Chaff Upon the Wind

by Margaret Dickinson

Set in epic years before and after the First World War, Margaret Dickinson's novel of Lincolnshire life is a captivating story of valour, devotion and love. Kitty Clegg has always accepted the hard work of her job as a kitchen maid at the manor farm. But now, at sixteen, she seizes the chance to go up in the world and become a lady's maid. Handsome Jack Thorndyke has held Kitty's adoring gaze more than once. As he prepares his gleaming threshing engine for its winter work, he finally asks her to be his chosen Harvest Nell when the last of the golden Lincolnshire corn is cut. Carried away by her excitement, Kitty fails to heed the warnings whispered into her ear that Jack is far from the marrying kind. Worse still, his playful charm has attracted another - a young girl far above his station. Will Kitty's dreams be scattered like Chaff upon the wind? Or can she hold on to a very special kind of love: a love which will bring both heartache and joy to the manor in the turbulent decades to come?

2 pages, Audio Cassette

First published August 21, 1998

About the author

Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret Dickinson moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. This was followed by many further titles including Plough the Furrow, Sow the Seed and Reap the Harvest, which make up her Lincolnshire Fleethaven Trilogy. She is also the author of Fairfield Hall, Jenny's War and The Clippie Girls. Margaret is a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another good read by Margaret Dickinson. She has a talent for bringing her characters to life, so much so that it's not difficult to picture everyone. In this story Kitty takes centre stage, it's about young love and also about loyalty. A pleasure to read.

[Claire Swain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading 'Chaff Upon The Wind' by Margaret Dickinson.

This story is a Historical Fiction genre based around 1910. This book is focused on 'Kitty' who started being a servant at the age of 13 for the upper class family of the 'Franklins'. Kitty wanted to aim higher in her life yet numerous traumtic events occur after she becomes rommanticly Involved with a man who she believed to be the love of her life.

Margaret Ingeniously showed within her story how awfully woman were treated, how the classes were so divided and what it took for woman to win the right to vote.

Trigger Warnings: Rape, Abuse & Violence.

I feel the novel would have been better with less chapters. At times the story seemed to drag. Overall, I did enjoy this book. However, I don't think I will look for further novels from this author.

#bookrecommendations #bookworm #bookstagram #bookreviews #thoughtfulgifts #ienjoyreading #escapism #margaretdickinson #chaffuponthewind

[Natalya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did but I found I didn't want to put it down.

[Ellen Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I love reading novels by Margaret Dickinson. The characters are written in such a real way that I couldn’t help feeling sympathy towards Edward and Kitty. I could easily picture each character and the story as a whole in my mind and I couldn’t put the book down. Easy to get involved in, easy to follow. Lovely ending to the story as well.

[Raoua Benjeddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another moving read from Margaret Dickinson!

[Helen Windle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old fashioned romance set in the late 19th century English countryside ... made me shed a tear at the end.

[Victoria Viswam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Dickinson never fails to amuse me with her books....Loved the story....but what happened to threshing Jack????

[Kirsty Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was OK not my favourite. Set way back in early 1920s

[Tracey Terrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story from Margaret dickinson

[Debbie Lilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been a long time since I've read a traditional chic lit book BUT this had me hooked fomrom the start, fantastic writing and the characters came to life the more you read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read. Wishing though that Kitty stood up to Jack - the -Lad earlier than she did. So heartwarming with this woman showing love and loyalty, determination and strength .

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Samantha Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story.
I was quite surprised about the characters in this one.
I will look forward to reading this one again.

[Shy · Rating 1 out of 5]

If the intention was to write about the dumbest, brainless and most desperate female protagonist in the entire universe then the author sure succeeded.
I rolled my eyes so many times it’s hurts. She was a doormat from beginning to end. No backbone, never stood up for herself and let absolutely everyone use her as they saw fit.
Her whole life up until the end was utterly miserable. She raised someone’s else child only for said child to favour his biological mother whom abandoned him.