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Jarrow #2
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. Swapping a life of hardship for this rural idyll, she is soon attracting the attention of charming, headstrong Alexander, a distant cousin of the Earl. Kate dares to dream of a future with Alexander; but when their love is consummated in one stolen night of passion those dreams are shattered. With her lover forced into an unwanted betrothal, Kate discovers she is pregnant and must return to face the wrath of her step-father and a bleak future. But she refuses to give up hope that one day Alexander might return to claim her and their love child. A CHILD OF JARROW (the second novel in the Jarrow Trilogy) is a poignant and compelling story with an engaging heroine who will steal your heart.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
153 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Janet MacLeod Trotter
47 books364 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 13, 2016
Loved this book set in Jarrow and tells Catherine Cooksons Mothers story. We think we have it hard now but not compared to back in the early 1900's, you either ate or paid the rent NOT both. Really interesting learning what it was like during early war times too virtually on the doorstep and need to now read the final book with Catherine Cooksons story.
October 26, 2014
This was a good follow up to the first book in the series and brings you up to date on the McMullen clan. I look forward to reading the final book in the series.
July 12, 2015
A feast!
Rich characters in a multi-layered plot. A richness of drama seldom found in fictional plots, but made real by the authors life experiences. Satisfying read!
Rich characters in a multi-layered plot. A richness of drama seldom found in fictional plots, but made real by the authors life experiences. Satisfying read!
July 3, 2019
Powerful!
What a powerful portrayal of misery and strife in the early 20th century England.
This second book of the Jarrow trilogy picks up from the first book as Rose urges her daughter Kate to leave her abusive home to get away from her lecherous husband 's advances towards Kate.
As Kate begins a new life at the Ravenswood estate she becomes enamored of a young man clearly above her station in life. This leads to romance and the worst possible outcome as the couple have so many obstacles to overcome.
This book is so descriptive of the hardships, poverty, shame and cruelty as Kate is forced to return to Jarrow and again live with her parents.
With Rose's declining health, a confused younger brother and abusive step-father to contend with as well as the shame of bringing a bastard child into this world of endless poverty and, Kate struggles to survive.
The life of a woman during this period in history, especially the indigent, is so depressing to imagine. This author creates a story that draws you in completely as you feel the day to day drudgery and cruelty of this unfair world of limits on women's lives.
I would definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction. It is a tearjerker.
What a powerful portrayal of misery and strife in the early 20th century England.
This second book of the Jarrow trilogy picks up from the first book as Rose urges her daughter Kate to leave her abusive home to get away from her lecherous husband 's advances towards Kate.
As Kate begins a new life at the Ravenswood estate she becomes enamored of a young man clearly above her station in life. This leads to romance and the worst possible outcome as the couple have so many obstacles to overcome.
This book is so descriptive of the hardships, poverty, shame and cruelty as Kate is forced to return to Jarrow and again live with her parents.
With Rose's declining health, a confused younger brother and abusive step-father to contend with as well as the shame of bringing a bastard child into this world of endless poverty and, Kate struggles to survive.
The life of a woman during this period in history, especially the indigent, is so depressing to imagine. This author creates a story that draws you in completely as you feel the day to day drudgery and cruelty of this unfair world of limits on women's lives.
I would definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction. It is a tearjerker.
August 22, 2019
Simply excellent!!
It took a while to get fully engaged, given the initial bombardment of names and people. Once I did, I was hooked! With writing that is simple in telling, yet rich in showing, Macleod provides a glimpse into the Irish poor and working-class through the travails of Kate and her family. We see the terrible living conditions, the prejudices regretfully tied to religion, the challenges for poor women in a society wrought with sexism and few opportunities for advancement, and the unhappy result of so much misery ---fights, broken families, sexual assaults, early deaths, drunkenness, ongoing depression, all mitigated only by hope which, for those who strive, springs eternal. It's a tragic but inspiring story of perseverance and survival that will leave you cheering at the end and wishing for more. Fortunately, there's a third book in this series, and I am going to read it---right now!!!
It took a while to get fully engaged, given the initial bombardment of names and people. Once I did, I was hooked! With writing that is simple in telling, yet rich in showing, Macleod provides a glimpse into the Irish poor and working-class through the travails of Kate and her family. We see the terrible living conditions, the prejudices regretfully tied to religion, the challenges for poor women in a society wrought with sexism and few opportunities for advancement, and the unhappy result of so much misery ---fights, broken families, sexual assaults, early deaths, drunkenness, ongoing depression, all mitigated only by hope which, for those who strive, springs eternal. It's a tragic but inspiring story of perseverance and survival that will leave you cheering at the end and wishing for more. Fortunately, there's a third book in this series, and I am going to read it---right now!!!
September 24, 2020
An excellent read following on from 'The Jarrow Lass'. The second part of the trilogy tells the story of Catherine Cookson's grandmother and mother. It tells of the harrowing life the women had to endure in poverty and hardship. Janet MacLeod Trotter writes well and this novel is so similar to the great works of Catherine Cookson.
There are one or two spelling errors, mostly in the first part, plus different spellings for Learn Lane/Leam Lane and I still don't know which is correct! Anyone who is a fan of Catherine Cookson, would love this trilogy. Looking forward to part 3.
There are one or two spelling errors, mostly in the first part, plus different spellings for Learn Lane/Leam Lane and I still don't know which is correct! Anyone who is a fan of Catherine Cookson, would love this trilogy. Looking forward to part 3.
