Monday, March 17, 2014

The Jarrow Lass (Trilogy) by Janet MacLeod Trotter



Ebook: 1745 KB (Print length 1197 pages).
Genre: Historical Fiction.
Publisher
MacLeod Trotter Books (ebook 2011)First published 2001.
Source: Amazon Purchase - Kindle.
First Sentence: Rose clung on to her grandmother's gnarled hand, terrified of being swept away by a sea of dresses and buffeting legs.

Review Quote: 'This is a powerful and compelling saga'  Bolton Evening News.
My Opinion: A gripping historical family saga.


Janet MacLeod Trotter is an author that I had never considered reading until my daughter purchased this trilogy for Kindle. I was surprised as not the sort of thing that I would have expected to appeal to her, in fact she thoroughly enjoyed the saga and recommended that I read them. Intrigued especially when I  learnt that the story was inspired by the life of Catherine Cookson, the trilogy seemed a good choice for a holiday read. 

A gripping and historical family saga that spans the late 19C and the first half of the 20C with admirable heroines. Slow to start with but once I was immersed in the trials and tribulations of the family, I just wanted to keep reading. Ended up reading all three volumes, one after the other as savoured the insight into life during that period.

Survival against all odds is the recurrent theme throughout the trilogy as we follow the stories of love and sorrow through the eyes of the three female heroines and their families. The Jarrow Lass, the first in the trilogy introduces us to Rose, growing up on a small holding in Jarrow in the 1870's but dreaming of a better life in the country that she once glimpsed as a child. She thinks her dream might be in reach when she marries a steelworker, but tragedy strikes and poverty threatens. 
The protagonist of the second volume A Child of Jarrow  is daughter Kate who to escape problems with her step-father is sent to work in the countryside on the Ravensworth Estate. Kate soon settles into her new life but sadly finds that daring to dream leads her into trouble and she has to return home to Jarrow, where life is even more difficult to cope with.
Return to Jarrow concludes the trilogy with the story of Rose's granddaughter Catherine, though always know as Kitty. Streetwise Kitty is very bitter about her mother Kate's new husband and she is determined to escape life in the poverty stricken north east. Despite being teased by her contemporaries uneducated Kitty turns herself into an educated well spoken young lady called Catherine. Romance, heartbreak and deprivation pave the way as this spirited young lady sets off to follow her ambitions.

The trilogy was indeed a good choice for my trip. The style of writing was in fact reminiscent of Catherine Cookson whose novels I read some of in the dim distant past. Fans of Catherine Cookson in particular and those of historical fiction in general will I feel enjoy this saga. A good choice for your eBook reader for your next holiday, personally for me Ebooks will never replace the printed page but as an avid reader packing enough paperbacks for a holiday was always a nightmare! 



Author Profile





Born to Scottish parents, Janet grew up in the sixties in North East of England, where she now lives with her husband and two children. Janet has been a published writer since the mid 1980's and has a broad range of writing experience from adult historical novels, short stories, children's writing, newspaper columns, articles and TV reviews.  She has had 16 novels published, 12 of them historical sagas set in the North East. 


Read a fuller biography @ Janet McLeod Trotter 


The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her writing. 


Author's Official Website   Janet McLeod Trotter - Blog    Facebook Page    Amazon Author Profile


10 comments:

  1. Good Morning LindyLou, Thank you for the recommendation. I think this set of books is something my mother in law will enjoy as she is born and bred in the North East. I know she loves reading Catherine Cookson so I feel sure she will enjoy The Jarrow Lass.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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    Replies
    1. Do let me know what she thinks of them Daphne.

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  2. I adored the Catherine Cookson books. Thanks for letting us know about this - I'll add it to my list.
    Ann

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    Replies
    1. It sounds like this author's writing will appeal to you then Ann, delighted to have drawn your attention to her.

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  3. And if I remember correctly one of her books was called Tilly Trotter (same last name as the author)
    Ann

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    Replies
    1. Anne, you are right Catherine Cookson did write a whole series of novels featuring Tilly Trotter.

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  4. Hi there Linda. Gosh, yes, I think I must have read most of the Catherine Cookson novels many, many years ago, and, also, her life story. I also enjoy historical novels (well, there aren't many books I don't enjoy really!), so I will have to give these a go. Oh dear!

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    Replies
    1. I think you definitely need to start reading this author then Diane.

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  5. I have read most Cathrine Cookson books and i find Janet Macleod-Trotter just as good, just read Jarrow triogy and couldn't put them down almost wanted to be unwell so i could lay in bed and just read all day

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    Replies
    1. Thankyou for calling by and taking the time to comment. It is appreciated and I am so pleased you enjoy the author's writing so much.

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