OBSESSION THE - Hardcover

Cookson, Catheri

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593034791 ISBN 13: 9780593034798

Publisher: Bantam Press, 1995

Synopsis

Dr John Falconer, recently appointed partner to old Cornwallis, is invited to a garden party at Pine Hurst, seat of the local lord of the manor. It is an occasion arranged to celebrate the twenty-first birthday of Simon Steel's eldest daughter Beatrice, who introduces him to her sisters, Marion, Helen and the youngest, seventeen-year-old Rosie, who takes it upon herself to conduct him around the extensive grounds of the house. In a moment of indiscretion, she lets slip her true feelings about Beatrice who, she says, has always been over-possessive about Pine Hurst and, since the death of their mother, has become insufferably dominating. At that time, even though she was then only in her 'teens, Beatrie had taken over the running of the house and now she ruled her father and the servants with an iron hand. What was particularly frustrating for Rosie, who could see no end to the tyranny, was that no man had so far shown any willingness to marry Beatrice and thus deflect her from the object of her passion. As for Beatrice herself, her wanderings about the house and grounds convince her that no-one could ever take the place of her most prized possession - although she constantly

About this title

About the Author

Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, whom she believed to be her older sister. She began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master. Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular of contemporary women novelists. After receiving an OBE in 1985, Catherine Cookson was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993. She was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997. For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne. She died shortly before her ninety-second birthday, in June 1998.

From the Back Cover

Dr John Falconer, recently appointed partner to old Cornwallis, is invited to a garden party at Pine Hurst, seat of the local lord of the manor. It is an occasion arranged to celebrate the twenty-first birthday of Simon Steel's eldest daughter Beatrice, who introduces him to her three sisters, one of whom, seventeen-year-old Rosie, takes it upon herself to conduct him around the extensive grounds of the house. In a moment of indiscretion, she lets slip her true feelings about Beatrice who, she says, has always been over-possessive about Pine Hurst and, since the death of their mother, has become insufferably dominating. At that time, even though she was then only in her 'teens, Beatrice had taken over the running of the house and now she ruled her father and the servants with an iron hand. What was particularly frustrating for Rosie, who could see no end to the tyranny, was that no man had so far shown any willingness to marry Beatrice and thus deflect her from the object of her passion.

As for Beatrice herself, her wanderings about the house and grounds convince her that no-one could ever take the place of her most prized possession - although she constantly has to remind herself that it is her father who owns Pine Hurst. But she runs it, and glories in being its mistress. Of course, he might decide to remarry - not that she would mind his taking another wife; it is the thought of another woman becoming mistress of the house that fills her with dread.

But then, unexpectedly, her father dies, and when the family meet for the reading of the will, nothing she hears matches her expectations. It is then that she realises her security is threatened and that she must begin to lay plans to protect her position and allow her the freedom to enjoy her most prized possession.

The Obsession, one of Catherine Cookson's most unusual novels, powerfully portrays a woman so driven by the need to protect her inheritance that she will sacrifice almost anything or anyone to ensure she does not lose it. It is yet another triumph for this most popular of authors, whose many novels have never failed to give pleasure to her millions of readers throughout the world.

From the Inside Flap

el, always over-possessive about her family home, Pine Hurst, has become insufferably dominating since the death of her mother, ruling her father, her sisters and the servants with an iron hand.  Of course, she constantly has to remind herself, it is her father who actually owns the house, but it is the thought that he might remarry, thus making another woman mistress of Pine Hurst, that fills her with dread.<br><br>Then, unexpectedly, her father dies and, when the family gather for the reading of the will, nothing she hears matches her expectations.  It is then she realises that her security is threatened and that she must begin to lay plans to protect her position and allow her to enjoy her most prized possession.<br><br>THE OBSESSION is one of Catherine Cookson's most unusual novels, powerfully portrays a woman so driven by the need to protect her inheritance that she will sacrifice almost anything or anyone to ensure she does not lose it.  It is yet anothe

Edition details

• Publisher: Bantam Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593034791
• ISBN 13: 9780593034798
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320