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The Cultured Handmaiden: A Novel
Discouraged by her prospects after a broken engagement, twenty-one-year-old secretary Jinny Brownlow accepts an assignment working directly for her company's difficult boss and garners respect when she refuses to cower before him, an accomplishment that coincides with a renewed search for a partner who shares her early 1970s marital beliefs. 25,000 first printing.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
28 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cookson
501 books687 followersCatherine 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 15, 2013
This Catherine Cookson is set in the 70's during the sexual revolution. I think Cookson was trying not to be too didactic about her opinions on marriage vs. shacking up and women in the work force, but it is obvious how she feels. Since I mostly agree with her, I wasn't offended and enjoyed reading about the main character who felt like an anachronism in her own society. There are some provocative ideas to ponder about love, friendship, family, and gossip.
February 21, 2018
I read this book some time ago and I really enjoyed the story. Storytelling at it's best.
December 27, 2021
[Lu en version française]
J'ai trouvé ce livre dans une bibliothèque dans le coin des romans que l'on donne et vaguement intriguée par le résumé, je l'ai pris. Sans cela, je ne l'aurais jamais lu, mais c'est ce que j'apprécie aussi : le plaisir de découvrir des romans qui sont différents de nos genres de prédilection. Soit ça passe, soit ça casse et cette fois, c'est passé ! Je dirai même que c'est un petit coup de coeur.
On suit l'histoire de Jinny, une jeune femme qui passe son temps entre son fiancé et son travail de dactylo. Elle est caractérisée dans le roman par son côté "employée modèle" et son besoin d'amour depuis la mort de ses parents. Jusqu'au jour où elle est plaquée par son fiancé qui s'en va avec sa colocataire, lui fait des reproches sur son souhait de rester vierge jusqu'au mariage. Le lendemain, elle quitte son poste de dactylo pour devenir la secrétaire de son patron. Se tisse alors un lien entre ces deux personnages...
Même si l'on sent derrière ce récit quelques idées morales propres à l'auteur, j'ai aimé le réalisme du récit qui m'a vraiment donné l'impression d'être dans la vie de Jinny. Bob Henderson a un côté exaspérant même si on finit un peu par le comprendre et s'attacher à lui.
De toute manière, j'ai été prise dedans du début à la fin, dans ce récit des années 70-80 et j'ai vraiment adoré suivre ces personnages.
Un bon moyen de terminer cette année 2021 !
J'ai trouvé ce livre dans une bibliothèque dans le coin des romans que l'on donne et vaguement intriguée par le résumé, je l'ai pris. Sans cela, je ne l'aurais jamais lu, mais c'est ce que j'apprécie aussi : le plaisir de découvrir des romans qui sont différents de nos genres de prédilection. Soit ça passe, soit ça casse et cette fois, c'est passé ! Je dirai même que c'est un petit coup de coeur.
On suit l'histoire de Jinny, une jeune femme qui passe son temps entre son fiancé et son travail de dactylo. Elle est caractérisée dans le roman par son côté "employée modèle" et son besoin d'amour depuis la mort de ses parents. Jusqu'au jour où elle est plaquée par son fiancé qui s'en va avec sa colocataire, lui fait des reproches sur son souhait de rester vierge jusqu'au mariage. Le lendemain, elle quitte son poste de dactylo pour devenir la secrétaire de son patron. Se tisse alors un lien entre ces deux personnages...
Même si l'on sent derrière ce récit quelques idées morales propres à l'auteur, j'ai aimé le réalisme du récit qui m'a vraiment donné l'impression d'être dans la vie de Jinny. Bob Henderson a un côté exaspérant même si on finit un peu par le comprendre et s'attacher à lui.
De toute manière, j'ai été prise dedans du début à la fin, dans ce récit des années 70-80 et j'ai vraiment adoré suivre ces personnages.
Un bon moyen de terminer cette année 2021 !
January 17, 2022
Eeldused selle raamatu sisu kohta osutusid täiesti valeks. Arvasin, et tegemist on sõna otseses mõttes looga ajastust, kus teenijatüdrukud veel tavalised. Tegelikult toimub aga raamatu tegevus tunduvalt hilisemal ajal ehk 1970.-aastatel, kus naistel õigusi juba tunduvalt rohkem, kuid väljend "haritud teenijatüdruk" tundub veel nii mõnegi elu iseloomustavat. Peategelane Jinny on noor masinakirjutaja, kes alles otsib oma kohta elus, õnne ja armastust. Õnn tundub talle naeratavat, kui ta kutsutakse asendama ettevõtte juhataja sekretäri, kardetud vanameest, kes teravkeelse neiu aga avasüli vastu võtab. Ka armastuses paistab kõik hästi minevat, kui kena ja viisakas Hal noorele neiule tähelepanu hakkab pöörama. Elul on aga omad käigud varuks ja vähemalt sellisel kujul imeline idüll püsima ei jää.
Sarja "Aegumatud armastuslood" raamatud on üldiselt mõnusad lugeda, kui soovid veidi sisukamat armastuslugu.
Sarja "Aegumatud armastuslood" raamatud on üldiselt mõnusad lugeda, kui soovid veidi sisukamat armastuslugu.
July 5, 2019
I was surprised to find a Catherine Cookson book on the library shelf...haven't seen any of her books for a long time. I love her writing, her characters. The Dwelling Place (the first book by her that I read) is one of my all-time favorite books.
September 4, 2016
Actual rating 3.5 stars. The following review of sorts was originally posted on my book blog The Book Challengers.
I actually struggled a bit with this story at first, for the first 30 pages or so at the very least, but then somehow I was hooked. I was very interested in our heroine Jinny and her fate. I was very interested in finding out about who she would end up married to and in the end I have to say that I'm very pleased with the result. No, I'm not going to tell you who it is as it would spoil the story for those who haven't read it yet. :)
But it isn't pure romance either as this story focuses a lot on other themes (e.g. Jinny's personal growth) as well. And it was interesting to read about even though I don't consider myself of a fan of books set in the 1970's.
Also, I must say that I adored Bob Henderson. He is a bit rough around the edges, but I think that he is a perfect friend and employer for our heroine.
I actually struggled a bit with this story at first, for the first 30 pages or so at the very least, but then somehow I was hooked. I was very interested in our heroine Jinny and her fate. I was very interested in finding out about who she would end up married to and in the end I have to say that I'm very pleased with the result. No, I'm not going to tell you who it is as it would spoil the story for those who haven't read it yet. :)
But it isn't pure romance either as this story focuses a lot on other themes (e.g. Jinny's personal growth) as well. And it was interesting to read about even though I don't consider myself of a fan of books set in the 1970's.
Also, I must say that I adored Bob Henderson. He is a bit rough around the edges, but I think that he is a perfect friend and employer for our heroine.
August 3, 2017
Another Excellent Cookson Novel
This is another excellent book by Catherine Cookson. The dilemmas that Jinny, the main character, finds herself in are not so unusual to women who find themselves people pleasers who are growing towards independence. The characters are the usual good Cookson type characters, and the plot is very good. If you love Cookson, you will enjoy this novel.
This is another excellent book by Catherine Cookson. The dilemmas that Jinny, the main character, finds herself in are not so unusual to women who find themselves people pleasers who are growing towards independence. The characters are the usual good Cookson type characters, and the plot is very good. If you love Cookson, you will enjoy this novel.
January 28, 2019
One day I will write like a three page essay devoted to my feelings on this book. It's mainly positive, and I relate to it so much. Here Cookson writes about loneliness in such a tangible way, to the point where you're almost insufferable with gratitude about the casual kindness's of others. I do want to say, however, that her boss is NOT A GOOD BOSS. Gah! He throws things at people. Oh my god! Just because Jinny can "handle" him doesn't mean jack shit. He's an asshole.
November 20, 2023
A sporadic novel about a young woman's life over the course of a few years. I liked Jinny as a main character and the side characters were fine. The ending felt rushed to me and for someone who always went on about marrying for love, I'm unsure why she ended up marrying the person she married at the end. I don't believe they had that much positive interaction throughout.
July 28, 2014
Set in the 1970's, this was quite different from the other Catherine Cookson novels I had been reading that were all based on Catherine's memories of her childhood. It just prooves what a marvelous and talented lady she was!
July 28, 2023
Very dated plot, and not well written at that.
June 23, 2023
Catherine Cookson never ceases to amaze me with the originality of her 100+ novels. When you can produce that amount of stories, you must have a super-active brain filled with amazing imagination and she certainly had it by the bucketful.
The Cultured Handmaiden didn't disappoint and had me hooked from the beginning. I just loved all the characters, especially Bob Henderson with his blunt and often rude way of talking to people. However, although Catherine Cookson made him into a formidable character, he was also a loveable one which made him endearing to me. His manner reminded me of Bill Bailey - rough with a huge amount of morals. As for the protagonist, Jinny Brownlow, she gave as good as she got which Bob admired. It's a lovely story about a young woman who was alone and vulnerable only to be used by the people in her life but eventually her whole character and life changes when she becomes acquainted with the Henderson family.
Highly recommended.
The Cultured Handmaiden didn't disappoint and had me hooked from the beginning. I just loved all the characters, especially Bob Henderson with his blunt and often rude way of talking to people. However, although Catherine Cookson made him into a formidable character, he was also a loveable one which made him endearing to me. His manner reminded me of Bill Bailey - rough with a huge amount of morals. As for the protagonist, Jinny Brownlow, she gave as good as she got which Bob admired. It's a lovely story about a young woman who was alone and vulnerable only to be used by the people in her life but eventually her whole character and life changes when she becomes acquainted with the Henderson family.
Highly recommended.
Read
December 8, 2020The "modern" novels of Cookson always seemed weird to me... She is very 19th century in her thoughts and morale, and so when the "cultural" revolution happens... it seems that she just does not get it... but she tries to write probably trying to capture the new generation of readers, but that just does not work for me...
She probably did not want to be "just" a 19th century writer, and I understand that but her characters of women living in the post war and later England seems so weird and does not really ring true...
So this book written in the 80s does not ring true, does not "speak" true, even considering it is provincial England, or that the "heroin" would be slightly behind the times...
She probably did not want to be "just" a 19th century writer, and I understand that but her characters of women living in the post war and later England seems so weird and does not really ring true...
So this book written in the 80s does not ring true, does not "speak" true, even considering it is provincial England, or that the "heroin" would be slightly behind the times...
December 17, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. This was an interesting book. It definitely surprised me several times. There were a lot of long speeches and thought streams that rambled and I found myself skimming so that was the reason for the lower score but the story was definitely not predictable and gave me a view of the sexual revolution that was not stereotypical.
April 11, 2018
One of my favourites
I really enjoyed reading this book. As always Catherine Cookson writes with such style and richness about ordinary people.totally believable characters. I loved the way they converse with the Newcastle brogue. One of my favourite books
I really enjoyed reading this book. As always Catherine Cookson writes with such style and richness about ordinary people.totally believable characters. I loved the way they converse with the Newcastle brogue. One of my favourite books
August 14, 2017
Se oli hyvä :) Ihan tyypillistä Cooksonia :)
June 11, 2020
To be honest, it didn't make sense.
June 6, 2021
Fast read
It’s a fast moving story and just that a a short story. I enjoyed it. But it’s far from her best book.
It’s a fast moving story and just that a a short story. I enjoyed it. But it’s far from her best book.
November 17, 2022
One of my first novels- wonderful, ignited my love of books
January 6, 2023
My mother loved these books, just thought I would try one. Slush.
January 15, 2024
Excellent.
November 10, 2024
I was hooked but the ending seem rushed. And idk why you want to marry someone you dont get along well and it seems that shes desperate to get married jeeez
December 11, 2025
Another classy book from this great author. Jinny is alone in life until she mets Hal then Bob and her life changes into something totally different.
November 26, 2022
Loved the story and the characters in The Cultured Handmaiden.
SYNOPSIS:
At twenty-one, Jinny Brownlow was, to all intents and purposes, alone in the world, a typist at a large engineering firm in the Tyneside town of Fellburn with her only outside interest the local theatre group, where the only role she seemed to play was that of general dogsbody. Then, suddenly, her life changed. She has just heard her fiancé pronounce her a "cultured handmaiden" —slavishly eager to please—and announce he's leaving her for her roommate. The next thing is that she is called upon to stand in as secretary to Bob Henderson, the formidable head of the company, his blunt manner provided a stimulating challenge. Later that same day, she had an unexpected visit from Hal Campbell, leading light of the Fellburn players, who displayed a touching concern for her personal problems.
Her gruff, demanding and Henderson's wife and six children soon become like a second family. Jinny's life is turned upside down again when her boss and his eldest son, Glen, are in an accident that kills both of their spouses. While ministering to the wheelchair-bound senior Henderson, Jinny finds herself drawn to his once wayward son, John.
All would be a catalyst to the re-shaping of Jinny Brownlow's pattern of life.
SYNOPSIS:
At twenty-one, Jinny Brownlow was, to all intents and purposes, alone in the world, a typist at a large engineering firm in the Tyneside town of Fellburn with her only outside interest the local theatre group, where the only role she seemed to play was that of general dogsbody. Then, suddenly, her life changed. She has just heard her fiancé pronounce her a "cultured handmaiden" —slavishly eager to please—and announce he's leaving her for her roommate. The next thing is that she is called upon to stand in as secretary to Bob Henderson, the formidable head of the company, his blunt manner provided a stimulating challenge. Later that same day, she had an unexpected visit from Hal Campbell, leading light of the Fellburn players, who displayed a touching concern for her personal problems.
Her gruff, demanding and Henderson's wife and six children soon become like a second family. Jinny's life is turned upside down again when her boss and his eldest son, Glen, are in an accident that kills both of their spouses. While ministering to the wheelchair-bound senior Henderson, Jinny finds herself drawn to his once wayward son, John.
All would be a catalyst to the re-shaping of Jinny Brownlow's pattern of life.
June 12, 2015
This is one of the first Cookson books I read although I had watched several of her movies and loved them. As always real to life in that day and time and gritty although a British friend says its not completely factual to that time period.
Our heroine is a trusting and naive girl in the beginning that finds out not all relationships are true and trustworthy much to her hurt. She finds a port in her storm through her place of business as a typist. She is catapulted to the top almost overnight to a personal secretary to the "big man" and finds her feet easily. From there on she grows in leaps and bounds amid the twists and turns of the story and the life careening around her.
As with all of Cookson's books she leaves the HEA until the end and she does it well! Like this book and read it yearly.
Our heroine is a trusting and naive girl in the beginning that finds out not all relationships are true and trustworthy much to her hurt. She finds a port in her storm through her place of business as a typist. She is catapulted to the top almost overnight to a personal secretary to the "big man" and finds her feet easily. From there on she grows in leaps and bounds amid the twists and turns of the story and the life careening around her.
As with all of Cookson's books she leaves the HEA until the end and she does it well! Like this book and read it yearly.
May 24, 2015
It is a gritty novel set with the heroine slowly developing the hard-nosed and wiser aspects of herself and discerning among several possible suitors. One man has a secret yen for older motherly women, yuck! She finds an unlikely ally in her boss. After he loses his loved ones in a horrible accident, she helps him through a recovery path and in the aftermath, discovers a kindred spirit in the boss's estranged son. All is well that ends well. It was interesting to follow her inner struggle and growth through her tribulations.
May 18, 2012
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.
November 24, 2008
At 21, Jinny's alone in the world, working with a marked lack of job satisfaction in the typing pool of a big engineering firm in Tyneside. However, things are about to change. Two older men come into her life and reshape it.
June 22, 2010
As in most of Cookson's books she writes with strong female characters overcoming some miserable circumstance or misfortune. I also love the English accents given her characters. If you like books set in old England and well developed characters, you will enjoy books by Catherine Cookson!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews