Marriage and Mary Ann

The Mary Ann Series #6

by Catherine Cookson

Mary Ann is now engaged to be married and the wedding is to take place in a few week's time. But Mary Ann still manages to become involved in the knotty problems of those dear to her and sets out to solve them in her own inimitable manner.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

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

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book a few times over the years and I really enjoyed reading this story.
Not many people could craft a tale like Catherine Cookson. Recommended.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth novel in the Mary Ann series. Obviously, Mary Ann gets married, but do not be fooled into thinking this book is about HER marriage. As Mary Ann and Corny do not tie the knot till the very end, it is about Mary Ann's parents and their marital troubles. Mary Ann's da, Mike is going thru a midlife crisis. He is on the verge of having an affair as well as hitting the bottle and it is once again Mary Ann to the rescue. Can she succeed this time tho?

I enjoy these Mary Ann books, but quite frankly I am ready for her da to die. I am tired of him and his drinking and his problems and the way Mary Ann always defends him. Thus, four stars instead of five.

I did, however, get a good laugh or two as usual with a Mary Ann book.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another chapter in Mary Ann's life. Her relationship with Corny Boyle develops further. Corny is offered a chance beyond his wildest dreams by Mr Lord but Corny won't be bought and decides to go it alone in his own endeavors. Granny is as miserable as ever and causes lots of chaos in the family esp. where Mike is concerned and the wandering eye he gets as he approaches his midlife. As can be deducted the story ends in the church with the wedding of Corny and Mary Ann. A fun, quick read.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As in most of Cookson's books she writes with strong female characters overcoming some miserable circumstance or misfortune. I also love the English accents given her characters. If you like books set in old England and well developed characters, you will enjoy books by Catherine Cookson!

[Lynn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published 1964.