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Jarrow #1-3
The Jarrow Trilogy
Passionate tales of love, heartache and survival against the odds, The Jarrow Trilogy follows the lives of 3 remarkable heroines and their families from the dire poverty of Victorian dockyards through the momentous times of the First and Second World Wars to the changed world of 1950s Britain. Gripping, emotional and uplifting, the Trilogy is inspired by Catherine Cookson, her mother and grandmother.
The Jarrow Lass: Brought up on her parents' smallholding in Jarrow in the harsh years of the 1870s, selling vegetables to poverty-struck Irish labourers such as the unruly McMullens, Rose dreams of the world beyond the grime of the town, a world she glimpsed at a fairytale wedding on the Ravensworth Estate as a child. Capturing the heart of handsome and respectable steelworker William Fawcett, it seems her wish for a better life is finally within reach. But tragedy strikes, and to save her young family from destitution, Rose must turn to wild John McMullen. The Jarrow Lass is the first novel in the Jarrow Trilogy and is inspired by Catherine Cookson's grandmother.
A Child of Jarrow: To escape her possessive and drunken step-father, Kate is sent away from teaming Jarrow to work on the Ravensworth Estate. She is soon attracting the attention of charming, headstrong Alexander and dares to dream of a future with him. But when Kate discovers herself pregnant and alone she must return to face the wrath of her step-father. Yet she refuses to give up hope that one day Alexander might return to claim her and their love child. Poignant and compelling, A Child Of Jarrow is the second in the Jarrow Trilogy.
Return to Jarrow: Rebellious Catherine (Kitty) McMullen, resentful of her mother’s new husband and yearning to escape impoverished Jarrow, determines to educate herself. Soon streetwise Kitty is a ghost of the past and the well-spoken, well-read Catherine leaves the north-east to follow her dreams. But this plucky and romantic heroine encounters hardship and heartbreak on the road to self-discovery. Return To Jarrow concludes the bestselling trilogy.
The Jarrow Lass: Brought up on her parents' smallholding in Jarrow in the harsh years of the 1870s, selling vegetables to poverty-struck Irish labourers such as the unruly McMullens, Rose dreams of the world beyond the grime of the town, a world she glimpsed at a fairytale wedding on the Ravensworth Estate as a child. Capturing the heart of handsome and respectable steelworker William Fawcett, it seems her wish for a better life is finally within reach. But tragedy strikes, and to save her young family from destitution, Rose must turn to wild John McMullen. The Jarrow Lass is the first novel in the Jarrow Trilogy and is inspired by Catherine Cookson's grandmother.
A Child of Jarrow: To escape her possessive and drunken step-father, Kate is sent away from teaming Jarrow to work on the Ravensworth Estate. She is soon attracting the attention of charming, headstrong Alexander and dares to dream of a future with him. But when Kate discovers herself pregnant and alone she must return to face the wrath of her step-father. Yet she refuses to give up hope that one day Alexander might return to claim her and their love child. Poignant and compelling, A Child Of Jarrow is the second in the Jarrow Trilogy.
Return to Jarrow: Rebellious Catherine (Kitty) McMullen, resentful of her mother’s new husband and yearning to escape impoverished Jarrow, determines to educate herself. Soon streetwise Kitty is a ghost of the past and the well-spoken, well-read Catherine leaves the north-east to follow her dreams. But this plucky and romantic heroine encounters hardship and heartbreak on the road to self-discovery. Return To Jarrow concludes the bestselling trilogy.
1242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2012
246 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Janet MacLeod Trotter
47 books365 followersJanet was brought up in the North East of England with her four brothers, by Scottish parents. She is a best-selling author of 24 books, including the hugely popular INDIA TEA SERIES, THE JARROW TRILOGY and a childhood memoir, BEATLES & CHIEFS, which was featured on BBC Radio Four. Her novel, THE HUNGRY HILLS, gained her a place on the shortlist of The Sunday Times’ Young Writers’ Award, and the TEA PLANTER’S DAUGHTER and IN THE FAR PASHMINA MOUNTAINS were nominated for the RNA Historical Novel Award. Her India-set novels, such as THE RAJ HOTEL SERIES, are inspired by her grandparents who lived and worked in India from the 1920s to '50s.
A graduate of Edinburgh University, she has been editor of the Clan MacLeod Magazine, a columnist on the Newcastle Journal and has had numerous short stories published in women’s magazines. Aged 18 she climbed on a bus and went to Kathmandu - the result was a mystery novel, THE VANISHING OF RUTH. Her second mystery, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH is set on the remote Outer Isles of Scotland. She has also written a Scottish historical novel, THE JACOBITE LASS, based on the epic story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.
A graduate of Edinburgh University, she has been editor of the Clan MacLeod Magazine, a columnist on the Newcastle Journal and has had numerous short stories published in women’s magazines. Aged 18 she climbed on a bus and went to Kathmandu - the result was a mystery novel, THE VANISHING OF RUTH. Her second mystery, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH is set on the remote Outer Isles of Scotland. She has also written a Scottish historical novel, THE JACOBITE LASS, based on the epic story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 8, 2018
What a long drawn out and depressing saga this turned out to be. There were several times I was very tempted to give up as the survival of the struggling families just seemed to drag on and on without any improvement but I suppose my curiosity as to what the final outcome was, kept me reading to the bitter end. There aren't really any highs in this trilogy. I do realise that times were tough, and life was hard in the 1800's so I did not expect it to be anything different, but how wives and children seemed to accept the cruelty that was constantly dished out, was heartbreaking. All I can really say is that I am glad I have finished the trilogy but now need to read something a bit more light hearted to cheer me up!!
March 17, 2014
Janet MacLeod Trotter is an author that I had ever 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!
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
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!
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
April 18, 2015
Great read
The story keeps you curious and wanting to read more. Some spots were difficult to read emotionally and kept you hoping for a turn of happier events but it was still a story of courage and determination. A good and real reflection of life's hardships and how, when we run from the truth of the past, it holds one trapped in a vortex of painful illusion.
The story keeps you curious and wanting to read more. Some spots were difficult to read emotionally and kept you hoping for a turn of happier events but it was still a story of courage and determination. A good and real reflection of life's hardships and how, when we run from the truth of the past, it holds one trapped in a vortex of painful illusion.
July 27, 2017
What an insight!
This was some ride! There were good, bad, happy and disturbing moments is this saga, but most of all it was captivating, powerful and thought provoking, a must read.
This was some ride! There were good, bad, happy and disturbing moments is this saga, but most of all it was captivating, powerful and thought provoking, a must read.
June 8, 2015
Really sad
Really sad very poor almost unbelievable poverty and misery of another era a real tearful interesting read that you cheer for the good times
Really sad very poor almost unbelievable poverty and misery of another era a real tearful interesting read that you cheer for the good times
March 9, 2016
Brilliant and gripping . i could not put it down a real page turner
If you enjoy historical sagas then this a must read . it is loosely based on Catherine cooksons life marvelous
If you enjoy historical sagas then this a must read . it is loosely based on Catherine cooksons life marvelous
April 10, 2020
Lovely Intense Tale
The character’s are so very real. I fell in love with each of the three women. I have two sisters and I know what it is like to experience sibling rivalry and love of family. Following the lives of the three women’s over the course of 70 years is fascinating. I felt as though i was there with them experiencing their joy and sorrow. It’s was nearly impossible to stop reading until i finally reached the last page. The author must have done a great dealing of research to grasp and incorporate into her novel the language and phraseology spoken by people in that era and region. There were many words I’d never read, and didn’t know what they meant. The author was spot on in writing her period novel. It was an education in itself to learn so many new words. I’ve read many period novel’s where the author wrote using contemporary words, but that wasn’t the case inthis novel. I would highly recommend ithe books to anyone who loves periods novels!
The character’s are so very real. I fell in love with each of the three women. I have two sisters and I know what it is like to experience sibling rivalry and love of family. Following the lives of the three women’s over the course of 70 years is fascinating. I felt as though i was there with them experiencing their joy and sorrow. It’s was nearly impossible to stop reading until i finally reached the last page. The author must have done a great dealing of research to grasp and incorporate into her novel the language and phraseology spoken by people in that era and region. There were many words I’d never read, and didn’t know what they meant. The author was spot on in writing her period novel. It was an education in itself to learn so many new words. I’ve read many period novel’s where the author wrote using contemporary words, but that wasn’t the case inthis novel. I would highly recommend ithe books to anyone who loves periods novels!
March 3, 2019
Highly recommended
Having read voraciously all of Catherine Cookson novels 2-3 decades ago in my late teens and twenties I had no idea about the life of the author herself! This is an amazing trilogy - I have been so absorbed in the lives of Rose, Kate and Catherine, the extremely tough lives they had! Inspired to start all over with Catherine Cookson’s books, and also can’t wait to read the rest of Janet McLeods work!
Having read voraciously all of Catherine Cookson novels 2-3 decades ago in my late teens and twenties I had no idea about the life of the author herself! This is an amazing trilogy - I have been so absorbed in the lives of Rose, Kate and Catherine, the extremely tough lives they had! Inspired to start all over with Catherine Cookson’s books, and also can’t wait to read the rest of Janet McLeods work!
July 4, 2021
A Tribute
This gripping and gritty trilogy is a beautiful tribute to my favorite English author,Catherine Cookson. The stories of 3generations of women living in the 1800s & 1900s in working class Tyneside,UK , tells of love, hate, envy, shame happiness. A must read for Cookson fans
This gripping and gritty trilogy is a beautiful tribute to my favorite English author,Catherine Cookson. The stories of 3generations of women living in the 1800s & 1900s in working class Tyneside,UK , tells of love, hate, envy, shame happiness. A must read for Cookson fans
September 8, 2021
A painted photo of the poor and their struggles
I am so glad a
I got the books together it would have been hard to wait for the next one. You felt like you were living with the family and their struggles. Especially when wrong decisions were made .it's A sad story but with lots of strong emotions.
I am so glad a
I got the books together it would have been hard to wait for the next one. You felt like you were living with the family and their struggles. Especially when wrong decisions were made .it's A sad story but with lots of strong emotions.
April 28, 2021
Depressing
While I was tied to the book because of the writing, there were many times I thought to stop reading because it was so depressing . I slogged through, however, but no longer have the urge to read any more of this author.
While I was tied to the book because of the writing, there were many times I thought to stop reading because it was so depressing . I slogged through, however, but no longer have the urge to read any more of this author.
March 6, 2023
Depression
Of you are prone to depression DO NOT READ this trilogy! From the very start the extreme poverty and hateful characters never changes. Even thru several generations. This was a difficult read and I am so happy to finally be done.
Of you are prone to depression DO NOT READ this trilogy! From the very start the extreme poverty and hateful characters never changes. Even thru several generations. This was a difficult read and I am so happy to finally be done.
February 14, 2020
Got bored with this book, no plot
May 13, 2020
A very enjoyable read. Became very invested in the character's lives which I love. An easy read but makes you realise just how hard life was .
April 6, 2017
Great story, un put-downable
Very good story line and great narrative. Completed the series in less than a week. Absolutely enjoyed reading! Brilliant work by the author.
Very good story line and great narrative. Completed the series in less than a week. Absolutely enjoyed reading! Brilliant work by the author.
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January 16, 2018Enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews