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Tide Of Life
Sep McGilby always said that Emily Kennedy had a happy face. And at sixteen, Emily had a lot to be glad about. She loved her job as maid-of-all-work to the McGilbys, and the only cloud on her horizon was her anxiety about her delicate younger sister, Lucy.
But when the invalid Mrs McGilby dies, and Sep killed in an accident soon after, Emily and Lucy are forced to leave South Shields to look for work, which they find at Croft Dene House.
The household of Croft Dene House, where Lawrence Birch ruled as master, was a strange one, and as Emily became more deeply involved with the family’s affairs, she grew rapidly to a young woman, needing all her strength of will and character to get her through. And whatever else happened, she clung grimly to a scrap of philosophy that carried her through the bitter struggles of her new life.
But when the invalid Mrs McGilby dies, and Sep killed in an accident soon after, Emily and Lucy are forced to leave South Shields to look for work, which they find at Croft Dene House.
The household of Croft Dene House, where Lawrence Birch ruled as master, was a strange one, and as Emily became more deeply involved with the family’s affairs, she grew rapidly to a young woman, needing all her strength of will and character to get her through. And whatever else happened, she clung grimly to a scrap of philosophy that carried her through the bitter struggles of her new life.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
59 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cookson
501 books682 followersCatherine 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 6, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2018
I never realised I had read so many books by Catherine Cookson till I started compiling this list. Loved this story and Catherine Cookson never disappointed me with the many stories she has told over the years. Easy to read but very hard to put down. Recommended.
December 17, 2015
I always loved Catherine Cookson's books. I rate this book 8 stars out of 5. It's is set outside of Newcastle, UK.
It shows just how hard women worked in those days, from early hours 6 am... cleaning, polishing, dusting, milking cows, baking pies from scratch. No washing machines or electric irons. Emily has many up's and downs throughout this story, more downs than up's, and yet she was determined. She stuck it out, when she wanted to give up and run away from the mean spirited woman that she was taking care of, as well as cleaning a large house, cooking, and churning milk, helping on the farm. She deserved a medal, instead she was used like a slave, kept woman, and then thrust aside, when it was no longer convenient for him. Then end was different to what I expected, as I hoped she would be left the house, but in the end it did come back to her...in a strange way.
It shows just how hard women worked in those days, from early hours 6 am... cleaning, polishing, dusting, milking cows, baking pies from scratch. No washing machines or electric irons. Emily has many up's and downs throughout this story, more downs than up's, and yet she was determined. She stuck it out, when she wanted to give up and run away from the mean spirited woman that she was taking care of, as well as cleaning a large house, cooking, and churning milk, helping on the farm. She deserved a medal, instead she was used like a slave, kept woman, and then thrust aside, when it was no longer convenient for him. Then end was different to what I expected, as I hoped she would be left the house, but in the end it did come back to her...in a strange way.
September 25, 2015
Once again, Catherine Cookson delivers a novel of interesting people dealing with the "ups and downs" of daily life that fate is apt to nudge their way...
July 10, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed that! I'll admit that I'd tried reading Catherine Cookson many years ago but had found it pretty tough going. I can't fathom that now because it was the easiest of reads, and completely absorbing. Between the two efforts, I managed to watch all the Catherine Cookson films many, many times and am sure that it prepped me for her novels.
Very much character based, you get to know the people she writes of. They are usually working class, though involving people of other means, struggling and trying to get on in the world. Always great plots, and realistic situations for the time - because hers are period books. All that I can think of take place in the Newcastle/Tyneside area of Northeast England. Once you've read a few of her books, you quickly become accustomed to the speech and what life is like in Industrialized areas in the early 20 th century, as this one is set. As much a history lesson as a romance novel, or mystery. A perfectly good use of your time, I promise.
Very much character based, you get to know the people she writes of. They are usually working class, though involving people of other means, struggling and trying to get on in the world. Always great plots, and realistic situations for the time - because hers are period books. All that I can think of take place in the Newcastle/Tyneside area of Northeast England. Once you've read a few of her books, you quickly become accustomed to the speech and what life is like in Industrialized areas in the early 20 th century, as this one is set. As much a history lesson as a romance novel, or mystery. A perfectly good use of your time, I promise.
November 19, 2008
I loved this book - it caught me up and whisked me along at full speed till the end. This was also made into a TV series.
