The Girl from Leam Lane (Centenary Edition)

By Piers Dudgeon

Book Overview

Catherine Cookson was born 100 years ago in a run-down area on the south bank of the Tyne. Forty-four years later her d but novel, Kate Hannigan, established her as a bestselling storyteller of rare talent. But what readers didn't realise was that Kate Hannigan also represented the first step of the author's triumph over a nervous breakdown and a period of confinement in a mental asylum. Still in the throes of her illness, she was transforming her fears out of necessity through her art. Piers Dudgeon was granted exclusive interviews over a 15-year period until Catherine's death in 1998. Now, in the company of her family and others who declined to be interviewed during her lifetime, he sheds new light on the tortured drama of her personal life and her legacy to the nation. This revised biography is a revealing tribute to an enduringly popular writer in her centenary year, and will fascinate her many loyal fans.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0755314980
• ISBN13: 9780755314980
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Headline
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.0" x 7.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

An important addition to any who want an in-depth survey of Cookson's life.

Prior fans of Catherine Cookson will appreciate a biography covering her troubled life, blending Cookson's own memoir with previously unpublished material which includes conversations between Cookson and the author to allow for a wide-ranging survey of her life and psyche. These conversations round out details on Cookson's contributions and the entire effort makes for an important addition to any who want an in-depth survey of Cookson's life. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

The Girl from Leam Lane and other tales out of school

I found this book very interesting and well written. Catherine Cookson's candidness gave this reader an insight into a background that allowed the author to create multi-faceted characters who persevere despite any obstacles that may arise.