33-year-old squire Dennison Harpcore, apparently reformed rake and gambler. (Don't believe it--Cookson men have Flaws.) The lass and landowner are deeply in love, and Nancy Ann skirts the matter of Denny's cruelty to his nephew David--the offspring of Denny's late beloved brother and a humble servant; Denny had demanded that David be kept out of sight (as a tot he'd been tied in an attic). Meanwhile, Nancy Ann gives birth to two, but when the little son dies, Denny begins his downward slide. Nancy will take care of in-house adultery by booting Denny's bed partner naked out onto a balcony. Then Denny loses the farmlands by gambling--and guess who buys in as he returns rich and raging from Australia? There'll be a suicide and one more marriage before the ""never-let-me-go"" close. Cookson on the march again, with her strong women among dully flawless and, thrillingly flawed men.

Pub Date: May 25, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Summit/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1987

Categories: FICTION