This book covers the period 18886 to 1921, describing the Gibson’s family saga.The plot describes the lives of three generations by showing how people lived by the end of 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century with a special emphasis on World War I.“The Maltese Angel”, who gives the tittle to this book, is a young dancer by who the farmer Ward Gibson fall in love, even if he had promised to marry a young woman from outside the village - Daisy Mason.Even if the author makes use of a lot a revenge feelings, obsession, rape and a lot of other bad feelings, this book is another great masterpiece written by dame Cookson.In the second part of the book, the author shows how the Great War have made deep physical and mental scars on the British soldiers and how the local population managed to survive with the Army camping in their house.4* Feathers in the Fire5* Katie Mulholland5* The Black Velvet Gown5* The Rag Nymph4* The Black Candle3* Colour Blind4* The Dwelling Place4* The Glass Virgin4* The Gambling Man3* The Girl4* The Maltese AngelThe Mallen Trilogy:4* The Mallen Streak2* The Mallen Girl3* The Mallen LitterTilly Trotter Trilogy:4* Tilly Trotter5* Tilly Trotter Wed4 Tilly Trotter WidowedTR Tilly AloneAutobiography:4* Our KateTR The Fifteen StreetsTR The Cinder PathTR The Wingless BirdTR The Round TowerTR The Silent Lady
I would never have picked this book up in a book shop. I'm one of those shallow judge by the cover types when it comes to buying a book. However if I'm given books, I will read them. Most of the time I'm glad of this. This, was a glad time. I loved the Maltese Angel. A real page turner, well up until the rape scene. Then the book started slideing somewhat but not enough for it to be awful. Just wasn't as good as the first half. How pathetic for a village to hold a grudge for Ward just becuase he wanted to marry a woman he loved instead of the one they had already deemed suitable. And how awful his life turned out to be because of it. This is the second book by Cookson I've read. Still not something I'd actively go out and buy, but books I would be excited to read if I was given them.
