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The Mill Town Lasses #1
The Cotton Spinner
Lancashire, 1830
When Jennet and Titus Eastwood are forced to move from their idyllic cottage into the centre of Blackburn to find work in the cotton mills, their lives are changed in ways they could never have imagined and their new home on Paradise Lane is anything but…
When Titus is arrested and sent to prison for attending a reform meeting, Jennet is left to fend for herself and things go from bad to worse as Jennet finds herself pregnant and alone – with another man’s child.
When Jennet and Titus Eastwood are forced to move from their idyllic cottage into the centre of Blackburn to find work in the cotton mills, their lives are changed in ways they could never have imagined and their new home on Paradise Lane is anything but…
When Titus is arrested and sent to prison for attending a reform meeting, Jennet is left to fend for herself and things go from bad to worse as Jennet finds herself pregnant and alone – with another man’s child.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2020
54 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 27, 2020
What a delightful read THE COTTON SPINNER by Libby Ashworth is! Set in the industrial north west amidst poverty as well as the gentry, once I was there I didn't want to leave. It is well written, captivating and wholly engrossing from beginning to end.
Lancashire, 1830: Jennet and Titus Eastwood are struggling to make a living and move from their comfortable home in the country to Paradise Lane, Blackburn for work in the cotton mills. They are both accustomed to working from home, with Jennet a cotton spinner and Titus a weaver, as they have done all their lives like their families before them. But when the mills began to take all their trade, Jennet and Titus found there was no work for hand spinners and weavers with their ability to produce more cloth in a much faster time.
The house in Paradise Lane was a poor sight in comparison to the one they left behind and the air now thick with dust and smoke from the mills, making the clean country air they were accustomed to a distant memory. But with a young baby to care for, they had to go where the work was and Titus soon found himself employed at the local mill on one of the machines. But the hours are long and the wages are low and when their young daughter is taken ill, Jennet must use some of the money from the sale of their hand loom to pay for a doctor. Then when the mill owners discover they are producing cloth quicker than they can sell it, they have to let some of their workers go...and on a last come first to go basis, Titus soon finds himself out of work once again.
When they first moved into number 10 Paradise Lane Jennet and Titus knew no one, but they were soon befriended by their kindly neighbours Lizzie and George. Lizzie, especially, became a good friend to Jennet during the long days when Titus was still at the mill. Jennet thought about finding some work herself and Lizzie gave her the name of a woman who minds children should she do so and need someone to take little Peggy during working hours. But Jennet was accustomed to having Peggy with her while she worked and refused to entertain the idea of someone else caring for her child.
But she had to do something as the money from the sale of their loom was fast dwindling and with Titus out of work, they still needed to eat and pay the rent. Then one night George next door tells Titus of a reform meeting taking place up on the moors, and despite Jennet's misgivings, Titus is drawn into attending. But it all goes horribly wrong when the meeting is hijacked and a decision is made to storm the mill. Then when he and George become separated, Titus finds himself carried along with the surge of the crowd and is ultimately in the wrong place at the wrong time. When the constables arrive, he is arrested along with the others and taken to Preston until his hearing in a couple of days.
When Jennet sees that George has returned home but Titus hasn't, she begins to worry. George has no idea what happened to Titus as they had become separated but he agreed to stand up and speak to his character at his hearing. But on the morning of the hearing, George informs her that he cannot go as he must stay with Lizzie who has been ill and taken a turn for the worse. So Jennet and her father make the journey on their own. They return disheartened with the news that Titus has been bound over for trial at the Assizes in Lancaster in three months time.
How will Jennet and Peggy survive without Titus' income? Can she find work and look after Peggy at the same time? Will her parents be able to help her, though they live more than an hours' walk away?
Then Jennet's sister Hannah comes to stay with her and the two women get work at the mill while Peggy stays with her parents in the country. But it is long and hard and there is also the roving eye and wandering hands of Mr Hargreaves. But more than that, Jennet soon finds herself pregnant with another man's child and worries what Titus will say when he finds out. And soon she finds herself begging for relief from the vicar's wife for assistance to help feed Peggy.
THE COTTON SPINNER is a beautifully spun historical saga which sweeps us back in time to the harsh realities of poverty and life in the industrial north west. It takes us from the countryside to the grim streets of Blackburn to the noise and dust on the factory floor to the harsh working conditions and low wages and then into the Victorian penal system - it was the epitome of hell on earth.
Libby Ashworth uses her own ancestors as inspiration for this story, bringing the time period alive and the lives of Jennet and Titus in this beautifully told tale.
THE COTTON SPINNER is the first the Mill Town Lassies series set in the industrial north west. I read this book in one sitting, loved it and cannot wait to devour the next installment "A Lancashire Lass".
Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson and Dilly Court and lovers of historical fiction sagas.
I would like to thank #LibbyAshworth, #NetGalley and #RandomHouseUK and #CornerstoneDigital for an ARC of #TheCottonSpinner in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Lancashire, 1830: Jennet and Titus Eastwood are struggling to make a living and move from their comfortable home in the country to Paradise Lane, Blackburn for work in the cotton mills. They are both accustomed to working from home, with Jennet a cotton spinner and Titus a weaver, as they have done all their lives like their families before them. But when the mills began to take all their trade, Jennet and Titus found there was no work for hand spinners and weavers with their ability to produce more cloth in a much faster time.
The house in Paradise Lane was a poor sight in comparison to the one they left behind and the air now thick with dust and smoke from the mills, making the clean country air they were accustomed to a distant memory. But with a young baby to care for, they had to go where the work was and Titus soon found himself employed at the local mill on one of the machines. But the hours are long and the wages are low and when their young daughter is taken ill, Jennet must use some of the money from the sale of their hand loom to pay for a doctor. Then when the mill owners discover they are producing cloth quicker than they can sell it, they have to let some of their workers go...and on a last come first to go basis, Titus soon finds himself out of work once again.
When they first moved into number 10 Paradise Lane Jennet and Titus knew no one, but they were soon befriended by their kindly neighbours Lizzie and George. Lizzie, especially, became a good friend to Jennet during the long days when Titus was still at the mill. Jennet thought about finding some work herself and Lizzie gave her the name of a woman who minds children should she do so and need someone to take little Peggy during working hours. But Jennet was accustomed to having Peggy with her while she worked and refused to entertain the idea of someone else caring for her child.
But she had to do something as the money from the sale of their loom was fast dwindling and with Titus out of work, they still needed to eat and pay the rent. Then one night George next door tells Titus of a reform meeting taking place up on the moors, and despite Jennet's misgivings, Titus is drawn into attending. But it all goes horribly wrong when the meeting is hijacked and a decision is made to storm the mill. Then when he and George become separated, Titus finds himself carried along with the surge of the crowd and is ultimately in the wrong place at the wrong time. When the constables arrive, he is arrested along with the others and taken to Preston until his hearing in a couple of days.
When Jennet sees that George has returned home but Titus hasn't, she begins to worry. George has no idea what happened to Titus as they had become separated but he agreed to stand up and speak to his character at his hearing. But on the morning of the hearing, George informs her that he cannot go as he must stay with Lizzie who has been ill and taken a turn for the worse. So Jennet and her father make the journey on their own. They return disheartened with the news that Titus has been bound over for trial at the Assizes in Lancaster in three months time.
How will Jennet and Peggy survive without Titus' income? Can she find work and look after Peggy at the same time? Will her parents be able to help her, though they live more than an hours' walk away?
Then Jennet's sister Hannah comes to stay with her and the two women get work at the mill while Peggy stays with her parents in the country. But it is long and hard and there is also the roving eye and wandering hands of Mr Hargreaves. But more than that, Jennet soon finds herself pregnant with another man's child and worries what Titus will say when he finds out. And soon she finds herself begging for relief from the vicar's wife for assistance to help feed Peggy.
THE COTTON SPINNER is a beautifully spun historical saga which sweeps us back in time to the harsh realities of poverty and life in the industrial north west. It takes us from the countryside to the grim streets of Blackburn to the noise and dust on the factory floor to the harsh working conditions and low wages and then into the Victorian penal system - it was the epitome of hell on earth.
Libby Ashworth uses her own ancestors as inspiration for this story, bringing the time period alive and the lives of Jennet and Titus in this beautifully told tale.
THE COTTON SPINNER is the first the Mill Town Lassies series set in the industrial north west. I read this book in one sitting, loved it and cannot wait to devour the next installment "A Lancashire Lass".
Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson and Dilly Court and lovers of historical fiction sagas.
I would like to thank #LibbyAshworth, #NetGalley and #RandomHouseUK and #CornerstoneDigital for an ARC of #TheCottonSpinner in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
February 12, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in two days. I enjoyed learning a bit about the 1820s era of the 'Luddites' and how the story weaved through such changing time sin English history. Jennet and Titus were great characters and true to life.
April 20, 2020
The Cotton Spinner is a story set in the industrial northwest the poverty of working class and Jennets story. I can highly recommend this book 5*
September 27, 2020
Thank you for the chance to read this title in return for my own opinion
I had requested this book and the sequel when I found they were part of a series but was declined for the sequel. Sadly I will not be rushing to purchase it.
Although I found the story interesting I didn't gel at all with the characters and often found myself wondering 'Why?' they did certain things.
It did however make me research into the mechanisation of weaving and the Reform movement and the Luddites. I had learnt about the Corn Laws whilst doing a history 'O' level many years ago but hadn't appreciated the effect it had on the working classes.
The story does have heart breaking elements and is a page turner to find out what happens next. It is written in the vernacular and I did find myself actually saying the words at times.
It was interesting that Titus ate better in prison and had a more fulfilling life than Jennet who was left at home.
But for me it all felt so predictable - and I have no real urge to read anymore about these characters, It would be easy to write a synopsis of the story but that would spoil it for others that would like to read it.
I got to 94% of the book read and felt I really ought to finish for the night but would just read to the end of the chapter - turned the page and the book finished - which I found a great disappointment. It all finished so abruptly - though it was obvious that the story would continue - in fact the last line might as well have been 'to be continued '
Thank you again to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book
I had requested this book and the sequel when I found they were part of a series but was declined for the sequel. Sadly I will not be rushing to purchase it.
Although I found the story interesting I didn't gel at all with the characters and often found myself wondering 'Why?' they did certain things.
It did however make me research into the mechanisation of weaving and the Reform movement and the Luddites. I had learnt about the Corn Laws whilst doing a history 'O' level many years ago but hadn't appreciated the effect it had on the working classes.
The story does have heart breaking elements and is a page turner to find out what happens next. It is written in the vernacular and I did find myself actually saying the words at times.
It was interesting that Titus ate better in prison and had a more fulfilling life than Jennet who was left at home.
But for me it all felt so predictable - and I have no real urge to read anymore about these characters, It would be easy to write a synopsis of the story but that would spoil it for others that would like to read it.
I got to 94% of the book read and felt I really ought to finish for the night but would just read to the end of the chapter - turned the page and the book finished - which I found a great disappointment. It all finished so abruptly - though it was obvious that the story would continue - in fact the last line might as well have been 'to be continued '
Thank you again to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book
April 16, 2020
Jennet and Titus Eastwood hope to make a new start in their terraced house in Paradise Lane in Blackburn. Although both of them are accustomed to weaving from home, it's decided that opportunities are likely to be better in the large cotton mill which can produce more cloth in a faster time. With a young baby to look after, Titus becomes the sole breadwinner but it all starts to get complicated when Titus is drawn into attending one of the controversial reform meetings.
What then follows is a beautifully authentic historical saga which takes us from the grim streets of the industrial North West, right onto the factory floor, where the noise and dust from the huge spinning and weaving machines seems, to Titus, having just come from the countryside, to be the very epitome of hell on earth. Describing the stark working conditions and the even harsher ways in which the poor where forced to seek a decent wage adds an interesting dimension, particularly when some of the action moves into the Victorian penal system.
Using her own ancestors as inspiration for the story, the author certainly brings this period alive in this interesting character driven novel. I enjoyed getting to know both Titus and Jennet who, so typical, of their time, try to eke out a decent living, despite having to overcome the many hardships that life seems to constantly throw at them.
The Cotton Spinner is the first book in the Mill Town Lassies series of historical sagas and certainly gets this new series off to a good start. The second book A Lancashire Lass is due later this year.
What then follows is a beautifully authentic historical saga which takes us from the grim streets of the industrial North West, right onto the factory floor, where the noise and dust from the huge spinning and weaving machines seems, to Titus, having just come from the countryside, to be the very epitome of hell on earth. Describing the stark working conditions and the even harsher ways in which the poor where forced to seek a decent wage adds an interesting dimension, particularly when some of the action moves into the Victorian penal system.
Using her own ancestors as inspiration for the story, the author certainly brings this period alive in this interesting character driven novel. I enjoyed getting to know both Titus and Jennet who, so typical, of their time, try to eke out a decent living, despite having to overcome the many hardships that life seems to constantly throw at them.
The Cotton Spinner is the first book in the Mill Town Lassies series of historical sagas and certainly gets this new series off to a good start. The second book A Lancashire Lass is due later this year.
July 22, 2020
Such a lovely book.
Jennet and Titus are cotton spinners, they are struggling to make a living in the country so decide to move to Paradise Lane in Blackburn with the lure of the big industrial mills to draw them. But one night Titus gets attracted by a reform meeting and goes along with his neighbour leaving Jennet at home to care for their young child.
This is when the story infolds it is a tale of severe hardship, struggle and poverty.
I wanted to stay with it till the end it drew me in and kept me enthralled I loved every page and am very much looking forward to the next instalment in their lives "A Lancashire lass"
Jennet and Titus are cotton spinners, they are struggling to make a living in the country so decide to move to Paradise Lane in Blackburn with the lure of the big industrial mills to draw them. But one night Titus gets attracted by a reform meeting and goes along with his neighbour leaving Jennet at home to care for their young child.
This is when the story infolds it is a tale of severe hardship, struggle and poverty.
I wanted to stay with it till the end it drew me in and kept me enthralled I loved every page and am very much looking forward to the next instalment in their lives "A Lancashire lass"
December 10, 2020
This book is stellar!
I was so engrossed in the plot I forgot the characters were all fictional.
The author did a remarkable job drafting history and knowledge of cotton weaving in the book.
I highly recommend this book if you desire a cozy book that has the perfect turns and twists in it.
The book cover is beautiful and the plot so easy to follow.
The main character is so strong. I really admire her strength.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
I was so engrossed in the plot I forgot the characters were all fictional.
The author did a remarkable job drafting history and knowledge of cotton weaving in the book.
I highly recommend this book if you desire a cozy book that has the perfect turns and twists in it.
The book cover is beautiful and the plot so easy to follow.
The main character is so strong. I really admire her strength.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
December 10, 2020
This book is stellar!
I was so engrossed in the plot I forgot the characters were all fictional.
The author did a remarkable job drafting history and knowledge of cotton weaving in the book.
I highly recommend this book if you desire a cozy book that has the perfect turns and twists in it.
The book cover is beautiful and the plot so easy to follow.
The main character is so strong. I really admire her strength.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
I was so engrossed in the plot I forgot the characters were all fictional.
The author did a remarkable job drafting history and knowledge of cotton weaving in the book.
I highly recommend this book if you desire a cozy book that has the perfect turns and twists in it.
The book cover is beautiful and the plot so easy to follow.
The main character is so strong. I really admire her strength.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
April 18, 2020
Brilliant. This book has been beautifully written I love the use of dialect throughout which adds to the trials and tribulations of Jennets story. The characters felt real and the story is historically accurate which makes me feel grateful for what I have today. This story shows the strength of women of the era having to juggle family and work and keep their menfolk happy. I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. I can't wait for the next installment.
April 18, 2020
The Cotton Spinner is a well-written novel about the industrial northwest and the abject poverty of working class labourers at the onset of the industrial revolution. It’s a well-researched story any fan of historical fiction would enjoy.
Read my entire review on This is Lit.
Read my entire review on This is Lit.
May 18, 2020
I enjoyed this book, it was interesting and drew you back to the time that it portrayed. The story captivated my attention and I thoroughly enjoyed learning of the lives of the characters and their backgrounds and how life was so different to it is now. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read historical UK fiction.
June 6, 2020
Firstly thank you Net Galley for granting this book. This is the first book I have read by Libby Ashworth and I am totally hooked. Such a lovely book - strong characters and storyline - can not wait to read the second book A Lancashire Lass to follow the lives of Jennet and Titus. Feel I could not read this book quick enough- it did not disappoint
January 26, 2022
An interesting story set in the 1820s when life was very hard for the working classes. Jennet and her husband Titus earnt their living working from home as weavers and spinners like hundreds of others but the industrial revolution changed everything and they had to move to the city and work long, hard hours in the factory instead. This is a book that brings history to life.
January 24, 2022
A cosy, Sunday evening read with interesting characters and setting. I didn't know much about the mills, Luddites and so learnt things too! I'd like to read the next one to see what happens to the family next.
April 24, 2020
A story set in the most disruptive time in the weaving industry. Everything is changing for the main characters,who were well portrat. Ending was A bit abrupt,although I know there is more to come.
July 6, 2020
A very good book
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am just going to order the next book in this series it comes out in August.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am just going to order the next book in this series it comes out in August.
April 8, 2023
Lovely book and enjoyed the storyline. Really into the story and then turned the page and it was such an abrupt ending it really surprised me. Looking forward to the 2nd book in the series
September 14, 2025
This is a Brilliant book and its the first book I've read from this wonderful author and I can't wait to read more
January 8, 2021
I hardly ever rate five stars. But I thought this book deserved more then 5 stars. Before readers new to this story start the book, read the into.... this book is based on a true family history of Libby’s own great great great grand father and his wife... and there life. Although fictional. It’s based on true facts... I loved this book. Please write more and continue the story, I am just about to start on book number 2 in the series. The Lancashire Lass.
July 20, 2024
Good historical setting and description, but I'm calling time on this now it's nearing the end of the year. Clearly I'm not into family hardship sagas as it's been sitting mostly unread for awhile.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews