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Emmerdale Farm #2
Emmerdale Farm: Prodigal's progress
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
About the author
Lee MacKenzie
40 books6 followersPseudonym of Jean Bowden
Other known pseudonyms:
Barbara Annandale
Belinda Dell
Jocelyn Barry
Avon Curry
Jennifer Bland
Tessa Barclay
Other known pseudonyms:
Barbara Annandale
Belinda Dell
Jocelyn Barry
Avon Curry
Jennifer Bland
Tessa Barclay
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 6, 2019
A bit more variety in this edition than the previous book I read (Vol. 4 Lover's Meeting).
This edition covers several storylines, the main one of which centres on the assault and subsequent disappearance of Sharon Crossthwaite (not an easy read!), other plotlines include the tragic tramp 'Trash' (who unwittingly becomes involved in Sharon's disappearance) and Jack Sugden's love life that continues to be the source of gossip amongst the village.
This book kept my attention well throughout, although the pacing was off in several places where some plotlines randomly take a back seat for others before suddenly reappearing.
This edition covers several storylines, the main one of which centres on the assault and subsequent disappearance of Sharon Crossthwaite (not an easy read!), other plotlines include the tragic tramp 'Trash' (who unwittingly becomes involved in Sharon's disappearance) and Jack Sugden's love life that continues to be the source of gossip amongst the village.
This book kept my attention well throughout, although the pacing was off in several places where some plotlines randomly take a back seat for others before suddenly reappearing.
April 28, 2026
Re-read, 28/4/2026;
Although I'm well past episode 300 of Emmerdale Farm now, I forget a lot. So re-reading this but with the context of Emmerdale Farm, The Legacy (and the books told from Annie's POV, no less!) was a lot better than my first read.
While The Legacy only seemed to cover the first 10 or so episodes, we're up to the late 40s at least here, with the introduction of Penny; whose name still sparks The Rage in me knowing how she breaks Joe's heart!
I have the unbreakable habit of forgetting most anything that isn't to do with Joe Sugden; as such I'd forgotten who Barney is, that Amos had proposed to Annie, who Hilly Hughes is, who George and Laura are,
The scenes of Jim Latimer attacking Sharon Crosswaite are particularly chilling; at least they're not taken lightly and handled with their true weight, but it makes for a very disturbing read you don't expect to find in an Emmerdale Farm book.
Does what happens to Sharon count as fridging? Because in this book especially it seems her only purpose is to be Jim's victim.
Jack's attitude towards Trash really mellowed me towards him. I typically strongly dislike Jack but the way he defends and cares for Trash is very touching. Shame he can't treat his own brother with a slither of that respect! And I don't need to tell you that Joe is courteous and respectful by default.
This read really helped me appreciate the poignance of Trash's story. Had he not been judged for being a "tramp" he could have given evidence that he saw Jim attack Sharon. But the prejudice and subsequent terror led him to his death.
I reiterate everything I said in my original review about poor sweet Joe being the underdog, taken for granted, and done dirty. The scene of Him packing, declaring He'll leave home, absolutely trampled my heart.
When forty-two pounds was contributed to that church thing, I went to an inflation calculator. This story is set in 1973. Forty-two Great British Pounds in 1973 equals £465.34 in 2026. Four hundred and sixty-five Great British pounds, and thirty-four new pence.
The scene of Jim attacking Penny is just as vile, seeing her fight back was cathartic, but of course she has to make him a cup of tea. Thankfully she pours the boiling water on him! Jim gets sent down and I don't think we hear from him thereafter.
Prodigal's Progress ends on the hopeful note of Peggy bringing her newborn twins home with Matt. Oh dear . . .
I liked this more the second time round. 3 stars, possibly 3.5.
Original review, 7/1/2026:
I'm only reading these for Joe Sugden. I'm 311 episodes into Emmerdale Farm so it's been a while since I watched the episodes this book was based on. I also read volumes 3-6 before this one, because those were the only ones I could find at the time.
I don't remember the detail of Sharon being Joe's third cousin twice removed or whatever yet Him slightly fancying her regardless (which they try later in the show with Rosemary MAKE IT STOP).
Joe Sugden is literally the only appeal of Emmerdale Farm to me, so a book that isn't entirely focused on Him, as these early ones weren't, just aren't rated too highly by me. This book seems to be unclear of His age, I'm sure He was supposed to be about 20 at the start of the show but at one point here He's indirectly implied to be 18 (a year older than Sharon who's explicitly stated as 17) and there's some comment about Him being on the "sunny side of twenty", but then he's properly stated to be 20.
Was the way Jim attacking Sharon was described necessary? I remember it happening in the episode but here we have to read all his thoughts about her and the positions of his hands on her and it doesn't make good reading. I don't remember him attacking Penny (also grotesquely described) being in the show but at least she gets her girlboss moment - for a moment - was this written by a man? She makes her attacker some tea.
Mentions of Janie and Marian and the arrival of Penny made me remember how much Emmerdale Farm pissed me off in its infancy, poor beautiful Joe Sugden can never catch a break! I've been so caught up in my hatred of the main ghastly woman that fucks up his life, this book truly rekindled some old rages.
I will say, writers of Emmerdale Farm, be it in print or on screen, get being the underdog youngest child just right, even if it's through the sweet Joe. He'll never be a mere second-best to me.
Add in some classic comments about middle aged women's heaving bosoms and you've got a rough book with one diamond. Joe Sugden is the diamond. The stars I rate are for Him. I can't give Him less than 3 stars. But it's more of a 2.5.
Although I'm well past episode 300 of Emmerdale Farm now, I forget a lot. So re-reading this but with the context of Emmerdale Farm, The Legacy (and the books told from Annie's POV, no less!) was a lot better than my first read.
While The Legacy only seemed to cover the first 10 or so episodes, we're up to the late 40s at least here, with the introduction of Penny; whose name still sparks The Rage in me knowing how she breaks Joe's heart!
I have the unbreakable habit of forgetting most anything that isn't to do with Joe Sugden; as such I'd forgotten who Barney is, that Amos had proposed to Annie, who Hilly Hughes is, who George and Laura are,
The scenes of Jim Latimer attacking Sharon Crosswaite are particularly chilling; at least they're not taken lightly and handled with their true weight, but it makes for a very disturbing read you don't expect to find in an Emmerdale Farm book.
Does what happens to Sharon count as fridging? Because in this book especially it seems her only purpose is to be Jim's victim.
Jack's attitude towards Trash really mellowed me towards him. I typically strongly dislike Jack but the way he defends and cares for Trash is very touching. Shame he can't treat his own brother with a slither of that respect! And I don't need to tell you that Joe is courteous and respectful by default.
This read really helped me appreciate the poignance of Trash's story. Had he not been judged for being a "tramp" he could have given evidence that he saw Jim attack Sharon. But the prejudice and subsequent terror led him to his death.
I reiterate everything I said in my original review about poor sweet Joe being the underdog, taken for granted, and done dirty. The scene of Him packing, declaring He'll leave home, absolutely trampled my heart.
When forty-two pounds was contributed to that church thing, I went to an inflation calculator. This story is set in 1973. Forty-two Great British Pounds in 1973 equals £465.34 in 2026. Four hundred and sixty-five Great British pounds, and thirty-four new pence.
The scene of Jim attacking Penny is just as vile, seeing her fight back was cathartic, but of course she has to make him a cup of tea. Thankfully she pours the boiling water on him! Jim gets sent down and I don't think we hear from him thereafter.
Prodigal's Progress ends on the hopeful note of Peggy bringing her newborn twins home with Matt. Oh dear . . .
I liked this more the second time round. 3 stars, possibly 3.5.
Original review, 7/1/2026:
I'm only reading these for Joe Sugden. I'm 311 episodes into Emmerdale Farm so it's been a while since I watched the episodes this book was based on. I also read volumes 3-6 before this one, because those were the only ones I could find at the time.
I don't remember the detail of Sharon being Joe's third cousin twice removed or whatever yet Him slightly fancying her regardless (which they try later in the show with Rosemary MAKE IT STOP).
Joe Sugden is literally the only appeal of Emmerdale Farm to me, so a book that isn't entirely focused on Him, as these early ones weren't, just aren't rated too highly by me. This book seems to be unclear of His age, I'm sure He was supposed to be about 20 at the start of the show but at one point here He's indirectly implied to be 18 (a year older than Sharon who's explicitly stated as 17) and there's some comment about Him being on the "sunny side of twenty", but then he's properly stated to be 20.
Was the way Jim attacking Sharon was described necessary? I remember it happening in the episode but here we have to read all his thoughts about her and the positions of his hands on her and it doesn't make good reading. I don't remember him attacking Penny (also grotesquely described) being in the show but at least she gets her girlboss moment - for a moment - was this written by a man? She makes her attacker some tea.
Mentions of Janie and Marian and the arrival of Penny made me remember how much Emmerdale Farm pissed me off in its infancy, poor beautiful Joe Sugden can never catch a break! I've been so caught up in my hatred of the main ghastly woman that fucks up his life, this book truly rekindled some old rages.
I will say, writers of Emmerdale Farm, be it in print or on screen, get being the underdog youngest child just right, even if it's through the sweet Joe. He'll never be a mere second-best to me.
Add in some classic comments about middle aged women's heaving bosoms and you've got a rough book with one diamond. Joe Sugden is the diamond. The stars I rate are for Him. I can't give Him less than 3 stars. But it's more of a 2.5.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews