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The Branded Man
Fourteen-year-old Marie Anne Lawson, fleeing from something she could not bear to see, fell and broke her ankle. She was discovered by a local man, known as "the branded man" because of a disfigurement. This is the story of two women and the mysterious man who was to influence both their lives.
476 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
57 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cookson
457 books689 followersCatherine 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 4, 2017
How Did I Love This? Let me List the Ways... (with apologies to EBB)
The book was set mainly in Northumberland, England which was close to the county where I was born and so, much of the flavour added with local accents was familiar to me. The time period is through the late and end of Queen Victoria's reign with writing that rings true to what I know of the period through other fiction and non-fiction works. It had a sense of the melodrama blended in with the very strong 'good' people as well as well defined 'nasty' ones with a plot which took the unloved heroine Marie Anne to the depths of anguish and despair and ending with the villain getting the comeuppance he deserved. As in a melodrama, good triumphs and Marie Anne finds happiness. The good characters were of a warm type I would have enjoyed knowing, whether the lord of the manor or the cheekiest servants. They were totally believable, even though some who at first seemed to be, if not evil, but cold and aloof, became quite affable when the true cause of their hauteur was removed.
There are some very strong loyalties in the story, both between Marie Anne and her companion/servant Sara, as well as between Marie Anne and Patrick, an older brother, Sara and her sister, and Don, the 'Branded Man' and the Catholic brothers who had brought him up.
I think The Branded Man will be appreciated by any whose preferred reading is in the genres of historical, romance and general fiction and I definitely will recommend it to all my Goodreads friends.
The book was set mainly in Northumberland, England which was close to the county where I was born and so, much of the flavour added with local accents was familiar to me. The time period is through the late and end of Queen Victoria's reign with writing that rings true to what I know of the period through other fiction and non-fiction works. It had a sense of the melodrama blended in with the very strong 'good' people as well as well defined 'nasty' ones with a plot which took the unloved heroine Marie Anne to the depths of anguish and despair and ending with the villain getting the comeuppance he deserved. As in a melodrama, good triumphs and Marie Anne finds happiness. The good characters were of a warm type I would have enjoyed knowing, whether the lord of the manor or the cheekiest servants. They were totally believable, even though some who at first seemed to be, if not evil, but cold and aloof, became quite affable when the true cause of their hauteur was removed.
There are some very strong loyalties in the story, both between Marie Anne and her companion/servant Sara, as well as between Marie Anne and Patrick, an older brother, Sara and her sister, and Don, the 'Branded Man' and the Catholic brothers who had brought him up.
I think The Branded Man will be appreciated by any whose preferred reading is in the genres of historical, romance and general fiction and I definitely will recommend it to all my Goodreads friends.
February 14, 2018
Really enjoyed reading this book. Storytelling at it's best.
March 14, 2022
Continuing on with my immersion in the works of Catherine Cookson, I delved into The Branded Man. Published in 1997, one year before she died, I think in this work, more than in her previous, we can really tell that she was struggling with her writing, having difficulties with her sight, and that much of her work not only had to be dictated, but that she was also only able to undertake the editing and correction process with the assistance of readers and dictation. In many cases, her sentences are quite abrupt, almost as if she needs to remind herself of where she is at in the story. Yet, despite these impediments, there is nothing to detract from what a remarkable story teller she is, because at the heart of what Catherine Cookson does, is tell a cracking story.
In this book, set around the turn of the century, despite the title of the book, the central character that dominates more than any other is Marie Anne, the youngest child of her family, born late to a mother who never wanted her. As we get to know her and her family, the usual resentments simmering under the familial relationships start to surface, with the branded man - a man with an unusual birth mark blighting his facial features, depicted as the aloof artistic hero.
As I am discovering, as usual with Cookson, there are a number of problems with her presentation of the mother/daughter relationship, but at least this time, there seems to be some sort of rational basis for what would otherwise be an irrational hatred of her daughter, as we learn that Marie Anne was conceived in what was an act of rape (leaving aside that at that time, it was legally impossible for a husband to rape his wife, as her consent to sexual activity with her husband was taken as an absolute upon her marriage). Yet, despite the trauma of the conception of Marie Anne, there is remarkably little compassion shown by the author for that trauma, and instead, she is depicted as being somehow unnatural for not being able to love this child that she conceived out of rape. Yet, conversely, when Marie Anne becomes pregnant as a result of a sexual contact that could not be construed as anything other than rape, she becomes almost deified because of her love for her child.
I do find it extremely troubling in Cookson's body of work that there seems to be different categories of compassion for the almost mundane suffering of women, particularly when it comes to sexual assault. Rape is common place, illegitimacy (which Cookson had personal, and very hurtful experience of) becomes a too-oft employed plot device, and women can be depicted as spiteful, unnatural and full of hate for little or no reason. And yet, this book was a riveting read from start to finish, capturing life in both rural Northumberland and the seedier side of London with the mastery of a born story-teller.
In this book, set around the turn of the century, despite the title of the book, the central character that dominates more than any other is Marie Anne, the youngest child of her family, born late to a mother who never wanted her. As we get to know her and her family, the usual resentments simmering under the familial relationships start to surface, with the branded man - a man with an unusual birth mark blighting his facial features, depicted as the aloof artistic hero.
As I am discovering, as usual with Cookson, there are a number of problems with her presentation of the mother/daughter relationship, but at least this time, there seems to be some sort of rational basis for what would otherwise be an irrational hatred of her daughter, as we learn that Marie Anne was conceived in what was an act of rape (leaving aside that at that time, it was legally impossible for a husband to rape his wife, as her consent to sexual activity with her husband was taken as an absolute upon her marriage). Yet, despite the trauma of the conception of Marie Anne, there is remarkably little compassion shown by the author for that trauma, and instead, she is depicted as being somehow unnatural for not being able to love this child that she conceived out of rape. Yet, conversely, when Marie Anne becomes pregnant as a result of a sexual contact that could not be construed as anything other than rape, she becomes almost deified because of her love for her child.
I do find it extremely troubling in Cookson's body of work that there seems to be different categories of compassion for the almost mundane suffering of women, particularly when it comes to sexual assault. Rape is common place, illegitimacy (which Cookson had personal, and very hurtful experience of) becomes a too-oft employed plot device, and women can be depicted as spiteful, unnatural and full of hate for little or no reason. And yet, this book was a riveting read from start to finish, capturing life in both rural Northumberland and the seedier side of London with the mastery of a born story-teller.
April 27, 2015
When Marie Anne is born it sets in motion a train of events that will change her family's lives forever, she is wild, gypsy like and has a terrible temper but then having never been shown much love by either her parents or her siblings so when she is shipped off to London to live with a tyrannical distant aunt after a fight with her sister Evelyn it starts Marie Anne off on another dramatic turn in her life.
After a disgrace where she becomes pregnant she is yet again shipped off to what her aunt thinks is a home for unmarried mothers but with the help of her aunt's servant with whom Marie Anne has struck up an unlikely friendship they set up house together and try to manage on a mere pittance until someone from Marie Anne's past who once helped her and is secretly in love with her finds her by accident and informs her beloved grandfather and the only brother she has any affection for and when they eventually persuade her and her friend Sarah to come home in her hour of need this is the last and ultimate straw for her family and everyone, including Marie Anne's lives are blown apart but after the turmoil and upheaval of her reappearance into the family fold can thing ever be put right and will Marie Anne ever find any happiness or will she miss out on the love of a good man who loves her from afar?
Things are all brought to a head in a dramatic finale in true Catherine Cookson style.
As usual a true classic of the genre and an all round great read.
After a disgrace where she becomes pregnant she is yet again shipped off to what her aunt thinks is a home for unmarried mothers but with the help of her aunt's servant with whom Marie Anne has struck up an unlikely friendship they set up house together and try to manage on a mere pittance until someone from Marie Anne's past who once helped her and is secretly in love with her finds her by accident and informs her beloved grandfather and the only brother she has any affection for and when they eventually persuade her and her friend Sarah to come home in her hour of need this is the last and ultimate straw for her family and everyone, including Marie Anne's lives are blown apart but after the turmoil and upheaval of her reappearance into the family fold can thing ever be put right and will Marie Anne ever find any happiness or will she miss out on the love of a good man who loves her from afar?
Things are all brought to a head in a dramatic finale in true Catherine Cookson style.
As usual a true classic of the genre and an all round great read.
November 22, 2016
One of her best
I enjoy period novels & CC is gifted in her mixtures of plots, characters & history and her ability to blend them coherently draws a reader into the story itself. She knows the realities of most of her characters lives & unfolds them so the reader can nearly hear & smell the backdrop of her stories. I would highly recommend CC's books, and though some are naturally better than others, they are all worth the effort, time & money to both read & share.
I enjoy period novels & CC is gifted in her mixtures of plots, characters & history and her ability to blend them coherently draws a reader into the story itself. She knows the realities of most of her characters lives & unfolds them so the reader can nearly hear & smell the backdrop of her stories. I would highly recommend CC's books, and though some are naturally better than others, they are all worth the effort, time & money to both read & share.
July 8, 2018
I've said it before and I'll say it again; I LOVE Catherine Cookson's novels. She makes it so easy to love the lovable characters and hate the hateable characters LOL
I usually don't like a ''happy ending'', finding it too sappy and fake but she has a way of making her happy ending just happy and believable. Well done...again....
I usually don't like a ''happy ending'', finding it too sappy and fake but she has a way of making her happy ending just happy and believable. Well done...again....
October 16, 2014
I thought this was an absolutely amazing book, it was so mesmerizing. I am in love with the details in this book.
September 30, 2025
Wow this was long but a true classic which shows what life was like in history some very emotional moments
April 18, 2021
Not one of my favourites. I would have guessed this was a much earlier book than 1996. The phraseology was more old school Cookson I thought, quite difficult to follow in parts, but classic Cookson all the same. She really nailed her characters emotional trauma in this book.
August 2, 2017
I usually love Catherines books, but this one just strike with me. The story was kind of boring with nothing much happening and it kinda dragged on.
August 8, 2017
3.5. I really enjoyed this, but I'm not sure if I'll ever reread this. There were so many elements I enjoyed, and that felt totally new to me. The griminess of the tenement Court, for example. Paddy's Emporium. The piano bar. I loved Marie Anne's friendship with Sarah, and the life they began to build in East End London. They were happy, and they made do. The book declined for me once Marie Anne's grandfather fetched her back to get them home. Their lives got dull and so did the book. I believed it entirely too coincidental that the man who rescued her was the same man raised by monks in London. But I enjoyed their romance, and so if do reread this, it'll be a scan read.
- For all their friendship, there is still a class boundary between Sarah and Marie Anne that I felt should have been properly disbanded. In London they were equals. At the manor house, one is unequivocally the Mistress, and the other, the servant. It felt like Sarah was the family dog.
- Let's just admit that the piano teacher totally raped her.
- I loved the scene where the (London) women hold each other and quietly laugh in the kitchen. Felt like a new family forged by unfortunate circumstances. It's too bad we don't get to follow up with the cook and the Welsh girl.
- The turbulent relationship between daughter and mother/son was just too vitriolic. Didn't really add up. Vincent's attacks were so so contrived.
- I want more for Sarah. She deserves more.
- For all their friendship, there is still a class boundary between Sarah and Marie Anne that I felt should have been properly disbanded. In London they were equals. At the manor house, one is unequivocally the Mistress, and the other, the servant. It felt like Sarah was the family dog.
- Let's just admit that the piano teacher totally raped her.
- I loved the scene where the (London) women hold each other and quietly laugh in the kitchen. Felt like a new family forged by unfortunate circumstances. It's too bad we don't get to follow up with the cook and the Welsh girl.
- The turbulent relationship between daughter and mother/son was just too vitriolic. Didn't really add up. Vincent's attacks were so so contrived.
- I want more for Sarah. She deserves more.
October 19, 2025
Loved this novel set at the beginning of the 20th century in the wilds of Northumberland and in the slums of the East End it is the gripping story of Marie Anne, Sarah Foggerty - and the mysterious man who was to influence both their lives.
Marie Anne is an impressionable girl seduced by her tutor and abandoned by him; her friendship with Sarah; and gives a sympathetic portrayal of epilepsy in another male character known as "the Branded Man".
Marie Anne is an impressionable girl seduced by her tutor and abandoned by him; her friendship with Sarah; and gives a sympathetic portrayal of epilepsy in another male character known as "the Branded Man".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2012
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.
April 22, 2014
One of my favorite authors with a great story and well developed characters.
December 15, 2024
3.5 stars. This was a very interesting book that held my attention until the final 100 pages or so. At that point the story seemed to be going on for too long and I was ready for it wrap up. It was pretty predictable what would happen and so it was hard to keep my mind from wandering when the characters kept moseying around and going back and forth on whether or not they could, should, or would. The ending was sweet though the bit about the mother came about rather quickly and felt like a little bit of a cheated ending. Nevertheless, I'd still recommend this; I suggest reading it slowly, perhaps as a commute book.
November 26, 2023
I did enjoy this book but didn't find it as well written as others of hers that I have read. There seemed to be a lot of repeating/reporting of what happened by different characters but not presenting the scenario with different opinions. It was like the author was just trying to fill up pages. As I caught this happening it caused me to roll my eyes. Also, some people just seem too good to be true. It was still a good story and I do recommend it.
October 20, 2023
I like most of her books, for different reasons. I did expect the book to have the branded man in the book more prominently from the beginning but the way she wrote it was perfect.
There were a few loose ends that were quickly tied off at the end that I would have liked to have more story to, but all in all I really enjoyed it
There were a few loose ends that were quickly tied off at the end that I would have liked to have more story to, but all in all I really enjoyed it
July 12, 2019
I've really enjoyed reading this one. There are a couple of details that seemed either forced or too convenient, but this novel is pleasant enough and I loved some of the characters, especially Sarah and Emanuel.
September 21, 2019
Another great story by Catherine Cookson!
A very good book that I couldn’t put down until finished! I find it amazing that this author could imagine so many great people, and scenarios!
A very good book that I couldn’t put down until finished! I find it amazing that this author could imagine so many great people, and scenarios!
February 7, 2022
This story is set in the late 19th century. It tells the story of a young girl who is loathed by her mother & sent away to a wicked aunty. Here she finds friendship & love in her life. This book captures your interest from the outset, so much so you don’t want to let it out of your hand
January 5, 2025
It was actually one of the books that opened my eyes about the different types of love. That love is not only found in romantic relationships, but as well as friendship — that not even their race can put boundaries and all.
May 23, 2017
Really enjoyed this.
October 27, 2017
Very predictable however, also very enjoyable.
August 30, 2018
Catherine Cookson’s books make you laugh and cry❤️. Loved the characters of Sara and grandpa😌
November 22, 2018
A wonderful book with amazing characters. Catherine Cookson is such a fantastic story teller!
April 27, 2019
3.5 stars. Some interesting characters. I enjoyed reading about them.
September 16, 2019
A very easy quick read!
December 13, 2020
Great book
February 4, 2025
Picked this up for free from a little library—just something to read. The story felt predictable, much like a Mills & Boon romance. A quick read but not memorable.
February 24, 2025
Read February 2025
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews