The Mallen Litter

The Mallen Trilogy #3

by Catherine Cookson

'I'd like to bet in a few years' time his hair will be black as a sloe and very likely show the streak...He's a Mallen, if ever I saw one.'Each generation of the Mallen family has been cursed with a dramatic white streak in their jet-black hair. Barbara does not have the visible streak to identify her as a Mallen, but she has spent her life trying to forget her parentage - and the horrific circumstances behind her birth. When her triplets - the Mallen litter - were born, she hoped that it would herald a new beginning. But it seems that one of her sons bears the Mallen streak - and that the Mallen curse will never die out...

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, British Literature, Historical, Novels

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

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 4 out of 5]

This is the third novel in the Mallen triology. In this one, we have a few characters left from the previous ones.. as death and tragedy seems to follow the Mallens and their loved ones very closely. This novel has Barbara who is married to Dan Bensham, the never dying Anna Brigmore (now Bensham) and Barbara's true love, Michael.

The tragedy that befell Barbara and Michael's relationship in the Mallen Girl has had serious consequences on all involved and the story carries in to this one. This novel explores the world of cheating spouses and true love that is requitted too late. Spouses and children alike are hurt and damaged by it. Anna Brigmore is standing by with a disapproving eye as always, but she undergoes some unhappiness herself as her husband passes away from the shock of scandal that is occurring under their noses.

Meanwhile, while hearts are breaking left and right, Barbara's young sons, Jonathon, Benjamin, and Harry are growing up only to be faced with World War One. Are they the last of the Mallens? Will these young men survive the Mallen curse? Will their mother ever know true happiness? Truly, a dramatic page turner that will keep you up into the wee hours of the morning.

I highly recommend that readers read the first two Mallen books before this one.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really brilliant story that I have read a few times. Loved the books by Catherine Cookson.

[Cheryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I re-read the Mallen books. They were my introduction to Catherine Cookson and I have loved all of her books through the years.

[Hayley Jones-Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a young teen. I think I learned social history from Catherine Cookson & her descriptions of poverty as much as the school text books. The fiction brought the fact to life using unchallenging language.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A TV series - The Mallens - was made based on the trilogy.

The movie is available at You Tube

However, it should be pointed out that according to Wiki, the next two parts - The Mallen Curse - differ considerably from the books mostly the ending.

[Paul Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd and final chapter of the Mallen Trilogy. I thought this one was the best of the 3 as it covered more years. The Mallen curse strikes again as one by one members of the family and family associates die. Still there at the end though is the interminable Brigie now 97 years old. This has been an excellent 3 books following a family over about 70 years. I won’t say too much about the plot of the 3 books as I don’t want to spoil it for other readers. Nothing worse than reading a book having known what is going to happen.
All 3 VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This series is so well written. I read all three books in about a week. I couldn’t put them down and when they were finished I wanted more.

Having said that, this is not a feel good series. Most of the characters are unlikeable, especially Barbara II. The treatment of women is a continuous theme as is class struggle. If you have a cognitively challenged loved one, brace yourself for book 3.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was a mish! I really couldn't stand Barbara - she was self-indulgent and completely irresponsible. Michael was weak and also selfish without consideration for the lives they wrecked to satisfy their own desires. She should've gassed them both, long ago. Saved everyone the heartache.
I'm glad Ben & Hannah came through. I hope Dan was happy at the end.

There ends the trilogy. Put this one to bed.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fortsätter läsandet av romantiska äventyr på kvällen. De är förutsägbara och lättsmälta - varken intressanta, roliga eller spännande. Om man kan hålla sig från att bli irriterad så kan jag starkt rekommendera dessa som insomningsmetod!

[Elviira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tää oli tämän trilogian päätös. Ihan hyvä niin.

[MRS A E PATEL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Mallen story. Re-read it recently. I wasn’t disappointed.
Catherine Cookson’s storytelling was phenomenal.

[Susan Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

the third book in a trilogy and definitely the best of the three. Characters developed in one and two and came to a conclusion. So easy to hate Barbara Bensham by the end of the book

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* I absolutely loved this story the final in the Mallen Trilogy. How she brings the ties of the 2 families together is well done. I felt relief that Barbara and Matthew died because the resolution at the end could not have happened if either remained alive. It was sad for the loss of some other characters and you felt for them. I liked that Daniel was to have some measure of happiness. I liked the characters of Ben (Barbara and Daniel's son), Hannah and Laurence as well.

SYNOPSIS:
From generation-to-generation bad luck and misfortune had befallen each and every member of the Mallen family. It seemed as though the ghost of old Thomas Mallen himself lived on in his unfortunate descendants, and Barbara had spent her life trying to forget he was her father.

Then, when her triplets—the Mallen litter—were born, there in one of her sons was the unmistakable sign of the Mallen breed. How long would she have to wait and see if history would repeat itself?

[Hatty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being completely new to Catherine Cookson, my first impression was that The Mallen Litter was like an intense, endless TV soap opera condensed into a book. Full of suppressed feelings, emotion all over the place, secret rendezvous and family feuds left, right and centre, it hurries you along with its doomed characters who never have anything go right for them. I found the whole atmosphere of the book very dismal and the plot to be pretty unbelieveable. But then again I think that's the point. Although not to my cup of tea, the book is still very readable. I can imagine that lovers of period drama would enjoy this.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book it was much better than the last one. I like the spirit of Hannah. I am glad I didn't have to read much more about Barbara. She was self centered spoiled rotten brat, even in her adult hood.
This is the type of book you can read in a day. I am glad that Ben and Hannah found each other.

[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.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Love the Mallen's.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the good trilogy.

[Sheila Lofthouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final story in the trilogy, and a great page-turner. Finishes off the family saga very nicely.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful ending to the trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookson never fails to deliver moving tales of every day family drama

[Jennifer Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good series. A good, but sad ending with hopes for the future for some hurt by the Mallens. Thanks again to Angela Pike for recommending this series!

[Janet Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripped, everything was so dramatic, had trouble putting the book down once into it.