The Widow Makers

My copy, which is not on here on GoodReads: Pug-Ugly cover isn't it, Nazi-esque. Paperback: 296 pagesPublisher: Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie Publishers (20 July 2005)Language EnglishISBN-10: 1903490189ISBN-13: 978-1903490181 Product Dimensions: 20 x 12.8 x 3 cmPrefer this later one:The first page (before the author bio) has been neatly removed. Why? Am I missing sommit? Maybe the author had signed it lovingly to a friend, who knows.Dedication: To my beloved husband Lt.Commander Anthony James Mead.Ma [...]

A Good 3.5 stars for The Widow MakersI love historical fiction, so I was eager to read this book.The Widow Makers is set in Lancashire and Wales, the period portraying a harsh but factual look at what life was like for coal miners in England and slate miners in Wales. The book concentrates on a family living during this period.Joe and Emily move from the awful conditions in the coal mines of England to the slate mines of Wales, thinking the change will be beneficial. Fed up with their lot, Joe w [...]

Widow makers A good book love Emily and Joe going to start the next one I need to see Tommy get his come uppance. I really enjoyed it so definitely worth 5 stars a brilliant book by Jean Mead if you read it yet give it a try x

Jean Mead’s The Widow Makers is the first of a trilogy of historical fiction books detailing the lives of the members of two families, the Standishes and the Bellamys. The story begins its focus on the life of Joe and Emily Standish and their young son, Tommy. It is the middle of the 19th century, and from his eleventh birthday, Joe has worked as a coal miner in the Galloway pit of Lancashire. At the age of thirty-three, a cave-in at the pit, which results in the death of Joe’s life-long fri [...]

I don’t often give up on books but this one defeated me about a quarter of the way in: I just ran out of patience and energy with it. The story, as far as I got, is a reasonably well told one, and the characters are interesting enough, if a bit ‘wet.’ (Is it a trend with female historical fiction writers that the male characters lack depth and come across as late 20th century “new men.” Joe Standish in this book just seems a projection of the author’s ideal of masculinity. A tip to a [...]

This historical saga gives a harsh but real look at what life was like for miners in England and concentrates on a family who lived through those hard times.Joe and Emily move from the coal mines of England to the slate mines of Wales after a cave in causes the coal mine to collapse, killing many of their friends and neighbours. Joe wants a better life for their family so he takes the risk of moving them all to Wales. Once there, the better conditions his friend Frank had promised him seem a dre [...]

Nineteenth century Wales is brought to vivid life in this family saga which takes the reader from the coal mines of Lancashire, to the slate quarries of North Wales. Following a devastating tragedy Joe Standish, his wife, Emily and their small son, Tommy, leave behind friends and family in Lancashire to start a new, and hopefully, better life in Wales.Following the fortunes of this family makes for an enjoyable read, one which is made all the more interesting by the author’s fine eye for detai [...]

4.0 out of 5 starsFascinating ReadByKAREN INGALLSon September 2, 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThe storyline was wonderful, interesting, and well developed. Each character and scene was well described so I felt like I was there and knew each person. A story about a young married couple who find a new job and life in Wales where the main character finds a job in a quarry. Their first born son is ambitious, very intelligent, and ruthless disregarding the loving home and sacrifices his [...]

This was a good story but my copy was badly proofed.The struggles of miners and quarrymen are graphically described. Working and living conditions in mid 19th century Britain were squalid and dangerous while the owners lived in luxury.Joe Standish does his best to improve conditions for his family and to some extent he succeeds but it is not enough for his elder son. Tommy wants to own the quarry and nothing will stop him.It is a well researched novel but the missing words, misspelled words, wro [...]

This was an easy read and I enjoyed the fact that I could walk away from it and pick up where I left off later. Tommy comes across as a a spoiled brat and just nasty as he grows. All in all it wasn't a bad story but I don't think I would recommend this one.

Blood is thicker than water

enjoyed every bit of this book was easy to get into as was the first read of this author of the standish family

Very good read!

The author needs to become acquainted with a copy editor or, at the very least, a proofreader. The book was painful to read because of poor writing and atrocious grammar.