Beggars and Choosers

Beggars and Choosers #1

by Catrin Collier

In Pontypridd and the Rhondda in 1905, coal is king and the families who sunk the first collieries are rich. None is wealthier or more generous a benefactor than Harry Watkin Jones. His daughter Sali is about to marry her childhood sweetheart, but tragedy follows tragedy, and four years later Sali is a penniless outcast, fleeing from a violent husband and struggling to support herself and her son in a difficult world. Sali finds work in the home of family of colliers, and here she and her son find the warmth and love missing from their lives for so long. But unrest and violence have come to the valleys. Caught up in the conflict, Sali finds herself denying her roots, her class, and even sacrificing her son's future, for the sake of the people she loves and the cause they are prepared to die for.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

512 pages, Unknown Binding

Published September 1, 2004

About the author

Catrin Collier is Wales' most prolific and well-known author of historical, romantic fictions. The daughter of a Prussian refugee and Welsh father, she grew up in Pontypridd. Her first historical novel Hearts of Gold, was filmed as a mini-series by the BBC in 2003. Her crime book, By Any Name, written as Katherine John was filmed by Tanabi and released on Amazon Prime in 2017. She lives with her family on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea. More information on Catrin Collier, Katherine John and Caro French's books can be found on her website www.catrincollier.co.uk

Reviews

[Denise Musson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this author because of my family history. Her books so relatable to anyone with links to the Welsh valleys. I've read all her valleys books over the years, sharing them with my mum and sister, we are all fans.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light story , easy to read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it jumped around a lot at the beginning. Some scenes are hard to read about but over all I enjoyed the book.

[Tes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book of Catrin's. I wasn't sure what to think of the book when I picked it from the library but I'm glad I read it but it was SOOO good. poor Sali :( but I'm glad her and Harry went home at the end of the book back to Evans :D. The book really pulled me in. My favorite part of the book is when she started to work for the Evan's family. It was so awful what happened to Sali before with Owen and with Mansel :(. Owen was so curel and just not nice, I don't like him :-(. I was really surprised what happened to Mansel, that was so sad how he died like that. :( But I liked the end of he story, I'm glad Sali is there to say, even if Lloyd said she should go back! I felt so sad when she went back to Pontypridd. ;( "now he sensed that she was saying goodbye to him" ;(. "Lloyd felt as though he had just lost the woman he loved more than everyone else on earth" Two quotes I find sad to read, so heartbreaking.;( I really liked Sali and Lloyd. Lloyd is such a great guy! :-D I can't wait to read the other books of the series. =)

[Ceri Bladen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Welsh, I love Catrin Collier's books, although there is more to it than that - she is an excellent storyteller.

The author has obviously done a lot of historical research, and although the book is rich with it, it is never confusing or overpowering.

This book follows Sali, once part of the rich elite, until her circumstances change dramatically, and her life follow suit.

There were times during the book I wanted to shake Sali, tell her to not take all the unfair things that were happening to her; fight for herself, but then I realised that in 1910ish women didn't have the rights they now have.

A great start to what I hope is another great series from Catrin Collier.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Sali. A rich woman who, over a four year period, falls from a rich pampered life to a life of rags and drudgery.

Although it is ultimately uplifting, thanks to the significant men in her life, bad things do happen to Sali again and again and this makes for depressing reading at times. However, the story flows well and is easy to read due to the writing style. I feel I should point out that although there is romance within the story, the hero is not in the book for 50% of the time so it is not the main storyline.

Wonderful book and I'd highly recommend it. Unless your heart is made of ice and you're not empathetic to how some of our ancestors struggled against the odds, be prepared to shed more than a few tears.

[Liz Balaam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Catrin Collier's Hearts of Gold series. Beggars and Choosers is set in the same place and in the same era, so I guess I'm going to get hooked on a series all over again. This first book, Beggars and Choosers is set in the early 1900's and once again highlights the reality of the hardships people suffered during those times, especially in the little coal mining towns in Wales, but it also shows us that people overcame their hardships and that love and family can overcome anything. I have just started book 2.

[Sian Taylor]

Loved this book. As it's based in Pontypridd, it was extremely interesting to see how life was like 100 years ago. Amazing that some of the old buildings still remain, and some of the pubs are the same as in 1905!

[Siân · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these Pontypridd books because I know that my family in Wales have lived these stories. However this is probably the best book I have read so far this year. Thank you for such an amazing story Catrin, I couldn't put this book down.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happy to find another series from Catrin Collier set in and around the Pontypridd area.... another brilliant family saga that keeps you engaged all the way through ...