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Before I Go cover art

Before I Go

By: Catherine Cookson
Narrated by: Christine Rendel
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Publisher's Summary

Known for the wit of her writing, Catherine Cookson was the UK's most widely read novelist during her lifetime. When her Estate discovered this never-before-published memoir in the attic of her home, it was an astonishing find. Before I Go is the definitive story of her life, in the author's own candid words.

While Cookson had authored previous autobiographies, none have truly touched upon the tragedy and personal anguish she experienced until now. For the first time, she reveals the worst years of her life - her constant battles with illness and a series of devastating miscarriages, the damaging jealousy of her friend and her struggle to be taken seriously as a writer. But what shines through most is her strength in the face of adversity, her deep love for her husband, Tom, the solace she found in her art and her unmistakable character. Before I Go is an inspiring story of resilience and a must for any Cookson fan.

©2017 The Trustees of the Catherine Cookson Trust. (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

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Difficult but Inspiring Life Story

Catherine Cookson was my mother’s favourite author and I thought my mother had a hard life dying at the age of 49. However, Catherine suffered for most of her life and was able to overcome and achieve so much with her loyal husband by her side. After reading/listening to this autobiography it makes me grateful for my own health and appreciate life in a new light.
I was hoping to find out more about her challenges in developing her writing and painting but I guess that she covered that in her earlier autobiographies.

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Destroyed my opinion of her

Unfortunately the opportunity to get to know this woman whose novels had brought me so much joy has destroyed me good opinion of her. She is a whinging old pity me .. ungrateful blurb. If she can work her bleeding and illnesses in at any opportunity she will. Spoiled the story of her life, needs to be rewritten with a healthier approach. I was so sick of her ‘bleeding sickness ‘ that I couldn’t even feel sorry for her at the half way mark. Only listened to the end because I had paid for the book.

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A classic author... enjoyable, easy listening.

Chose it for her own story.. loved the accent, and the stories.. Will now read her books :)

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