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scrappymags's review against another edition
5.0
This book was realistic fiction at its finest. I felt the "nod" of previous works such as Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, even short stories like "The Yellow Wallpaper"... then put that in a blender with 80s classics like Dallas and Dynasty and you have this fabulous book. This isn't a work for everyone - the early parts of the book are intensely descriptive, again like those great British literature works, listed above, so there is great description of the sweeping moors, the stately manors, etc. This book is a fine wine you savor - and then you find yourself hooked and returning for another slow sip. Admittedly, it became slow in parts, and I found our main character Emma Harte to not be the most likeable person at times, but I found her ambition, and character believable, although it was much to the detriment of caring for her family, but that's the age-old question - can a woman have a high-powered career and a successful family? I wound up enjoying the main character and felt the detailed description of her life painted a true characterization of a complex woman such as she. I enjoyed this fallable character and greatly enjoyed this long book. Again, if you don't enjoy long, sweeping, narrative descriptions of people & places, don't go for this book. If you enjoy this, then give it a go : )
elemenoreed's review against another edition
3.0
When I first began reading this book, I didn't think I was going to be able to make it through. There were a few things this author did that caused me some minor annoyances. It was hard to develop any true feeling toward Emma in the beginning of the book because many of her thoughts seemed contradictory. The beginning is really slow going. Also, this author likes to make extremely long-winded descriptions of interiors, which I find detract from the plot, especially when a character is ruminating on important things and these ruminations are interrupted with a long description. Not only this, but the author then communicates how each room fits each character's traits and how these rooms say something important about that character, which is something I felt I could have figured out on my own and which was a further waste of page space. She also knocks you over the head with the fact that Emma has an iron will and that she's extremely ambitious. I really felt that Emma's actions could have spoken for themselves and that this repeated reminder of her strengths was unnecessary.
Having said this, however, I was able to make it through the first part of the book and after this point, I began to really connect with the story. The characters in this book are so real, and many, like Blackie, are lovable. Emma's journey from an impoverished, working-class girl to a powerhouse is extremely satisfying, as are the various ways in which she overcomes challenges. The story is great, the characters wonderful. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book. I would recommend this book only to someone who has a lot of time for reading (the book is quite long) and who is willing to read through the beginning, which is mainly where all the long and technical interior descriptions are; as the book progresses, they tend to get shorter.
Having said this, however, I was able to make it through the first part of the book and after this point, I began to really connect with the story. The characters in this book are so real, and many, like Blackie, are lovable. Emma's journey from an impoverished, working-class girl to a powerhouse is extremely satisfying, as are the various ways in which she overcomes challenges. The story is great, the characters wonderful. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book. I would recommend this book only to someone who has a lot of time for reading (the book is quite long) and who is willing to read through the beginning, which is mainly where all the long and technical interior descriptions are; as the book progresses, they tend to get shorter.
karenks's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in the 80's. Stil consider it one of my all time favorites
ritte's review
challenging
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
regalreads's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Addiction, Biphobia, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
audiobooks_sweettea's review against another edition
4.0
I remember many moons ago (I won't tell you just how MANY moons ago...) seeing my mama reading books at night. When asked what she was reading, she would say "a Barbara Taylor Bradford" novel. From that moment on, I knew I would love BTB because my beloved mama loved her. And, I was right. When I pick up a Bradford novel, I am instantly taken to the heart of what she's writing, wrapped up in the most amazing of plot lines and taken on a whirl wind ride.
This family saga is one that I fell in love with wholly. From the first page, to the last, from the plot line to the amazing cast of characters in this novel. Being taken on a journey along side Emma was breathtaking. I felt all her feelings as if they were my own. Reading about her time as young Emma, all the way up to her time as a mother, I felt every powerful bit of this novel.
If you want a quick read, you won't get it with this one. But, if you want one that will keep calling to you, keep you coming back for more, turning page after page, then this is absolutely the one you need. Reading this novel, really made me feel as if my mama was sitting next to me, telling me what she loved about Bradford's novels. I definitely recommend this magnificently seasoned author's novel to all who want a masterfully written romance novel. I'm so glad to have read this one again!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*This review was originally posted on Cover To Cover Cafe
This family saga is one that I fell in love with wholly. From the first page, to the last, from the plot line to the amazing cast of characters in this novel. Being taken on a journey along side Emma was breathtaking. I felt all her feelings as if they were my own. Reading about her time as young Emma, all the way up to her time as a mother, I felt every powerful bit of this novel.
If you want a quick read, you won't get it with this one. But, if you want one that will keep calling to you, keep you coming back for more, turning page after page, then this is absolutely the one you need. Reading this novel, really made me feel as if my mama was sitting next to me, telling me what she loved about Bradford's novels. I definitely recommend this magnificently seasoned author's novel to all who want a masterfully written romance novel. I'm so glad to have read this one again!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*This review was originally posted on Cover To Cover Cafe
emmaarthur's review against another edition
5.0
After being told I was named after this character all my life I finally decided to read it and I was not disappointed. While at times it was hard to get through yet another death or betrayal, I found myself so fixated in this character who endured it all. this will be a book which will stay with me for a long time