Kate Lawson – författare

Discusses portrayals of domestic violence in six major works of mid-nineteenth-century literature.The ambiguities and paradoxes of domestic violence were amplified in Victorian culture, which emphasized the home as a woman's place of security. In The Marked Body, Kate Lawson and Lynn Shakinovsky examine the discarded and violated bodies of middle-class women in selected texts of mid-nineteenth-century fiction and poetry. Guided by observations from feminism, psychoanalysis, and trauma theory, they argue that, in these works, domestic violence is a crucible in which the female body is placed, where it becomes marked by scars and disfigurement. Yet, they contend, these wounds go beyond violence to bring these women to a broader state of female subjectivity, sexuality, and consciousness. The female body, already the site of alterity, is inscribed with something that cannot be expressed; it thus becomes that which is culturally and physically denied, the place which is not.

Whoever said life began at 40 was dead right…A riotous romantic comedy about never-ending motherhood, second chances and growing old disgracefully.What do you do when:Mr Could Do Worse dumps you on the very night you think he's going to propose?Your twenty-something son turns up on your doorstep, with a broken heart and dirty washing in tow?You find out you're going to be a granny – at 45?Your son's maybe ex-girlfriend's father starts making wickedly naughty suggestions?Your ex's new bit of stuff wants to become your new best friend?Your 70-year-old father is dating someone young enough to be your sister?You make the same mistakes you made in your twenties two whole decades later?You can't get the one person you want out of your head?You grab the vodka and wonder if you're too old for all this crap…

Can YOU keep a secret? Find out in this riotous romantic comedy about secrets and lies, mothers and daughters and growing older but certainly no wiser…When Cass Palmer's mother announces she needs to move in with her – along with her sexy toyboy Rocco – forty-something Cass is horrified. The last time they lived together Cass was a tearaway teen, but now the tables have turned and mother Nita is the one behaving badly. Soon, Cass finds herself despairing of her mother's wild nights out, re-organisation of the entire household – from de-cluttering the cupboards to restocking the fridge – and worst of all, the sounds of her energetic love life!It's the last thing Cass needs after the return of old school chum and drama queen extraordinaire Fiona. Stretching their friendship to the limit, Fiona asks Cass to spy on her boyfriend Andy, whom she suspects of having an affair. With the subterfuge, living with her uninhibited mother and fending off her own unwanted admirers, Cass has just about reached her limit…A much-needed break in Cyprus should spell welcome relief. But with Nita left home alone, the truth about Andy's secret liaisons emerging and Fiona deciding if you can't beat them then join them, it's when the real fun and games begin…A riotously funny read about swapping roles and keeping secrets, for fans of Linda Kelsey and Jane Fallon.

A warm romantic comedy about teaching old dogs new tricks…Two women: one small difference between them – The letter Y,.Firstly there's Jane Mills – she's suffering from a broken heart, no job and a house she can't afford. Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Jayne Mills can afford anything she wants, but at what cost to herself?In her late 20s, Jane's up for a challenge. Fast approaching 50, Jayne's had more than enough of them. Meeting Jane after a mail mix-up, gives her the chance to assess her choices, and the glorious opportunity to remake the one that she most regrets. It seems that even late along the road, you are never too old to learn new tricks…For anyone who's ever wondered what became of the one who got away or dreamed of escaping on a grown-up gap year, this is a wonderfully warm read about finding answers to life's troubles in the unlikeliest of places.A sparkling romantic comedy about lost chances found and walking in someone else's shoes, perfect for fans of Jane Green and Tess Stimson.

3 women. 1 wedding. Whose big day is it anyway…?Grab your big hat and pearls for the funniest read of the year, a must-read for fans of Carole Matthews and Jane Green.Molly Foster's daughter Jess is getting married…To Molly's delight – and surprise. And with Molly's show featuring a wedding countdown, the whole town of Wells-next-the Sea is ecstatic – even as Molly worries that groom-to-be Max's commitment may not be all it seems…Meanwhile, Jess's control freak step-mother Marnie is determined to turn the event into a chi-chi society bash – a world away from the day that Jess envisaged.But does Jess really know what she wants? Especially when she meets the gorgeous Oliver… Though there's no going back now – is there?Can Jess take back control of her wedding – or will the mothers of the bride run the show?

Discusses portrayals of domestic violence in six major works of mid-nineteenth-century literature.The ambiguities and paradoxes of domestic violence were amplified in Victorian culture, which emphasized the home as a woman's place of security. In The Marked Body, Kate Lawson and Lynn Shakinovsky examine the discarded and violated bodies of middle-class women in selected texts of mid-nineteenth-century fiction and poetry. Guided by observations from feminism, psychoanalysis, and trauma theory, they argue that, in these works, domestic violence is a crucible in which the female body is placed, where it becomes marked by scars and disfigurement. Yet, they contend, these wounds go beyond violence to bring these women to a broader state of female subjectivity, sexuality, and consciousness. The female body, already the site of alterity, is inscribed with something that cannot be expressed; it thus becomes that which is culturally and physically denied, the place which is not.