Bloody Mary

by Mary Henderson

A cracking novel of Glasgow from one of Scotland's best-loved and best-selling writers. Helen Davidson is as bustling, bright and businesslike as the mighty City of Glasgow itself. Her and her doctor daughter Marylka are strong women both, molded in the shadow of the strongest of them all - dogged, selfless, down-to-earth Aunt Mary, Bloody Mary. The Davidson dynasty seems cursed to see its marriages fail and its sons become tyrants or cowards. It is young Marylka who finds herself at the end of this line at the end of a century. But hope and salvation lie in the most surprising place, out west, into the wind. In this page-turning, heart-rending novel, Meg Henderson shows her readers that she is now without doubt one of the most captivating storytellers in all Britain.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Susan Butts]

I've read about six chapters of this book so far, and I'm really struggling with it. Clunky writing, no subtlety, the writer seems to think she has to spell everything out. The only reason I'm reading it is that it's for a reading group. Please tell me it's worth pushing on with this.... Or am I allowed to give up and read something worthwhile??

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

i usually like action thrillers but really enjoyed this story about people. I guess that because it was an area of Glasgow I recognised it made it more interesting than it would have been if located in Birmingham. The eventual joining of the families was as expected but really a by-product of a beautiful piece of writing with a host of interesting characters.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based in Modern Glasgow, the lives of the rich heiress Marylka is linked with a family in the Western isles. This family was derived from a young orphan girl 'boarded out' by Glasgow Council in 1920s. As I had not come across this process before (a council official simply knocked on doors to ask people if they would take in a destitute child or two for an allowance but no police check of any kind), it was an intriguing start to the story. The book is mainly about its characters rather than a serious plot but still interesting.

[Kelv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some depth and layers. Well written with simple scenes and characters. The ending was quick but I appreciated the book being wrapped up.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, but a little too much said in scottish