Feathers in the Fire

by Catherine Cookson

Will power overcome evil, or destroy innocence?

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

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

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

[Dorcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you the type who reads "Frankenstein" and feels sorry for the monster? I admit that I do just a bit. Maybe that's why I love this book so much.

I first read this 10 years ago in 2004 and wanted to reread it to see if it still squeezed my guts. It did. *sigh* I just love this book. No, it's not your feel good, fluffy, life-is-wonderful kind of book. Its raw and even coarse in a couple of places but the story is just un.put.down.able.

So the master of the manor isn't quite so pious as he would like the townsfolk to think. When his young daughter finds him in a compromising position in the old malt house, his wife hears about his infidelity and soon goes into premature labor at 7 months (she could never carry babies full term) and gives birth to...

she tore the blanket first one way and then the other from the tiny form. They all stared down at the little creature. It had a head and two arms and a body but no legs. There were two fleshy protrusions where the legs should have been and from these hung two pieces of distorted flesh, what might have been termed, with a stretch of imagination, a pair of feet.
"Take...take it to the copse and drop it in the pool, the bog part..."

And that's where Amos nearly ended before he could start. It's not spoiling it to tell you it wasn't the end. Amos went on to become one of the most terrifying villains Ive ever read about, his arms as strong and agile as an octopus, creeping about on rafters etc. Eeeek! But knowing he was an unwanted "it" for his whole life you cant help feeling just an eensy teensy bit sorry for him...

Aside from the villainous Amos, "Feathers in the Fire" is also a love story and a story of growth and forgiveness.
One of Catherine Cookson's very best.

And by the way, if you like Catherine Cookson's style you might also try Jane Jackson's Eye of the Wind orThe Iron Road. Both are excellent and similar in style to CC.

CONTENT:

SEX: (Fade to Black), infidelity and rape/attempted rape is mentioned.
PROFANITY: D,G,H,B
VIOLENCE: Pretty Mild

MY RATING: PG-13

Read in 2004 (1)
Read in 2014 (1)

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tho forty years old, this novel still has the capacity to wow. Cookson really outdid herself with this one. Not only is there the usual Cookson scandals, love triangles, and "upstart" stories, but this novel also explores what can happen if a handicap is not handled properly, with love, patience, and care. It can destroy a family as well as the emotional well being of the one with the handicap. Cookson, with an Alfred Hitchcock style, introduces us to a family in 1880s England that is having some typical marital strife associated with the day. In the middle of all this family tension, a child is born and he has no legs. This child, Amos, spends the first 5 years of his life locked in an attic room. He is called "it" by his mother and father, who have nothing to do with him at all. His sister, Jane mothers him and dotes on him and provides him with education and as much outside companionship as she dares. Despite Jane's efforts, Amos grows up with some major emotional scarring that we see throughout his childhood and into his adult years. Amos becomes filled with rage and as a teenager commits his first appalling crime. Can we really blame him tho?

It is later on in the book that readers may finally lose sympathy for Amos as his crimes become of a deeper nature, hurting all those on the farm whether they love or hate him. His character becomes most sinister. Meanwhile, throughout the novel, Davie, a farmhand who left to be a seaman, comes back and is torn between Jane and another woman named Molly. Molly had hurt Davie long ago, causing him to leave the farm in the first place. Can he ever forgive her? Will Miss Jane ever find happiness and escape the emotional chains Amos has wrought on her? How is Amos going to handle her leaving?

The last quarter of the book was like a drumroll leading to a most shocking, climatic ending. One of Cookson's finest.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I read nearly 40 years ago and have no memory of what the story was about, but I can say that this book led me to a lifelong love of Catherine Cookson's novels.

Pregnant and ill in bed with a stomach bug, my neighbour lent me Feathers In the Fire to while away the time. She didn't realise what a great favour she was doing for me. I was totally hooked!

I'd never even heard of Catherine Cookson at that time, but since then I have read countless books of hers and she has to be one of my all time favourite authors, her down-to-earth stories never fail to please.

So, if you've never read any of Catherin'e books, I urge you to start now.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ive read nearly all of Catherine Cooksons books but this one is my favorite and I rate them all.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply awesome.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this lusty lark of a book. The characters were so real and I got into it, big time. Read this in the foothills of Idaho on a vacation and it was the perfect read. I think this book really is about Molly and forgiveness. She is a gifted writer to be sure.

[Kay Sappington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Catherine Cookson. Read this while on holiday in Northern Ireland which made it even more delicious! Ta-rah!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!! Wow, what a story! I could not stop reading....thankfully I didn't really have to today. Made dinner, took a quick trip to the post office and just read the whole day. Being retired is fantastic....you can read a whole book if you want to. I really loved this book, so very well written and an enthralling storyline with characters that jumped off the page for me. So real that I had to find out how their lives all progressed. Can't believe I waited so long to find and read this one...my sister has loved it for many years!

[Leslie Oakes]

I loved this book! So many interesting characters! I recommend it !

[Sandra Sparkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book by Catherine Cookson with interesting characters and a good storyline.

[☺Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a teenager and absolutely LOVED it!

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite writers of all times and one of her masterpieces.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading anything by Catherine Cookson. She clearly knew how to write a gripping historical tale. I wouldn't say it's "literary quality", but it's perfectly good entertainment and has more depth than you might expect. Though I didn't love the story, personally, I can't deny that it's extremely readable, with plenty of character development. (Also a fair bit of scandal, if that's your thing!) These aren't two-dimensional characters, and they are interesting to read about, but the drama and unending bad fortune became frustrating to read, especially when it felt avoidable with an ounce of common sense and a decisive action or two.

I wouldn't label this as primarily a romance, incidentally. Though there are elements of romance, that's not how I'd describe it. It's more of a drama and character study than a typical romance. If you come looking for a straightforward romance, I'm afraid you may find it a slog!

I'd consider reading another of this author's novels, but not immediately. I need a chance to recover from (or possibly forget) my issues with this one!

I'm rounding up to 4 stars, despite my reservations, because it held my interest better than many of the books I've read lately.

[Paula Galvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feathers In The Fire is a sad and strange tale of the deterioration of Cock Shield, a farm in Northumberland, England, owned by the McBain family for generations. In the latter part of the 1900th century, the farm still depends on the hard work of bonded servants to survive, but when Master McBain impregnates then abandons young Molly, a worker who succumbs to his lust, the others—and his own family—are sickened and repulsed at his cruelty. But that's just the beginning. The real demon is McBain's deformed son, Amos, who some think is the Master's payment for his arrogant ways. The author paints a vivid picture of life in this era where women are sorely used for reproduction, cooking, cleaning, and little else. Except for the Armstrong family, love seems to be lacking, but even Davie is conflicted in his feelings. Cookson's depiction of the character's emotions and motives is sometimes lengthy but always enjoyable—if not brutally human.

[Rosella Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was assigned this book in sixth grade. I had to do a book report on it. This would have been about thirty years ago but I have never forgotten this book. Either the story or the memorable characters. It was one of the first 'grown up' books I ever read but my teacher knew I had a voracious love for reading and knew I could handle it.

It's an emotionally wrenching book that will stay with you long after the last page.

[Jane Saincome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine cookson

Another fantastic book by Catherine Cookson. This along with "The Dwelling Place", are so far, my favorites.
I love this era and it is so easy to enter that world.

[pauline dolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good as ever. Can't wait for the next Catherine cookson to read. Highly recommended

Not stop drama and the characters keep you entertained till the end. Good to read on a cold winters day.

[Ruth E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was fast and slow at the same time. It spanned twenty years and set things up very well. The events of the early years led into the events of the later years seamlessly and with good explanation. The action was well-written.

[Sandra Driver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Was Hard

Catherine Cooksoandn is one of my favorite authors. This story has the sadness and hurt that most of her stories do. Life was hard for the workers in these times, but Catherine knew how to bring out the best in her characters.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in the early 70's, and it's always stuck in my head! Took me awhile to find it again but so worth it! Great book!

[Chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A captivating tale with an unfortunately abrupt ending.

[Graziella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Catherine Cookson, a quick gothic drama read.

[susana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nota Geral: 3/5
Escrita: 3.5
Cenário: 3.5
Originalidade: 3
Personagens: 3
Suspense: 3.5
Humor: 3
Romance: 3
Capa: 1
Aditivo: 3.5
Previsível: 3

[Ileen Gallegos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great read. Katherine cooks and always makes it fun as well as adventurous and suspenseful.

[Sheila Wheelhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very small print for older person.

[Valerie liversage · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite author

I am a huge Catherine Cook on can and have loved every one of her books, read them all two or three times.

[Sheila Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting read I didn’t want to put the book down.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story with a twist at the end.

[Solenne HENRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly darker than expected but very good

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her best, imo!