The Don Hewson Novels
The Don Hewson novels are about an eccentric Yorkshire foster carer, Don Hewson, and the children whom he fosters. Don is the main protagonist of the early novels. As the children grow, have experiences, mature, and become adults the children become independent of Don. Don’s influence in their early lives was strong.
Don formed his foster children into a “cousinage” who all help each other.
Don Hewson has personality facets that one either likes or loathes. Even though I am his author, I do not particularly like Don Hewson. As one of the social workers observes, Don Hewson is best admired from a distance.
Don grew up on a South Yorkshire council estate so rough that even the Alsatian dogs walked around in fours for safety. Don was in roughly a fight a month from the age of four until leaving school. Don was expelled from school for breaking the teeth of a supply teacher who had patted Don’s bottom.
The Army was happy to take a tough young man with no criminal convictions. Don was looking forward to being a combat soldier.
Don was horrified when his arithmetic skills took him to the Pay Corps. A unit audit Don was conducting in Belfast was interrupted by the Provisional IRA, giving Don the opportunity to earn the Military Medal. Don’s wounds dogged Don all his life. Don left the Army, became an accountant, and then became an actuary.
In the first novel, Don Hewson Wins Tombola, Don is a 58 year old widower. Don has significant wealth, more pensions income than he needs, and lives quietly. He is landed with a child, Max Meglin, when Max’s mother dies.
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Don Hewson Wins Tombola
Don Hewson Gains Confidence
Don Hewson Bulldozes
Don Hewson’s Children Blossom
Don Hewson’s Children Fly
Don Hewson’s Children Launch
Don Hewson’s Children Rise
Don Hewson’s Children Soar
“Don Hewson Wins Tombola” is the first novel in the “Don Hewson” series of novels about an eccentric Yorkshire foster carer and the children he raises.
Wealthy widower Don Hewson comes from a tough background. He is landed with a child. A social worker asks him to foster a large family.
In this “feel good” novel we have violence, deaths, adult sex, a teenage pregnancy dilemma, a child in Intensive Care, adult pregnancies, more violence, births, a voice from the grave, a fairy godmother, more deaths, a wedding, and a honeymoon. We have love, good humour, and happiness.
In this second novel in the feel-good “Don Hewson” series “Don Hewson Gains Confidence”, we have all the joys of a household of children.
The children develop skills and talents and confidence.
Max Hewson’s biological father discovers Max.
Andrea Wilkins has her baby. We learn more about the internal dynamics of the Daar family. Some sherry goes missing.
Dennis Wilkins is propositioned by an adult lady. Don is landed with four cherubs. Abdullah Daar sparks into action.
Don is asked if Max can give bone marrow to his younger half brother to save the child’s life. Max learns of and meets his biological family.
Angela Wilkins leaves prison. When the Wilkins move out they are replaced by six Mormon children, so we now have Muslims and Mormons and agnostics all living under the same roof. Later we have Jewish children. Don’s shotgun comes out.
The sherry mystery is resolved.
David Wilkins’ career as a child TV chef begins.
Strangely, social workers still get cross with Don Hewson!
In this third novel in the feelgood “Don Hewson” series “Don Hewson Bulldozes” the children continue to develop skills and expertises. More opportunities come their way.
David is a successful TV chef. Dennis develops a relationship with sanitary towels. Janine punches a bully. Abdullah has a difficult moral dilemma.
Mark becomes a hero. Charlotte sings to her President. Ali looks likely to go to Cambridge University. Tohur is gaining a deeper relationship with Islam.
More children join the Hewsons including a child in a wheelchair.
Don Hewson takes on more challenging children and bulldozes on their behalf.
Some children change religion.
No social workers get cross with Don Hewson. Only the Directors of Social Services and Education!
In Book 4 of the feelgood Don Hewson series “Don Hewson’s Children Blossom” the older children embark upon higher education and careers.
Ali Miah disobeys a direct order. Tohur Miah develops his new career.
Rebecca Johnson prepares to go on Mormon missionary service. Mark Johnson finds romance and a career. Charlotte writes a song.
Many of the younger children are selected as actor musicians in a new television show.
Don Hewson is trying to make the lame walk.
Charlotte and Tohur are libelled.
Don’s big lads use excessive force to prevent the attempted abduction of Linda Donkin.
In “Don Hewson’s Children Fly” (Book 5 in the “Don Hewson” series) the Daar fashion business seizes a terrific opportunity. Don Hewson has to foster his English grandchildren. The TV program “Terrible Tykes” is a great success. Mark Johnson sees forbidden fruit. A tsunami in China creates opportunities for many of the children. Rebecca has early difficulties as a Mormon missionary. Ali Miah is called to the Colours. The Daar household is raided by the police. Sally Johnson flays a journalist. Cecil Byram discusses class and wealth.
In “Don Hewson’s Children Launch” (Book 6 in the feelgood Don Hewson series) Max Hewson has difficulties with the police. Ali Miah gets shanghaied for the second time. Rebecca has mixed experiences as a Mormon missionary. Mark Johnson opens his mouth and ends up in China. Charlotte Johnson writes more songs. The Hewsons open a stage school. The Donkins leave Don Hewson. Dennis Wilkins’ autobiography is a best seller. Little Damien Hewson has grief.
In “Don Hewson’s Children Rise” (Book 7 in the Don Hewson series) Rebecca Johnson is headhunted, is very successful, and then is Called to a different service in Parliament. Ali Miah marries and is shanghaied for the third time. Robert Graham is at last able to walk. Mark Johnson’s missionary stint nearly crashes because of a Las Vegas stripper. Damien Hewson thumps people. Charlotte Johnson’s missionary experience is uplifting on many levels. Tohur Miah earns a First Class Honours Degree. The Daar fashion business is doing well.
In “Don Hewson’s Children Soar” (Book 8 in the “Don Hewson” series) Ali Miah is shanghaied for the fourth time. Rebecca Johnson is hit by tragedy. Tohur’s trip to the Olympics does not go well. Mark Johnson thrives in the business world. Mark Johnson meets a controversial good woman. Charlotte’s missionary service is a great success, contrasting with what happens afterwards. David Wilkins is set to prosper. Abdullah Daar joins the local Mosque committee and goes into business for himself. Sahid Daar continues to become richer. Max Hewson lands on his feet. The theatrical children do well.
In further novels Rebecca Johnson is promoted from Shadow Agriculture Minister to Shadow Health Minister. Upon the sad death of the Party Leader Rebecca is asked to stand as Labour Party Leader. She becomes Labour Prime Minister. She is a raging success, serving as Prime Minister for longer than any Prime Minister since 1900. Soon after Citizens Basic Income is proven to be a success Rebecca stands down because she wishes to pursue a political project even more important than being Prime Minister.
Her brother Mark Johnson becomes the most famous business manager in the world. The Byram Group of which Mark is the steward develops a cure for cancer, a cure for heart disease, and a cure for sickle cell anemia. Byram Group scientists and engineers develop the water powered engine, ending hydrocarbon pollution. The Byram Group reduces the effect of a pandemic by providing free protective clothing and treatment machinery to all poor countries and to all charity hospitals.
Max Hewson becomes ridiculously rich, building a small Hollywood Studio to Hollywood’s largest and most profitable studio. He gets involved in philanthropy and American politics.
Ali “Genghis” Miah is a respected civil engineering project manager. He is shanghaied several times more to be Chief Engineer of Holy Mecca, Director of the Middle East Space Agency and its spinoff Genghis Industries and then is forced to be Administrator of Free Palestine for a year. Having left the Middle East, Ali is recalled to the Middle East Space Agency and to Genghis Industries by popular demand – demonstrations across the entire Middle East.
Some of the “Hewson children” and grandchildren have relatively normal lives.