The Lady On My Left

by Catherine Cookson

Alison Read, orphaned at two years old, is brought up by her guardian Paul Aylmer, an antique dealer who she works for. When he asks her to value the contents of Beacon Ride, matters do not proceed as expected, leading to a chain of events that reveal a secret Paul has concealed for years.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Gothic, Novels

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

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

[Sally Sabrawi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable and boring.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The following review was originally posted on my book blog The Book Challengers.

If I had to choose my favourite among the Catherine Cookson novels I have read so far, this would not be the one. In fact, I think this is the weakest Cookson novel I've read to date.

It wasn't that the ward/guardian love interest part put me off, per se, but I don't think I really rooted for Alison and Paul either. While I got a teeny tiny glimpse that Alison might be in love with Paul, but it felt more like a school girl infatuation with this small glimpse as I didn't really get the chance to get to know the characters. And Paul's interest in Alison? Sure, there was also a teeny tiny glimpse into it and I might even believe it more than I do Alison's interest in Paul, but I didn't really buy it either...

All in all, just an OK read for me.

[Janetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Possibly my first Catherine Cookson book so was rather an experimental read. I didn't like the ward/guardian love interest part of the storyline - seemed a bit distateful to me. Plus I like my heroines to be a little more independent - as much as she insists she is an adult, not a child, the way Alison's world revolves around Paul is rather childlike in its naivity. Their relationship seems for the most part parent-child (the way he witholds information from her, has the final word etc). So many of the other characters treat Alison as a child as well, the auctioneer who sends her a note asking 'Does Paul know?' when she's in the middle of bidding for some items, even the doctors who refer to her as 'little-un'.
Plot itself was a little predictable.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best Catherine Cookson book and this is the third time I have read it thinking to myself it has to be good, there has to be something I have missed but overall just a meh kind of read personally I am a big fan of Catherine Cookson. But this one was not for me the first, second or third time around.

[Diana Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work tells the story of a young orphan girl who is raised as a ward by the family's friend who is an antique dealer. Through the years the protagonist of the work not only shares the life of the man who raised her in learning the business but she also has grown close to him. I thought it was a delightful story, has some mystery attached to it, is a love story and also includes an evil character.

[Mookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, critically speaking, this probably deserves a 2. Maybe a 1.5. On my own personal list I'm giving it a four.

I like this book entirely for the romance. You know, oblivious girl realizes she loves a man who she finds out has loved her all along. The guardian aspect was a bit much and it's clear that Paul has a long ways to go before respecting Allison as a partner, rather than an attractive ward. I have zero interesting in the whole mystery antiquing plot. The trust fund issue was kind of a digging point for me, but it also made Paul a bit more agreeable to me (it makes sense why he would happily take on an orphaned kid).

I mean, the writing was kind of awful. I wonder if Cookson wrote this in the latter stages of her life, as there was minimal effort for originality and technique. Still, I enjoyed this book in a very domestic sense.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, where to begin… this novel was completely shocking, in the best way. I picked it up, sure I wasn't going to enjoy it, then before I even finished the first page, I was immediately hooked and in love with Alison and each of the characters (bar a couple, you'll understand once you've read it). Our leading lady is feisty, innocent and completely unaware of her own feelings for her guardian Paul.
This novel is so amazing, truly, I read it in only 3 hours, I just couldn't put it down. From the very first page, you're sucked into the world of Sealock and the blissful world of Paul and Alison, one that's going to be temporarily shattered. Our love story wouldn't be complete without the villain of the tale, one that's even scarier than most, as she plays the role of a 'white devil' (someone who is truly evil and underhanded, but lacks the appearance of it). She weasels her way into the contented lives of two people and rocks their foundations, yet in the end, the truth is revealed and their hearts are uncovered.
I've read this book a number of times and can safely say that it has become my favourite novel, my only problem is the length…seriously too short, but what can you do, huh? 10/10 easily! READ THIS AND LOVE IT!

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[Foxears · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, but some parts was a little too cheesy for me. It was too much 'Oh, Paul!' from Alison. Also the storyline was a little bit see through. It was a nice story and I had planned to give it a higher rating, but the ending was somewhat disappointing. Not what happened, but instead the way the characters acted and so on.

