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Miss Martha Mary Crawford
Ever since her mother died, Martha Mary had had to take over the running of her home, a sprawling mansion called The Habitation. But more and more she found herself nursing her aunt who was prone to fits and playing mother to her sisters, with no tasks too demeaning for her, as the bills mounted and there was no money to pay for supplies.
She did everything she could to make ends meet but always managed to ensure her father was looked after well and had a good table laid when he came home. Her sisters and their loyal servants, Peg and Dilly, were often cold and lived sparsely. She could not understand why they were in such financial straits especially as when her mother was alive, they had several profitable businesses and even after she died, one of them had been sold well. She hoped that her father’s frequent visits to Great-Uncle James would finally come good when he died and they could sell his house to alleviate their great need of money.
But when her father died suddenly, his last words to her were to go to Great-Uncle James’ house and deliver a message but never to disclose to anyone especially to his only son, Roland, who was away boarding at a private school, what she was to find there.
That journey was to change Martha Mary’s feelings for the men in her life and brought home to her the huge burden she now carried on her young shoulders and the responsibility of those lives that depended on her. Her father’s shameful secret filled her with anger as she feared she would never escape from her drudgery
This is an impossibly gripping story of an angry, self-righteous and neglected young woman, made so because of circumstance, who makes bad, even cruel decisions as she struggles towards maturity. Cookson reveals a sympathetic understanding of a proud character forced to confront her own errors of judgment and who journeys painfully towards love and humility with the unswerving devotion of Dilly and Peg.
She did everything she could to make ends meet but always managed to ensure her father was looked after well and had a good table laid when he came home. Her sisters and their loyal servants, Peg and Dilly, were often cold and lived sparsely. She could not understand why they were in such financial straits especially as when her mother was alive, they had several profitable businesses and even after she died, one of them had been sold well. She hoped that her father’s frequent visits to Great-Uncle James would finally come good when he died and they could sell his house to alleviate their great need of money.
But when her father died suddenly, his last words to her were to go to Great-Uncle James’ house and deliver a message but never to disclose to anyone especially to his only son, Roland, who was away boarding at a private school, what she was to find there.
That journey was to change Martha Mary’s feelings for the men in her life and brought home to her the huge burden she now carried on her young shoulders and the responsibility of those lives that depended on her. Her father’s shameful secret filled her with anger as she feared she would never escape from her drudgery
This is an impossibly gripping story of an angry, self-righteous and neglected young woman, made so because of circumstance, who makes bad, even cruel decisions as she struggles towards maturity. Cookson reveals a sympathetic understanding of a proud character forced to confront her own errors of judgment and who journeys painfully towards love and humility with the unswerving devotion of Dilly and Peg.
654 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 17, 2021
Yep, i read this when i was like 13, and i remember i liked the book lots, but really need to read it again from an adult perspective.
June 21, 2018
I read this book some time ago and really enjoyed the story.
Loved the stories that Catherine Cookson created. They really touch on how life was and the hardships people faced in days long gone.
Storytelling at it's best. Recommended.
Loved the stories that Catherine Cookson created. They really touch on how life was and the hardships people faced in days long gone.
Storytelling at it's best. Recommended.
January 2, 2010
Whereas this cannot claim to fall into the "best of Catherine Cookson" category, it was entertaining nevertheless. Meet Martha Mary. It is the 1880s and for the last six years, this twenty year gal has been managing and estate for her entire family. The family consists of a dad that is spending money mysteriously (it certainly is not going towards household expenses or bills), Mildred, a snotty brat concerned about dresses and nothing else, Nancy, a sister that is desparate to marry, and a spinster aunt that comes down the stairs naked when company is present and has seizures. Wow! One must pity Martha Mary!
When the dad dies, life gets worse for Martha Mary. (That is a mouthful!) One event after another requires the new local doctor to come calling. At first, it is strictly for professional reasons as people are either getting hurt or dying, but eventually, the doctor comes to call for more personal reasons such as giving advice to Martha.
As this goes on and Martha tries to run a chaotic household on no money and with no help from her selfish sisters, her brother Rowland comes back from school suddenly announcing that her childhood home is going to become a school and would she stay on and work for his new wife for free? You know what hits the fan. Will Martha leave or will she become a lonely old spinster like her aunt?
A fun book full of surprising twists and turns. The last quarter especially had me literally cheering for Martha Mary. "Come on, Martha! You tell them!! You can do it!"
I wouldn't read it again tho, so four stars.
When the dad dies, life gets worse for Martha Mary. (That is a mouthful!) One event after another requires the new local doctor to come calling. At first, it is strictly for professional reasons as people are either getting hurt or dying, but eventually, the doctor comes to call for more personal reasons such as giving advice to Martha.
As this goes on and Martha tries to run a chaotic household on no money and with no help from her selfish sisters, her brother Rowland comes back from school suddenly announcing that her childhood home is going to become a school and would she stay on and work for his new wife for free? You know what hits the fan. Will Martha leave or will she become a lonely old spinster like her aunt?
A fun book full of surprising twists and turns. The last quarter especially had me literally cheering for Martha Mary. "Come on, Martha! You tell them!! You can do it!"
I wouldn't read it again tho, so four stars.
August 7, 2021
Recently reread this. Hard to find but worth it. Lovely story about someone who finds their worth and is found in return.
July 9, 2017
Well. I was really surprised by how much I liked it. I guess I assumed that Cookson's pseudonym was an exercise for her to get away with writing bad romances, but this followed much of the same 'Cookson' formula as all her others. Reminded me a bit of The Moth. Young woman crushed by family responsibilities and obligations, debt, familial betrayal, realization of her naivety, burdened by her ungrateful siblings and working (and seen) as an unpaid lackey.
I honestly felt in shock alongside Martha Mary upon the discovery of her father's betrayal, and then being crushed by all the mounting problems at home. Like holy crapola. I had no idea how she could dig herself out of a hole that others had pushed her into. Cookson illustrated so well the hatred both Martha Mary and her audience felt towards the father. Probably the first time I wished a character to hell. Aunt Sophie's character was a bit unnecessary, but that scene where she walked down the stairs in her birthday suit was probably the most explicit scene Cookson ever wrote. Loved it. Totally real. I suppose she was a necessary tether to keep Martha Mary emotionally tied to the manor, considering all her supposed loved ones were distracted by their respective never never lands.
And because Martha Mary is SUCH a strong woman, and craves to be taken care of herself, I can forgive the misogyny of Harry. I felt like she was teaching him in a sense that she was still strong, still standing, despite looking weak and sounding snappish. He had no idea what she was up against. That scene at the end where SPOILER
This is a book about cruelty and standing up against it, even if it's socially vulgar. (Martha standing up for herself, Harry standing up for her, Harry beating the stablehand who abused his dog). I wasn't sure how I felt about the rover who married Nancy. His character was SO amazing and interesting, but his passion for Nancy felt a little proprietary, like she was a cow or something. Still, I admired the scene where Martha Mary gave him some relationship advice, and you actually got a sense that their lives would turn out well. As awful as Mildred was, I was still glad for her when she got her dream job at the end. I would have liked some resolution to the men who beat Harry up.
And the flood. I was blown away by that scene. I had no idea if was going to happen, and that Cookson was capable of writing a scene like that. I mean, the metaphor was a bit on the nose, but I loved how they all handled it. And I loved the relationship between Harry and Martha Mary, despite how acerbic it began. It was one of the best examples I've read how passionate dislike can easily swing into passionate admiration, in a way that makes sense and feels realistic.
Definitely a re-read one day.
I honestly felt in shock alongside Martha Mary upon the discovery of her father's betrayal, and then being crushed by all the mounting problems at home. Like holy crapola. I had no idea how she could dig herself out of a hole that others had pushed her into. Cookson illustrated so well the hatred both Martha Mary and her audience felt towards the father. Probably the first time I wished a character to hell. Aunt Sophie's character was a bit unnecessary, but that scene where she walked down the stairs in her birthday suit was probably the most explicit scene Cookson ever wrote. Loved it. Totally real. I suppose she was a necessary tether to keep Martha Mary emotionally tied to the manor, considering all her supposed loved ones were distracted by their respective never never lands.
And because Martha Mary is SUCH a strong woman, and craves to be taken care of herself, I can forgive the misogyny of Harry. I felt like she was teaching him in a sense that she was still strong, still standing, despite looking weak and sounding snappish. He had no idea what she was up against. That scene at the end where SPOILER
This is a book about cruelty and standing up against it, even if it's socially vulgar. (Martha standing up for herself, Harry standing up for her, Harry beating the stablehand who abused his dog). I wasn't sure how I felt about the rover who married Nancy. His character was SO amazing and interesting, but his passion for Nancy felt a little proprietary, like she was a cow or something. Still, I admired the scene where Martha Mary gave him some relationship advice, and you actually got a sense that their lives would turn out well. As awful as Mildred was, I was still glad for her when she got her dream job at the end. I would have liked some resolution to the men who beat Harry up.
