The Wingless Bird

by Catherine Cookson

Book Overview

From Simon & Schuster, The Wingless Bird is another master work of historical fiction from Catherine Cookson. Agnes Conway, the daughter of a middle-class shopkeeper, escapes the abusive tyranny of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0552135771
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Corgi Books
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.

Customer Reviews

My All Time Favotrite!

I am a huge fan of Ms. Catherine Cookson and "Wingless Bird" is my favorite. This story begins in a small sweets shop at Christmas time, just before World War I. Agnes Conway is a young spirited woman who works for her father in his shops. She is the only person who is sensible and caring in her family. Her father is unfair, her mother is a bitter woman and they hate each other. Her younger sister, Jessie,is pampered and involved with a man from notorious Felton family. Even in this unhappy situation, Agnes is dreaming to get a better life for herself. She meets Charles Farrier, a young journalist who belongs to high society and slowly, they are getting close. Through him, Agnes steps into another world, but there are too much obstacles. She has to face harsh class barrier, madness of her father which almost gets her killed, and Charles' sudden illness. I was moved by Agnes' defiant character. Everytime she faces to obstacles, she gets on her feet and fights boldly. Whether she wins or loses, it doesn't matter. She is a mistress of her own life unlike many other women in early 20th century. When Charles's brother, Reginald, who is also secretly in love with Agnes, asked,"Are you a suffragette?", she answered " No, I'm not. ..............-----That is not quite true. I do everything to promote my own sex ... in an underhand way." This answer describes her defiant yet wise character very well. I like this enchanting story and I really do like this heroine. After I read the book, I saw the movie and I can say it is one of the finest film adaptation of novels. I highly recommend both the book and the movie.