The Invisible Cord

by Catherine Cookson

It was a wartime white wedding but it was not a love match. Annie Cooper married George McCabe for one reason she was expecting his child. Her own parents accepted the situation with a kind of pained resignation. The easy-going McCabes, and especially George’s rumbustious mother, just took it in their stride. But Annie was a girl of spirit and determined to make the marriage work. George might not be all that bright, but he was good-natured and a hard worker once given a shove in the right direction. Annie applied herself to that task as she matured into a woman of character and resource. The family prospered even as it grew. She bore George four children, but it was the first who always held her heart in the hollow of his hand.

From early childhood, Rance was a problem. There were traits in his character that were hard to excuse or even understand, but whatever trouble he got into, Annie would forgive him. Mother and son were bound together by an invisible chord; invisible but strong enough to become a noose for both of them.

Spanning a period of nearly thirty years and set against a background of the Tyneside towns, The Invisible Cord is a novel of great power and warmth that explores several different kinds of love with a strong dramatic narrative that wholly engages from first page to last.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Novels

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1975

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 4 out of 5]

A really good story that I really enjoyed.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of the McCabe family, Georgie the father, Annie the mother, Tishy his oldest daughter and the two sons. Set in the North East of England during the Second World War.

[Frances Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Brilliant Read.

frances.pridmore@Gmail.com
Dame Catherine Cooksons was a brilliant author. Years ago I read all of her books, and today reading them again, is still a gift she left us, after her death. The Invisible Cord, is a story of a mother's love that wasn't given to her other children, not because she didn't love them, but the eldest son she couldn't find anything he did wrong. It's a sad story that makes you think how things can go so very wrong by not opening your eyes, before it becomes to late.
A Highly recommend read.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read this I found this deeply disturbing due to the very psychological issues between mother and son and his very twisted personality and incestuous feelings for his mother which leads him to take the actions he does. I cried at the outcome of Annie's circumstances and really felt for her daughter.
SYNOPSIS:
Annie Cooper married Georgie McCabe for one reason only; she was expecting his child. Four children were born to Annie but it was the first who held her heart in the hollow of his hand.
From early childhood, Rance was a problem. There were traits in his character that were hard to excuse or even understand, but whatever trouble he got into, Annie would forgive him. Mother and son were bound together by an invisible chord; invisible but strong enough to become a noose for both of them.

[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.

[Sheila Mayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are a few of Catherine Cookson's many novels. I have read them all over a period of 40 years. Her earliest books are my favorite ones but they are all good. She writes about the lives of people in an area of England where she grew up. Try one and see if you like it!

[Miss Bananahammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when i was 15. My Grandmother passed it over to me after she was done with it. Ive kept it ever since and the pages are all falling out so i decided to audiobook it. Im so glad i did as the characters just came to life with Geordie accent. I love how subtle, disturbing but real this book is. I loved hearing about Annie and about how life was for her. And the complicated relationship between her and ‘our Rance’. Ive always felt frustrated with the ending, wanting a happy ending for Annie and Tish. But i guess they couldn’t both have it. I will always fondly think of this book and think of my Grandmother who rekindled my love if reading in my teens with her cast offs. I may look at other Catherine Cooksons as i cant say ive read anymore.

[Stephanie-Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Invisible Cord

Another wonderful story from Catherine Cookson. I often read a Cookson novel because I love the places she describes and the images they create in my mind. As much as her books are about poverty and hard times they are also about strength and love.

[LOUISE Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The invisible cord

A interesting story keeps you wanting more.you won't more the main character keeping you intrigued through out the book thankyou..

[Joaquín Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dios mío.

[Rafael Mendoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the prominent emotions that the Mcbee family is constantly evidence is grief.
And it's perfectly writed on each chapter and character.

[Juliana Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for university years back (a module on popular women's fiction) and thought I'd revisit it before giving to the charity shop. I'd forgotten what a gripping story Catherine Cookson writes and did enjoy reading this one.

This is a real saga, covering a period of about 30 years. Annie married George because she was pregnant, not because she loved him. George wasn't the brightest character, but wasn't a bad man and Annie had enough resourcefulness to make up for his lack of initiative as she went on have more children and create a family home as best she could under hard circumstances.

The first born child that necessitated the marriage is the one that has the power in the family, as Annie and Rance share a very strong bond despite Rance's often very unpleasant nature and behaviour. This leads to all sorts of problems for the family as the book progresses, often to the detriment of other family members. Will Annie finally see sense and stand up for what is right and against Rance? You'll have to read it to find out!

[Janet Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Cookson read.