Resumo de Justice Is A Woman - Catherine Cookson

Catherine Cookson is one of the best known writers of
romance.

This period novel is set between 1926 to the end of world
war two in the North East of England. England was going through huge
social upheavals and this novel starts during a mining strike, a protracted and
bitter dispute that leaves many hungry and the nation divided between those who
want to feed and support them and those who do not. The English middle classes
too are finding that they are no longer guaranteed a place in heaven, they must
find work!

Joe is the son of an engineer who made good and owns a
successful box making company, marries the beautiful but contemptible Elaine.
Joe?s father has doubts about whether this woman is right for his son, but
keeps these to himself.

We are introduced to the characters of many people and
gradually see their failings and their quiet heroism, but it is the excesses of
Elaine that are the centrepieces of this story. Thwarted by the arrival of her
first baby, on finding herself pregnant a second time she sets of on a course
of action that will have dire consequences, creating unhappiness for both
herself and those around her. Betty her sister and the long suffering and much
loved heroine of the story finds herself being everyone?s key support. She could
not be more different than Elaine. She treats servants as if they were people;
she seems to have abandoned all the class and race distinctions that should be
the mainstay of her middle-class existence. She draws people around her who
want her support but also like her very much, in particular Lady Ambers would
like to take her away form her cares at the house, where she appears to be so
much taken for granted. Despite the constant work of caring for her sister
through her intermittent breakdowns and her children, she likes the house and
the years pass with little changing. As the story unfolds a breakdown in
Elaine?s marriage leads to extra marital affairs and dis-illusion. Joe learns
of his wife?s indiscretion and wonders what he can do about it whilst still
maintaining the peace, such as exists. When he discovers Elaine is also a
killer he despairs and nearly finishes himself and Betty when he plunges into a
pit of self-pity. Finally all skeletons are aired; Betty finds she is pregnant
and almost escapes off into the sunset but for the inevitable final row with
Elaine, that upends everything once again. A last tumultuous row finally
results in Elaine?s own ruin.

This is a story of love, malice, of social pressures to
conform, of peoples? weaknesses and mistakes, - but ultimately there is a
glimmer of hope. An absorbing read for a wet Sunday!

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