The Old House at Railes

by Mary E. Pearce

"A storyteller after my own heart." Catherine Cookson

The moving story of sisters Katharine and Ginny Tarrant, whose lives are forever bound with the fortunes of young stonemason Martin Cox. A heartwarming rags to riches Victorian family saga.

Life for poverty-striken Martin changes dramatically when he is introduced to the wealthy Tarrants. He is spellbound by their impressive old house at Newton Railes, and by the beautiful Tarrant daughters.

A surprising legacy improves Martin's circumstances. Meanwhile the Tarrant family are faced with a terrible tragedy. The destinies of Martin, Katharine and Ginny become linked in ways they could never have imagined.

As each of them comes to terms with their new circumstances, can Martin win the heart of the girl he has loved since boyhood?

A heartwarming and captivating tale of rural life in the 1840s, from the bestselling author of the much-loved Apple Tree Saga and Cast a Long Shadow.

"This delightful, evocative book about country people will warm your heart." Annabel

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

398 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 1993

Reviews

[Faizan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading it in one sitting and it is not because of the story.
The story is also good but what made me read it in one sitting were the dialogues.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh My GOD!
I've never been so shocked! He played with me all the time! WTF!
I was really surprised, for 5 minutes I was like WHAT JUST HAPPENED???
If only... Ah that ending! I expected more, so much more...
I mean, the guy never touched a woman. He's in his fucking thirties! I needed him to be happy (if you know what I mean)

[Tumelo Moleleki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've seen tweeps call people simps, it must mean people like Martin
Charles, selfish to the core till the very end
I don't know what this trope is called but I know that whatever it is, I don't like it. Katharine is unfortunate for being a woman of her temperament and disposition, born during such a time and loved by a nincompoop who couldn't even make a brave decision for her sake as his former tutor, if not for the sake of the love he felt
They say true love is like this, where the one who loves seeks to secure happiness for the one they love even when it means helping her stay with another... But what stupid love helps the subject of its love to remain in a relationship where they are not treated well just because they are too decent or powerless to leave it? Miss me with this kind of true love

[Peter McGinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well-written and rich with detail, as I would expect from Mary Pearce. There is a patient story arc here — no rushing through decades as some family sagas do. The industries involved in the book were obviously well-researched to align with how the cloth trade really evolved during this period, both as far as the mechanics of producing their fabrics and the economics of selling it to London and other markets. Most of the characters and their interactions with each other felt realistic, and there was character growth in those who had it within themselves to grow. This is all to the good.

There were two minor factors in the plot that nibbled at me. The first I was not fully aware of until near the end. It seemed like our main protagonist and hero, Martin Cox, was without any weakness in character to speak of. How can anyone be that good that long? I suppose such people exist and so I shouldn’t quibble. The other detail is the ending. The second half of the novel didn’t complete the story arc; rather it became a smaller full circle. And the ending was left intentionally ambiguous. Perhaps we are to fill in our own ending based on how we have come to know our characters. But it felt like a weak ending to me. Still, I enjoyed the read and look forward to my next foray into Mary E. Pearce’s books.

[Victoria Chatham · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother gave me a copy of this when it was first published. I read it, thoroughly enjoyed it, loaned it to someone and never saw it again. It took me a long time to remember the title and recently, when it did come back to me, I immediately downloaded the book for my Kindle. Revisiting the Cox and Tarrant families was like meeting up with old friends. It is also set in the part of Gloucestershire where I used to live, so it felt even more comfortable. Yes, there are some plot and character holes, but the essence of the book is of an era when life was lived at a gentler pace with perhaps more time for manners. It also highlights the stonemason's craft as well as the growth of the woollen industry along the Stroud Valley. No, you won't find that name in the book, but I believe that is the location Mary E. Pearce used for her book. Martin Cox and Kate Tarrant's love story is a long and roundabout tale, but one very much in keeping with its Victorian era setting.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Began promisingly, unraveled halfway through. It wanted to be a well written, richly nuanced novel but failed. Main problems: There is no romance, just inhumanly self-sacrificing devotion. Reader never learns if Katharine returns sentiments fully; in fact, Katherine is rather undeveloped compared to other main characters. Strange sudden focus on Charles, whose character is artificially contrived, perhaps even merely an elaborate plot device. Ending is too vague to be satisfying.

[Razaul Kabir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book twice now, first the condensed version and then the full version. The story touches on the social classes in England during the 18th Century, cotton industry, romance and family life. It’s a very colourful picturesque story told with great detail. I’ll recommend this to anyone to read over the autumn winter period as its one of those stories you can cosy up to!!

[Sarah Toppins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance about a poor boy making good and helping the family that helped him when he was younger. (The family fell on hard times.) Although I call it a romance, it has love, but no sex.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this story until the last quarter of the novel.
Beautiful writing which captures the beauty of the English countryside and of life there.
But the ending largely ruined it for me, and had I known it would end this way, I likely wouldn't have read it to start with!

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, believable story.......nice light read.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um romance bonito, para ler naquelas tarde de domingo chuvosas!

[Morayma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una mágica historia acerca de un joven que empezó a tomar clases con una familia los Tarrant. El joven comienza a descubrir la vida de la familia, y poco a poco comienza a comprender que no necesariamente para ser un caballero se requieren riquezas. El trama avanza al igual que la historia.
Martín Cox un joven hijo de un cantero y albañil, empieza a descubrir la vida de manera difícil. Martín siempre ha trabajado con su padre y este siempre le ha asegurado a su querido hijo que su pobreza no avanza y cada vez ellos se hunden mas, Martin no entiende como es que su padre no pueda cambiar su situación de vida. un trato hecho por sus padres y martin conoce a la familia Tarrant entre ellos a las hijas de Jonh Tarrant. Su hija mayor Katherine y sus hijos mellizos Ginny y Hugh. Martín comienza a convivir con ellos debido al trato de Rufus su padre y el señor Tarrant con el fin de cultivar a Martín y enseñarle un poco de cultura. La encargada de este acto no es ni mas ni menos que la hija mayor de Jonh Tarrant la cual desde un principio Martín desarrolla sentimientos hacia esta dama.

Por mi parte esta historia vale la pena leerla comprendes desde primera mano como la autora desarrolla los personajes logrando una esencia puro con su forma de ser de cada uno.

Mary E. Pearce me cautivo y me enseño tantas cosas con esta historia lo cual toda mi vida estaré agradecida, esta historia gira en torno al año 1844 y la construcción de dichosa mansión que es manjar exquisito de toda la historia que surge entorno a 1565.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enjoyable, clean story. The novels of older times, that I read, are always refreshing because of their morality along with the absence of profanity and violence. The stories really focus on the characters, the setting, and the events, by being very descriptive. The story, set in the 1800s, contains old-fashioned romance, examples of kindness, morality, and the struggles of the various classes in that day. I look forward to finding more of her books, to add to my collection. I gave 4 stars, as I did find parts of the story a bit repetitive and the financial subplots uninteresting.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 19th century mini-saga. Martin, the son of a stonemason, has lessons with an upper-class family and gradually gets friendly with them. Circumstances reverse their fortunes later on, and the families' paths cross again.

Readable but not very exciting.

[D Mohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it has an endorsement on it from James Herriot, and I am a die hard Herriot fan. This book did not disappoint! There were just a few slow parts dealing with the fabric industry, but overall easily bearable to enjoy this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellant story of the 18th century in england

[Chocholic21 · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was alright, if you have nothing better to do in your time then read it

[Marjean]

I have to keep reading Mary Pearce! Her stories are rich with characters and life. I feel that she can describe human feelings, good and bad accurately. More English history and society to enjoy.

[Rachel Diego · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it was readable. I wasn't very fond of the ending, that is.

[Mina Chrys]

... given that i can actually find it...

[Sally Forstner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just an average book, set during the gold rush

[Hina S · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 and 1/2 actually

[Anny Ayram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amo esta historia, no me canso de leerla.

[Régalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin!! martin bra