Of course I am a huge fan of Nelson's dialect. I love reading books where the dialoge from some characters isn't pure English. As English is not my mother tongue it is somewhat challanging to figure out what he's saying, and I love it. For the same reason I love reading scenes with Hagrid in the Harry Potter books.

Conclusion: Not exactly my kind of book, but still was a nice read.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow I mixed this book up in my mind with a Diane Palmer book and was pleasantly surprised when I realized it was by Catherine Cookson...one of my favorite authors.
The heroine is a young girl that is taken in by her older guardian who runs an antique business. As she comes into her own as a young woman she realizes she is in love with her guardian. They have a special relationship but the hero doesn't push his advantage. Hero's ex-fiance comes back into his life causing heroine anxiety and hero stress. Through the Cookson twists and turns the inevitable happens but not as easily as one would hope. As the saying goes "there are many a slip between the cup and the lip."
This is another favorite on my yearly read bookshelf.

[Northern Light · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a typical Catherine Cookson, not least as the heroine isn't the strong woman we're used to.

Alison lives with her ward after being orphaned. Paul is an antique dealer and when he asks her to value items in a local house things will never be the same again for either of them.

Although a readable enough story it just doesn't feel real at times. She simpers over Paul and seems to believe whatever she is told.

I found the scene with the fire at the end of the book difficult as something similar with tragic consequences happened in my family. I always notice mirrors above fires.

[Hendrix Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the way this book started.

Cool English people wearing adorable tweed or whatever, yes.

Interesting old mansions and family drama, yes.

Antiques roadshow vibes, yes.

Young woman trying to prove she's just as competent without a penis in a Male-dominated career, yes.

And then-

Nooooooooooooo, she married the guy who raised her and "borrowed" her trust fund for debts. And his ex pushed her into a fire?????? No, bish. Uncool

[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.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of this author and her canny way of understanding people and how they think and feel. This is another insightful and wonderfully written story where realistic characters are brought easily to life within this beautifully told romance - without sentimentality or scenes that make you cringe.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read several Catherine Cookson books, but 'The Lady on My Left' but this book wasn't as enjoyable. I am not sure what period this story was based around, but must have been prior to the 70's, due to reference of pre-decimal coins.

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lady on my Left by Catherine Cookson is a quick read, short, but okay. It is a love story with a twist--the heroine is in love with someone very close to her. Since he's twenty years older than her the premise is a little annoying. A quick, light read.

[Maris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice and simple story. Easy reading, good spirit.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book :) One of my favourite Catherine Cookson books. The last part of the book is great and shocking :o

[Linde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kon mij echt niet boeien helaas.

[Bonnie Seiwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't understand how this could ever have been considered a Gothic. And honestly, the only reason I found the book at all interesting was because I'm an antique dealer.

[Anneke Visser-van Dijken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lees mijn recensie van het boek op mijn blog, https://surfingann.blogspot.nl/2016/0....

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Daam minu vasakul käel" eesti keeles

[Angela Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining enough for a journey. now that it has been over a week before adding the book, can't recall too much, but that's OK. Passed it on to my mum, so it ws'nt awful - forgettable but good enough to pass some time. Am being a bit more discerning with my 'stars'. didn't learn anything so no additional points.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read a Catherine Cookson book I haven't liked and this is no exception. Having said that it was not as action packed as some of her work and for that reason I have awarded 4 stars instead of 5.

[Lois Luyster · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into the story but it when I did I couldn’t put it down. Love Cookston’s style of writing.

[Cheryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good read from Catherine Cookson. Not as riveting as her usual stories but an enjoyable quick read none the less.

[NorikoY · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Catherine Cookson's novels, but I am not sure about this one. I might have liked it more, if the time was set older time, not post war time...

[Melissa]

I plodded through a few pages and decided life's too short. DNF.

[Helen]

Simple easy read

[Emily *No longer active* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually thoroughly enjoy Catherine Cookson books but this one I found quite boring and predictable. I wasn't keen on the lengthy descriptions of the room furnishings.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

A bit too wishy-washy for my taste.