And the flood. I was blown away by that scene. I had no idea if was going to happen, and that Cookson was capable of writing a scene like that. I mean, the metaphor was a bit on the nose, but I loved how they all handled it. And I loved the relationship between Harry and Martha Mary, despite how acerbic it began. It was one of the best examples I've read how passionate dislike can easily swing into passionate admiration, in a way that makes sense and feels realistic.
Definitely a re-read one day.
November 8, 2021
4.5*
Another Cookson written under pseudonym of Catherine Marchant set in late 19th century. Again I purchased this through my School Library Book Club. I love the developing romance which is initially very prickly between Dr Harry and Martha Mary. The animal cruelty is very distressing which is caused by one of the minor characters. To any animal lover this is upsetting and remains so no matter how many times I re-read this.
Synopsis:
Martha Mary acted as an unpaid servant to her father and younger sisters and brother. She has the added problem of Aunt Sophie, confined upstairs, who occasionally has a violent fantasy life. A series of dramatic disasters are set in motion that will change all of their lives.
This novel is set in the North East in the late 19th century.
Another Cookson written under pseudonym of Catherine Marchant set in late 19th century. Again I purchased this through my School Library Book Club. I love the developing romance which is initially very prickly between Dr Harry and Martha Mary. The animal cruelty is very distressing which is caused by one of the minor characters. To any animal lover this is upsetting and remains so no matter how many times I re-read this.
Synopsis:
Martha Mary acted as an unpaid servant to her father and younger sisters and brother. She has the added problem of Aunt Sophie, confined upstairs, who occasionally has a violent fantasy life. A series of dramatic disasters are set in motion that will change all of their lives.
This novel is set in the North East in the late 19th century.
January 9, 2011
Only Catherin Cooksen can make you feel English history and the people - there are non better. I re-read this book and loved it once more. It is a nice story with real people who she fleshes out well. Martha Mary is a herione who is real and human. Her siblings and father are selfish and worthless as you find out throughout the book. Read Catherine Cooksen and you will not be unhappy with any of them.
July 28, 2023
I cannot objectively rate a catherine cookson novel. I love her stories and the level of detail she puts in the books is astounding. You can feel like you are already there with characters living their lives and such. Thank you Catherine.
February 7, 2020
Oh Miss Mary Martha Crawford - what a life you had! Your father and brother were truly awful men! Thank goodness for happy endings! A real page turner! Loved this book!
February 19, 2017
Train wreck! I couldn't stop reading to see what happened to Martha Mary. I will most likely not be reading Catherine Cookson again.
October 5, 2019
I found the book enjoyable nice strong main character.
October 16, 2021
Still a wonderful read
I have read many Catherine Cookson books and this has to be one of my favorites. After all of these years, a fantastic read!
I have read many Catherine Cookson books and this has to be one of my favorites. After all of these years, a fantastic read!
February 17, 2024
I decided to revisit Catherine Cookson's books after many years. I enjoyed them the first time and the are just as enjoyable this time.
October 29, 2024
A compelling novel which I listened to on Audible. Great characters. Really enjoyed it.
July 26, 2009
Back Cover Blurb:
At the Habitation, a large and decaying riverside house, the Crawfords were on the verge of bankruptcy - and when Martha Mary was obliged to take on the responsibility for her family, a series of dramatic events occured that would test her indomitable fortitude.
At the Habitation, a large and decaying riverside house, the Crawfords were on the verge of bankruptcy - and when Martha Mary was obliged to take on the responsibility for her family, a series of dramatic events occured that would test her indomitable fortitude.
January 27, 2011
An enjoyable Cookson read.
September 6, 2012
This book is also found with Catherine Marchant as the author: same person.
January 11, 2014
All I can say is a cute, fun, gothic read. But nothing more. But then this is not my usual genre. Still it did speak to my heart in that the protagonist gets used by family. Until.....Well, read it.
June 25, 2015
Proper English novel. It took a while for it to pick up. But then it got interesting. Kind of cheesy ending.
July 28, 2007
A good example of C Cookson. It got a bit predictable near the end.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews