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utahmomreads's review against another edition
4.0
See my review at : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-fever-tree-book-review.html
yoricke_southafrica's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Frances Irvine had no one except for her father after the death of her mother. Her father tried to do the best for Frances, even getting her a governess to teach her how to be a proper lady. However Frances had to figure out what to do with herself after her father's death. He made some bad decisions by putting his money into stocks for the railroads. It went bust and now Frances has nothing. Frances receives an marriage offer to Dr. Edwin Matthews. Frances does not love Edwin but it will get her away to a new location and that is what Frances wants. She travels to South Africa. Along the way she meets the dashing William Westbrook. Frances must decide between her commitment to Edwin or romance with William.
I liked this book. Frances really grew as a person. She did start out weak but with enough time, she blossomed. From the beginning I could not stand William. I found him off putting. So for me I could not believe that Frances could fall for William. In fact, it was kind of awkward when he kissed Frances. Afterwards I kind of skimmed over anything having to do with William. Also, for the first half of the story, Edwin was like the invisible man. So I could not envision him and Frances together either. Luckily for me what I enjoyed the most about this book was not the romance but the location. I liked Frances and everything that she encountered in South Africa.
I liked this book. Frances really grew as a person. She did start out weak but with enough time, she blossomed. From the beginning I could not stand William. I found him off putting. So for me I could not believe that Frances could fall for William. In fact, it was kind of awkward when he kissed Frances. Afterwards I kind of skimmed over anything having to do with William. Also, for the first half of the story, Edwin was like the invisible man. So I could not envision him and Frances together either. Luckily for me what I enjoyed the most about this book was not the romance but the location. I liked Frances and everything that she encountered in South Africa.
ammbooks's review against another edition
4.0
It’s not often I finish a book still undecided on how I feel about the main character. I struggled to like Frances. But upon reflection she was a product of her time and station. The descriptions of travel from the cape north were fabulous and brought back many memories of doing that drive myself. It touched on the vast differences between the colonial “invaders” and those who labored to make the powers great. History is written by the victors and nowhere is it more evident in that those responsible for the smallpox cover up were never truly held accountable. Well worth the read.
courtneygeisendorff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dozylocal's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully crafted story set in the 1800s about a young English girl who finds herself with no other option but to accept an offer of marriage after her father dies leaving her pretty much destitute. Her new husband-to-be is a doctor working in Kimberley during the diamond mining rush, and she travels to join him - filled with feelings of resentment. En route, she meets a dashing young gentleman who makes things even more complicated while she struggles to come to terms with where she finds herself. And, ultimately, who she finds herself to be.
dvallee's review against another edition
4.0
Four and a half stars. Really, really good story. Well written and very interesting.
cammmiam's review against another edition
3.0
Despite the negative feedback that I have seen about this book on Goodreads, I have come to the conclusion that I liked this story. The main complaint that I have seen has mainly concerned the main character, Frances Irvine. Since she has grown up in a life of privilege in England, the reversal of her fortunes hits her hard. Suddenly, she has a choice to make: she must either go to her aunt in Manchester to essentially work as a servant, or marry a young doctor with a practice in South Africa; Frances decides to go with the latter option. On the boat to South Africa she meets and falls in love with a handsome gentlemen named William Westbrook. Their affair on the ship never leaves her mind, even after she marries Edwin Matthews and embarks on a life as his wife.
Unlike Frances, Edwin is full of passion for his clients, nature, the natives of South Africa, and the vaccination of everyone against smallpox. Rather than see him for the good and honorable man that he is, Frances remains in love with William and unable to see. Throughout the story she is unable to see the facts that are before her eyes. She continues to act like a child, filled with ignorance towards the people she worships and the hardships of the South African lifestyle. At times, her ignorance made this book a difficult thing to read, especially since the reader is so clearly able to see the injustices that the British have inflicted upon the natives in the search for diamonds. To the author’s credit, though, she allows Frances to be stuck in her mindset and uncover the truth on her own. The growth of her as a character was good to see – but you only wish that it had not taken so long.
If you have an interest in the pursuit of diamonds in South Africa during the 1880s, along with the disease and mistreatment that was brought down upon the landscape, then this would be a book for you. I learned so much, and the author did a wonderful job of bringing this environment to life.
Unlike Frances, Edwin is full of passion for his clients, nature, the natives of South Africa, and the vaccination of everyone against smallpox. Rather than see him for the good and honorable man that he is, Frances remains in love with William and unable to see. Throughout the story she is unable to see the facts that are before her eyes. She continues to act like a child, filled with ignorance towards the people she worships and the hardships of the South African lifestyle. At times, her ignorance made this book a difficult thing to read, especially since the reader is so clearly able to see the injustices that the British have inflicted upon the natives in the search for diamonds. To the author’s credit, though, she allows Frances to be stuck in her mindset and uncover the truth on her own. The growth of her as a character was good to see – but you only wish that it had not taken so long.
If you have an interest in the pursuit of diamonds in South Africa during the 1880s, along with the disease and mistreatment that was brought down upon the landscape, then this would be a book for you. I learned so much, and the author did a wonderful job of bringing this environment to life.
kc_kyla_b's review against another edition
3.0
This book was reviewed by the creator of Downton Abby, so it piqued my interest. I listed to this book on audio. I love audio books because I drive a lot! This book is about a young girl named Frances who figures out what she wants at exactly the wrong time; much like Mary from Downton Abby, but with red hair. This book was sexier than I thought it would be. It is definitely ADULT fiction. I gave it a 3 because I thought her flippantness was annoying. I like reading about strong female characters and Frances is painfully naive. At times you don't want things going her way because of how foolish she acts. The book does end with a happy ending! Hope that's not too much of a spoiler.