ISBN: 043414259X
ISBN13: 9780434142590
Black Velvet Gown
$8.69
ISBN: 043414259X
ISBN13: 9780434142590
Formats
Conditions
A read copy that remains in clean condition.
Formats
Conditions
A read copy that remains in clean condition.
Book Overview
There would be times when Riah Millican came to regret that her husband had learned to read and write, and then shared his knowledge with her and their children. For this was Durham in the 1830's, when employers tended to regard the spread of education with suspicion. But now Seth Millican was dead and she was a widow with the need to find a home and a living for herself and her children.
The chance of becoming a housekeeper didn't work out, but it led to Moor House and a scholarly recluse obsessed with that very book learning that could open so many doors and yet create so many problems; especially with her daughter, Biddy, who was not only bright, but witful...
THE BLACK VELVET GOWN is the story of a mother and daughter, often at odds with each other, facing the need to challenge and fight the prejudice of an age--a narrative of great power and diversity that is one of Catherine Cookson's major achievements.
From the Paperback edition. This description may be from another edition of this product.
The chance of becoming a housekeeper didn't work out, but it led to Moor House and a scholarly recluse obsessed with that very book learning that could open so many doors and yet create so many problems; especially with her daughter, Biddy, who was not only bright, but witful...
THE BLACK VELVET GOWN is the story of a mother and daughter, often at odds with each other, facing the need to challenge and fight the prejudice of an age--a narrative of great power and diversity that is one of Catherine Cookson's major achievements.
From the Paperback edition. This description may be from another edition of this product.
- Format:
- Hardcover
- Language:
- English
- ISBN:
- 043414259X
- ISBN13:
- 9780434142590
- Release Date:
- June 1997
- Publisher:
- Random House UK
- Length:
- 345 Pages
Related Subjects
More by Catherine Cookson
Customer Reviews
Somber but So Readable!!
I love Catherine Cookson and found this book to be just as enchanting and enjoyable as her others. She is such a wonderful storyteller and this story, though somewhat dark, is comparable to the other books of hers. Poor Riah with so much of the world on her shoulders, is a memorable character indeed. As in most of Catherine Cookson's books, this you will want to save to your bookshelf!
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pleasantly surprising
I picked this book up for 50 cents at a library used book sale. I read it on a whim and was so enchanted with it, i couldn't put it down until finished. I found myself at work, wondering about what would happend to Riah when I got home and started to read it again. The story: Recently widowed Riah picks up her four children in search of work in the 1830's. She finds herself housekeeper and caretaker to an eccentric single master. He teaches her four children, not only to read, but all the classical learning well above their class level. It brings more trouble..... i don't want to give away the story, but i didn't think all that happened in the 1830's. Catherine Cookson made me believe. Definitely a good read.... a little sappy because i guess eveything kind of ends for the most part happily.
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