
A Catch of Consequence
Diana Norman(Author)
HarperCollins (Publisher)
Published on 3. February 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-00-710544-1 (ISBN)
Description
A brilliant, stylish novel encompassing the robust life of Boston and London, just at the time of greatest resentment and rebellion by the colonists against the British Government, and displaying the remarkably contemporary prejeudice shown by people on both sides.
Makepeace Burke, keeper of a tavern on the waterfront in Boston, could no more watch a fellow creature drown than she could stop the wind blowing. But the price she paid for rescuing an English aristocrat after he had been attacked by the mob was high. She might be a supporter of the more reasonable colonists but she had committed an apparently unforgiveable sin. So her inn became deserted, her brother was tarred and feathered, and her respectable fiancee and his family deserted her. When the Patriots turned to burning her home, she knew she had to take the offer of the much despised Englishmen and so, saved by the Navy and accompanied by her remarkable retinue, she sails for London.
She marries her Englishman as his second wife but finds that English society does not easily accept uneducated, colonial, ex-tavernkeepers - and the first wife, well connected and refusing to acknowledge a divorce, proves a dirty fighter. But Makepeace, having been chased out of one town by intolerance, is not going to let that happen again. And the reader is rooting for her all the way.
Diana Norman has written an unusual, sparkling novel, truly unputdownable - she is an addictive taste.
Makepeace Burke, keeper of a tavern on the waterfront in Boston, could no more watch a fellow creature drown than she could stop the wind blowing. But the price she paid for rescuing an English aristocrat after he had been attacked by the mob was high. She might be a supporter of the more reasonable colonists but she had committed an apparently unforgiveable sin. So her inn became deserted, her brother was tarred and feathered, and her respectable fiancee and his family deserted her. When the Patriots turned to burning her home, she knew she had to take the offer of the much despised Englishmen and so, saved by the Navy and accompanied by her remarkable retinue, she sails for London.
She marries her Englishman as his second wife but finds that English society does not easily accept uneducated, colonial, ex-tavernkeepers - and the first wife, well connected and refusing to acknowledge a divorce, proves a dirty fighter. But Makepeace, having been chased out of one town by intolerance, is not going to let that happen again. And the reader is rooting for her all the way.
Diana Norman has written an unusual, sparkling novel, truly unputdownable - she is an addictive taste.
Reviews / Votes
Praise for earlier writing:'Drama, passion, intrigue and danger, I loved it and didn't want it to end ever.' Maureen Waller, Sunday Times
'Quite simply, splendid' Frank Delaney
'She captures the feel of the period, with wit, verve and emotion. I hated coming to the end of the book.' Woman's Own
More details
Edition
Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
273 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-710544-1 (9780007105441)
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
Other editions
Additional editions

Diana Norman
A Catch of Consequence
E-Book
06/2016
1st Edition
HarperCollins
€13.61
Available for download
Person
Diana Norman is married to film critic Barry Norman, and lives in Hertfordshire.