Tangled Threads

by Margaret Dickinson

For Eveleen Hardcastle life gets no better than growing up on Pear Tree Farm in the Lincolnshire countryside. Her family works hard for the Dunsmore estate and Eveleen finds it impossible to resist the charms of their employer's son, Stephen Dunsmore.

But Jimmy, ever quick to antagonize, ensures that his sister's clandestine trysts do not remain so for long. Mary Hardcastle reacts to the news of her daughter's affair with a shocking ferocity, which seems to be borm more of bitterness than maternal protectiveness. But what is it that fuels Mary's resentment towards her daughter?

Unable to ignore her own feelings, Eveleen continues to meet Stephen in secret. But deception has a cruel price to pay when her beloved father is found dead from a heart attack. And worse yet, Stephen, far from providing Eveleen with the comfort she craves, deserts her in her hour of need and callously evicts the Hardcastles from the farm.

Suddenly homeless, Eveleen is left to take the family reins and she fights to make a new life for her family in Nottinghamshire. And then she makes a stunning discovery about her mother's past which changes all their lives forever....

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published May 1, 2002

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

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I've found my next favorite author: Margaret Dickinson!
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were so well drawn out, I wouldn't mind naming my future children (dogs) after some of them.
Eveleen Hardcastle, daughter of a gathman, has fallen in love with her father's employer's son. It doesn't end well. (This is not a spoiler. It's mentioned in the blurb) What follows is a turn of events that leads to Eveleen taking charge of whatever's left of her family and struggling to survive.
I hated two particular characters in this book. All I wanted to do was to jump in there and slap the crap out of them! And in my opinion, if a book makes you feel that way, if a book makes you wipe the corners of your eyes and sniff quietly in a corner, it deserves all the love it can get.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

When i was 16 years old, Margaret Dickinson came to my local whsmiths to do a book signing on "tangled threads" honestly i had never heard of her before, but she was an author and all kinds of authors inspired me back then. Naturally i purchased a copy of her novel just for the oppertunity to meet a writer. She was absolutely lovely but seemed a little taken a back when i said the copy was for myself. I was hesitant when i first opened the book as i'd never read one from a genre such as this. I had at that time been a fan of Jaqueline Wilson. So as the first ever "adult orientated book" i began reading and got hooked on the plot. It was written with such gritty realism that i couldnt put it down. This book opened my eyes to reading and i will be forever grateful to mrs dickinson for her compelling novel. She inspired me in a way she can never know. I think we all remember that first book that transended you into the world of reading x

[Anne Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a complex story with, indeed, many threads. Eveleen Hardcastle lives with her parents, Walter and Mary, and younger tearaway brother, Jimmy, in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside. She is in love with Stephen, the son and heir to the Dunscombe estate where all the family work. When her father dies suddenly, they are heartlessly evicted from their tied home and Eveleen realises that Stephen has only been toying with her affections. They travel first to the outskirts of Nottingham, where her uncle runs a framework knitting business. I enjoyed this bit because I’d been to a frameworkers’ museum and could envisage the setting. There though, Jimmy’s wild ways have a disastrous outcome and the family are forced to flee again, this time with their pregnant younger cousin. In the city centre, they find a home in one of the many courts and jobs in the lace-making industry. With Eveleen carrying the family through many problems, they are finally able to return to the Lincolnshire countryside and she is able to go seeking for happiness herself. I didn’t like this book as much as I’ve liked others by Margaret Dickinson. To begin with, I thought Eveleen was incredibly naive to be falling for Stephen Dunscombe when it was obvious that he was only after one thing (fortunately, he didn’t get it!) And the whining and complaining by her mother Mary got on my nerves until I felt like slapping her! Sorry!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to start this novel as it didn't seem like a story I would really enjoy. Initially the story was a bit slow and the main character Eveleen was naive and extremely annoying. However once the story kicked in it became very interesting.

My favourite part of this novel was the character development. Eveleen changes from a annoying young girl to a strong woman who is responsible for her family. She has to endure a lot of hardships and cruelty from her mother and brother who are despicable for the majority of the narrative. Her determination to survive and support her ungrateful family was an admirable quality.

The plot itself was interesting and continually developed due to twists in the story. I really enjoyed the story and recommend this to fans of character driven stories about the hardships families go through in a historical setting.

[Linda Leedham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story was interesting towards the end of the book, It wasn't riviting and was easily put down. Not one of my favourite reads

[Martina Beea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been re-reading this book whenever possible for the past five years. And every time, my heart breaks for Evie. It's all so vividly conveyed—the pain of betrayal, the heavy burden of needing to be the strongest, the grief, and even moments of uncertainty that you can't help but feel everything deeply. This is one of those stories where, even if you don't identify with the protagonist, you will always root for them. Truly my favorite book.

[Gunay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get enough of this book. Gave me both tears and laughs. In the beginning, it was not too interesting, and for me was a very slow reading. But once it started to take all my attention I couldn't stop reading. So, that might seem like a sad story but while things happening I was very glad how Eleven became a powerful person and learned to fight as a woman instead of capitulating

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical novel set in the 1800s in Nottinghamshire England. It's the first of a duology. We follow Eveleen and her family from farm life to city life. There is love, loss, betrayal, death, and even some true happiness along the way. I love a good family saga and am very fond of this British author. I'll be reading book #2 in the near future!

[Elaine Hargrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A double book following the stories of Evie and then Bridie. A story magically woven around the lace making and stocking making in Flawford then Nottingham. World War 1 comes along with its horrors and the girls and women having to take up the reins of employment. A book involving 4 generations of 1 family.

[Samantha Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story to read.
I was hooked to the story and I didn't know what was going to happen.
At least the characters in the story had a moment in time where you could turn it back and change it.
What a story that couldn't possibly make you feel when something is wrong don't blame yourself

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

M. Dickinson rarely disappoints. I enjoyed the perseverance and love that was shown in this book. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Jo Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Margaret Dickinson , set in Lincolnshire to start with you can almost see the places through such good descriptive writing . Another one I couldn't put down as I needed to know the outcome . Nice to see woman portrayed in such a positive , strong willed way .

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok if you want a light read.

[Ileana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Las situaciones dificiles que afronta la joven protagonista van casi hasta el final. Una lectura sufrida.