Ruthless Need

Catherine Cookson creates memorable and lovable characters in this book. The main character is a young girl, Lizzie, whom we meet at the age of 14. She is step-daughter to a woman who is quite disreputable. The step-mother allows Lizzie to go out on an errand to deliver a pie to a man living in a secluded cottage in the county of Durham. The man tries to rape her. She is rescued by a corporal named Geoffrey Furham. He is just about to be shipped out to the Suez Canal to serve in World War II. He finds the conditions of Lizzie's home life so deplorable that he appeals to his invalid mother, to take the girl into the house as a servant. Lizzie goes to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Furham while Geoffrey goes off to war. In the ensuing time during his absence, she grows up into a beautiful and fine young woman Several men vie for her attention, including Geoffrey, when he returns. A fast read with many a good plot twist. The complexities of the war, especially all the lose of life and the trials that were endured by Great Britain are highlighted with great effect. Cookson evokes the time period perfectly. The stoicism of the British people is brought out. Cookson also takes the time to emphasis the difficult adjustments that were made between a newly returned soldier and his family.

The book was delivered in excellent condition shortly after ordering, I enjoyed reading it very much.