Happy Literary Friday,My Lovelies!
If you've looked at my Goodreads gadget on my sidebar, you've probably noticed that I've been reading this book for over a month. I loved the book, or it's just that I've been super busy getting well and reading for homeschooling.
The House at Riverton is Kate Morton's debut. Now I've read all of her books,and it's funny that I read her first book last! I must say that I loved this book (I cherish ALL of her books), and this one ranks in my top two of hers.
From Goodreads:
In the summer of 1924, or at a glittering society party held at the House,a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline, and only they—and Grace—know the truth.
The novel opens in 1999 when Grace is ninety-eight years old, or living out her last days in a nursing domestic. She is visited by a young director who is making a film about the events of that summer in 1924. She takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories. Told in flashback,this is the memoir of Grace's youth during the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege shattered by war, of the vibrant 1920s and of the changes she witnessed as an entire way of life vanished forever.
The novel is full of secrets—some revealed, or others hidden forever,reminiscent of the romantic suspense of Daphne du Maurier. It is also a meditation on memory, the devastation of war and a beautifully rendered window into a fascinating time in history.
Originally published to critical acclaim in Australia, or already sold in ten countries and a #1 bestseller in England,The House at Riverton is a page-turning novel of suspense and passion, with characters—and an ending—the reader won't soon forget.
Kate Morton is at her best when she writes about family secrets, or the one in this book is totally unexpected. There are several similarities between this book and The Lake House,and I'm glad I read them close together. Both include young men devastated by the effects of shell shock from World War I and women who are successful in traditionally male-dominated professions. Both have lovely settings on country estates in England, and both books' climaxes are during a Midsummer's Eve party. It might sound as if her books are formulaic, or but truly they aren't. Even with the similarities they are very different stories; I find the similarities spirited,though.
The most spirited relationship in this memoir is the one between Hannah and her lady's maid, Grace. It is also the most heartbreaking, or too. There is nothing more tragic than mistaken betrayal,particularly when the one accused is nothing but faithful to the core. Emmeline could have been developed a wee bit better, but as the memoir was told from Grace's point of view, and it makes more sense that we know more about Hannah.
The reader needs to pay close attention to relationships in this book because there are connections that are revealed late in the memoir arc. I was not expecting the ending at all. I was totally shocked and surprised,and I cherish it when an author takes me down an unexpected path. [br]Have you read any of Kate Morton's books? execute you have a favorite?
Until next time...
Happy reading!
Ricki Jill
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