The Nice Bloke

by Catherine Cookson

Harry Blenheim had always been known as 'the nice bloke' - an inoffensive man whose existence many thought was as dull as ditchwater. But then at the office Christmas party, he gave in to the demands of the vivacious Betty Ray, and the scandal that followed not only split up his family but ruined his career. Harry reasoned that, with luck, he could have avoided It all, but the roots of the problem lay much deeper. There was his rapidly cooling marriage, and his hatred of his unscrupulous father-in-law. Now Harry was in real trouble, and it would take all the efforts of his dearly-loved daughter Gail and his staunch friends Janet and Robbie Dunn to help him pick up the pieces and start to live again...

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Catherine 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.

Reviews

[Kerdel Ellick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book. Everyone got what they deserved. But john Blenheim. That fellow should have been jailed.

[Prasanna Dommu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's definitely a nice read but the ending seems so anti climactic. There are many questions left unaswered. Did Harry ever confront Esther? How did Terry take the news of his sister at the end? What happened to Dave Rippon and Betty Ray? More importantly, what about John? it's not like he has been reformed. What is to stop him from further attacking Robbie? I would have liked a tidier ending (and probably a little more character development).

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn what happens when "the nice bloke", who is basically the one person who blends into the background and you would never expect to step out of bounds, gets caught up in something scandalous. A delightful read.

[Tom Calvard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book by Catherine Cookson I'd ever read - but based on it, I would consider reading another.

I'm not sure about her many other books, of course, but it seems a shame she is generally marketed as 'women's popular fiction', as this novel struck me as being of far more general interest.

I was drawn to the title and jacket summary in terms of a local 'nice bloke' who gets in over his head due to a series of life's tensions, mishaps and mistakes crowding in on him.

It's true that in a few places, not least towards the end, the book verges on sentimental soap opera melodrama. However, there are a lot of other characters and themes woven into the different parts of the book. I thought it was an interesting mid-20th century view into issues of class, gender and ethnicity. Adultery, antisemitism and divorce loom over the characters' conflicts and betrayals.

Cookson has a great ear for local English dialogue and neighbourhood, family and community relationships, as well as frustrated ambitions and confused emotions. She layers on the drama and resolutions with a careful, restrained style and something of a timeless charm.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a little different from her usual novels, another good story from Catherine Cookson. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though some of the characters didn't get their just rewards. It leaves the reader wondering what happened to them and if there were any other future repercussions.

[Paula R C R. C. Readman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Date but an interesting read.

[TheWeatherWitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. it's an easy read and I loved how Harry really gave justice to the title. enjoyable book.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book by this great author.

Back Cover Blurb:
Harry Blenheim had always been known as the nice bloke, an inoffensive man whose existance was as dull as dishwater. Then, at the office Christmas party, he gave in to the demands of the vivacious Betty Ray and the scandal that followed not only split his family but ruined his career.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary at the time of writing set in the 1960s. Another good read from Catherine Cookson telling the story of Harry Blenheim, his family and his Jewish friend and her son and how in his loneliness he makes one mistake that leads him to be imprisoned for something he did not do and how he re-adjusts to life after his prison sentence.
Synopsis:

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

the guy was a nice bloke.

[Kathie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I happened upon it in the library of the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship. It took right off from the first pages. What a rare treat!

[Donalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Catherine Cookson book with lots of emotional moments. As always, she has a full range of characters--ordinary, strong, cruel, weak, domineering and more.

[Alison Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Catherine Cookson's books....................This one is very good, catches you from the start.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the usual Cookson, very enjoyable