The Gillyvors

by Catherine Cookson

Set in County Durham 100 years ago, this is the story of Nathaniel Martell, Maria Dagshaw and their six children - bastard offspring or gillyvors. The book is about the children's quest to resolve the legacy of their birth.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Victorian, Novels

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

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

[Kitcatscratch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a re-read for me. I actually could not remember the title except that the kids were called gillyvors (illegitimate). Turns out I own it except under this title The Love Child. "Back in the day," when I was much younger, I read every genre except romance/historical romance. Catherine Cookson and Winston Graham were the only exceptions. What drew me to Cookson was that her stories centered around the working class. They included many characters and really fleshed out what a working class life was like. There are really harsh parts but there was also love and family values. Of course, like life, it depended on the family and how they faced the adversity. Also, the happy endings aren't always the happy endings you normally expect. There are rarely aristocratic/gentry type heroes rescuing the fair maiden. You were lucky if you found a nice, decent man with whom to share a life.

This story follows a family where the parents did not marry (the father was married to another woman). They have 6 children, called many names by the villagers with gillyvor being one of them. The story initially shows this almost idyllic life that the family lives but as the story progresses, you start to see the cracks in the façade as the hardships of the "real world" intrude. The reader mostly follows the eldest daughter Anna who, unlike the boys who have a chance at a better future and acceptance, struggles to find a future for herself. She works but her beauty, intelligence and unwillingness to be cowed or thought less of makes it hard for her to find work. Or if she finds work, to remain employed. Meanwhile, a couple of men make an appearance in her life.

What I loved is that each of the kids were faced with decisions about what path they wished to follow.


The youngest daughter becomes pregnant out of wedlock but rather than be shocked or devastated, she is accepted by the parents. She will eventually wed the father of her child but the scandal comes from her being pregnant pre-wedding. Anna, herself, has a choice to make. She can become involved with a married man and follow in her parents footsteps. Or she can try and make her own way in the world. Her choice in the end was interesting. Not the man that she chooses who is really likable but rather that when she does find the man she wants, she does offer up herself as either wife or mistress.

Cookson novels are a little "old school" and they read much more intensely when you're younger. However, I find they are still a good read and if you read about the author's own background growing up, there's a definite air of authenticity in her writing.

[Nicole Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, it was right up my street. Another rags to riches story, which I love. The father was rather mean to Anna, and she felt hurt when he decided to do something about his will. I was surprised at her refusal of one gentleman, but the one she chose was a better talker. More in tune with her. She describes the way of life of a large family very well.

[Alison Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Cookson

I loved the humanity of the book
Catherine Cookson has a way of drawing you in, you can't wait to find out the end, but don't want it to end.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys stories of triumph over adversity.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago and really enjoyed it. Always enjoyed the stories that where written by Catherine Cookson and this one didn't disappoint. Recommended.

[Miriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to reread. Cookson was illegitimate herself, so it is interesting to see how she portrays the family of "gillyvors" in the book. On the one hand, you have the intolerant and sometimes criminal villagers and neighbors who refuse to accept the family, but on the other, you have the heroine's parents, who have defied all for true love, but are actually pretty self-centered and clueless. It's more nuanced than the portrayal that I've seen in some other books.

So why only two stars? Because in the end the heroine, who has said time and time again that she will never do what her parents did, offers to become the hero's mistress. He rescues her with an honorable engagement, of course, but the fact she offers undermines everything else she has done in the book.

[Kota Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE Victorian/Edwardian historical Novels

Especially those written by people who lived during those times.
And which depict the classist attitudes especially the "classist" attitudes of those not so highly born themselves who look down on those "beneath" them.

It is time to move on to another.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Cookson has come up trumps with this one. The Gillyvors is a story of family happiness, love, grief and persecution. Every page is gripping until the very end of the book. This has got to be one of her best pieces of work.

[Mar Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long time since I read any Victorian novels. As a gift by an elderly person. It was a lovely read right though, the authress has a way of pulling you in to the classist story of a family... Maybe a 4 star since I couldn't stop till it ended

[Curlyhair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved anything by Catherine Cookson, way back. All good stories.

[Gurmukh Sandhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting family drama..

