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english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
Finally able to get through some of Klassen's early books through audio. This one was very enjoyable, full of rich and colorful characters, and a brilliantly told story of redemption.
dotreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Mariah is devastated after losing her reputation and banished from her family to live in a gatehouse with her devoted childhood governess. They get along fine in there new life when they start to notice strange things going on in the neighborhood. Of course, some nice, handsome man has to jump into her life right as she assumes she has not hope for a future. Will everything get sorted out and justice and truth reign in the end?
This story was just so enjoyable as it sauntered along. There were many characters and side stories that were so delightful. This was a perfect vacation-read.
This story was just so enjoyable as it sauntered along. There were many characters and side stories that were so delightful. This was a perfect vacation-read.
misspippireads's review against another edition
4.0
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. ~ Matthew 7:14 (NIV)
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. ~ John 10:9 (NIV)
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. ~ John 10:9 (NIV)
heididt19's review against another edition
3.0
Mariah Aubrey is a woman of twenty-one when she is sent away on secretive conditions. She has to live in the abandoned gatehouse on her aunt's property. After her aunt dies, Hugh ,her stepson, runs the estate and forces Mariah to pay to stay there. Mariah also inherits Martin, her aunts former manservant. She is forced to publish one of her novels under a pseudonym to pay the rent. Meanwhile her Nanny, Dixon, is being called on by suitors, Martin and Mr. Phelps the gardener. for the first time in her life and is learning how to deal with it. Mariah also becomes close to some of the residents of the poor house next door. There are two aging sisters Amy and Agnes who are very wise and share some of their wisdom with her. There is also a helpful little boy George, and his older sister Lizzy as well as a girl with a wonderful singing voice named Maggie. Lizzy is being forced on with affection from John, son of the poor house matron. One rainy night a mysterious man arrives at the gatehouse door seeking help to fetch his runaway horse. Mariah helps him. She later finds out he is called Captain Bryant and he rents the estate. They become close friends but he is set on trying to win a former lover, Miss Isabella, back. He invites his friend Mr. Hart to visit the estate. Mr. Hart falls in love with Lizzy. All together they put on a play for the Poor house children. A strange man seen on the roof suddenly leaps down. Mr. Martin Recognizes him as a Captain Prince. Amy says that he saved her once. They set to freeing him and finding out his past. Will Captain Prince become free, Will Captain Prince win back Isabella, what is Mariah's Secret, Who will Dixon Pick and why was the gatehouse abandoned and the gate permanently locked?
I would reccomend this books to someone who is looking for a romantic book, with lots of side details and mystery. It is a very Jane Austen-esc book. I personally liked it even if it was not my favorite book.
I would reccomend this books to someone who is looking for a romantic book, with lots of side details and mystery. It is a very Jane Austen-esc book. I personally liked it even if it was not my favorite book.
a_kira's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
krislars08's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mamap's review against another edition
3.0
I do like the author. A little obvious, but well written. The characters are well developed and believable.
The quotes at the beginning of the chapters are the best.
"My friends are my estate." Emily Dickenson
"Let other pens dwell in guilt and misery." Jane Austin
The quotes at the beginning of the chapters are the best.
"My friends are my estate." Emily Dickenson
"Let other pens dwell in guilt and misery." Jane Austin
lifeand100books's review
4.0
I fell in love with Julie Klassen's writing back in 2011 when I downloaded The Silent Governess (my review) on a whim. I quickly followed that up with reads of The Apothecary's Daughter (review) and The Maid at Fairbourne Hall (review). Klassen's next novel, The Tutor's Daughter, is slated for a release early in 2013. Knowing this, I had a few months to finish reading everything else of hers published previously. The Girl in the Gatehouse, Klassen's ode to Jane Austen's Persuasion and Mansfield Park, became my next choice.
Miss Mariah Aubrey is in trouble. The latest darling of the Ton to fall victim to a tarnished reputation, Mariah is banished to the gatehouse of her Aunt's estate. Alone except for her servant, Dixon, Mariah writes and publishes novels in secret in order to support the two of them. Captain Matthew Bryant, now back from the Napoleonic wars, decides to rent the estate from Mariah's cousin, who is facing hard economic times of his own doing. Bryant himself is still stung from a rejection from a high society woman many years prior due to his lack of wealth and social standing (Persuasion, anyone?). When he finds that a mysterious woman is living in the gatehouse of the estate, he can't help but want to find out more about her past. The more that is revealed, however, the more that Matthew finds that he wants to love this woman despite what it would do to his reputation. What will become of the two of them?
Klassen is a pro at creating awesome heroines. I like that they've all had to struggle through some type of hardship to become stronger and more sure of themselves. Having her heroines go through specific trials and tribulations make them find out what they are truly made of and what they are worth. Mariah of the gatehouse is no different. Society and her family have turned their back on her without ever hearing her side of the story that has shamed her into hiding. She is left to her own devices with no way of supporting herself (at first) and has essentially been ostracized from almost all of her family, friends, and neighbors. This abandonment is at first extremely difficult for her to deal with, but it makes her re-evaluate the relationships of the people who have chosen to stick with her. It's sad to think that back in the day your own family would disown you for even the hint of scandal attached to your name. In Mariah's case I was surprised that her father wouldn't listen to her and trust that she was telling him the truth. It saddened me further that both Mariah and her brother, Henry, believed that if their father knew of their conversing that both would be forever cut off financially. To have that broken of a relationship with one's parents must have been tough to deal with, which is why it doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to see that Dixon and Martin become surrogate parents to her. They become the people she bounces her ideas off of and look to for guidance. I enjoyed reading about her finding faith in humanity again as she deepened the bonds with those that supported her in her exile.
I should also mention that Klassen's writing style is practically flawless. She weaves multiple characters' lives/demons/hopes/dreams together seamlessly. Several times I thought I had figured out what was going to happen plot-wise only to be totally thrown off by a new addition to the mysteries Klassen had created. What added to the already amazing writing were the quotes she chose to open each chapter with. They added extra depth and insight into each chapter and the story overall. So, if you haven't yet checked out the awesome works that Klassen has provided, I wholeheartedly recommend The Girl in the Gatehouse. You won't regret it.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1kb
Miss Mariah Aubrey is in trouble. The latest darling of the Ton to fall victim to a tarnished reputation, Mariah is banished to the gatehouse of her Aunt's estate. Alone except for her servant, Dixon, Mariah writes and publishes novels in secret in order to support the two of them. Captain Matthew Bryant, now back from the Napoleonic wars, decides to rent the estate from Mariah's cousin, who is facing hard economic times of his own doing. Bryant himself is still stung from a rejection from a high society woman many years prior due to his lack of wealth and social standing (Persuasion, anyone?). When he finds that a mysterious woman is living in the gatehouse of the estate, he can't help but want to find out more about her past. The more that is revealed, however, the more that Matthew finds that he wants to love this woman despite what it would do to his reputation. What will become of the two of them?
Klassen is a pro at creating awesome heroines. I like that they've all had to struggle through some type of hardship to become stronger and more sure of themselves. Having her heroines go through specific trials and tribulations make them find out what they are truly made of and what they are worth. Mariah of the gatehouse is no different. Society and her family have turned their back on her without ever hearing her side of the story that has shamed her into hiding. She is left to her own devices with no way of supporting herself (at first) and has essentially been ostracized from almost all of her family, friends, and neighbors. This abandonment is at first extremely difficult for her to deal with, but it makes her re-evaluate the relationships of the people who have chosen to stick with her. It's sad to think that back in the day your own family would disown you for even the hint of scandal attached to your name. In Mariah's case I was surprised that her father wouldn't listen to her and trust that she was telling him the truth. It saddened me further that both Mariah and her brother, Henry, believed that if their father knew of their conversing that both would be forever cut off financially. To have that broken of a relationship with one's parents must have been tough to deal with, which is why it doesn't take a stretch of the imagination to see that Dixon and Martin become surrogate parents to her. They become the people she bounces her ideas off of and look to for guidance. I enjoyed reading about her finding faith in humanity again as she deepened the bonds with those that supported her in her exile.
I should also mention that Klassen's writing style is practically flawless. She weaves multiple characters' lives/demons/hopes/dreams together seamlessly. Several times I thought I had figured out what was going to happen plot-wise only to be totally thrown off by a new addition to the mysteries Klassen had created. What added to the already amazing writing were the quotes she chose to open each chapter with. They added extra depth and insight into each chapter and the story overall. So, if you haven't yet checked out the awesome works that Klassen has provided, I wholeheartedly recommend The Girl in the Gatehouse. You won't regret it.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1kb
reneesmith's review against another edition
4.0
“When my mother and father forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.”~~Psalm 17:10
This verse kept running through my mind as I read Julie Klassen’s historical novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse. In the story, Mariah Aubrey stumbles into disgrace and, as a result, is harshly rejected by her autocratic father. He banishes his heartbroken daughter from their home—with only a brief good-bye for her mother and sister—and hides her away in a relative’s gatehouse. It is there, in a quiet corner of a country estate, which happens to be across the street from the poorhouse, that she builds a new family from the eccentric and endearing characters who come her way—servants, orphans, outcasts, and even a handsome Navy captain.
