Young Philippa Cranley is living a lie. Her tyrannical father Archer forces her to masquerade as a man in order to comply with the terms of her maternal grandfather's Will, and enable him to inherit the glassworks. By threatening her fragile mother with imprisonment in a mental institution, he forces Philippa to become Philip, wearing men's clothes and unable to reveal her identity to anyone.

To increase her humiliation, Archer Cranley forces 'Philip' to do a stint in the glassworks, which puts her in danger from her rough co-workers as well as from the machinery itself. There the girl is befriended by Joshua Fairley, whose pity is aroused by the gentle 'lad'. But soon Joshua finds his feelings for 'Philip' are more than just pity, and is tormented by the thought that he is being tempted into a homosexual relationship. Luckily, by the end of the novel Philippa is able to reveal the truth and marry Joshua.

Meg Hutchinson reaches new heights of imagination and narrative skill, creating one of her most sympathetic and memorable heroines.

About the Author
Meg Hutchinson lived for sixty years in Wednesbury, where her parents and grandparents spent all their lives. Her passion for storytelling reaped dividends, with her novels regularly appearing in bestseller lists. She was the undisputed queen of the clogs and shawls saga. Passionate about history, her meticulous research provided an authentic context to the action-packed narratives set in the Black Country. She died in February 2010.

Reviews

Praise for THE JUDAS TOUCH:
'Meg Hutchinson's tales enthrall . . . satisfying.'

* Bolton Evening News *
Her inimitable style and deftness of touch are much in evidence. * Evening Gazette (Teeside) *
A cruel yet moving saga * Coventry Evening Telegraph *

Praise for NO PLACE FOR A WOMAN:
'Meg Hutchinson's storytelling skills are attracting a bigger and bigger audience.'

* Newcastle Evening Chronicle *

Praise for CHILD OF SIN:
'Hutchinson captivates by developing loveable, strong-willed characters, delving into real-life situations and resolving dilemmas along the way. Above all, this tale shows the path of life never runs smooth.'

* Newcastle Journal *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340818183
Author Meg Hutchinson
Format Paperback
Page Count 512
Imprint Hodder Paperback
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 176mm * 112mm * 32mm