[Cinthya Aguirre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each family has its own dinamic. Variety of personalities and great story!

[Janet Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story.

Catherine Cookson is one of my favorite authors. Every one of her books is a relatable story. This story is wonderful. Please read Catherine’s books!!

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Faffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When she was tied up at the stile and everyone was out looking for her. I thought my God, Anna is going to die. The twist there, I really appreciated it.

[Sandra Driver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Anything that Catherine Cooks on writes is worth reading. She held stories about the underclass and keeps you wondering what is going to happen--good or bad.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book i enjoyed

[Tracey- Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read.

[Kinza · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really followed the rule, starting small, slowly and gradually making to upwards, then an insane climax and everyone happy at the end. I really loved the end. Because somehow I got the feeling that Anna won't be able to marry Timothy. Somehow she will end up in a bottomless pit of depression in the end. Nothing good will happen to her. But at the end, it awed me how everything turned out in Anna's favour. So no matter how harsh the story was, as the saying goes: All's well that end's well.
Timothy and Simon were the characters I liked the most in the story. Even though Simon acted like a jerk in some parts. And even though I liked Nathaniel in the whole narrative, at the end his will disgusted me. How can parents become so selfish. Its hard for me to even believe those things. But yet, there truly are parents like him out there. And Maria was no different either, wanting her daughter to vow to ruin her life to look after her father. Those two were nuisance. :(

[Louise Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started of well and intriguing, but somewhere close to the end it escaladed into a lot of events that I couldn't relate to or for that matter appreciate reading. I know the book wouldn't have been the same without them so I don't think they should be left out, lets just say the book wasn't really my cup of tea.. However I couldn't stop reading and it kept me constantly on my tiptoes and I wasn't able to put the book down. I'm well impressed by all the emotions conveyed in the book that effected me so strongly and didn't leave me untouched. But I'd love to read something else by Catherine Cookson and hopefully acknowledge the great writer she is said to be.

[Brooke DEMING HARRIS · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a mean as book bro. but it was kinda sad because some people are very naughty. naughty naughty.

1. i was bored and had nothing to read

2. a book written before 1980. it is very old

3. i couldnt find anything on this book *SIGH*

4. people used to be very mean if you were born a bastard

5. SImon was my faourite characeter because even though anna was born a bastard and her parents were a disgrace he still loved her and treated her as an equal.

i liiikkekeeeee paaancccaaakkkeeessssss <3

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about growing up and disillusionment, prejudice leading to violence, women's roles and discrimination, and unreasonable societal norms. Anna's exemplary personality was challenged on almost every level throughout her endeavors, and the unfair treatment she repeatedly endured was frustrating but relatable. Part 5 was a bit chaotic and strange considering the horrendous traumas that seemed almost understated and characters whose fundamental behaviors were revealed. The numerous issues were a bit cloudy in their resolve. The usual Cookson happy ending left a few loose ends.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book - one of her best.

Back Cover Blurb:
Set in County Durham 100 years ago, this is the story of Nathaniel Martell, Maria Dagshaw and their six children - bastard offspring or gillyvors. The book is about the children's quest to resolve the legacy of their birth. This book has everything - family trauma, love, loss, hatred and shame.

[Emily Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a long book and to begin with I felt for the whole family but as it progressed my empathy went out to their children, especially Anne who had the brunt of everyone including her fathers selfishness. But she came out better than them all.

A good read

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favourite of mine. I really loved this story.
Synopsis:
Set in County Durham 100 years ago, this is the story of Nathaniel Martell, Maria Dagshaw and their six children - bastard offspring or Gillyvors. The book is about the children's quest to resolve the legacy of their birth.

[Mercy]

Amazing!

[Joan Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you like Catherine Cookson books you won't be disappointed with this one.

[Angel Born · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book ever... i can read it a thousand times
OOOOHHHH mr timothy is the best gentleman of all time.
and catherine cooksone is the best authour before me.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nineteenth century England with all of it's people, their love, hate and sheer bigotry of those who "don't fit the mold"! A wonderful read.

[Carobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

De utstötta på svenska.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant- writing, story, characters and plot....nothing here to disappoint.