Riley

by Catherine Cookson

There were many who said that Riley appeared to be older than his years. He finished school at an early age, leaving a harsh childhood behind him, brimming with optimism and secure in the knowledge that his teacher, Fred Beardsley, had faith in him. Neither of them could have envisaged at the time how their lives would be intertwined. Riley, a gifted mimic, was offered a position as stage manager at The Little Palace Theatre and surprised Fred by forming a close friendship with the older leading lady, Nyrene Forbes-Mason, who was nurturing his burgeoning talent as an actor. What Riley hadn’t told him was that he had great hopes of the relationship developing into something more. Over the subsequent years, Fred followed Riley’s rise to fame and fortune and his relationship with Nyrene did indeed change, although not in the way that Riley had envisaged…

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Novels

504 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

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]

I read this book so long ago
Fond memories I do recall
The stories of so long ago
Catherine Cookson I loved them all.

If I want another look
I simply read another book.
The tales of a far off time
Are there forever in my mind.

[Carol Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a diverse writer was Catherine Cookson..
a master of her craft!
This book was particularly special to me as it delves into the lives of those involved in Theatre 🎭 a great part of my life and a big love of mine.

In general her writing did have a few faults, at least to my mind, her habit of prefacing dialogue with yes oh.. yes! .. or no.. oh no! was annoying! though It didn’t happen in this book thankfully. “Riley”, first published in 1998 was also the year of her death I believe. Five bright Stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read just about every Catherine Cookson book that has been released, and this is the only one that I couldn't even finish. I persevered for awhile, but the book was just going nowhere, the characters were childish and annoying with no depth, each page was dragged down with long, dull descriptions and discussions. I loved each and every other story that Ms Cookson wrote, and was so disappointed that I had to give this just one star. The book has appealed to other readers, sadly, not me.

[Debi Lodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as dark as some of her other books. Really likable characters. Great train journey read :)

[Alison Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley

This one took a couple of chapters to get into, but after that hard to put down. Highly recommend this one.

[Jill Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with Peter Riley leaving school to the joy of his schoolmaster, Fred Beardsley
Beardsley tells him he ought to go on the stage as a comic, as he'll never be good as anything else. Riley follows his advice and straightaway wins a competition which lands him a job in the local theatre as assistant stage manager. Riley soon becomes involved in the acting side of theatre under the tutelage of the local leading lady, Nyrene Forbes-Mason. This leads to love, then marriage, although Nyrene is 20 years Peter's senior. But the path of true love never runs smoothly, with Nyrene's insecurity about their age difference, Peter's vindictive mother, the frequent separations because of Peter's acting career, and their special child, possibly ADHD and also suffering from petit mal (my diagnosis). It is an interesting and emotive story, with several crises to make you want to keep reading. Catherine Cookson never disappoints.

[Krystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy, this is old-fashioned. I've read a book by this author before and it wasn't too bad. But this one was published after the author's death, and it's definitely off the rails. In the first chapter, a man tells his new girlfriend that he caught his wife cheating on him, and she ended up "not being able to open her eyes for a few days and had a broken left wrist once he was through with her." And this is apparently not a red flag?! Eep! They end up in a perfect, loving relationship. Don't ask why I kept reading. I have no answer.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I read all of Catherine Cooksons books as they were published (quite a few years ago!). I don't remember reading this one so it has brought back many memories. As it was published the same year as CC's death, I am suspect that some of the story does not entirely belong to CC as there are elements of the story that don't ring true to what I rememebr of her other novels. An easy and enjoyable read, however.

[Susan Elliot · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think this is the worst book Cookson wrote. its full of description of rooms and places which I am not fond of. the action all started about halfway through the book but by then I had skipped to the last few pages

[Chrissy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, the characters were well developed and the book divided into Part One and Part Two quite nicely.

[Lili · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I thought the beginning was great, but halfway through the book Riley cheats on his wife and then blames it on the woman for being a whore... so not really for me.

[Raj Nakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and engaging.
It takes time to get into but after that it turns out to be really awesome.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Catherine Cookson book, but she is the consumate storyteller, and is able to get me interested in a subject I'm not really interested in - i.e. actors and actresses and their lives. Also, young man marries woman 20 years older then him. I will, of course, read more Catherine Cookson.

[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.

[Bookish Enchantment (Katherine Quirke) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one of my favourite Catherine Cookson books. So heartwarming. The characters are very believable. Cookson has taken what can be shunned upon in society (even in this day and age) and softened the situation. She shows how life need not be perfect but still be perfect.

[Jane Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way the writer set out her stories Riley was A great read I could not put book down

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike her other books, this took some time to get into. It tells of Riley,from a teenager to adult life,, It was ok, but not my favourite,

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

aka The Love Child. Spans 15 years from 1968.

[The Devine Ms Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read much better CC books than this one.