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bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
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Every once in a while, I want to read or listen to a book that doesn’t require much thought or strain, so I turn to Danielle Steel, who has been churning out several books a year for 50 years. There’s a certain formula she follows, but on occasion, she deviates from the norm, and those are the books I have a tendency to gravitate to.
The Duchess is one such book. It’s historical fiction, which Steel does not tackle often, and when she does, she usually concentrates on American history. This story is a fictionalized account of English history, set not only in that country, but Paris and New York as well.
Angélique Latham was lovingly raised by the Duke of Westerfield following the death of her mother. When she is 18, he dies, and her half-brothers deny her an inheritance and deny she is even related to them. Luckily, her father passed an envelope of money on to her before his passing, or she would have absolutely nothing.
Since she has no references, Angélique is unable to secure employment in England so she makes her way to Paris, where she rescues a woman about her age from a cruel madam. That gives her the idea to open a house of her own, serving the most elite clientele, and to protect the women who serve. It’s a far cry from being a duchess, but soon Angelique creates a life of her own, on her own terms, in a man’s world.
While the book has some normal Steel tactics, like repeating the same thing reworded and reworked over several paragraphs, I found this book to be more enjoyable than her contemporary works. I’d recommend if you enjoy historical fiction.
Every once in a while, I want to read or listen to a book that doesn’t require much thought or strain, so I turn to Danielle Steel, who has been churning out several books a year for 50 years. There’s a certain formula she follows, but on occasion, she deviates from the norm, and those are the books I have a tendency to gravitate to.
The Duchess is one such book. It’s historical fiction, which Steel does not tackle often, and when she does, she usually concentrates on American history. This story is a fictionalized account of English history, set not only in that country, but Paris and New York as well.
Angélique Latham was lovingly raised by the Duke of Westerfield following the death of her mother. When she is 18, he dies, and her half-brothers deny her an inheritance and deny she is even related to them. Luckily, her father passed an envelope of money on to her before his passing, or she would have absolutely nothing.
Since she has no references, Angélique is unable to secure employment in England so she makes her way to Paris, where she rescues a woman about her age from a cruel madam. That gives her the idea to open a house of her own, serving the most elite clientele, and to protect the women who serve. It’s a far cry from being a duchess, but soon Angelique creates a life of her own, on her own terms, in a man’s world.
While the book has some normal Steel tactics, like repeating the same thing reworded and reworked over several paragraphs, I found this book to be more enjoyable than her contemporary works. I’d recommend if you enjoy historical fiction.
jlh77's review against another edition
2.0
Classic Danielle Steel. I read a ton of her books as a young teenager and I loved them back then. I sometimes pick one up now for a little nostalgia and a quick read. The plot is decent and it held my interest for the first 75% of the book, then I got annoyed that she had to spell out everything we were supposed to know, rather than write in a way that would get the point across without having to lead us by the hand.
traceyelder's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 or 3 stars. Typical Steel fluff, a break from reality, and also super predictable.
sigrros's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mikhaela_nadya's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sammyjomama19's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely read if you're looking for a feel good story. Sweet story but I would have liked more focus on her time in Paris. The part in England was very long and drawn out and the portion in New York was quick and forced. I wish there was more conflict.
librarianeno's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished my first semester of graduate school and I went to the library looking for light, fluffy, easy to read books, and this book delivered. I read it in a day. This was my first Danielle Steel book.
I really liked Angelique and all the other girls that we met in the second half of the book. I was a little disappointed that she did end up getting married when she made it so far without a husband. But, it was set in the 1800s, when it was unheard of to not marry. I also thought the whole father/son dynamic with Angelique's husband was really not necessary.
I really liked Angelique and all the other girls that we met in the second half of the book. I was a little disappointed that she did end up getting married when she made it so far without a husband. But, it was set in the 1800s, when it was unheard of to not marry. I also thought the whole father/son dynamic with Angelique's husband was really not necessary.
buildingtaste's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
With the understanding that I am definitely not the target audience for this author's work... Danielle Steele readers, you deserve BETTER. Better than a clinical succession of events, better than repetitive prose, better than paper-doll characters.
Pacing was bizarre. Nothing described on the blurb happened until around page 150? And then it was a plain-stated series of events careening to the finish line.
Pacing was bizarre. Nothing described on the blurb happened until around page 150? And then it was a plain-stated series of events careening to the finish line.
icygrl7's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the main character was very strong and loved that she was able to bounce back from so much. I was thrilled when she found love and was able to have what she deserved. This is a book I won't soon forget. I would recommend it to others who enjoy this genre and author. It was well worth the read.