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The Silent Lady
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 She passed away in 1998, but luckily for her fans, Cookson left behind several unpublished novels, among them the compelling Silent Lady.The story begins with a shocking revelation, delivered by a disheveled woman who presents herself at the offices of a respectable law firm in London. At first the receptionist suspects this mysterious woman is a vagrant; the clothes that hang on her frail body are filthy, and she seems unable to speak. When the woman requests to see the firm's senior partner, Alexander Armstrong, she is shown the door -- but when Mr. Armstrong learns the name of his visitor, all the office staff is amazed by his reaction. For Irene Baindor is a woman with a past, and her emergence from obscurity signals the unraveling of a mystery that had baffled the lawyer for twenty-six years.To those around her, Irene Baindor had been a young woman of class and musical talent, the wife of a wealthy and powerful man, and the mother to a beloved baby boy. But behind closed doors she was a woman with a dangerous husband, a husband who would one day act with such cruelty that Irene would be left without most of her voice and memory. It was then that Irene disappeared. What Irene had been doing, and where she had been, gradually emerges over the following weeks, as the unlikely benefactors who had befriended her step forward to reveal the remarkable life she has led.Fans of Cookson's novels, with their larger themes of romantic love and class conflict, will be delighted by the mystery and surprise of The Silent Lady. Drawing from her own firsthand experience of working-class life between two world wars and in the 1950s, Cookson once again displays the irresistible plotting, scene-setting, and characterization that have made her an icon of historical and romance fiction.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2001
About the author
Catherine Cookson
415 books643 followersCatherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, who Catherine believed was her older sister. Catherine 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 contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
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 contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
December 28, 2016
Catherine Cookson is one of favourite authors and this is one of a few of her books I hadn't read yet. This story creates a range of emotions as you read it. I felt sympathy, happiness and anger depending upon the character and the situations they were in. There is such a brilliant cast of characters in this story, and all excellently written and combined to create a truly moving novel.
The most amazing thing about this book is that despite the number of characters and the story going back and forth in time, there's never any confusion. I felt almost sucked into the story as if I were witnessing it all first hand.
If you're reading this on your kindle, go back and read the dedication. Catherine talks about how she wrote the book whilst very ill with help from her husband Tom. It's a very interesting insight into the latter part of her life, and how she created this, her final novel.
The most amazing thing about this book is that despite the number of characters and the story going back and forth in time, there's never any confusion. I felt almost sucked into the story as if I were witnessing it all first hand.
If you're reading this on your kindle, go back and read the dedication. Catherine talks about how she wrote the book whilst very ill with help from her husband Tom. It's a very interesting insight into the latter part of her life, and how she created this, her final novel.
May 28, 2013
This was the first Catherine Cookson book I read, and it made me love her so much I have been going through each and every one of her books.
August 21, 2022
Odavno me neki roman nije ovako "zakovao" za fotelju i natjerao da bjesomucno listam stranice da saznam šta će biti dalje...
Divna drama koja slikovito prikazuje englesko društvo pred početak II svj. rata i nakon njega. U centru radnje je misteriozna žena koja je žrtva porodičnog nasilja, odbacena od svih i koja se bori za egzistenciju u surovom svijetu.
Široka lepeza likova sa margine engleskog društva koji se žrtvuju za koru hljeba je suprotstavljena sjaju i bogatstvu mračnih i turobnih likova bogataša, lihvara, švercera i drugih otpadnika.
U ovom romanu dobro pobjeđuje zlo; o Ajrin se skrbi dobrodušna Beti koja nasljeđuje kuću punu blaga, Ričard se suprotstavlja surovom ocu koji ga čitav život ugnjetava... Nada na kraju pobjeđuje beznađe.
Topla preporuka za roman koji me na neki način podsjetio na Dikensove likove. Jako lijep stil priovijedanja koji će me natjerati da potražim i druga djela ove autorice.
