Colour Blind

Product Information

It's a painful saga that explores how a family is ripped apart by both poverty and racism - inherent traits around Tyneside during the 1940s and 50s. I found the attitude towards Black, and particularly Arab/Middle East characters disturbing, and whether intentionally or not, there is no apologist agenda. Anthony, as he was known early on, was just 17 and working backstage at the Birmingham Rep, where he soon became head flyman. Hateful of each other, their neighbors and, inevitably, the newest addition to their family, readers are provided a first hand glimpse into racism in the 1950s, the destruction it unleashed and the families it destroyed.

Then he gets into a fight with her evil brother, and thinking he's killed him, he high tails it to a ship leaving England.She was born illegitimate and into poverty with a mother who was, at times, an alcoholic and violent. This book was published in the 60s and there's a definite difference between it and more current books. The historical elements are compelling, and John and Mary are perfect as leads in this, one of Catherine Cookson’s most renowned novels. Jacqueline (1956), which was directed by Roy Ward Baker, was the first film to be produced from her work, based off of ‘A Grand Man’.

However, things take a turn for Vanessa, and she is soon thrown out of her family and is living in a seedy, disreputable part of town.This leads to drastic consequences and James has to run away, leaving his precious daughter, Rose Mary behind.