A Daughter's Burden
Discover a Scottish saga of sacrifice, motherhood and difficult choices
Will be published approx. on 27. July 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
672 pages
978-1-80600-417-1 (ISBN)
Description
Will achieving independence mean forgoing happiness?
Scotland, 1918
As the war ends, Jenny Gillespie plans a new life in Glasgow, eager to escape her domineering, alcoholic father. But when her brother Maurice is reported missing in action, she must remain in the Clydeside town of Ellerslie, working at a shipyard tracing office to help support her struggling family-including her parents, grandmother, younger sister, and Maurice's unmarried partner and child.
Frustrated by her stalled future, Jenny is unsettled by the return of her former beau, Robert Archer, now her supervisor. Though married, his wife is absent, and Jenny resists his influence. Instead, she accepts a proposal from a local widower, hoping for stability rather than love.
Marriage proves difficult, as she navigates a cold husband, a rebellious stepson, and concern for her infant daughter's wellbeing. When tragedy strikes, Jenny's world shifts, forcing her to confront difficult choices about her future and the life she wants for her child.
Previously published as A Handful of Happiness
PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD
'Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood' - Renita D'Silva
'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters make these engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas
Scotland, 1918
As the war ends, Jenny Gillespie plans a new life in Glasgow, eager to escape her domineering, alcoholic father. But when her brother Maurice is reported missing in action, she must remain in the Clydeside town of Ellerslie, working at a shipyard tracing office to help support her struggling family-including her parents, grandmother, younger sister, and Maurice's unmarried partner and child.
Frustrated by her stalled future, Jenny is unsettled by the return of her former beau, Robert Archer, now her supervisor. Though married, his wife is absent, and Jenny resists his influence. Instead, she accepts a proposal from a local widower, hoping for stability rather than love.
Marriage proves difficult, as she navigates a cold husband, a rebellious stepson, and concern for her infant daughter's wellbeing. When tragedy strikes, Jenny's world shifts, forcing her to confront difficult choices about her future and the life she wants for her child.
Previously published as A Handful of Happiness
PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD
'Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood' - Renita D'Silva
'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters make these engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas
More details
Series
Edition
Large type / large print edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Edition type
Large type / large print edition
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-80600-417-1 (9781806004171)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Sunday Times bestselling author, Evelyn Hood is best known for her Scottish family sagas set in her hometown of Paisley, and the 'Prior's Ford' series set in the modern-day Scottish borders.
Throughout her distinguished career, she published more than 40 novels, numerous short stories, plays, pantomimes, and musicals.
Evelyn Hood passed away in Ayrshire in 2023, but the legacy of her writing continues, inspiring a generation of saga writers and touching reader's hearts worldwide.
Throughout her distinguished career, she published more than 40 novels, numerous short stories, plays, pantomimes, and musicals.
Evelyn Hood passed away in Ayrshire in 2023, but the legacy of her writing continues, inspiring a generation of saga writers and touching reader's hearts worldwide.