Hannah The Complete Story

by Hannah Hauxwell

The Complete Story Hauxwell, Hannah and Cockcroft, Barry

Genres: Autobiography, Nonfiction, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Libbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two books, Seasons of My Life and Daughter of the Dales are combined in this one.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I ever saw the original documentary ‘Too Hard a Winter’ but I certainly heard about Hannah Hauxwell and her lonely life on an Teesdale farm. Even though the seventies weren’t exactly an era of comfort and affluence, we nevertheless must have recognised a difficult life when we saw one, and Hannah’s was about as hard as it got, making her appear much older than her real age of 46. Perhaps she was one of TV’s first real-life finds? It certainly seems so from the reverential tone in which the author (and producer) describes her, as if she needed kid glove treatment, observing more than once, that there was something very olde world - charming and refined - in the way she expressed herself. And I could see that myself, as I watched the documentary on YouTube - though she must have had the strength of an ox to get that bull to her neighbour’s for market! And the snow! And the stuff in her house! And the lack of washing! She appeared such a one-off and yet it is a very salutary reminder of how life used to be before all the comforts and communications of the last 50 years. Even now, with a house that’s old and cold, my life isn’t anywhere near as gruelling as hers - and, for that, I’m thankful.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book, honest and sincere though intensely enigmatic. At the end, I felt unresolved, as if there were questions that hadn't really been answered. I had the distinct sense that the real Hannah, perhaps locked inside herself by her native shyness and old fashioned notions of propriety, had not been truly revealed. She remains a mystery even when her story has been told.

[Amy Flint · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read about an amazing woman!

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing woman.

[Granny Swithins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was very much designed to complement the documentary that was made about Hannah Hauxwell (1970s, I think?) - a woman found by a TV company, living in a remote Yorkshire cottage without any modern conveniences (electricity, running water etc.)
It's an interesting social history, a reminder of how hard life was for ordinary people, and how recently society has transformed and got used to domestic improvements that would have seemed like unbelievable luxuries to our nearest ancestors. Given the recent trend of cottagecore, it's a salutary reminder that rural life was incredibly hard - Hannah lived in abject poverty, forgotten by the rest of society until the documentary was aired.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an amazing lady!!! This exition contains two books. I enjoyed the first more than the second as it was more in Hannah's words. The second was more about people around her and there was lots of repetition from the 1st

[Elizabeth (Liz) Gaston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting person and incredible story. Seems impossible that anyone could live without electricity and running water in the UK in the 1970's. It is quite amazing and Hannah is charming throughout despite the very hard life she had until discovered through a documentary on her life.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who watched the TV series in the early 1970's will enjoy reading and seeing the lovely photos of Hannah and family and surroundings - I thoroughly enjoyed reading and remembering what a hard life she led.

[Jo Earley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it - a peek inside a world that no longer exists

[Caroline Mather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming, and such a beautiful lady.
Stayed true to her family and what an amazing life ❤

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an amazing inspirational read. A very strong willed lady .

[Danielle Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book about a beautiful lady a survivor with a innocent soul. I have not seen the documentaries but am searching for them now.

[Rachel Fellowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Olly Mogs · Rating 5 out of 5]

a charming book about a beautiful soul