Back Cover Blurb:
Sep McGilby said that Emily Kennedy had a glad face. And at 16, Emily had a lot to be glad about. She loved her job as a maid-of-all-work to the McGilbys, and the only cloud on her horizon was her anxiety about her delicate younger sister, Lucy.
But when the invalid Mrs McGilby died, and Sep was killed in an accident soon after, Emily and Lucy were forced to leave South Shields to look for work.
The household of Croft Dene house, where Lawrence Birch ruled as master, was a strange one, and as Emily became more deeply involved with the family's affairs, she grew rapidly from girl to woman, needing all her strength of will and character to get her through. And whatever happened, she clung grimly to a scrap of philosophy that had become her motto: 'Never say die!'.
Back Cover Blurb:
Sep McGilby said that Emily Kennedy had a glad face. And at 16, Emily had a lot to be glad about. She loved her job as a maid-of-all-work to the McGilbys, and the only cloud on her horizon was her anxiety about her delicate younger sister, Lucy.
But when the invalid Mrs McGilby died, and Sep was killed in an accident soon after, Emily and Lucy were forced to leave South Shields to look for work.
The household of Croft Dene house, where Lawrence Birch ruled as master, was a strange one, and as Emily became more deeply involved with the family's affairs, she grew rapidly from girl to woman, needing all her strength of will and character to get her through. And whatever happened, she clung grimly to a scrap of philosophy that had become her motto: 'Never say die!'.
February 5, 2016
A young woman, barely out of girlhood yet, poor, in need of care and support herself - takes life and responsibility for her fragile younger sister, and works hard to support the two of them, and face life as best as she can. And the world is no fairy land - she has to face much, and overcome it too, irrespective of her ability - since it is a question of survival.
Catherine Cookson at her best, with northern rural England brought alive from a century ago, the poor and the not so poor, the noble and the ignoble, the honest and the cheats.
Catherine Cookson at her best, with northern rural England brought alive from a century ago, the poor and the not so poor, the noble and the ignoble, the honest and the cheats.
March 29, 2015
Tide of Life follows the fortunes of young housekeeper, Emily Kennedy, as she learns about relationships with three very different men. Forced from home of her first employer, Sep McGilby after his plans to marry her come to tragic end, Emily finds work as housekeeper for farmer, Larry Birch. Another tragedy occurs, and when Nick Stuart inherits the farm owned by Birch's wife, Nick gives Emily a new future
September 30, 2011
This was my first experience with a book by Catherine Cookson. The book takes place right after the turn of the 20th Century in England. Emily must go through many difficulties in the few years of her young life that are depicted in this novel. It seems almost more than a young girl can bear, but her motto, "Never say die" carries her through even when she has abandoned it.
February 7, 2010
Amazing book in every way. This is believable and heart warming from the beginning. Enjoy this one because these writers seem to be gone. Although Catherine Cookson passed away in the 90's when SHE was in her 90's her book never will let you down.
June 8, 2011
life comes on like a roar on the sea bed.. Existance is the time it takes from the shingle to be wet . . And yet are they deluded? Do they lie? Those blind with courage who shout above the stream "Never say die"
..one of the best novels i ever read
..one of the best novels i ever read
May 30, 2014
Great book
This book was written years ago and by a great author. I will enjoy getting back into reading Catherine Cookson for I had forgotten how interesting her books were and what a great story teller she was.
This book was written years ago and by a great author. I will enjoy getting back into reading Catherine Cookson for I had forgotten how interesting her books were and what a great story teller she was.
December 9, 2014
This was the first book I ever read... You know, for myself (not school related etc)
I think I was about 13 and I found it in my mother's bedroom.
It's a book that sticks in my head and I've read it multiple times in the last 19 years, and no doubt will read again multiple times to come.
I think I was about 13 and I found it in my mother's bedroom.
It's a book that sticks in my head and I've read it multiple times in the last 19 years, and no doubt will read again multiple times to come.
May 31, 2011
I finally got the last book of the movies that I have and found out I had read it before. It was good so I read it again and watched the BBC movie afterwards.
December 13, 2014
The book that made me fall in love with Catherine Cookson.
June 15, 2020
One of my earliest adult Catherine Cookson novels that I read as part of my reading recommended list for O level history to study the social conditions of the ordinary person and economic history of England in the 18th/19th century. I then continued to read and enjoy the remainder of her novels up to and including her last novel. Previous to this I had been introduced via my school library book club at age 13 to her earlier novels under the pseudonym of Catherine Marchant and of course her childrens novels.
