The Mallen Streak

Nearly forty years after the novel was published, the term 'Mallen streak', meaning a shock of white in a dark head of hair, has passed into the popular lexicon of British (or northern English at least) culture. But even though I recognise where the phrase comes from, I have never actually read the novel - and for good reason, as it turns out. Catherine Cookson, the prolific romance writer from the north east, should be known as the patron saint of large print books. Ladies of a certain age love her stories, even though most of her back catalogue adheres rigidly to the same formula, and for years she was the most borrowed author from public libraries. The Mallen Streak, though one of her better known titles, was not her debut novel, nor show more even one of her earliest creations, which surprised me. For such an established writer, the plot is implausible, the characters roughly sketched, and the dialogue repetitive. For a quick read, I found myself struggling to finish in under a week.

The men in Catherine Cookson's books are either weak and good-hearted or rich, whether titled or self-made, and cruel. Thomas Mallen is a blend of both, the lord of the manor with expensive tastes and an 'eye' for the ladies. A firm believer in making hay while the sun shines, Thomas has been sowing his seed throughout Northumberland for years, and all of his male bastards (in the original sense of the word) bear evidence of their less than noble heritage - the Mallen streak. One lad in particular, Donald Radlet, is well aware of his connection with Thomas Mallen, and only waiting for a chance to claim what is rightfully his.

The Mallen Streak is a mash-up of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights from the hackneyed pen of a romance writer. Anna Brigmore is the saintly governess who lands the lecherous lord when he loses his house to the bailiffs, and Donald the Heathcliffian by-blow who marries into his real father's family so that he can exact his revenge. My main problem with story is not that the Charlotte and Emily have already covered both angles with considerably more skill and dramatic impact, but that there is absolutely no depth to any of the characters and the plot isn't strong enough to carry the pace without them. Thomas Mallen is presented as a charming old rogue, when in fact he is little more than a rapist. Donald is neither sympathetic nor threatening enough to interest the reader, and the women - Anna, and Mallen's nieces Barbara and Constance - are but literary devices. Too many of the important character developments are rushed over to keep the action moving, and the ridiculous events at the close of the novel are packed in thick and fast, like a badly abridged Victorian potboiler. How did Donald get his revenge on his family? What happened to the inheritance?

There are two more novels, plus a posthumous sequel by another author, but one generation of the Mallen streak is enough for me. I recommend Wuthering Heights, or even Philippa Gregory's Wideacre, for more satisfying sagas about twisted families. show less

Just arrived from UK through BM.

This is the first book of the Mallen's Trilogy.

The plot describes how a rich family, the Mallens, have their destiny subtle changed by Thomas son, a real gambler. But Thomas is also very well known as a rapist among the village women. This brings a lot of tragedy, vengeance and forbidden love into the narrative.

Dame Cookson had a prodigal way of writing captivating stories and give us another great masterpiece of literary fiction.

The story continues with the second volume of this trilogy, The Mallen Girl.

Just arrived from UK through BM.

This is the first book of the Mallen's Trilogy.

The plot describes how a rich family, the Mallens, have their destiny subtle changed by Thomas son, a real gambler. But Thomas is also very well known as a rapist among the village women. This brings a lot of tragedy, vengeance and forbidden love into the narrative.

Dame Cookson had a prodigal way of writing captivating stories and give us another great masterpiece of literary fiction.

The story continues with the second volume of this trilogy, The Mallen Girl.

Just arrived from UK through BM.

This is the first book of the Mallen's Trilogy.

The plot describes how a rich family, the Mallens, have their destiny subtle changed by Thomas son, a real gambler. But Thomas is also very well known as a rapist among the village women. This brings a lot of tragedy, vengeance and forbidden love into the narrative.

Dame Cookson had a prodigal way of writing captivating stories and give us another great masterpiece of literary fiction.

The story continues with the second volume of this trilogy, The Mallen Girl.

Just arrived from UK through BM.

This is the first book of the Mallen's Trilogy.

The plot describes how a rich family, the Mallens, have their destiny subtle changed by Thomas son, a real gambler. But Thomas is also very well known as a rapist among the village women. This brings a lot of tragedy, vengeance and forbidden love into the narrative.

Dame Cookson had a prodigal way of writing captivating stories and give us another great masterpiece of literary fiction.

The story continues with the second volume of this trilogy, The Mallen Girl.

Great story; interesting characters. Very enjoyable.