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The Coal Gatherer
An engrossing saga set in the north-east of Victorian England - When Calandra Ingram known as Callie meets Patricia Lazarus and her brother James whilst gathering sea coal at the waters edge, they strike up a friendship that will last for ever, despite their different backgrounds. When Callie is offered the post of companion to Patricia, it is the first step in her journey to a better life ...
- GenresHistorical Romance
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 6, 2012
Callie Ingram, one of the many living children of Mary and Ebeneezer, has higher hopes than to marry young, bear babies, and gather coal from the sea. She has watched her mother, once from a family of respectable shopkeepers, carry and then mourn the death of her babies and suffer the blows of her father. Befriending the local gentry opens the doors to another life that Callie can only imagine. Can Callie escape this impoverished and brutal life before Ebeneezer marries her off to cruel Sam Brown?
Being from coal country, the title pulled me in. I had never heard of coal being carted off from the sea and had to do a little research. Sea-coal is coal that has been washed up on the beach, coming from coal seams in sea cliffs or underwater deposits. For centuries this coal was collected and used for cooking, heating and forging metals. It is probable that European cultures back to the Romans and before used sea-coal. In places where this coal occurred it could be a dependable source of fuel and there were professional sea-coal gatherers and small local industries existed to gather and sell the coal. This continued in many areas, particularly in northern Britain and parts of Scotland as other sources of fuel were expensive and more difficult to obtain.
Being from coal country, the title pulled me in. I had never heard of coal being carted off from the sea and had to do a little research. Sea-coal is coal that has been washed up on the beach, coming from coal seams in sea cliffs or underwater deposits. For centuries this coal was collected and used for cooking, heating and forging metals. It is probable that European cultures back to the Romans and before used sea-coal. In places where this coal occurred it could be a dependable source of fuel and there were professional sea-coal gatherers and small local industries existed to gather and sell the coal. This continued in many areas, particularly in northern Britain and parts of Scotland as other sources of fuel were expensive and more difficult to obtain.
April 27, 2008
The first two thirds of this book were excellent, drawing me in at once to the tragic lives of Mary Ingram and her daughter Callie. The last third of the book wasn't as compelling, and the love story not as developed or believable. The ending felt rushed, and I wish the author had played more on the story line with Callie's new life versus the one her sister Kitty had when left behind. I felt Callie's worry for her sister would have been more, her grief and guilt stronger when she learned of her sister's plight. Of course that they all ended up happy was wonderful, if not a bit too fast.
Overall a really good book---enough that I'll be sure to read the others by Janet Woods.
Overall a really good book---enough that I'll be sure to read the others by Janet Woods.
June 1, 2013
"Woods creates a lovely, gentle romance reminiscent of Georgette Heyer thatshould appeal to modern readers"
March 6, 2014
Good story. Historical fiction set in Victorian England. Strong female character who doesn't put up with any malarkey.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews