Kate Hannigan's Girl - Catherine Cookson

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...Catherine Cookson was born in the Tyne Dock, and her birth place helps provide the background in her many novels. She is the illegitimate Daughter of Kate, who she believed to be her Sister. Catherine began writing at the age of 40 with the novel "Kate Hannigan" with great sucess. Colour Blind, is a story about a white woman who marries a coloured bloke.Then she ends up expecting his child. Catherine Cookson, was one of the first female authors to write about racism and half caste children, and she does this brillantly. In the book , the woman is suject to abuse and people ignoring her. She trys hard not to let it bother her.The man in question starts off as her lodger. In the film Niamah Cusack, plays the part of the woman brillantly. The story is very moving and I can recommed anyone to read it.... Read review

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Advantages: Thought provoking, gritty in parts & honest
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...a considerable amount of years later when being the successful author that she became, that she allowed an insight into her childhood and how she had finally 'made it'. This success came at a late age for Catherine, she recalls bouts of depression in her late thirties due to the fact she could not bear children and the hereditary illness, haemorrhagic telangiectasia which she coped with. In these dark days she started writing and her first novel Katie Hannigan was published in 1950. Not until the 1970's did she become a household name, known worldwide with the TV productions of her works. With over 90 novels written in her career and over 95 million novels sold. Our Kate is compelling reading for lovers of social history in our country. Catherine Cookson allows you to gain knowledge into her triumphs and all too often tragedies. She overcame... Read review

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Advantages: Very moving story
Disadvantages: Long Book but addictive

...to Hastings. In Hastings she met and married Tom Cookson in 1940. Catherine suffered a number of miscarriages and feel into depression and used writing to help her recover. Her first book was published in 1950 called Kate Hannigan, which is in some reference to her own life. Catherine has written her own autobiography, which was published in 1969 called Our Kate. Catherine Cookson has written over 90 popular novels and also has written under the name of Catherine Marchant. Her novels are mainly set in 19th Century England are most are set in Tyneside. Dame Catherine Cookson died in 1998. The Plot = Katie Mulholland was born into poverty and at fifteen years old she worked in service as a maid. One of the men from the house raped her and packed her away to a brutal husband with his child that he had given her. We follow Katie throughout... Read review

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