Kate Hannigan's Girl

Kate Hannigan #2

by Catherine Cookson

Catherine Cookson was one of the world's most beloved writers. Her books have sold millions of copies, and her characters and their stories have captured the imagination of readers around the globe. She passed away in 1998, but luckily for her fans, Cookson left behind several unpublished works, including the magnificent Kate Hannigan's Girl -- her 100th book, the powerful companion to her first novel, Kate Hannigan.

Set in the English countryside in the early twentieth century, Kate Hannigan's Girl is the story of Kate's eldest daughter, the lovely, free-spirited Annie Hannigan. Blessed with silver-blond braids and a lighthearted disposition, Annie enjoys a life her mother never had. She is surrounded by material comforts and a loving family, protected from the poverty and shame her mother endured in the slums. But as Cookson fans have come to expect, no good life can go unmarred by heartache.

Annie grows into a beautiful young woman, and soon she draws the interest of both friends and neighbors. She falls in love with Terence Macbane, the elusive boy next door. But there are those who would keep them apart: Her childhood friend Brian Stannard is determined to have her for himself, and her more worldly rival, Cathleen Davidson, harbors a bitter jealousy that will prove dangerous to all. Tormented by unrequited love, the revelation of her own illegitimacy, and the demands of her deep-seated faith, Annie discovers that sometimes love is not enough -- she must fight for what she wants.

Kate Hannigan's Girl is vintage Cookson. With its larger themes of early twentieth-century romantic love and class conflict, this novel showcases Catherine Cookson at the height of her storytelling powers, and it is sure to satisfy devoted readers everywhere.

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

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2000

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

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Storytelling at it's best. Recommended.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review: Kate Hannigans girl by Catherine Cookson (Non-Spoiler)

Hey Guys,

This is my first non spoiler review so bare with me also let me know on the comments below if there is anything else you'd like me to add on my next non spoiler review.

I rated this novel 6.5/5 stars I only recommend this author if you are 18+ maybe older due to the content in some of the novels which I let those who are of age be aware of below so those who are below 18 stop reading NOW it is Na (New Adult.) It's also a chic flick and a sequel.
It is the second book after Kate Hannigan has you can tell by the novel it is based on Kate Hannigan ' s Daughter the year that the book is based on is the early 1920s after Dr Rodney prince and Kate have been married and I asume had a child or they spring it on you in this novel since Annie is the eldest (she isn't Rodney 's child but he treats as though she is.)

A bit of background history on Kate and Annie is that they suffered in the Fifteen Streets which is a poor area and lots of people say Spiteful Rumours about them because of they use to live in the Fifteen Streets.

The main character is Annie which I said earlier but its about her learning her strength and her maturity and dealing with her issues it's also contains near assult which is why I don't want anyone reading it if you are not the age that is what most of her books contain but not all but luckily that someone helps Annie before it happens.

I love the romance between Terence and Annie which is what the book is based upon I love the way Catherine discribes the scenery and writing format aswell has when they talks about being Church of England and a Catholic (which I am) it's nice to know about other faiths than your own.

Also an intresting that kate Hannigan was in fact Catherine Cookson first book to ever be published I am planning to do a spoiler review but this is for those who want to know about this book with being kind of spoiled.

Let me below if you want to talk about the book but it has to be non spoiling incase people want to read the comments.

Happy reading

Lola

[Pattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little read. Something I needed right now. As always, Catherine Cookson produces strong characters that are a little bit flawed with lessons to be learned and maybe for us as readers to learn and relearn...

[Lindsay Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but a little too dramatic. Too much of a roller-coaster and made me want to slap some sense into the main character. Romantic and ended well.

[Cecile Christensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published after her death. Not as good as her earlier ones.

[Anne Rush · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kate Hannigan's Girl

I have enjoyed many a book by Catherine Cookson but this was not one of her best sadly. Very predictable characters and plot. Not a great read.

[Pat Jorgenson Waterchilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I enjoy Ms. Cookson's books. The storyline, characters and settings are believable and engaging.
Annie, daughter of Katie Hannigan was born out of wedlock. Annie, educated in a convent decides to become a nun but is pursued by Brian and Terrance. Twists and turns in the plot leads Annie to question her decision at times. You will need to read until the very end to see how it all works out!
A good read for a warm summer day!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very Catherine Cookson novel. Entertaining and dramatic as the author intended. The characters lack a bit of depth but the love story and frustrations of the characters was interesting to unfold. I had not read Kate Hannigan before this book, that being the prequel. But this one can stand on it's own.

[Adrian Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely the weakest of Catherine's novels I've yet read. It's the second one she wrote, but was only published after her death, due to her withdrawing it after the publisher made some criticisms. Probably improved her overall writing in the long run.

[Joy Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the way Caherine Cookson writes and winds and pulls you into the time of the writing I think she captures the conflicts of class and religion and many changes that took place

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate a Catherine Cookson novel, but this one, published posthumously, was not especially satisfying.

[Leena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luin suomeksi. Annie - äitinsä tytär

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

SYNOPSIS:
Set in the English countryside in the early twentieth century, Kate Hannigan's Girl is the story of Kate's eldest daughter, the lovely, free-spirited Annie Hannigan. Blessed with silver-blond braids and a light-hearted disposition, Annie enjoys a life her mother never had. She is surrounded by material comforts and a loving family, protected from the poverty and shame her mother endured in the slums. But as Cookson fans have come to expect, no good life can go unmarred by heartache.
Annie grows into a beautiful young woman, and soon she draws the interest of both friends and neighbours. She falls in love with Terence Macbane, the elusive boy next door. But there are those who would keep them apart: Her childhood friend Brian Stannard is determined to have her for himself, and her more worldly rival, Cathleen Davidson, harbours a bitter jealousy that will prove dangerous to all. Tormented by unrequited love, the revelation of her own illegitimacy, and the demands of her deep-seated faith, Annie discovers that sometimes love is not enough -- she must fight for what she wants.

Kate Hannigan's Girl is in many ways vintage Cookson. With its larger themes of early twentieth-century romantic love and class conflict, this novel showcases a lot of the strengths of Cookson's descriptive writing and social concerns and history. It is also her 100th novel and the first to be released following her death.
For me though it was a bit of a disappointing follow-up to Kate Hannigan which was a shame as I loved Kate and her daughter Annie. There was a lot of religious stuff to sift through and I think some of the impetus was lost amongst this. Although I stuck with it and enjoyed some of it so I gave it 3 stars for that.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Kate Hannigan, this volume tells the tale of her daughter Annie, having lived with the stigma of rape and illegitimacy all her life Annie wants a better, more religious life.
She thinks she can have all her dreams come true, love, marriage, a family when she meets Terennce Macbane but he is very shy and unsure of showing his true feelings to Annie as she is younger than him but over the years her feelings just deepen and secretly so does his but this is all destroyed by the evil machinations of Cathleen, a vicious temptress who will stop at nothing in her malice and spite to get what she wants and she wants to spoil any happiness that could belong to Annie Hannigan so instantly sets out to wreck the budding lovers relationship...
Can Annie defeat the evil Cathleen or will she and Terence be torn asunder?
An intriguing story that examines human relationships and how far we go to protect them and those whom we love.
A brilliant novel.

[Lisbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Hannigan's Girl by Catherine Cookson

One of my favourite authors when I was younger, but I have not read any of her books lately. When I read Cliff Goodwin's biography of her, To be a Lady: Story of Catherine Cookson, I was curious to read one again. I got hold of this book on a book fair. It is a continuation of the book Kate Hannigan, but you can easily read this one without first having read the previous. It is about Annie, illegitimate daughter of Kate, and her coming of age, falling in love, finding her way in life, and being harassed by evil Catherine. It is an easy enough read, and Cookson manages to balance the romance with the harsh realities of life at the time. You can feel with the characters. That is probably why she was so popular.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vertaste.y good. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like Ms. Cookson's series of books...the first one I picked up seemed rather dull & sluggish. I kept reading and was soon captured by the charm of the characters and wanted to learn how they solved all of the problems that plagued their lives. Ms. Cookson is really a brilliant author in the way that she draws you into her books. Dull & sluggish?.....not after the background is set and the ball gets rolling!!!

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Indu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never thought that I would like another love story apart from persuasion. Oh well, this changed my mind. Nice language, albeit simple yet so interesting, packed with intense situations. A very interesting story that immaculately rolls down over a conflict,perhaps the commonest them of all, yet with a touch that makes it seems one of a kind. oh and I love Terence!

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another great read from Catherine Cookson. She creates such believable characters and brings out the best and worst in human character. Light reading and enjoyable.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another winner for Cookson. I wonder was it about her mother whose name was Kate.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK not great

[Sian · Rating 1 out of 5]

what was I thinking in attmeptig to read this - so not my thing!

[Pmuckala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book!

[Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

[кєяo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I regret reading this book.