The Long Corridor

by Catherine Cookson

To outsiders, Dr Paul Higgins's life appeared to be happy and contented. Everyone had a good word for him, and his home life seemed to be ideal. At thirty-six, Bett Higgins could still pass for a much younger woman, not just in looks but in the way she loved the company of people half her age. A grand couple, some might say ... But once the surgery was closed and the curtains drawn, the facade that Paul and Bett Higgins presented to the world concealed a welter of hate that had grown worse with the passing years. Between them stood the barrier of the past - of secrets that, were they known, could affect everyone around them. Unable to forgive each other, they led their separate lives until Bett decided to allow her spite and resentment to culminate in revenge on the husband she did not love ...

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

Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

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

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anybody had told me that this book had the twist and shout, veneral disease, and mothers behaving badly in it, I most likely would have passed. This being a Cookson novel tho, I gave it a shot. I am glad I did! Cookson has a way of taking the most vile and scandalous occurences in human society and telling it in a decent and entertaining way. To sum this particular novel up: Classic chic lit. Or chic lit before Candace Bushnell learned to type.

Bett and Paul have a very unhappy marriage that is going on its 16th year of misery. They have a fifteen year old daughter, Lorna. Except for Lorna, the only reason Paul stays with Bett is his fear of harming his reputation as well as his medical prospects. Bett has her own vicious reasons. As one scandal after another hits this small household, readers will be on the edge of their seats and occasionally gasping is shock, dismay, or surprise. I didn't see some of this coming. When Bett steals her daughter's boyfriend, it could be the last straw for this family. Or is it??

I loved the ending. It is nice to think that everyone gets whats coming to them...

[♥ Marlene♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the very dark books written by Catherine Cookson. it is not a big book but it is powerful. If you think when it was written, writing about adultery and syphilis was not a normal thing i don't think. Very powerful book.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Cookson is a British writer and is deceased, I think. This particular book was published in 1976 and this was probably late in her career. I have read several of her books and find that she is a great storyteller. I did like this one and would recommend it as a good read.

[Flyss Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable but very dark tale of scandal in the good doctors household, with a twist in the tail.

[Eowynselixure_book Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the outside, Dr Paul Higgin’s life appears happy and unremarkable. His pretty wife at thirty-six could still pass for a much younger woman and enjoys the company of younger people. His beautiful daughter wants to follow him into the medical profession.
But behind closed doors a wealth of hate and bitter resentment has been growing between Paul and his wife. Between them lurks secrets of the past, unspoken and looming and a long corridor separating their bedrooms and their lives. Now Bett Higgins wants spiteful revenge on the husband she does not love and to ruin his life and everything he holds dear…
Catherine Cookson was a fantastic writer and knew how to tell a good story. Her characters are always well developed and her plots are often bold and unafraid of tackling difficult issues. This book was first published in 1965 and I believe it has a contemporary setting. This being the case some of the attitudes of the characters are old fashioned and therefore potentially controversial.
Paul is often sickened at the fact his wife enjoys the company of much younger men but I think it would be less dwelled upon today as they are all aged at least 19 and up. Paul however considers this trait of his wife’s to be akin to incest and the thought of it regularly makes him feel physically ill.
He also has a strange aversion to small or little women in which category he classes his wife. The reasoning behind this or where the aversion comes from is never made clear although it is mentioned on numerous occasions throughout the book.
The punishment for both Paul and Bett’s indiscretions seems to fall most heavily on Bett and Paul seems to be given a second chance.
It was an interesting read albeit a slow start and I enjoyed it but I was puzzled by what the novel was trying to say. The fact that it was a bad marriage made on rocky ground to start with was indisputable and the consequences of this are examined thoroughly. Current issues of the time are also explored, along with how a woman’s looks can affect her chances at marriage. There was also a heavy emphasis on family reputation and how integral this was to a man’s career.
I think in the end that this is an examination of marriage and family values in a time when the world was changing and becoming more modernized. Not one of my favorites by Cookson but it certainly made me think.

[Laura jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

first adult book i ever read was Catherine Cookson as my mum was a fan of hers. this book is a really good story even if you say im not a fan of hers.
Dr Paul Higgins seemed to have everything anyone could want. a perfect home, a wife who was lively and pretty, a lovely daughter and a practice where the patients thought highly of him.
But it was all a sham. His wife had hate for her husband which grew worse as the years went by. secrets they both knew but could not forgive so they led separate lives.
Bett the wife let spite and resentment one day make her husband suffer the revenge against the husband she did not love

[Cheryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Cookson is such a wonderful storyteller! I flew through this book and enjoyed every moment of it. She always tackles something a bit different and even though the subject matter in this book was a bit grim, it was still an enjoyable read.

[Mookie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really could not get into this. Donate.

[Robert E Marden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book....love all her books

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the author's earlier books. Good read as always.

Back Cover Blurb:
Dr Higgin's life appeared happy and contented. Everyone had a good word for him, and his home life seemed to be ideal. At 36, his wife not only looked like a much younger woman, but enjoyed the company of people half her age. A fine couple, it was thought, but the reality was very different.

[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.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

set in the 1960s the story of a very dysfunctional family and self-destructive marriage. It was set on the Northumbrian coast, take place over one day, a period during which everyone involved discovers that the consequences of an innocent meeting between two young people are far more significant than the event itself.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about people who hate each other, which isn't very pleasant to read. Also, based on the cover I was entirely certain it was a murder mystery before I started it, turns out no one dies till the very end, so that was a little weird.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

an ok read

[Michelle Beese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very surprised at the ending! Not at all what I expected. Interesting to read while in England!

[Jer Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, full of dramas and disgraceful revelations. The characters were likable too, except for Bett, which the author had clearly done a good job at portraying her as such. The setting was good too, a simple and small dysfunctional family where the parents were constantly at each other's throats; each having their own marital affairs; and a lovely child whose genes did not come from her father. Things could only get worse.

The ending was somewhat unexpected and melancholy. Bett's death at the hands of the long-serving maid served to a disappointing end. What more drama could have unfold had Bett was alive would unfortunately be left to the readers' imaginations only.