This is Catherine Cookson at its best. Tilly is a 15 year old orphan at the beginning of the story. She is living with her grandparents and in love with her farmer neighbour yet unaware of the secret that binds him to her family. But as Tilly begins her journey of self awareness, she comes up against prejudice, fear and lust but as she battles against all those who wish her and her family harm, disaster and the poverty she was born into. she draws on her inner strength to rise against it all time and time again... even catching the eye of the Lord of the Manor.Tilly is a hero of her time who you will want to root for. This is the first book of the Tilly Trotter tetralogy.In this book, the author describes the tough life of a young woman who was raised by her grandparents and struggles to survive after their death.She became a governess of Mark Sopwith's children but she looses her job quite soon.In order to survive, she accepts to live with the Drews and start to work in a mining filed which belongs to her old master.Due a collapse in his mining, Mark and Tilly will have their destiny changed forever.To worsen things, due to a scandal involving missing money, Tilly is considered as a witch by the local villagers.I do love Catherine Cookson books since she knows how to go deepen in her characters, showing all human nature.Tilly saga continues with "Tilly Trotter Wed", "Tilly Trotter Widowed." and Tilly Alone."Page 160:'Everything in life has to be paid for and I've never been in debt yet, so there's no doubt, my dear, that you will, and with interest.'Page 370:She knew she was being mealy-mouthed, but she couldn't say, it's lovely, 'cos as her granny would have said, never believe what the mirror tell you 'cos you only see what you want to see.Page 394:'He has hardly anything in his house but books, just the bare necessities and book.'Page 396:'What is your mind, Trotter, and in the minds of most of your class is that you are the only people who suffer indignities, the only people who haven't any chance of excitement, these you make yourself believe are prerogatives of the upper class. Now, I am right?'Page 416:She knew what happened to serving girls who gave in to masters. Oh yes, she knew that well enough.4* Feathers in the Fire5* Katie Mulholland4* The Mallen Streak5* The Black Velvet Gown4* Tilly TrotterTBR Tilly Trotter WedTBR Tilly Trotter WidowedTBR Tilly AloneTBR The Rag NymphTBR The Mallen GirlTBR The Mallen LitterTBR The Maltese AngelTBR Our Kate (author's biography)TBR The Fifteen Streets
What do You think about Tilly Trotter (1980)?
I read and own all books from her, can't get enough off her
—angeltochi
One of my favorite series, she is an amazing author.
—lianne
This book made me fall in love with the name Tilly.
—Swatantra