In writing this story, Julie Klassen was inspired by Jane Austen as she created her main character, premise, and a few scenes, and I know many of you are Jane Austen fans. However, I sometimes find an Austen novel a bit cutting in its treatment of a character’s weaknesses. Also, it seems to me that Austen often portrays the secondary characters as either scoundrels or fools.
So the tone of The Girl in the Gatehouse reminded me more of one of my best-loved authors: Louisa May Alcott. Mariah is a secret author, like Jo March in Little Women. She is rejected by proper society, like Phoebe from Rose in Bloom. Mariah and her friends perform the theatricals she has written, as do Jo March and her sisters. And the gatehouse world is peopled by droll folks who charm and entertain—as are Louisa May Alcott’s warm, homey novels.
I loved how Mariah was pulled into the lives of the poorhouse inhabitants and soon became enmeshed in their troubles more than her own. And I would have a difficult time choosing a favorite out of the droll characters she comes to love. Would it be the tough old sailor who uses his spyglass to look into her garden from the roof of the poorhouse? Or maybe the boys who stretch a rope across the road to catch a girl for kissing Friday? Perhaps sweet Miss Amy with her love of scarlet knitting thread and gentle words of wisdom . . .
And since I’m a suspense lover, any novel that combines charming characters, an inspirational thread, dashes of romance, plus a mystery will always win me over. I enjoyed piecing together the mystery along with Mariah and was surprised at how—without any dead bodies to be found or deranged killers on the loose—it kept me turning pages.
This verse kept running through my mind as I read Julie Klassen’s historical novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse. In the story, Mariah Aubrey stumbles into disgrace and, as a result, is harshly rejected by her autocratic father. He banishes his heartbroken daughter from their home—with only a brief good-bye for her mother and sister—and hides her away in a relative’s gatehouse. It is there, in a quiet corner of a country estate, which happens to be across the street from the poorhouse, that she builds a new family from the eccentric and endearing characters who come her way—servants, orphans, outcasts, and even a handsome Navy captain.
In writing this story, Julie Klassen was inspired by Jane Austen as she created her main character, premise, and a few scenes, and I know many of you are Jane Austen fans. However, I sometimes find an Austen novel a bit cutting in its treatment of a character’s weaknesses. Also, it seems to me that Austen often portrays the secondary characters as either scoundrels or fools.
So the tone of The Girl in the Gatehouse reminded me more of one of my best-loved authors: Louisa May Alcott. Mariah is a secret author, like Jo March in Little Women. She is rejected by proper society, like Phoebe from Rose in Bloom. Mariah and her friends perform the theatricals she has written, as do Jo March and her sisters. And the gatehouse world is peopled by droll folks who charm and entertain—as are Louisa May Alcott’s warm, homey novels.
I loved how Mariah was pulled into the lives of the poorhouse inhabitants and soon became enmeshed in their troubles more than her own. And I would have a difficult time choosing a favorite out of the droll characters she comes to love. Would it be the tough old sailor who uses his spyglass to look into her garden from the roof of the poorhouse? Or maybe the boys who stretch a rope across the road to catch a girl for kissing Friday? Perhaps sweet Miss Amy with her love of scarlet knitting thread and gentle words of wisdom . . .
And since I’m a suspense lover, any novel that combines charming characters, an inspirational thread, dashes of romance, plus a mystery will always win me over. I enjoyed piecing together the mystery along with Mariah and was surprised at how—without any dead bodies to be found or deranged killers on the loose—it kept me turning pages.
caitlin_89's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like 3 stars is stingy, but I feel like 4 stars would be too glowing. 3.75, maybe.
I didn't dislike the book at all, except feeling some of the "God parts" were a little forced or out of place. The story was interesting, the characters engaging. The mystery wasn't all too mysterious, but it made for a good read. Plus, who ever heard of a hook-handed butler? A most excellent character.
The author's admiration of Jane Austen shines through in a very non-pretentious way. The book doesn't try to be Mansfield Park or Persuasion, but humbly nods to them. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and The Girl in the Gatehouse is a sincere tribute to Klassen's inspiration.
I didn't dislike the book at all, except feeling some of the "God parts" were a little forced or out of place. The story was interesting, the characters engaging. The mystery wasn't all too mysterious, but it made for a good read. Plus, who ever heard of a hook-handed butler? A most excellent character.
The author's admiration of Jane Austen shines through in a very non-pretentious way. The book doesn't try to be Mansfield Park or Persuasion, but humbly nods to them. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and The Girl in the Gatehouse is a sincere tribute to Klassen's inspiration.