Mary Ann's Angels

The Mary Ann Series #7

by Catherine Cookson

Mary Ann has twins, one of whom is talkative and the other not. Her husband decides a separation is needed but Mary Ann will not hear of it. This seemingly small quarrel leads to an explosive situation when Rose Mary disappears.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

Hardcover

First published July 1, 1978

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

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the seventh in the Mary Ann series and fans will not be disappointed. There are two Mary Anns now.. Mary Ann has twins, David and Rose Mary and Rose Mary at six is just like Mary Ann was at age eight. So now we have double the delight and double the trouble!

David, however, chooses to be a mute child. Is it because his sister speaks for him all the time? Mary Ann's husband thinks so. As he and Mary Ann disagree on the issue, situations arise that cause a major blow up and Mary Ann walks out.

Are Mary Ann and Corny over almost as soon as they began? Who will admit they are in the wrong? I found this to be a great tale about marriage and meeting your spouse halfway. Sometimes, as this story shows, one must swallow their pride..

[Alison Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all 8 books in the Mary Ann series

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was book 7 of a set. I had not read any of the other 6 books so yes, it was like jumping into the middle of a book. It didn't take long to get the characters straight, however, and I enjoyed this short little book a lot.
Twin children, age 6 - Rosemary talks without ceasing, and overpowers her brother who talks not at all. The parents disagree on whether they should be separated. Things come to a head with a huge fight. All ends well. This story was written in the 1960's - a much gentler time for novels of this sort. Definitely some chauvinism displayed in its pages - "control your wife" kinda stuff, like she needs a spanking, etc. That part was a bit cringey, but it is a snapshot of attitudes at the time.
If I didn't have so many other books to read, I might get the set and start at the beginning, because they would probably all be sweet, gentle stories.

[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.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Ann is now married with boy and girl twins. This time around Mary Ann does not get things just the way she wants them and so being Mary Ann walks out on her husband Corny. She didn't bargain for his reaction and the situation just gets worse and worse. It takes everyone they know to make the two of them see reason and get them back together again.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

7th in series