Hearts of gold

by Catrin Collier (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1992

  $3.44

  Tells the story of the Powells who hail from Graig, a poor area. As her father, Evan, is on short time at the local colliery, it is Bethan, as a recently qualified nurse, who brings in the money. When she starts dating Andrew John, an affluent young doctor, his family disapprove.

• Used

  Paperback
  2006

  $3.44

  Trainee midwife Bethan Powell lives in the shadow of the workhouse during the Depression. It's difficult to say which is harder for her and fellow nurse Laura Ronconi - their gruelling work in the hospital, or the frictions and financial hardships at home. Bethan's Communist miner father, rigidly Chapel mother, unruly brothers and delightful but dubiously honest aunt, and Laura's vast Italian cafe-running family, cause the girls as much worry as any difficult case or strict ward sister. But working-class Pontypridd agrees on one thing - the 'crache', or gentry, who live in the big houses on the Common, may be just the other side of town, but they inhabit a different world. So when Bethan and Laura are smitten by two young doctors, can love really bridge the divide? Or is the pull of family too strong, the gulf too wide?