October 30, 2022
I did not know that Trotter’s Jarrow series was a recreation of the real life sort of English writer Catherine Cookson until I read some reviews after finishing this novel. I found the description on the trials endured by Kate, the main character, apparently based on the life of Cookson’s mother, quite tragic and gripping. Being based on recent real experience, it is unlike other novels I have read by Trotter, less fanciful, but written with the same vivid prose, wealth of detail and rich characterization
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November 18, 2019There is no doubt that this was easy reading - specially chosen for bedtime enjoyment. However, I did find the characters rather shallow where decision making was not anyone's strength. Perhaps I failed to appreciated the role of women during this period of history and my frustration at their failure to take ownership of their lives made this a bad choice of reading for me. I must stick to crime and detective stories.
November 15, 2020
Yuck! I am so glad I didn't read the 1st book in the series cause Rose's life is horrible. Her daughter's life was a little better till she falls in love and got pregnant. I thought the male lead wouldn't be such a weakling. Her parent's steal her child and the whole book she works herself like a slave for them cause she deserves it for her sin. No self respect. Never gets better. Don't bother reading this story.
September 12, 2019
Riveting
Completely engrossing. Can't wait to find out what happened to Kate. I do wished Alexander could have rescued Kate and his daughter.
Completely engrossing. Can't wait to find out what happened to Kate. I do wished Alexander could have rescued Kate and his daughter.
November 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Like the first and following the lives of generations of same family.
May 20, 2021
Good book
Liked the story but very sad and depressing. I would recommend to to people who like to read saga books
Liked the story but very sad and depressing. I would recommend to to people who like to read saga books
April 20, 2014
When I started this sequel, I was confused at with some of the events as I seemed to remember they had taken place in the first book "A Jarrow Lass". But after a while I realised they were the same events being told from Kate's perspective. Once I gleaned that it made sense. This book is Kate's story, just as the first was Rose's, and it was refreshing to read her fanciful ideas and romantic notions after her mother's life was hardened by her marriage to John McMullen.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book where Kate went to care for her Aunt Lizzie in Lamesley on the Ravensworth Estate, and then gaining employment first at the Dower House, then the castle to the Inn. She was young, idealistic and most of all, blossoming into a young woman and falling in love. But, under a cloud of shame of tragic circumstances Kate returns home to pay penance for her sins in more ways than one for the next 16 years...living once more under the roof of her abusive and belligerent step father McMullen. It's this half of the book I found heartbreaking, watching Kate die a little every day worn away by spite and hate, never to be free again. The part I think I found saddest was the death of her mother, as we watched Rose blossom as she was courted by William in the first book and the birth of her daughters, only to see her become haggard and aged. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for the impoverished Kate at the end of the book - one I'd seen coming before it did, but after some heartbreaking news is delivered to her.
In all, it is a great book, compelling and enjoyable...though one does tire of Mary's contrary attitude and selfishness, and the girls cat fights...even if John finds them entertaining. I shall begin the final instalment to the trilogy tomorrow.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the book where Kate went to care for her Aunt Lizzie in Lamesley on the Ravensworth Estate, and then gaining employment first at the Dower House, then the castle to the Inn. She was young, idealistic and most of all, blossoming into a young woman and falling in love. But, under a cloud of shame of tragic circumstances Kate returns home to pay penance for her sins in more ways than one for the next 16 years...living once more under the roof of her abusive and belligerent step father McMullen. It's this half of the book I found heartbreaking, watching Kate die a little every day worn away by spite and hate, never to be free again. The part I think I found saddest was the death of her mother, as we watched Rose blossom as she was courted by William in the first book and the birth of her daughters, only to see her become haggard and aged. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for the impoverished Kate at the end of the book - one I'd seen coming before it did, but after some heartbreaking news is delivered to her.
In all, it is a great book, compelling and enjoyable...though one does tire of Mary's contrary attitude and selfishness, and the girls cat fights...even if John finds them entertaining. I shall begin the final instalment to the trilogy tomorrow.
January 7, 2013
Another superb book in the trilogy. This book follows Kate, daughter of Rose, and deals with a hidden relationship due to class differences,and an illegitimate child. The book leads nicely on to the thirs in the trilogy, which focusses on Kate's daughter.
I enjoyed this book and although I felt that some of it repeated what I had read in the first book, it served as a nice reminder about the lives of the family.
I enjoyed this book and although I felt that some of it repeated what I had read in the first book, it served as a nice reminder about the lives of the family.
March 21, 2012
Enjoyed second book as much first, but sadly life is still pretty grim for this family ( no welfare care availiable at this time in history - imagine if we had to go back to this in NZ), I find I'm facinated by the dynamics of personalities, how they work with and against each other and how people change over time. Have started the third book in the series and hoping for change.
May 21, 2014
Absolutely wonderful trilogy. Jarrow Lass and Return to Jarrow. Enjoyed each one incredible writing I laughed, cried was angry just a bucketful emotions. The way the author blends her characters was a delight. Give yourself a treat.
April 23, 2012
Really enjoyed this book. If you like Catherine Cookson style books you will enjoy this one.
July 13, 2012
this was the second book in the trilogy and it was a little rough in spots. I will finish the trilogy though and read the third book.
July 31, 2012
Quite good but not as entertaining as the first one.
April 5, 2013
Really good, read this second bookin just a couple of days !
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April 5, 2013Loved this
October 21, 2016
Second book so like Catherine Cookson
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews