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Slinky Jane
A pretty girl arrives in the small village of Battenbun at the same time as a large eel is spotted in the river. Soon the woods are full of men out to catch both the eel and the girl. "Penguin Readers" is a series of simplified novels, film novelizations and original titles that introduce students at all levels to the pleasures of reading in English. Originally designed for teaching English as a foreign language, the series' combination of high interest level and low reading age makes it suitable for both English-speaking teenagers with limited reading skills and students of English as a second language. Many titles in the series also provide access to the pre-20th century literature strands of the National Curriculum English Orders. "Penguin Readers" are graded at seven levels of difficulty, from "Easystarts" with a 200-word vocabulary, to Level 6 (Advanced) with a 3000-word vocabulary. In addition, titles fall into one of three "Contemporary", "Classics" or "Originals". At the end of each book there is a section of enjoyable exercises focusing on vocabulary building, comprehension, discussion and writing. Some titles in the series are available with an accompanying audio cassette, or in a book and cassette pack. Additionally, selected titles have free accompanying "Penguin Readers Factsheets" which provide stimulating exercise material for students, as well as suggestions for teachers on how to exploit the Readers in class.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
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134 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cookson
461 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 31, 2023
“At its best, life is completely unpredictable.” – Christopher Walken
Leoline Carter’s old Alvis knocked, rattled, and sputtered as it rounded the last bend in the road, right on the outskirts of Battenbun, a village in Northumberland County.
Moments later, the car gave up the ghost completely, just then running itself, rather fortunately for her, up onto the driveway of Peter Puddleton’s garage. The owner himself stepped out of the office, taking in the view of the exhausted, wheezing, old car, and at the same time, the alluring young woman alighting it.
A brief conversation ensued, and in short order it was decided that Peter would check out the condition of the car while “Leo” would walk down to the Hart Inn to sit and have a bite to eat. After assessing the repairs, Peter would make his way to the Inn to give her an update.
After a time, he’d diagnosed the problems with the vehicle, (numerous), and then made his way to the Inn to share the bad news with his potential customer.
He eventually found her, sitting in the dining room.
“Well, I’d better tell you what I think,” he began, noting that she was looking at him, but not saying a word. “You see,” he continued, “I could fix her up, but it would cost you a tidy bit, to my advice is for you to get another secondhand…not that I have one for sale…”
At this point, he’s considering his own words, wondering why he’d be talking a potential customer out of a profitable repair job, while at the same time, somewhat unsettled by the silence of the woman looking back at him. He considered what he should say next, knowing that under normal circumstances, he’d jump at the opportunity to get this much work from one job, but with this woman it was different, he’d only known her for an hour, and yet already, he didn’t seem to know how to be his normal self with her.
He watched her lean back in her chair, he wondered if she was considering what he’d just told her, or if she was considering him at all, it was hard to tell. Finally, she spoke:
“How much will it cost to repair her?”
The words themselves were correct for the moment, but their mysterious rhythm made them sound more like the recitation of a poetic composition.
He forced his mind past these thoughts to the business at hand, biting his lip he replied, “It’s difficult to say, the big ends are gone, they’ll have to be rebored, also she’ll have to be stripped and reassembled.” She was calmly looking back at him, which was strange he thought, usually customers began to frown at the hearing of an expensive repair, but she just looked back at him, sitting easily in her chair.
He went on, attempting to reinforce the seriousness of the repair by saying, “And then there’s the engine…its on its last legs…so, you see it’s hard to say to the shilling what she’ll cost. Maybe sixteen pounds, but perhaps a bit more…”
She was still staring back at him with her dark brown eyes, then suddenly she stood up and turned her back to him as she walked toward a window. Peter watched her, added, “And I’m afraid it will take some time to get the big ends done and all…”
“How long?” She asked in a whispery tone of voice, her back still turned to Peter.
“A fortnight, maybe three weeks,” he replied, watching her slender silhouette against the pale light coming in through the window, “They have to be sent to a depot.”
She didn’t respond for a while, then finally said, “It’s beautiful country here.”
Peter found himself smiling, despite the fact that it was odd to be speaking to someone who had their back to you, then he decided to speak in agreement to what she’d just said, “Aye, its fine…yes there isn’t better. It’s wonderful country. Once you’ve lived here, you can’t settle nowhere else.”
“I’ll stay till she’s ready,” she said, suddenly, but softly.”
Her abruptness slightly nonplussed him, “Here?” he said, “But the car, it’ll be a fortnight…maybe even longer,” thinking perhaps she hadn't heard him.
“They take boarders here?”
“Yes, they can take two. There’s nobody staying at the present.”
She finally turned from the window, glancing at Peter, then to the door, “Then I’ll stay until you put the car right,” she said, then made her way to the reception desk of the Inn…
-----
By this point, I was just over 10% the way through the story, and I knew I’d want to read on. I wanted to know who this girl was, and where she came from, and how she was going to settle into small village life for a longer period of time. I was curious to learn how the relationship between she and Peter might evolve. There was a lot to look forward to, so I read on in anticipation…
Also, I’d read a Catherine Cookson novel before, it was “The Mallen Streak,” remembering Cookson’s ability to pack so many experiences, so many moods, in one relatively short work. I’m happy to say that “Slinky Jane” was even more atmospheric and moody and imagination stoking! For example, the author used the natural world surrounding the characters in such a interactive way, “Her laugh burst forth with so much mirth that it stirred the spirits of a nearby tree, causing a wave of sound to pass over the wood until its top branches swayed, and its leaves rustled, despite the lack of any discernable breeze…”
I also found myself wrapped up in the atmosphere of this quaint Northern English village as it must’ve existed in 1959. And the disruption caused by the arrival, and extended stay of this peculiar young woman of the city, right about the same time as the unexpected arrival of a large sylph-like figure entered its local waters. It was exquisitely presented, “The whole thing should be funny, an eel and a girl, and a village getting all mixed up. But somehow it hadn’t turned out like that…”
And if this particular cake was not delicious enough, it’s icing, the vernacular of the locals was used by Cookson to enhance the quaint village feeling of the place, here were a few of my favorites, (chosen from many):
“Be on her, like a wasp on jam…”
“Stepping out, like a spring gobbler…”
“As if he was, We Willie Winkie…”
“You know me, I don’t shilly-shally.”
“Looking for fairies in me dotage?"
There were a host of one-word wonders that helped ice the cake as well, among my favorites:
“Hoick,” to rise, or raise abruptly, and sharply, “She hoicked her dress above her knees.”
“Shirty,” bad-tempered; irritable; cranky.
“Gormless,” lacking in vitality or intelligence.
“Galoot,” an awkward, eccentric, or foolish person.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the wonderful way in which the characters of this story were portrayed. I was delighted and amazed as I read examples such as these, “The robin-like movements of Mrs. Armstrong belied her whisper, heavy with the insignia of sin…”
As far as drawbacks are concerned, I’d mention two. One, the chapters were quite long, and while this may have been the style in the 1960’s, it sharply contrasted the more recent novels with much shorter chapters. For me, short chapters work because I am a busy person who is only afforded snippets of time to read. I’m always satisfied if I can at least read one chapter at each opportunity, I was unable to do this with this story. Two, while the chapters of this book were long, the story itself was short, and as I mentioned above, it was so brilliantly told, I found myself wanting for more when I reached the last page.
But overall, this was a thoroughly engrossing and captivating story to read. I enjoyed every scene, and I’m sure that this one is going to stay with me for a long time!
Leoline Carter’s old Alvis knocked, rattled, and sputtered as it rounded the last bend in the road, right on the outskirts of Battenbun, a village in Northumberland County.
Moments later, the car gave up the ghost completely, just then running itself, rather fortunately for her, up onto the driveway of Peter Puddleton’s garage. The owner himself stepped out of the office, taking in the view of the exhausted, wheezing, old car, and at the same time, the alluring young woman alighting it.
A brief conversation ensued, and in short order it was decided that Peter would check out the condition of the car while “Leo” would walk down to the Hart Inn to sit and have a bite to eat. After assessing the repairs, Peter would make his way to the Inn to give her an update.
After a time, he’d diagnosed the problems with the vehicle, (numerous), and then made his way to the Inn to share the bad news with his potential customer.
He eventually found her, sitting in the dining room.
“Well, I’d better tell you what I think,” he began, noting that she was looking at him, but not saying a word. “You see,” he continued, “I could fix her up, but it would cost you a tidy bit, to my advice is for you to get another secondhand…not that I have one for sale…”
At this point, he’s considering his own words, wondering why he’d be talking a potential customer out of a profitable repair job, while at the same time, somewhat unsettled by the silence of the woman looking back at him. He considered what he should say next, knowing that under normal circumstances, he’d jump at the opportunity to get this much work from one job, but with this woman it was different, he’d only known her for an hour, and yet already, he didn’t seem to know how to be his normal self with her.
He watched her lean back in her chair, he wondered if she was considering what he’d just told her, or if she was considering him at all, it was hard to tell. Finally, she spoke:
“How much will it cost to repair her?”
The words themselves were correct for the moment, but their mysterious rhythm made them sound more like the recitation of a poetic composition.
He forced his mind past these thoughts to the business at hand, biting his lip he replied, “It’s difficult to say, the big ends are gone, they’ll have to be rebored, also she’ll have to be stripped and reassembled.” She was calmly looking back at him, which was strange he thought, usually customers began to frown at the hearing of an expensive repair, but she just looked back at him, sitting easily in her chair.
He went on, attempting to reinforce the seriousness of the repair by saying, “And then there’s the engine…its on its last legs…so, you see it’s hard to say to the shilling what she’ll cost. Maybe sixteen pounds, but perhaps a bit more…”
She was still staring back at him with her dark brown eyes, then suddenly she stood up and turned her back to him as she walked toward a window. Peter watched her, added, “And I’m afraid it will take some time to get the big ends done and all…”
“How long?” She asked in a whispery tone of voice, her back still turned to Peter.
“A fortnight, maybe three weeks,” he replied, watching her slender silhouette against the pale light coming in through the window, “They have to be sent to a depot.”
She didn’t respond for a while, then finally said, “It’s beautiful country here.”
Peter found himself smiling, despite the fact that it was odd to be speaking to someone who had their back to you, then he decided to speak in agreement to what she’d just said, “Aye, its fine…yes there isn’t better. It’s wonderful country. Once you’ve lived here, you can’t settle nowhere else.”
“I’ll stay till she’s ready,” she said, suddenly, but softly.”
Her abruptness slightly nonplussed him, “Here?” he said, “But the car, it’ll be a fortnight…maybe even longer,” thinking perhaps she hadn't heard him.
“They take boarders here?”
“Yes, they can take two. There’s nobody staying at the present.”
She finally turned from the window, glancing at Peter, then to the door, “Then I’ll stay until you put the car right,” she said, then made her way to the reception desk of the Inn…
-----
By this point, I was just over 10% the way through the story, and I knew I’d want to read on. I wanted to know who this girl was, and where she came from, and how she was going to settle into small village life for a longer period of time. I was curious to learn how the relationship between she and Peter might evolve. There was a lot to look forward to, so I read on in anticipation…
Also, I’d read a Catherine Cookson novel before, it was “The Mallen Streak,” remembering Cookson’s ability to pack so many experiences, so many moods, in one relatively short work. I’m happy to say that “Slinky Jane” was even more atmospheric and moody and imagination stoking! For example, the author used the natural world surrounding the characters in such a interactive way, “Her laugh burst forth with so much mirth that it stirred the spirits of a nearby tree, causing a wave of sound to pass over the wood until its top branches swayed, and its leaves rustled, despite the lack of any discernable breeze…”
I also found myself wrapped up in the atmosphere of this quaint Northern English village as it must’ve existed in 1959. And the disruption caused by the arrival, and extended stay of this peculiar young woman of the city, right about the same time as the unexpected arrival of a large sylph-like figure entered its local waters. It was exquisitely presented, “The whole thing should be funny, an eel and a girl, and a village getting all mixed up. But somehow it hadn’t turned out like that…”
And if this particular cake was not delicious enough, it’s icing, the vernacular of the locals was used by Cookson to enhance the quaint village feeling of the place, here were a few of my favorites, (chosen from many):
“Be on her, like a wasp on jam…”
“Stepping out, like a spring gobbler…”
“As if he was, We Willie Winkie…”
“You know me, I don’t shilly-shally.”
“Looking for fairies in me dotage?"
There were a host of one-word wonders that helped ice the cake as well, among my favorites:
“Hoick,” to rise, or raise abruptly, and sharply, “She hoicked her dress above her knees.”
“Shirty,” bad-tempered; irritable; cranky.
“Gormless,” lacking in vitality or intelligence.
“Galoot,” an awkward, eccentric, or foolish person.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the wonderful way in which the characters of this story were portrayed. I was delighted and amazed as I read examples such as these, “The robin-like movements of Mrs. Armstrong belied her whisper, heavy with the insignia of sin…”
As far as drawbacks are concerned, I’d mention two. One, the chapters were quite long, and while this may have been the style in the 1960’s, it sharply contrasted the more recent novels with much shorter chapters. For me, short chapters work because I am a busy person who is only afforded snippets of time to read. I’m always satisfied if I can at least read one chapter at each opportunity, I was unable to do this with this story. Two, while the chapters of this book were long, the story itself was short, and as I mentioned above, it was so brilliantly told, I found myself wanting for more when I reached the last page.
But overall, this was a thoroughly engrossing and captivating story to read. I enjoyed every scene, and I’m sure that this one is going to stay with me for a long time!
abandoned
December 4, 2022Kim brought this to Book Club, it’s a very dated old paperback of a book published in 1959. She said she quite liked it, so I gave it a go but gave up after 50 pages. The romantic dilemmas of a young mechanic in a small English village where nobody does anything but gossip. Not for me.
November 27, 2022
A delightful mixture of humour and pathos set in the 1970s as it was published. A good read and engaging characters. Still cry over the circumstances.
Synopsis:
A pretty girl arrives in the small village of Battenbun at the same time as a large eel is spotted in the river. Soon the woods are full of men out to catch both the eel and the girl.
FEARFUL PASSION
From the moment strikingly lovely Leonine Carter first laid eyes on Peter, she felt a tremor of fear. It was not the obviously dazzled look of instant adoration from this handsome young man that filled her with misgiving. Leonine was used to that look from men. But she was not used to the overwhelming wave of desire that rose within her without warning, the sudden ache of desperate need.
Peter was idealistic innocence itself. Leonine was everything that experience and disillusionment could make a woman. She knew what sheer insanity it would be for them to ever come together. But all too soon she realized that nothing, neither the certainty of cruel awakening for him, nor the threat of agonizing heartbreak for her, could keep them apart...
Synopsis:
A pretty girl arrives in the small village of Battenbun at the same time as a large eel is spotted in the river. Soon the woods are full of men out to catch both the eel and the girl.
FEARFUL PASSION
From the moment strikingly lovely Leonine Carter first laid eyes on Peter, she felt a tremor of fear. It was not the obviously dazzled look of instant adoration from this handsome young man that filled her with misgiving. Leonine was used to that look from men. But she was not used to the overwhelming wave of desire that rose within her without warning, the sudden ache of desperate need.
Peter was idealistic innocence itself. Leonine was everything that experience and disillusionment could make a woman. She knew what sheer insanity it would be for them to ever come together. But all too soon she realized that nothing, neither the certainty of cruel awakening for him, nor the threat of agonizing heartbreak for her, could keep them apart...
November 2, 2017
This was an early work of Catherine Cookson. A young woman Leo is driving through the English countryside when her car breaks down in a small town. Peter Puddleston owner of the local garage helps her out and shows her where she can stay while her car is being fixed. Leo is quite pretty and Peter is immediately taken with her igniting the jealousy of a few of the towns young ladies that are also interested in Peter. Peter's young twin brothers come tearing into the garage yelling of what they have found in the pond.
February 15, 2023
Het verhaal kon me niet boeien. Het dorp is in opschudding omdat een jonge vrouw daar met haar auto strandt. Alle mannen zijn in de ban door haar. Peter is zo verliefd dat ie meteen de rest van zijn leven met haar wil doorbrengen.
De vrouwen in het dorp zijn totaal ongeloofwaardige wraakzuchtige bitches. De paling die in het meer zwemt wordt zo vaak genoemd dat je er stapelgek van wordt. Er gebeurt verder niks interessants.
Ik heb 'm toch uitgelezen, in de hoop dat het einde nog verrassend of bevredigend zou zijn, maar helaas, niks boeiends.
De vrouwen in het dorp zijn totaal ongeloofwaardige wraakzuchtige bitches. De paling die in het meer zwemt wordt zo vaak genoemd dat je er stapelgek van wordt. Er gebeurt verder niks interessants.
Ik heb 'm toch uitgelezen, in de hoop dat het einde nog verrassend of bevredigend zou zijn, maar helaas, niks boeiends.
April 19, 2022
I read this aged about 11 or 12 I had grown out of the books aimed at my age group & my Mum gave me it to read. Mild sex references, a little embarrassed that I enjoyed reading it & my Mum had let me. My 1st "grown up" book read.
August 22, 2025
Monella tapaa ärsyttävä tarina. Paljon vastenmielisiä henkilöhahmoja ja juoruilua. Mutta tulipahan luettua ja loppu oli ihan ok.
June 1, 2016
1. Penguin, level2
2. 5/31=40minutes, 6/1=40minutes
3. girl, eel, blue car, village, garage, shock, leave
4. a. This story was love story. One day, a woman came to the vllage, but she did not be accepted by that people easily. They had some reasons.
b. I do not like Leo's action. It was scary, but I thought she was a strong. On the other hand, Peter's action was so cool. I like his action.
5. This book was interesting, but if I were there, I do not want to concern with these women. This tittle is Slinky Jane, but main character is not her and it was a eel! This story sometimes jumped next situation, so it was hard for me. I want to know how Peter will live.
2. 5/31=40minutes, 6/1=40minutes
3. girl, eel, blue car, village, garage, shock, leave
4. a. This story was love story. One day, a woman came to the vllage, but she did not be accepted by that people easily. They had some reasons.
b. I do not like Leo's action. It was scary, but I thought she was a strong. On the other hand, Peter's action was so cool. I like his action.
5. This book was interesting, but if I were there, I do not want to concern with these women. This tittle is Slinky Jane, but main character is not her and it was a eel! This story sometimes jumped next situation, so it was hard for me. I want to know how Peter will live.
July 15, 2015
1. level2 Penguin
2. 7/15=80minutes
3. girl, car, fix, new road, eel, garage, leave
4."You go , son. When you.are ―when Leo isn't there, come back to Battenbun. This is your home."
I like a phrase "This is your home." I want to be said that when I leave my hometown.
5. This is love story and little somber story. It is little difficult for me to understand because there are many characters. One day a pretty girl arrives in the small village. Nobody know about her , and she won't say. She has sad past. So, little somber story.
2. 7/15=80minutes
3. girl, car, fix, new road, eel, garage, leave
4."You go , son. When you.are ―when Leo isn't there, come back to Battenbun. This is your home."
I like a phrase "This is your home." I want to be said that when I leave my hometown.
5. This is love story and little somber story. It is little difficult for me to understand because there are many characters. One day a pretty girl arrives in the small village. Nobody know about her , and she won't say. She has sad past. So, little somber story.
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.
November 17, 2008
One of the author's earlier books - good read.
Back Cover Blurb:
She arrived one morning in a decrepit old car and stayed. The village had never seen anything like her. A delightful mixture of humour, pathos, drama and near tragedy.
Back Cover Blurb:
She arrived one morning in a decrepit old car and stayed. The village had never seen anything like her. A delightful mixture of humour, pathos, drama and near tragedy.
January 8, 2014
i want to translate the of slinky jane
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews