Lord and Mary Ann

The Mary Ann Series #2

by Cookson C

As has been said before, Mary Ann Shaughnessy is no ordinary child. She first won a place in the hearts of thousands of readers in A Grand Man, described by Alan Melville in a broadcast as 'a quite enchanting novel, written by someone who obviously knows the mind of a child as well as she knows the mean back streets of Tyneside.'Mary Ann firmly believed that when her father took on the farm job she had largely contrived to find for him, he would be set for life. Away from the temptations of the town, doing the kind of work he was meant for, he must slowly but surely turn into the angelic being Mary Ann knew him to be. But Mary Ann did not count on the frailties of human nature nor the sheer contrariness of others, which destroyed all her well-laid plans.In this second novel of the Shaughnessy saga, Mary Ann returns in this delightful, warm-hearted and humorously observed story of life set in northern England.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Classics

Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Shirley Revill]

I am making a list of all the books I have loved and enjoyed and was surprised by how many Catherine Cookson stories I have read. Then again she was a brilliant writer and I had such pleasure in every book I read. The dusting could always wait if I had a Catherine Cookson book in my hand.
Loved the books and I loved the films that where created from these stories.
Thank you Catherine Cookson for all the happy hours I spent reading your books.

[Chrisangel]

I loved this second book in the Mary Ann series as much as the first, so it's another five stars from me. I will say something, though, about the rest of the series. Mary Ann doesn't remain an eight year old, as the story spans the years, it's one of those family sagas. There are more characters, more drama,, more changes, and it all makes for entertaining reading. But when it comes to Mary Ann, I'll have to say she reminds me of Shirley Temple. While Ms. Temple, as a teenager and then young woman, was a good actress, often making the very best of less than great roles, no one can deny that she could never top her little girl self, singing "On the Good ship Lollypop" or dancing with Bojangles, or giving an acting performance worthy of an Oscar at kindergarten age. She reached her best years before most get started, and that's what happened with the character of Mary Ann. She's at her best as an eight year old, and the adolescent, young adult, wife and mother Mary Ann just can't compete with that.

I'll never forget one scene, where she goes to confession and tries to think of an appropriate swear word to say to Father Owen, because she's so unhappy at the time and she heard if you swear at a priest you'll be struck dead. (The priest helps her find a better way out of her misery.) There were all these scenes with Mary Ann at this young age that, of course, can't be done as the years go on. Who can forget her having to go back to their old neighborhood and bring her father home, after Mike mistakenly thinks Liz is going to leave him for her old boyfriend, )who only came to tell her he's getting married) and is now drunk and singing in the streets, putting on quite a show for their old neighbors.

I won't give away anymore details, but will just say, read this book, and the others, and enjoy Mary Ann at this stage of things while you can because, like in real life, it won't last long.

[Brenda]

First grown up book I ever read, at about 10yr old. Author and story are from the town where I grew up (south sheilds in uk)and her books gave me a love of reading.

[Esther]

Imagine the young life this little girl could have enjoyed if the men in it were not so terribly flawed. The book holds up on this second reading. I remember liking each successive book less and less, first time around, and am now debating whether to carry on with the series.

[Magi]

This is a wonderful series but then again anything Cookson wrong is a winner

[Cheryl]

Love this series

[Fiona Humphries]

This was a really enjoyable read from Cookson. Again, wonderfully rich characters. Loved this.

[Lyndsey Gollogly]

These stories of Mary Anne are just so sweet a little burst of Catherine Cooksons writing. A wilful young lady who only wants her parents to have an easier life when things are so hard.

[Tara Chevrestt]

Mary Ann is up to her usual mischief in the second novel of the Mary Ann series. She is still eight years old, but this novel has a bit less of the "childlike" feel to it than did the first one. In this one, Mary Ann and her ma and da and brother Michael are living on a farm. Her father has quit drinking... for the time being. Mary Ann has developed a bit of a relationship with the owner of the farm, Mr. Lord. She has quite a few "not so companionable" relationships as well, namely with her nemisis, Sarah Flannigan and another young farm girl, Lena. Her friendship with Mr. Lord is the cause of much jealousy to the other two young girls and Mary Ann is constantly fighting with one of them and then repenting to her beloved Father Owen.

There is a few laughs in this one. My poor husband has once again been jarred awake in the middle of night due to my laughing my arse off while reading in bed. I really do need to get him some ear plugs. It is not all laughter and fun tho, as Mary Ann's mother has a former suitor reappear in her life, causing Mike (Mary Ann's da) some distress. Will Mike hit the bottle again? If he does, will he lose his job?

Mary Ann continues appealing to both Father Owen and the "Holy Family" as she calls them, but can they help her this time?

Cute story, tho not quite hitting the BEST OF CATHERINE COOKSON mark.

[Lili]

I read all of Catherine Cookson's books some years ago and enjoyed them immensley. I recently re-read all of them and find that on a second look I found them all so very predictable, and was rather disappointed. However I'm sure that it is my tastes that have changed not the calibre of her story telling.

[Fred Ann]

Mary Ann, a young school girl is befriended by her father's employer, Mr. Lord. Mr. Lord takes kindly to Mary Ann's family and when her father has a disastrous accident, Mary Ann suggests to the Lord that her father could be employed in a different manner. Cheeky Mary Ann has success with her suggestion and all fares well for the family. a good family read.

[Jennifer Blaine]

This is even better than the first one. I felt like the characters were more developed, and I grew more attached. I love the spunk of little Mary Ann, and so does everyone else, epecially Mr. Lord, the grumpy old owner of the farm. I hope to read the rest of the series.

[Maggie]

A cute novel about a young primary school girl and all the funny things she gets herself into and how she connives to get her own way. She gets herself in lots of tangles but always seems to come up like a rose especially with her help from Father Owen and the Holy Family. A fun short read.

[Carol]

2nd in series.