SYNOPSIS:
Sep McGilby always said that Emily Kennedy had a happy face. And at sixteen, Emily had a lot to be glad about. She loved her job as maid-of-all-work to the McGilbys, and the only cloud on her horizon was her anxiety about her delicate younger sister, Lucy.
But when the invalid Mrs McGilby dies, and Sep killed in an accident soon after, Emily and Lucy are forced to leave South Shields to look for work, which they find at Croft Dene House.
The household of Croft Dene House, where Lawrence Birch ruled as master, was a strange one, and as Emily became more deeply involved with the family’s affairs, she grew rapidly to a young woman, needing all her strength of will and character to get her through. And whatever else happened, she clung grimly to a scrap of philosophy that carried her through the bitter struggles of her new life.
SYNOPSIS:
Sep McGilby always said that Emily Kennedy had a happy face. And at sixteen, Emily had a lot to be glad about. She loved her job as maid-of-all-work to the McGilbys, and the only cloud on her horizon was her anxiety about her delicate younger sister, Lucy.
But when the invalid Mrs McGilby dies, and Sep killed in an accident soon after, Emily and Lucy are forced to leave South Shields to look for work, which they find at Croft Dene House.
The household of Croft Dene House, where Lawrence Birch ruled as master, was a strange one, and as Emily became more deeply involved with the family’s affairs, she grew rapidly to a young woman, needing all her strength of will and character to get her through. And whatever else happened, she clung grimly to a scrap of philosophy that carried her through the bitter struggles of her new life.
April 20, 2011
Don't know if it is a "classic," but I will be searching for more Catherine Cookson books in the future. Set around the beginnings of the 1900's in rural England, high school readers might struggle w/ historical or British terms, but they could read it despite the scandalous romances that happen along the way. If they watch modern tv, this is TAME in detail or lack thereof.
May 18, 2012
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.
March 1, 2016
The tide of Life, Catherine Cookson, RDC-M #2-76, 1978. Emily Kennedy loves her life as the maid for the McGilby family, but when tragedy strikes, and the family dies, Emily must take her younger sister with her and find another job. She becomes a maid for another family, but it's not a happy situation and Emily must gather all her strength and courage to get through. Good.
March 10, 2017
good story
October 3, 2020
Emily portrays the ideal image from rags to riches, poor coat to richer marriage of a dreaming girl and, from South Shields area was someone destined alike many commonly were to lower than life expectancy. As although her story battles on by local pride and is determined on the other hand against the grit of the times she was living through. Of course alike any other romance would, she had loved overall and won equally well in the end by the gentlemen she just deserved to be a lady spouse.
I am a local lad from the area of main scenes of Seaburn. There is a sense that the writer has done very well the homework here mind and is tell tale of the time we're living in today. I certainly would look round for this type of lass.
I would like to mention of the initial suicide and as disturbing the scene was on the cliff top of the leas. Also the colonel who had labelled Con as a reject to villagers, really was on the other hand the sheep of the village fault mentioned nearby to Whitburn rectory. Or the military occupation surrounding rural district meant that cursed some people by mere sheep doing what someone said bigger than them as those never grew to adulthood. This poor fellow probably was bound from the middle ages and a priest would have on the other hand unseen the green village welcome as someone already gone wrong from last generations. Stuck within a secluded part of the rectory must had realised the military bounded off this area. Note the spiritual damages anyone coming through the village going south. Although going outside the clear direction is west on the other hand and Gateshead a life-line.
Whether the young lassie thought she could not do any better than a pig farm. Clearly the personal aim of anybody watching is to resist this type of swine lad like. What looks powerful, representation of the bull is actual a lazy lump in love and a two pumps and a squirt type of bloke. A girl would be foolish to grant him such power. Attempt to love someone alike on the other hand the story ends most dreams whilst losing yourself to light sensitivity or is the fight against the control of Satan that be around the type of selfish lifestyle. In this case South Shields lass got allowance to carry on with how strong her job was working to get to where she needed to be ladylike. And quite rightly any person from a loving family really ought to placed where they should even when from a poorer background. But anyhow the ideal relationship for this type of lass is a Jack who goes home. Of course a level of conscious is harder from the slums however, the motto goes. It should always be love at first sight, see what is seen and gave no more! It is how you save yourself alike the Souter light house built internally as your main body's hub. We mostly generate our sense of love and personal need through time, patients and begin to see our true reflections of ourselves within each other to trust one another
I am a local lad from the area of main scenes of Seaburn. There is a sense that the writer has done very well the homework here mind and is tell tale of the time we're living in today. I certainly would look round for this type of lass.
I would like to mention of the initial suicide and as disturbing the scene was on the cliff top of the leas. Also the colonel who had labelled Con as a reject to villagers, really was on the other hand the sheep of the village fault mentioned nearby to Whitburn rectory. Or the military occupation surrounding rural district meant that cursed some people by mere sheep doing what someone said bigger than them as those never grew to adulthood. This poor fellow probably was bound from the middle ages and a priest would have on the other hand unseen the green village welcome as someone already gone wrong from last generations. Stuck within a secluded part of the rectory must had realised the military bounded off this area. Note the spiritual damages anyone coming through the village going south. Although going outside the clear direction is west on the other hand and Gateshead a life-line.
Whether the young lassie thought she could not do any better than a pig farm. Clearly the personal aim of anybody watching is to resist this type of swine lad like. What looks powerful, representation of the bull is actual a lazy lump in love and a two pumps and a squirt type of bloke. A girl would be foolish to grant him such power. Attempt to love someone alike on the other hand the story ends most dreams whilst losing yourself to light sensitivity or is the fight against the control of Satan that be around the type of selfish lifestyle. In this case South Shields lass got allowance to carry on with how strong her job was working to get to where she needed to be ladylike. And quite rightly any person from a loving family really ought to placed where they should even when from a poorer background. But anyhow the ideal relationship for this type of lass is a Jack who goes home. Of course a level of conscious is harder from the slums however, the motto goes. It should always be love at first sight, see what is seen and gave no more! It is how you save yourself alike the Souter light house built internally as your main body's hub. We mostly generate our sense of love and personal need through time, patients and begin to see our true reflections of ourselves within each other to trust one another
September 6, 2017
I found my way to this book from an ad for a BBC production of it. I always like to read before watching. I found myself wanting Emily to be a better heroine than she really was. I had to keep reminding myself that she was a teenage girl. I just found many of her choices surprising. Also a little Pervy that all these older men were always after her. I did like her cheek and bravery. Definitely a story full of interesting characters.
April 21, 2020
Not one moment could I have guessed the ending and never could I have imagined it. Such a great read. Thoroughly engrossing, I kept expecting Larry to get his act together but it didn't happen as I thought. Toward the end of the book all I was concerned for was the cat and if the book had of finished without mentioning what happened to the cat I would have been upset and annoyed, but even the cat had a happy ending. Well done for great novel.
July 3, 2022
I really liked this book. It gives you brief look into the life.....A life that none of us in todays time could ever imagine. Having no control over ones destiny without what we all possess.....a choice. That is the life of this damsel in distress. But she keeps a stiff upper lip and moves forward accepting her fate because there is no other direction. Until............
October 28, 2023
Loved this story
I liked the picture I saw of life of a young poor and uneducated woman who had so few choices in life at that time and the heart of a loving and dedicated individual who tried too please and make happy all she came in contact with, I looked forward to knowing the ending but hated for it to end.
I liked the picture I saw of life of a young poor and uneducated woman who had so few choices in life at that time and the heart of a loving and dedicated individual who tried too please and make happy all she came in contact with, I looked forward to knowing the ending but hated for it to end.
February 28, 2019
A little too depressing for me, but it probably was a true depiction of what life was like in the early 1900s for many people. The silver lining for me is that it gave me more appreciation of how blessed I am.
August 27, 2019
This one is tied for second with so many of my favorite CC stories. The story is amazing. The strong female character is inspiring! New knowledge gained into a different time is fascinating. I just love this story.
March 29, 2021
Wonderful!
I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I have always liked
Catherine Cookson novels but I think this is one of her best. I felt every emotion of the main character . As always, despite adversity, love triumphs in the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I have always liked
Catherine Cookson novels but I think this is one of her best. I felt every emotion of the main character . As always, despite adversity, love triumphs in the end.
July 18, 2018
Loved, loved, loved the story❤️❤️👏🏻👏🏻
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews