- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Bantam Press; First Edition edition (5 Mar 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0593044665
- ISBN-13: 978-0593044667
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.8 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 895,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Silent Lady
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
A considerable number of her dedicated readers were saddened by the news of Catherine Cookson's death--not just for the loss of a much-loved woman, but also for the stilling of one of the most distinctive and reliable voices in fiction. Therefore the news that there were nine posthumous novels with her publisher was received with much pleasure. And rather than being evidence of the author winding down, they have shown that Cookson was ever refining her characterisation and the consummate plotting for which she was so noted. The Silent Lady has all of her characteristic touches, most notably a heroine at odds with herself and those around her.
At a distinguished firm of London solicitors, a female vagrant who appears to have been sleeping on the streets, presents herself. With her filthy clothes and inability to speak, it's no surprise that she is initially shown the door, until the firm's senior partner, Alexander Armstrong, learns the name of his visitor. Irene Baindor is a woman with a remarkable past and her reappearance is the signal for the ending of a mystery several decades old. Irene (the eponymous "Silent Lady") has encountered benefactors who have helped her to rebuild her life. And now she is able to come to terms with a brutal, disturbed past and attain happiness with both old and new friends.
As with all later Cookson books, it is difficult to predict the course that her constantly surprising narrative will take--clearly, the author had decided to retire some well-worn formats and strike out in entirely new directions. Although the customary romantic elements are well in evidence here, this is essentially a mystery in which the reader is swept through an intriguing narrative that moves from darkness into light. Irene represents something new in Cookson heroines, and her presence renders this one of the author's most thoughtful and affecting narratives. --Barry Forshaw
Book Description
Written in 1997 when this remarkable author was nearing the end of her life.
--This text refers to the
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First Sentence
The woman put out her hand towards the brass plate to the side of the half-open door. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The woman put out her hand towards the brass plate to the side of the half-open door. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Silent Lady is listed, sadly, as Cookson's final book. It is sad to think there will be no more posthumously published manuscripts from this wonderful author. The last book is clearly one of her best. While it departs somewhat from her usual style, having a little mystery connected with it, she depicts this heroine as someone I would really like to know better. Even more than the heroine, I think that her protector and the ownder of the boarding house is a fascinating character also. I did not want to put this book down as I definitely wanted to know how the heroine made out in the end. It is difficult to say much about the way the book progressed without giving away the plot. Take it from a long-time Cookson fan (I started reading Cookson's books when I discovered them in the 1970s) - this is one of the most fascinating and satisfying I have read.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A fantastic book typical of the great lady. The book certainly held my interest from the very first page. As an avid Cookson fan, I may be a little one sided, but I have never read a "bad" Cookson, but this book would have been worth the price just for the dedication alone. To think she wrote the book when she was so ill! She will surely be missed!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A gripping tale from the beginning. Great story from a great author. The main character will stay with you for a long time after you have put the book down.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Silent Lady
This was a really enjoyable book to read. Enjoy all of Catherine Cookson's books and would recommend purchasing this one.
Published 1 month ago by sammy
Good read
Quite a good book, but I don't think this was written by Catherine herself, it did'nt seem to have her turn of phrase, I think it was probably written by a ghost writer, but still... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. S. Wood
Brilliant - a true masterpiece
I was gripped from begining to end, thank goodness Catherine penned this final book. What a beautiful and inspiring story.
Published 3 months ago by Angela
The Silent Lady
This final novel by Catherine Cookson was one of her best. The forward written by her is a revelation in itself, detailing her personal physical difficulties under which the book... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Sue Thompson
A Gem
What a great book, Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I find it amazing that someone as frail as Miss Cookson was towards the end of her life could have the presence of mind to... Read more
Published 14 months ago by abbeyfield
A pleasant read
I grew up knowing Catherine Cookson to be a best-selling internationally renowned British author, but I hadn't read her till now. Read more
Published 21 months ago by WobblyWellies
Catherine Cookson's last and best book!
Her last book and in my opinion Catherine Cookson's best novel ever since The Fifteen Streets.
The fact that her health was frailing and her only way to get this story written... Read more
The fact that her health was frailing and her only way to get this story written... Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by P. Van Vliet Johnson
The Silent Lady by C. Cookson
Book received very promptly and was in excellent condition. Very pleased with service and book. Would use again.
Published on 18 July 2009 by J. L. Fisher
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