Divna drama koja slikovito prikazuje englesko društvo pred početak II svj. rata i nakon njega. U centru radnje je misteriozna žena koja je žrtva porodičnog nasilja, odbacena od svih i koja se bori za egzistenciju u surovom svijetu.
Široka lepeza likova sa margine engleskog društva koji se žrtvuju za koru hljeba je suprotstavljena sjaju i bogatstvu mračnih i turobnih likova bogataša, lihvara, švercera i drugih otpadnika.
U ovom romanu dobro pobjeđuje zlo; o Ajrin se skrbi dobrodušna Beti koja nasljeđuje kuću punu blaga, Ričard se suprotstavlja surovom ocu koji ga čitav život ugnjetava... Nada na kraju pobjeđuje beznađe.
Topla preporuka za roman koji me na neki način podsjetio na Dikensove likove. Jako lijep stil priovijedanja koji će me natjerati da potražim i druga djela ove autorice.
April 22, 2016
Heart rending.
Have always enjoyed Catherine Cookson's books. Was not able to put this book down. It humbled me so much. I battled to stop my tears from falling. A book that I will remember.
Have always enjoyed Catherine Cookson's books. Was not able to put this book down. It humbled me so much. I battled to stop my tears from falling. A book that I will remember.
August 23, 2014
The best thing about Catherine Cookson's books is how she brings characters alive within moments. I love the way they are 'real' - whether good or bad.
From the very start, this story had me hooked and although we don't see much from Irene's point of view, it is about her - and what a wonderful hero she is. We see her faced with an unbearable life and how she survives...I don't give spoilers. However, the rest of the characters are all influenced by her in many ways - from love to hate to sorrow to adoration. She is an amazing character and although she is 'silent' she has a very strong voice.
This story is a compelling read - one of her best - and it's difficult to say much without giving too much away. The author's writing style is fantastic and touching genius as the characters pull along the reader to the very end.
Extremely well done and highly recommended.
From the very start, this story had me hooked and although we don't see much from Irene's point of view, it is about her - and what a wonderful hero she is. We see her faced with an unbearable life and how she survives...I don't give spoilers. However, the rest of the characters are all influenced by her in many ways - from love to hate to sorrow to adoration. She is an amazing character and although she is 'silent' she has a very strong voice.
This story is a compelling read - one of her best - and it's difficult to say much without giving too much away. The author's writing style is fantastic and touching genius as the characters pull along the reader to the very end.
Extremely well done and highly recommended.
June 6, 2018
Till I started to compile a list of books that I had read I didn't realise I had read so many Catherine Cookson stories.
I enjoyed every one of them and also the made for TV films that confirmed that the characters where just as I had imagined when I was reading these stories.
Sometimes I read one of her books again and I enjoy these stories just as much today.
Very well written. Storytelling at it's best.
I enjoyed every one of them and also the made for TV films that confirmed that the characters where just as I had imagined when I was reading these stories.
Sometimes I read one of her books again and I enjoy these stories just as much today.
Very well written. Storytelling at it's best.
March 9, 2020
I am surprised at how much I liked this book and how relevant it is today. It's about rich and powerful men abusing women and the sad consequences. What the hero of this book and her ultimate benefactor were able to accomplish given their circumstances was amazing.
April 3, 2014
Of all the novels Catherine cookson wrote I think this one is by far the very best.best book Catherine
December 15, 2021
Knjiga o nedaćama i istrajnosti. Naravno tu je i ljubav, ali ne između muškaraca i žene.
Ajrin se pojavljuje na vratima advokatske agencije u dronjavom kaputu i haljini u kojima je viđena poslednji put pre 26 god. Naravno, čovek je u šoku i želi da zna šta joj se desilo i gde je bila, ali ona je u toliko lošem stanju da on zove sestru koja vodi starački dom ne bi li joj pružili negu i povratili moć govora.
Zatim priča o Ajrin kreće od vremena kad je bila mlada i zaljubljena u čoveka nezgodne naravi.
Jedna noć će promeniti sve, u toj noći je Ajrin poljubila svog sina poslednji put i izašla na neko dešavanju da peva.
Posle te noći, ona gubi moć govora, zazire od muškaraca i nalazi utehu u jednoj kući, ja sam zamislila to kao domaćinstvo, kod jedne dobre duše koja se zove Bela, i koja u svojoj kući i nemaštini u kojoj živi ima još dvoje ljudi koji rade kojekakve poslove za hleb, čorbu i prenoćište.
Neću pisati više od ovoga o dešavanjima da ne bi kvarila nekom budućem čitaocu.
Knjiga je DUBOKO POTRESNA i budite spremni da je pročitate u dahu pošto ne postoji opcija čitati je malo po malo.
Ajrin je jedno jadno i napaćeno biće, a Bela je najbolji ženski lik za koji znam.
Knjiga ima delimično srećan kraj, istina izlazi na videlo, Ajrin je uz onoga koga je trebala uvek biti,ali gorak ukus u ustima ostaje i ona knedla u grlu čak i kada je zatvorite.
Ajrin se pojavljuje na vratima advokatske agencije u dronjavom kaputu i haljini u kojima je viđena poslednji put pre 26 god. Naravno, čovek je u šoku i želi da zna šta joj se desilo i gde je bila, ali ona je u toliko lošem stanju da on zove sestru koja vodi starački dom ne bi li joj pružili negu i povratili moć govora.
Zatim priča o Ajrin kreće od vremena kad je bila mlada i zaljubljena u čoveka nezgodne naravi.
Jedna noć će promeniti sve, u toj noći je Ajrin poljubila svog sina poslednji put i izašla na neko dešavanju da peva.
Posle te noći, ona gubi moć govora, zazire od muškaraca i nalazi utehu u jednoj kući, ja sam zamislila to kao domaćinstvo, kod jedne dobre duše koja se zove Bela, i koja u svojoj kući i nemaštini u kojoj živi ima još dvoje ljudi koji rade kojekakve poslove za hleb, čorbu i prenoćište.
Neću pisati više od ovoga o dešavanjima da ne bi kvarila nekom budućem čitaocu.
Knjiga je DUBOKO POTRESNA i budite spremni da je pročitate u dahu pošto ne postoji opcija čitati je malo po malo.
Ajrin je jedno jadno i napaćeno biće, a Bela je najbolji ženski lik za koji znam.
Knjiga ima delimično srećan kraj, istina izlazi na videlo, Ajrin je uz onoga koga je trebala uvek biti,ali gorak ukus u ustima ostaje i ona knedla u grlu čak i kada je zatvorite.
September 30, 2021
Nije za jedan, al' nije ni za dva. :)
Izvukla me je iz višemesečnog slump-a i samo zato ću reći da je bila ok. Hvala onom ko je izmislio elektronske knjige, pa ne moramo da kupujemo papirno izdanje baš svega što nam se čita..
Izvukla me je iz višemesečnog slump-a i samo zato ću reći da je bila ok. Hvala onom ko je izmislio elektronske knjige, pa ne moramo da kupujemo papirno izdanje baš svega što nam se čita..
April 7, 2008
I don't usually read period books but this gave insight to London during the 50's and the story was not only plausible but kept my interest.
February 21, 2014
A compelling story of tragedy, loss and love. Highly recommended.
May 28, 2017
Was only going to give this book 3* until I reach the latter part, then I was so enthralled by it that I push it to the 5*. I'm not an emotional man, but this book brought tears to my eyes.
November 10, 2019
Adorei, que livro incrível tão bem escrito, uma história que me emocionou.....
Um dos melhores livros que li este ano....
Um dos melhores livros que li este ano....
February 24, 2022
Pomalo nerealna priča, a ipak ne možete da ne pomislite da je moguće da jedna žena doživi sudbinu "tihe žene". Ajrin je imala glas slavuja, i obožavala je da peva. Međutim, od tog divnog glasa, jedva će se čuti pokoji slog, ponekad samo reč. Zlostavljana i mučki maltretirana napušta život iz bajke i postaje skitnica. Otrgnuta od lepog života, izgubljenog pamćenja, živi u strahu od prošlosti, bez nade za bolje sutra. Sreća će joj se osmehnuti samo na trenutak, jer će je žena velikog srca prigrliti i početi da se stara o njoj. Šta je to što je uništilo život divnoj Ajrin, da li će uspeti da pobedi prošlost, i da li će će čuti njen mili glas, ostavljam vama da otkrijete 🤗
August 7, 2011
EASY, EASY If you’re looking for a good in-between, clean, wholesome, easy to read book…this one will do. The story centers around Irene/Reenee who goes silent (and missing from some) for 27 years. I was interested in the details and I didn’t want to put the book down so that I could unravel the mystery. All was well until the end…I struggled through the last 30 pages but I knew exactly how it would wrap up. The writing and the story bogged down with eye-rolling sappiness and all lived happily ever after although they all went through hell to get there.
October 2, 2019
este é daqueles livros que nos marcam, que nos "obrigam" a andar a pensar neles o dia inteiro a deixar-nos ansiosos para ler mais uma e outra página. O problema, é que só uma página não chega, ou mesmo duas ou três. A história de Irene intriga-nos, envolve-nos.
Um história que fala de amor, compaixão, pobreza, mas também de violência e amargura.
Um livro que me vai "acompanhar" durante uns valentes dias
Um história que fala de amor, compaixão, pobreza, mas também de violência e amargura.
Um livro que me vai "acompanhar" durante uns valentes dias
May 28, 2021
Kada bih jednom rečju trebalo da izrazim opšti utisak nakon čitanja, to bi bilo: neuverljivo.
Dirnuo me je predgovor i saznanje kroz kakvu je ličnu borbu spisateljica prolazila i u kakvom stanju je napisala roman.
Međutim, rekla bih da je priča ispod svakog očekivanja- pomalo dosadna, nerealna i bajkovita. O bitnim događajima (koji bi mogli da unesu dinamiku i naprave neki značajniji zaplet) saznajemo kroz puko prepričavanje i taksativno navođenje u monologu pojedinih likova, dok je radnja koja se odvija u sadašnjosti nezanimljiva i spora. Na preko 200 strana čitam o preuređenju kuće/pansiona, o tome kako su svi složni i dobri...a novac se pojavljuje takoreći niotkuda, baš kad zatreba.
Takođe, za povezivanje i ubrzavanje priče Ketrin se prepričavanjem služi čak i u dijalogu (...a i ti si tada rekla "to-i-to") što meni kao čitaocu "para uši".
Iako sam naslov dosta intrigira, pomenuta "tiha žena" je u dobrom delu knjige sporedna ličnost ili bar egal sa još dvoje-troje likova.
Dirnuo me je predgovor i saznanje kroz kakvu je ličnu borbu spisateljica prolazila i u kakvom stanju je napisala roman.
Međutim, rekla bih da je priča ispod svakog očekivanja- pomalo dosadna, nerealna i bajkovita. O bitnim događajima (koji bi mogli da unesu dinamiku i naprave neki značajniji zaplet) saznajemo kroz puko prepričavanje i taksativno navođenje u monologu pojedinih likova, dok je radnja koja se odvija u sadašnjosti nezanimljiva i spora. Na preko 200 strana čitam o preuređenju kuće/pansiona, o tome kako su svi složni i dobri...a novac se pojavljuje takoreći niotkuda, baš kad zatreba.
Takođe, za povezivanje i ubrzavanje priče Ketrin se prepričavanjem služi čak i u dijalogu (...a i ti si tada rekla "to-i-to") što meni kao čitaocu "para uši".
Iako sam naslov dosta intrigira, pomenuta "tiha žena" je u dobrom delu knjige sporedna ličnost ili bar egal sa još dvoje-troje likova.
March 15, 2021
The Silent Lady was I believe, the last book written by Catherine Cookson and was published in 2002 after her death. As with most Cookson novels, the book grips the reader’s attention from page one and is a compelling read. When Mrs Baindor turns up at the law firm of Alexander Armstrong and Son in 1955, the partners can hardly believe their eyes for they have been searching for her for the last 26 years. Leaving the reader wondering what has happened to her during that time, the story goes back to 1929 and slowly the story unfolds. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it held my attention from beginning to end.
June 14, 2023
Nostalgielesen: Diese Catherine Cookson war bei meiner Mutter und ihren Freundin sehr beliebt - im Nachlass war auch dieses Buch.
Thema ist aktuell, Schreibstil so schön altnodisch - leicht zu lesen.
Thema ist aktuell, Schreibstil so schön altnodisch - leicht zu lesen.
March 6, 2014
Narrated by Anne Dover
Unabridged MP3 11 hr 24 min
Blurbification - 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 novels, among them the compelling Silent Lady.
The story begins with a shocking revelation, delivered by a disheveled woman who presents herself at the offices of a respectable law firm in London. At first the receptionist suspects this mysterious woman is a vagrant; the clothes that hang on her frail body are filthy, and she seems unable to speak. When the woman requests to see the firm's senior partner, Alexander Armstrong, she is shown the door -- but when Mr. Armstrong learns the name of his visitor, all the office staff is amazed by his reaction. For Irene Baindor is a woman with a past, and her emergence from obscurity signals the unravelling of a mystery that had baffled the lawyer for twenty-six years.
To those around her, Irene Baindor had been a young woman of class and musical talent, the wife of a wealthy and powerful man, and the mother to a beloved baby boy. But behind closed doors she was a woman with a dangerous husband, a husband who would one day act with such cruelty that Irene would be left without most of her voice and memory. It was then that Irene disappeared. What Irene had been doing, and where she had been, gradually emerges over the following weeks, as the unlikely benefactors who had befriended her step forward to reveal the remarkable life she has led.
Fans of Cookson's novels, with their larger themes of romantic love and class conflict, will be delighted by the mystery and surprise of The Silent Lady. Drawing from her own firsthand experience of working-class life between two world wars and in the 1950s, Cookson once again displays the irresistible plotting, scene-setting, and characterization that have made her an icon of historical and romance fiction.
Unabridged MP3 11 hr 24 min
Blurbification - 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 novels, among them the compelling Silent Lady.
The story begins with a shocking revelation, delivered by a disheveled woman who presents herself at the offices of a respectable law firm in London. At first the receptionist suspects this mysterious woman is a vagrant; the clothes that hang on her frail body are filthy, and she seems unable to speak. When the woman requests to see the firm's senior partner, Alexander Armstrong, she is shown the door -- but when Mr. Armstrong learns the name of his visitor, all the office staff is amazed by his reaction. For Irene Baindor is a woman with a past, and her emergence from obscurity signals the unravelling of a mystery that had baffled the lawyer for twenty-six years.
To those around her, Irene Baindor had been a young woman of class and musical talent, the wife of a wealthy and powerful man, and the mother to a beloved baby boy. But behind closed doors she was a woman with a dangerous husband, a husband who would one day act with such cruelty that Irene would be left without most of her voice and memory. It was then that Irene disappeared. What Irene had been doing, and where she had been, gradually emerges over the following weeks, as the unlikely benefactors who had befriended her step forward to reveal the remarkable life she has led.
Fans of Cookson's novels, with their larger themes of romantic love and class conflict, will be delighted by the mystery and surprise of The Silent Lady. Drawing from her own firsthand experience of working-class life between two world wars and in the 1950s, Cookson once again displays the irresistible plotting, scene-setting, and characterization that have made her an icon of historical and romance fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2010
Cookson is a favorite author. She gives a full life outlook in her novels. The crux of this one is to understand how a vagrant type person could be wearing such quality clothes when she shows up at an attorney's office and then collapses. AND it is quite a story that unfolds. Unfolding, being the key word here. It was a fascinating journey.
February 4, 2013
First time I have read Catherine Cookson and I understand this was her last book. She seemed compelled to write this last novel, even though she dictated it from her bed. The setting was intriguing and I must admit I enjoyed reading "man's humanity to man" for a change even though the story was maudlin. This was a quick read that I will easily forget, yet for an evening it entertained.
February 8, 2015
Borrowed this as my January kindle prime book. Rather sappy sentimental drivel with an initially overwhelming busload of subsequently underdeveloped characters. There's a reason some authors don't want certain works published.
June 30, 2016
A great read from this wonderful writer. This was her final book and completes my reading of all her books.
October 20, 2017
Diverting story
I really enjoyed reading this book. As always Catherine Cookson novels are gripping and an easy read. It's a shame there will be no more
I really enjoyed reading this book. As always Catherine Cookson novels are gripping and an easy read. It's a shame there will be no more
October 6, 2019
4,5* Não sou de lágrimas fáceis nas leituras mas este livro fez- me deitar algumas. Adorei a sua leitura e recomendo
December 31, 2020
It was een easy read, but i didn't like it. I didn't like the characters or their decisions.
October 20, 2019
This was a gripping tale of a women who had been greatly abused, gained the courage to escape, and finally found her voice through an adopted family of friends who loved her and respected her and helped her to heal.
Sumary by Pat Maynard
In 1955, a frail, disheveled and somewhat disoriented woman dressed in rags enters the upscale office of a respected London solicitor asking to see Mr. Armstrong. Although the receptionist is hesitant to comply with her request, she calls her employer and tells him that a woman with a name that sounds ‘something like Barndoor’ is in the outer office requesting to see him … and is shocked by his vehement reaction to her news. Thus begins the story of Irene Baindor, wife of a wealthy business magnate, who had mysteriously disappeared without a trace in 1929–leaving behind her adored four-year-old son as well as a husband with a penchant for violence. As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn into the woman’s missing years and, ultimately, the repercussions when her son learns that the mother he had thought dead for years is still alive. The truth behind her disappearance shakes him to the depths of his soul and culminates in a confrontation between father and son that changes both their lives forever.
Although the writing at times tends to go a bit purple, I found this novel to be a very compelling read. This is a story about physical and emotional abuse and, although the subject matter is tragic, it’s also a story about redemption and the underlying resilience and goodness of the human spirit.
The book copy that I had had a very good introduction by Catherine herself.
She talks of her "blood trouble" and all the difficulties it caused her. (Cookson had a rare hereditary blood disorder called telangiectasia which caused bleeding; bloody noses and bleeding fingers, she had several stomach operations to stop bleeding, anemia, 4 miscarriages and was not able to have children.) She also had other health issues: a nervous breakdown lead to being suicidal and a decade to recover. She had a very trying childhood and mother.
But despite all of the above, she was the top 20 most widely read Bristish author. She wrote 103 books under her own name and 2 under a pen name.
She was prompted to write The Silent Lady. She had the ideal but didn't know how she would get it written because she could not see either to read or to write and to find the time with all her health problems. Her husband, Tom, her attended her every need encouraged her.
Pg. 6 "I was in a breakdown; I was fighting against religion- I had definitely discarded God-but there I sat, huddled in a vast cold room. I've never know, even now, what made me resort to my dramatic gesture: I threw back my head and looked up to the ceiling and cried, "If there's anybody there, give me a story!"
Then 2 stories came...
pg 8 "I do not believe in the dogma of any religion of any religious denomination but, as I have said before, I believe there is a spirit comingfroms some power or source that runs through all of us. In some strange way that I do not question, I have been able to tap into that source. This is what has enabled me to say 'I can and I will'; and it is working still and helping me through this traumatic time of illness; and sometimes so strongly that one could say I have been given the power to create little miracles for myself; and for it, I am thankful."
I liked the style Cookson used to tell the story-started at end/beginning and then filling it in the middle of this "silent lady".
I liked how the characters in the book tried to make their circumstances better and reached out to others to help them.
I liked how she had the main character, Renee/Irene, view people as people such wanted not to use the nickname 'Pimple' to address Carl, but his true name Carl.
How the main character, Renee/Irene, looked upon and loved Bella not as a grumpy, stumpy, ugly woman but as beautiful, loving & caring and a mother figure.
Pg 234 "World events, even events in London, did not seem to penetrate the quiet routine and placidity of the life that went on at numbers 10 and 12 The Jingles. That was until 1955, when something took place that altered their lives for good.
It was a simple incident and it happened to Carl."
Pg 308-The old tattered coat and hat that Renee/Irene wore was to shield herself and to keep the little identity she had left of herself...
Sumary by Pat Maynard
In 1955, a frail, disheveled and somewhat disoriented woman dressed in rags enters the upscale office of a respected London solicitor asking to see Mr. Armstrong. Although the receptionist is hesitant to comply with her request, she calls her employer and tells him that a woman with a name that sounds ‘something like Barndoor’ is in the outer office requesting to see him … and is shocked by his vehement reaction to her news. Thus begins the story of Irene Baindor, wife of a wealthy business magnate, who had mysteriously disappeared without a trace in 1929–leaving behind her adored four-year-old son as well as a husband with a penchant for violence. As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn into the woman’s missing years and, ultimately, the repercussions when her son learns that the mother he had thought dead for years is still alive. The truth behind her disappearance shakes him to the depths of his soul and culminates in a confrontation between father and son that changes both their lives forever.
Although the writing at times tends to go a bit purple, I found this novel to be a very compelling read. This is a story about physical and emotional abuse and, although the subject matter is tragic, it’s also a story about redemption and the underlying resilience and goodness of the human spirit.
The book copy that I had had a very good introduction by Catherine herself.
She talks of her "blood trouble" and all the difficulties it caused her. (Cookson had a rare hereditary blood disorder called telangiectasia which caused bleeding; bloody noses and bleeding fingers, she had several stomach operations to stop bleeding, anemia, 4 miscarriages and was not able to have children.) She also had other health issues: a nervous breakdown lead to being suicidal and a decade to recover. She had a very trying childhood and mother.
But despite all of the above, she was the top 20 most widely read Bristish author. She wrote 103 books under her own name and 2 under a pen name.
She was prompted to write The Silent Lady. She had the ideal but didn't know how she would get it written because she could not see either to read or to write and to find the time with all her health problems. Her husband, Tom, her attended her every need encouraged her.
Pg. 6 "I was in a breakdown; I was fighting against religion- I had definitely discarded God-but there I sat, huddled in a vast cold room. I've never know, even now, what made me resort to my dramatic gesture: I threw back my head and looked up to the ceiling and cried, "If there's anybody there, give me a story!"
Then 2 stories came...
pg 8 "I do not believe in the dogma of any religion of any religious denomination but, as I have said before, I believe there is a spirit comingfroms some power or source that runs through all of us. In some strange way that I do not question, I have been able to tap into that source. This is what has enabled me to say 'I can and I will'; and it is working still and helping me through this traumatic time of illness; and sometimes so strongly that one could say I have been given the power to create little miracles for myself; and for it, I am thankful."
I liked the style Cookson used to tell the story-started at end/beginning and then filling it in the middle of this "silent lady".
I liked how the characters in the book tried to make their circumstances better and reached out to others to help them.
I liked how she had the main character, Renee/Irene, view people as people such wanted not to use the nickname 'Pimple' to address Carl, but his true name Carl.
How the main character, Renee/Irene, looked upon and loved Bella not as a grumpy, stumpy, ugly woman but as beautiful, loving & caring and a mother figure.
Pg 234 "World events, even events in London, did not seem to penetrate the quiet routine and placidity of the life that went on at numbers 10 and 12 The Jingles. That was until 1955, when something took place that altered their lives for good.
It was a simple incident and it happened to Carl."
Pg 308-The old tattered coat and hat that Renee/Irene wore was to shield herself and to keep the little identity she had left of herself...
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