The Rag Nymph

by Catherine Cookson

Orphaned at a tender age, Millie Forester is adopted by "Raggie Aggie" Winkowski, and she suffers misfortune and misplaced love as she grows to adulthood side by side with Aggie's son, Ben, whose love for Millie increases over the years. (General Fiction).

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Victorian, Adult

490 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

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

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the stories that Catherine Cookson told in her many books. Over the years they made me laugh and made me cry and that to me is a truly exceptional gift. Storytelling at it's best.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Cookson doesn't shy away from the good, bad, or ugly; especially in this novel. The plot is based on a girl who barely escapes the life of a child sex slave where pimps are powerful and untouchable in a poor, industrial English community. In this dark world, those who succeed at guarding the innocent shine, but most are either beaten or exhausted by the fight. Most choose to ignore the atrocities happening under their noses while putting on pious appearances.

I was riveted to this story of Millie who is just barely one step ahead of those who would do her harm. I loved her moral strength, her loyalty, and her will to rise above her situation in a society that dogmatically kept people in their place. I also loved those who tried to protect her despite their own inadequacies.

[Carol Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neither a 3 nor quite a 4? Not my most favourite but a great storyteller can’t always satisfy everyone every time so let’s say it’s closer to a 4.

[Wilja Wiedenhöft · Rating 1 out of 5]

Das Buch war mir zu aufgeregt geschrieben. In den ersten 50 Seiten gab es fast ausschließlich Dialoge zweier Figuren die mit einer Ambition von Theater-Schauspielern sprachen.
Oft mit!. Teilweise vulgäre Sprache und doch sehr einfach gehalten. War nicht mein Schreibstil.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many Catherine Cookson books over the years but this book was one of my favourites.
Well written and great storyline. Recommended.

[Whitney Oaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read. Took me awhile to get used to the dialect of the characters. Hard to read such improper language. lol. I really loved the characters and how simple the plot was.

Raggie Aggie takes in an abandoned Millie Forester after her mother leaves her on the street while running from the law. Millie is a beautiful and already well-learned child and Aggie knows that no good can come from her being left to her own vices, so she becomes her guardian until the mother is released from jail. But, unfortunately, the mother kills herself to keep from becoming a prostitute. Aggie raises Millie, just as she raised Ben when he came to work for her father when he was little.

Throughout the novel, we watch Millie grow into womanhood and the trials she faces on the street, at school and in her relationships at her first job. All the while, Ben falls even more in love with Millie and she doesn't even notice.

This is a great easy-read and worth your time if you love the Victorian era.

[Lynne weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this through the series thats played on the channel 'Yesterday' and was determained to read the book. I had it read in a few days and have enjoyed it greatly. Its a book based not on the grand side of society but of that class which is little talked about, the class that lived in the dirty shifty parts of society. This was interesting to read on as most of the historic books I have read are based on the fancy side of society. The ending was one I loved and I'm glad I read it and plan to read more of Catherine Cooksons books. :)

[Beatrice Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! About all that Millie goes through and then who she ends up with... Another great Catherine Cookson book!

I Highly Recommend this book!

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good - one of her best. It was made into a TV series as well.

Back Cover Blurb:
Aggie Winkowski has endured the Industrial Revolution that brought with it the factories and slums, and turned her talents into a thriving business, trading rags and old clothes. Then, in the summer of 1854, seventeen year old Millie exploded into her life and gave it a new meaning.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Catherine Cookson book, loved the book and later watched the mini series staring Honeysuckle and Perdita Weeks which was also amazing.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Rag Nymph even though it had some disturbing bits. I liked the main character, the rag nymph, Millie, but I didn't love her she was too perfect in every way. She was beautiful, smart, ladylike, pure and very moral. I did love her hero Ben, he wasn't perfect in every single way. Physically he was flawed, plus he had a bit of a temper and a jealous streak but he was loyal and intelligent and believed in improving himself through education, plus a sarcastic sense of humor. Ben is probably my favorite of any of Catherine Cookson's leading men. I would read it again now that I know it has a happy ending.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A TV series Rag Nymph (1997) was made based on this masterpiece written by Catherine Cookson.



This movie is available at YouTube.

Thanks Bettie to find this little gem.

4* Feathers in the Fire
5* Katie Mulholland
4* The Mallen Streak
5* The Black Velvet Gown
4* Tilly Trotter
5* Tilly Trotter Wed
4* Our Kate
5* The Rag Nymph
TR Tilly Trotter Widowed
TR Tilly Alone
TR The Mallen Girl
TR The Mallen Litter
TR The Fifteen Streets
TR The Maltese Angel
TR The Wingless Bird

[J Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was about 8-10, slightly more serious material than most 8 year olds would read! - but there was a nice picture on the cover so I picked it off the shelf at the library.
It is such a good story, filled with good people and baddies, and a love story. It showed me another period of time and what it was like for the people living then.
I still enjoy re-reading it every now and then.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rag Nymph is set in the poor slums of 19th century Manchester, following the story of an orphaned little girl. In my teens I saw the TV mini series based on this book, and after that spent years trying to find the actual book. I'm glad that I was not disappointed, as I still loved the story, possibly even more in it's original book form. I can definitely recommend it 😊.

[Bookish Enchantment (Katherine Quirke) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice story. The only real annoyance is how the characters do a lot of repeating of phrases. It gets rather annoying, almost like a filler with the book. Maybe it reflects the time period the book was written?

[Bettie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Caitlin Buchan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is good but the writing is awful. Reads like it was written by a child.

[AngelaC · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful, if predictable, book. This was my first Catherine Cookson and I was surprised at how well written it is. It gives good insight into the social structure of Victorian Britain - the grinding poverty of many and the relative wealth of businessmen. Yet despite the hard lives of the three main characters, there are flashes of humour too.
This is an easy read and a real page turner.

[Cleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rag Nymph is a historical novel set in the 1840s and 50s in England. Millie is the daughter of two shady people: her mother was forced to turn to prostitution, and her father murdered somebody (he claims in her mother's defense, which is revealed to be a falsehood.) She is adopted by Aggie, the rag woman and grows up with her and Ben, a friend of Aggie's. This is her story. Millie loves Aggie a lot, but unfortunately for her, Millie is very pretty. Too pretty. And a lot of people are interested in her. Aggie and Ben are trying to protect her. They send her to a Catholic school at one point, and then she becomes a nursemaid to a family of six children.

I learned a lot about this period in England, and the way that the middle and lower class fared. This portrayal seemed pretty realistic to me, and I didn't know that all these shady things went on, even though there were (some) laws against it. But there were always plenty of loopholes too. I enjoyed all the characters too; from Aggie to Ben to the not-so-nice characters; they were portrayed pretty well. I must say, however, that The Rag Nymph started out kind of slowly; I wasn't really that interested until perhaps fifty pages in. Still, I'm glad I stuck with it, as it was a fairly rewarding read. I got this one from Simon & Schuster, and even though it wasn't published recently, they still graciously provided it. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in Britain.

www.novareviews.blogspot.com

[Hayley Shaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. Millie was taken in by Aggie after wandering to her house. Her mother was jailed on prostitution charges. Millie meets Ben, another orphan taken in by Aggie. Millie and Aggie go to court to see Millie's mother fined. When Aggie goes to pay Millie's mother's fine so she can resume her life, she finds her charity isn't needed, as a pimp has already whisked away Millie's mother - - a pimp who will stop at nothing to get Millie in his possession too. Millie is the most lovely child anyone has seen and would be a good addition to any pimp's collection. Millie will need all the help and love she can get from both Ben and Aggie to escape the clutches of bad men- - and one man in particular. This book was a bit slow for my taste in the middle but dodged a three star rating because it got on pace again soon after.

[Carolyn C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical novel is set in the slums of Northern England around 1854. In all honesty, I wasn't crazy about the author however this quick read carries with it a great message of unconditional love and being able to look beyond a person's outward appearance and circumstances.

Trying to survive as a young girl, adolescent or women at that time without being from a family of "means" was as tragic as it was frightening. Sorry...but I'll stick with the challenges of living in America 2010 thank you very much!! Yeeeeesshh!!

[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.

[Melissa Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story and I thought it was worth 3.5 stars. It was interesting to have so much more details of the 'actual state' of affairs of the time, during the height of the industrial progress and the failings it brought with it.

The characters were very believable and had just the right amount of depth and detail without going overboard.

A worthy read.

[Naomi Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this story - This is my first CC novel i've read. I was put off as i always though CC books were for the older generation however i really enjoyed this story and was so pleasently surprise. Will surely be reading this one again as its such a great story with lovable characters and a sweet love story.

[Maudie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a "Husband Read-Aloud" book. As of late, he has become enchanted with Catherine Cookson film currently on tap at Netflix and asked me to choose one of her works and read it to him so he could hear her writing style...which I have done.

Next week, he will have settled on a new interest. Wonder what Netflix has in its vaults for July??

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of trials and tribulations of an orphan with unusual looks as she is prey to men around, and has to grow up from a little girl to a young woman with fragile dreams and a grown up with romantic illusions gone before she finds love and security.

As usual Cookson excells in the atmosphere of times and place and people coming alive.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Catherine Cookson rummaging through my Grandma's bookshelves when I was 11. It's no secret that these are somewhat maudlin and romantic books, but they have a heart underneath which accounts for their popularity. This was my favourite and is fairly representative.

[Mookimook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late comer to Catherine Cookson now a hardcore fan her works hold you into this word movie she was an awesome arthur and if you are looking for mystery, along with romance hint of sadness then read on you too will become an avid fan

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As in most of Cookson's books she writes with strong female characters overcoming some miserable circumstance or misfortune. I also love the English accents given her characters. If you like books set in old England and well developed characters, you will enjoy books by Catherine Cookson!

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A well told tale set in Durham in the 19th century. A tale of social historical drama, deceit, child abduction and prostitution as well heart warming characters, cruelty and love. Fell in love with the characters of Aggie, Millie and Ben. It starts in 1854 into the 1860s.