NEVER STAND ALONE
Third in the Durham Mining Trilogy
*An Amazon Kindle Bestseller*
Available as an ebook, paperback and audio.
Click here to buy from Amazon.co.uk
Click here to buy from Amazon.com
The book is set against the fascinatingly
vivid backdrop of a momentous turning point in recent history, the
1984 miners' strike. Set in a pit village on the Durham
coast, it charts the bitter struggle between the National Union
of Mineworkers [The NUM] lead by Arthur Scargill and the Conservative
government lead by Margaret Thatcher. Never Stand Alone is a powerful,
heartrending story of the people caught up in the divisive dispute.
At the heart of the storm is the passionate relationship between
Carol, the pit manager's rebellious daughter and Mick, one of the
miners. The battle that is dividing the nation and threatening the
survival of their community could also destroy their union.
Janet: "Never Stand Alone (Headline) was something of a departure
being a much more contemporary novel - what I would call a 'recent
memory saga'. The consequences of the strike are still being felt
today and the book was written largely for people, like myself,
who lived through the strike but had little or no understanding
of the acute hardship that the miners and their families suffered.
In particular, the courage and fortitude of the women are celebrated
and the book is a tribute to them. Whilst this is a family saga
I also hope that it will challenge the reader to re-visit 1984 in
the light of subsequent events."
Reviewers Comments:
"The result is a gritty, heartrending and impassioned drama
about a time and a part of the North-east’s rich industrial heritage,
that has been lost forever."
The Newcastle Journal
"Following in Catherine Cookson’s wake and producing novels
of a similarly high calibre, is Janet MacLeod Trotter...A tough,
compelling and ultimately satisfying novel. Janet paints a vivid
picture of the toil and heartaches in a typical North East pit community...VERDICT:
Another classy, irresistible read."
The Sunderland Echo
"Some people might argue about the politics of the book
with its attacks on the system, but the same criticisms were levelled
at the likes of Dickens when he exposed the evils of Victorian Britain
so Janet MacLeod Trotter is in good company. She pulls no punches,
tells it like it is and taps directly into your emotions. You’ll
be angered, exasperated and outraged but you won’t be unmoved, and
that’s as it should be." Classification ***** [Excellent]
The Northern Echo
"...the author’s grasp of the issues and evident sympathy
with both the miners’ cause and her own characters have helped create
a vivid picture of courage in the face of injustice...Never Stand
Alone is a successful book which ought to increase the author’s
growing band of fans." Northern Review
"The gritty, unforgettable story of families torn apart
by the conflict that divided a nation...a powerful story."
World Books [Listed as a *Star Book*]
Readers Comments:
'It is written about 1984 miner's strike. It was taut reading and impossible to put down! brilliant book.'
G. Innes - Newcastle UK.
Well the book - couldn't put it down, each time I picked
it up it was just one page more, just one more... It really was
an excellent book.
I - Western Australia.
The humanity which I greatly admired in your three earlier
books is very much in evidence in this new volume. And this strikes
as even more powerful. I rejoice that the miners of County Durham
and elsewhere in the North East have such a doughty champion. I
certainly share your respect for them and your sadness about the
savage treatment they suffered. I was so impressed that I intend
to read your novel a second time.
C - Durham, England.
I've read Never Stand Alone and thought it was great - the
best thing you've done.
A.W. - London, England.
I'm very grateful. I really enjoyed Never Stand Alone which
I ordered from our mobile library.
K.C. - North Yorkshire, England.
I acquired a copy of Never Stand Alone in November from
Bookends in Christchurch and enjoyed it so much. If ever you were
down here I've got all your books so far and would like to have
your signature.
G.J. - Hampshire, England.
If you would like to write to Janet by
e-mail with your comments about this or any other book, please use
this e-mail link: janet@janetmacleodtrotter.com
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