Whereas this cannot claim to fall into the "best of Catherine Cookson" category, it was entertaining nevertheless. Meet Martha Mary. It is the 1880s and for the last six years, this twenty year gal has been managing and estate for her entire family. The family consists of a dad that is spending money mysteriously (it certainly is not going towards household expenses or bills), Mildred, a snotty brat concerned about dresses and nothing else, Nancy, a sister that is desparate to marry, and a spinster aunt that comes down the stairs naked when company is present and has seizures. Wow! One must pity Martha Mary! When the dad dies, life gets worse for Martha Mary. (That is a mouthful!) One event after another requires the new local doctor to come calling. At first, it is strictly for professional reasons as people are either getting hurt or dying, but eventually, the doctor comes to call for more personal reasons such as giving advice to Martha. As this goes on and Martha tries to run a chaotic household on no money and with no help from her selfish sisters, her brother Rowland comes back from school suddenly announcing that her childhood home is going to become a school and would she stay on and work for his new wife for free? You know what hits the fan. Will Martha leave or will she become a lonely old spinster like her aunt?A fun book full of surprising twists and turns. The last quarter especially had me literally cheering for Martha Mary. "Come on, Martha! You tell them!! You can do it!" I wouldn't read it again tho, so four stars.
Do You like book Miss Martha Mary Crawford (1977)?
