The Gilded Cage

by Josephine Cox

Powerful, hard-hearted Leonard Mears ruthlessly presides over his wife and children, exiling them from the outside world and brutally punishing any disobedience. But he is also a man with a dark secret; an illegitimate daughter that he forced his sister to bring up. The girl is now a young woman who, unbeknown to him, is determined to find the father that abandoned her.

James Peterson, a gifted young man, runs Mear's factory with more success than Leonard's own sons. He lives for the day he can have his own business and make his fortune. Only then will he be able to declare his love for beautiful Isabel Mears who he means to release from the gilded cage her father has created. But then the lonely, lovely Sally comes in to his life, turning his heart and dreams upside down.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

About the author

Josephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.

She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed lot's of tissues for this book. Really enjoyed. Recommended.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me a whole day to finish this book. Gosh the book is full of so much tragedy that the reader could almost lose hope. Almost. The characters all have something in common and that was their determination. Determination to escape, to live a free life, determination for money, for revenge, for dominance. Everyone had their goals, both evil and pure. It was a definite page turner, seeing as I finished it all in one day. I couldn't bring myself to put it down. No matter how the situation worsened for the heroine and for the hero, the author somehow managed to keep the reader fervently hoping that all would be well. And there were some characters whose deeds were almost unforgivable but the plot and circumstances these characters were placed in allowed the readers to empathize with the characters except for one that is, the main Villain, Leonard. It's a beautiful novel and I'm actually thinking of reading it again.

[Susan]

This is the first Josephine Cox book I have read. I found her style of writing rather dull but once I became used to it found the characters believable and the story flowed.

[Tilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy the book, the storyline was great but the way she wrote it didn't seem to fit; for me.

[Betsina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book mainly to see Leonard Mears get what he deserved. Cook, there's a reason why the cat distribution system chose you.

As a first-time reader of this era, I had to adjust to the social norms, especially the age gap between Sally and James, which was hard to ignore. But overall, it was a solid read that kind of gave me the feel of the 19th century.

[Archana Ganesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending seemed somewhat abrupt, but otherwise a good read.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never write reviews because I find every person will take a book and perceive and enjoy different elements. I HAD to for this one. I have read many of her books and they seem to share a common issue for me but this one brings it to a new level.
This book has great promise. It is very interesting with lots of characters and times you feel you are rite there with them, then the end just drops you. Just as something good is about to happen, everything leads up to the big ending then, POW nothing. Three paragraphs of summary.... they're married (nothing on this), the evil step mom is back and its ok??!! (nothing on this), birth mom is bestties with stepmom and mother in-law (nothing on this) just a big plop. Hate the ending!! It had such promise for such an intruiging finale. Sorry, I don't enjoy having the end ruined for me but you will see, I saved you hours of reading to be disappointed in the end. Publisher should have caught this one, or extended her due date so it could have been done rite!

[Susan Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike everyone else, I really disliked this book: the writing style, the storyline and the flow.

Most of the characters were unlikable and the story had no justice. The Mears' family and household was run by a raging, violent, lunatic. The entire household was cowed and no one in the family showed any real spine. Robert, one of the two sons, seemed like he should be the hero of the family but was useless in protecting his family from his abusive father. Isabel was defiant, but it did little but get her punished and did not help her or her family's situation at all. (I hated her portion of the story. I can't tell why because it's a spoiler.)

The story sets James up to ruin the evil Leonard Mears by putting him out of business. That never happens.

Much of the story is omitted as plot lines jump around and timelines are skipped.

All in all this was a very unpleasant book to read.

[Lucy Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is probably my favourite one so far of Jo cox books. it had me hooked till the last page.

[Carolyn Hupfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Novel has some very interesting twists and turns that made me feel for most of the characters. I will now look out for more of Josephine Cox Novels.

[Andrea]

One that tugs at the heart strings.

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the type of book I’d usually reach for, but I found it in my temporary accommodation rental. Took a few hours to devour this book because I really wanted to know what happens in the end.

The characters in the story are relatable — some with good qualities and others just plain cruel. I like how the author brings in themes of forgiveness and restoration in the book, amidst a lot of cruelty (parents on their own children!!), loss, and tragedy. A good story.

Note: some of the arc resolution could have been given more time by the author. I found that she could jump from one chapter to the next and “they’re married”. It would have been lovely - after reading through such cruel events - to rest and delight in the good bits!

[Jill Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of this book. It tells the tale of Sally, whose father dies at the beginning of the story. After the funeral, Her mother beats her almost to death, and informs her that she's not their child. The mother steals Sally's inheritance, leaving her with nothing except a burnt piece of paper with her real father's name written on it. The story follows Sally's search for her family, and her hopes and disappointments. We are introduced to her father's family, who suffer at his brutal hands. There is tragedy, star-crossed lovers, weddings and funerals, but suddenly the tale comes to an abrupt end, with every problem sorted in a few pages. It gives the impression that the author felt she had written enough, and wanted it done and dusted.

[Lina K. Ariffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely definitely a 5/5

The way this book plays with your heart and emotions. Raw and real. The plots are amazingly written. Character development? One hundred percent. The whole book started with the evil and wicked Leonard Mears and whatever bad and misfortunes occurred after, are the ripples from him.

I thought I hated James. Well, he was just a child. And I love Sally so much. She is the best main character!! Her personality, her pure love, her generosity, her genuine kindness. She is everything. This book started good and the ending is just beautiful. Maureen :) she is the world. She is what the world needs. if I were to asked. We need one million maureen in this world to make it a better place. Thank you Josephine Cox 💖

[Tanushree Sukumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally love stories that revolve around women. This story moves the readers with love and hatred within the family. I stopped multiple times to ponder about the questions that rose in my mind.

Is love worth waiting for? If Isabelle decided to have faith in her lover and chose to wait for the truth to uncover, she wouldn't have faced such a miserable end. But only the death of her has led James to Sally, where she chose to wait for him though she was well aware he was in love with another woman. Every character had their own purpose in changing the trajectory of the narrative, which amused and thrilled me. On the whole this is a story that I really enjoyed reading.

[Inas. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my...!!! Amazing book, some books will reveal its plot within two chapters, will yhis book the author excellently maneuvered plots ,events that the reader wouldn't expect the ending...i know love story will end up happily, but howbevile turns good, or wickdness turns brutal...

Boom full of emotions, describing human nature in all forms, where unfortunately evil spreads its tentacles to creat chain of misery to others.

Loved James personality, Sally pure soul, hated part of Mears family, and felt sorry for the others.
I really can't recommend this book enough.

[mariamiilits · Rating 3 out of 5]

see oli hästi kirjutatud ja kui selle kätte võtsin läks küll kiirelt. kuid seda motivatsiooni et selle üldse kätte võtta oli mul nii vähe.. a good book but not my cup of tea. eriti sellepärast et see main love story (mis pole tegelt väga suur osa raamatust) on between a 15 year old girl and a 22 year old man … kinda rikkus selle vaibi ara mu jaoks ja neid hetki, kus kirjanik üritas seda sisendada et 7-aastane vanuse vahe pole nii hull oli kohutav lugeda.

[Mrs Erica A Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was surprised when I found I’d reached part 5 of this book, and that had just one chapter! It felt as though there was a chunk missing, or as though the author was wanting to move on to the next project, so had hurried the conclusion. However, although I felt disappointed, I still enjoyed the book.

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been gripped by this story about Sally. An illegitimate daughter who is brought up by her father’s sister. When she learns that the father she loves is not her real father she intends to seek him out. During her journey she finds love and laughter, sadness and pain. Despite her dreams being turned upside down she eventually finds happiness. A delightful read.

[Sean and Tanya Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant read

A great storyline about A young girl looking for answers and to find out where she came from .
After being beaten to within a inch of her life Sally goes in search of her birth parents but finds so much more .
A story about greed, love, hatred, betrayal, murder, and loss .
I loved most of the characters a couple of them for exactly what they deserved.

[What to read next ....... · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a brilliant awesome read 📚

It's a great storyline, so gripping. It's hard to put this book down .

Sally is a young girl looking for answers finding out where she came from .

Being beaten within every inch of her life, Sally goes in search for her birth parents , but finds out much more .

It's a story about greed , love , hatered , betrayal , murder and loss .

Josephine Cox never disappoints
Huge fan 👏

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book, I was so enthralled with it, I read it in two days, I have read more of Catherine Cox books and she never fails to amaze me!
I was so sad that Isabel was hanged, but it was meant to happen, so that James could be happy!

[IndreBite · Rating 1 out of 5]

No idea why this has such a high rating. It reads easily, but that's it. The characters are overworked: the evil ones are beyond evil and the good ones are too nice. Did not finish - life's too short to read bad books

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

–The story of Sally who finds out she is not the daughter of the people who raised her. She attempts to find her father – bringing into her life James and Maureen. It’s an enjoyable read.

[Marian Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional book.

I just could not put this book down,
I can honestly say i have not enjoyed a book so much.
.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book I had this on audio and. Couldn’t switch it off 5*

[Chris Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good-hearted read, ideal for relaxing at home or on holiday. Well described period setting, a heady mix of contrasting characters and an engaging storyline.

[Susan Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure just who pushed Leonard diwnstairs but well rid of a horrible man

[jill Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start, but once got into the story it was good. However, disappointed with the ending. The ending more or less was rushed and ended abruptly???

[Tita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tal como a sinopse nos conta, Leonard Mears é um homem cruel e que escondeu que teve uma filha bastarda (Sally) que obrigou a irmã a criar. A par deste acontecimento, é também um homem que controla a sua família, entre os quais se encontra Isabel, a sua filha legítima mais velha.
A história em si até me agradou, com Sally a descobrir da pior forma que é filha bastarda e a tenta encontrar o seu pai verdadeiro, descobrindo que é um homem horrível. Gostei também de James e da sua mãe, pessoas muito bondosas e com um coração enorme.
No entanto julgo que faltou um pouco mais de desenvolvimento, quer da família Mears, como também da própria revelação, que acabamos por assistir apenas superficialmente.
É uma história cheia de dramas e tragédias, que não me agradou totalmente. Para quê tanto drama em torno de Isabel? Apenas para desencadear o "acontecimento" que irá mudar a situação? Achei demasiado.
Quanto a personagens, tal como referi gostei muito de James e da sua mãe, da Sally e até mesmo da Isabel. Leonard é o vilão completamente odioso e que eu só pensava "mas não há ninguém que o mate?". E quanto às restantes personagens, como a esposa e os outros três filhos de Leonard e os empregados, achei que faltava um pouco mais de caracterização.
Outro ponto que não me convenceu, foi a redenção da tia de Sally e o perdão desta pois pareceu-me rápido demais mas pronto, se calhar sou eu que tenho mau feitio a mais =P

Algo que me irritou um bocadinho foi a tradução / revisão. Pois de todas as vezes que se refere "há algum tempo" (ou suas variações), encontramos "há algum tempo atrás". Um erro que, infelizmente, é muito comum. Tenho ideia que encontrei mais um ou outro, mas como não registei, já não me recordo.