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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
This was recommended to me because I like King's Mary Russell series, but I'm not really sure why they are connected because they really have very little in common. Both are about women who are in their 20's during the 20's, but that's about it. Delilah is a flaky spoiled girl living off of other people's money where Mary is an academic lover and an orphan.
I really didn't like Delilah to begin with, but she did grow on me.
I really didn't like Delilah to begin with, but she did grow on me.
Another great book from Deanna Raybourn. I'm always slightly disappointed to leave the world of the Lady Julia Grey series, but this was a fantastic stand alone. As with all of Raybourn's books, there is a wonderfully eclectic cast of characters led by a particularly vivacious heroine. Usually I prefer her novels set in 19th century England, but Africa in the 1920s was surprisingly easy to become wrapped up in. The 1920s feel may also appeal to fans of Downton Abbey.
Fantastic story. Reminds me of Out of Africa only with a stronger female lead. Very well written.
This was a beautiful romance from start to finish. Starring a beautiful but emotionally wounded female protagonist, this book follows the story of a romance in the startling aridity of Kenya. I loved the author's use of the themes of Kenyan revolution and racial tensions to give a weary romance plot some new life. All and all, a fun fluff read that has enough twists to keep a reader engaged throughout. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a well written romance that has threads of historical fiction.
I have been excited about reading A Spear of Summer Grass by Deanna Raybourn since first hearing about it. Since she is already responsible for creating two of my all-time favorite characters, I had high expectations for what she could accomplish with a story set in 1920s Kenya. Overall? It was pretty darn good.
Unfortunately, A Spear of Summer Grass and I didn’t get off to the best start. Delilah Drummond is NOT a likable gal in the beginning. Trying to relate to her? Forget about it. The beginning of the book shows her involved in one scandal too many and being more or less banished from Paris to Kenya until things die down. The first thing I fell in love with was the setting – Deanna Raybourn makes Kenya glorious and the Fairlight plantation where Delilah is staying really comes to life.
Check out the rest of my review at The Allure of Books.
Unfortunately, A Spear of Summer Grass and I didn’t get off to the best start. Delilah Drummond is NOT a likable gal in the beginning. Trying to relate to her? Forget about it. The beginning of the book shows her involved in one scandal too many and being more or less banished from Paris to Kenya until things die down. The first thing I fell in love with was the setting – Deanna Raybourn makes Kenya glorious and the Fairlight plantation where Delilah is staying really comes to life.
Check out the rest of my review at The Allure of Books.
Wow! What a great story!
We start out in Paris in 1923. Delilah Drummond is informed by her family that she has been involved in one too many scandals. Her grandfather has threatened to cut her off financially if she doesn't agree to lay low for a while. Her step father owns property in Africa and it is decided that would be the perfect place for Delilah to spend on a little vacation.
Delilah has been married three times and has had numerous lovers. He first marriage though, broke her heart and she has never again let herself be open to that sort of love and pain again.
So, when she and her prim and dowdy cousin arrive in Africa, Deliliah's introduction to a man named Ryder, has her putting up all kinds of defenses and she is in deep denial of her feelings for him.
As Deliliah begins to meet people in her area, she realizes there is a great deal of political unease. The threat of wild animals, the ways of the natives and the separation between white and black , the dirt blowing into her food,and terrible insects at every turn is too harsh of an environement for Deliliah. She makes the best of her exile by keeping company with others of her class, and promtly begins a casual affair with Kit, an old friend . She also befriends an African boy and his brother. However, Deliliah still yearns for her old life and longs to return to Paris.
But, tensions reach an all time high when a murder is committed within their little community and an innocent person is about to be held responsible. For the the first time in her life Deliliah makes an adult, self sacrificing choice.
Will Deliliah finally let go of the monster hurt that keeps her from really falling in love? Will she find out who the real murderer is? Will Deliliah finally grow up and will she admit that Africa has gotten under skin?
I have read Deanna Raybourn's historical romances in the past. They are great mysteries and the author has a real talent. I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. This is unlike anything I have read from this author previously.
The descriptions of Africa are startling clear and vivid. All the beauty and harshness combined gave up a true life vision of the setting. The characters were also sharply drawn, the dialogue real and deep. This story was so absorbing I couldn't put it down.
This is part romance, part drama, part mystery. It is the most unique novel I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved it. I can not recommend highly enough. An A+ all the way.
Thanks to edelwiess for the advance copy!
We start out in Paris in 1923. Delilah Drummond is informed by her family that she has been involved in one too many scandals. Her grandfather has threatened to cut her off financially if she doesn't agree to lay low for a while. Her step father owns property in Africa and it is decided that would be the perfect place for Delilah to spend on a little vacation.
Delilah has been married three times and has had numerous lovers. He first marriage though, broke her heart and she has never again let herself be open to that sort of love and pain again.
So, when she and her prim and dowdy cousin arrive in Africa, Deliliah's introduction to a man named Ryder, has her putting up all kinds of defenses and she is in deep denial of her feelings for him.
As Deliliah begins to meet people in her area, she realizes there is a great deal of political unease. The threat of wild animals, the ways of the natives and the separation between white and black , the dirt blowing into her food,and terrible insects at every turn is too harsh of an environement for Deliliah. She makes the best of her exile by keeping company with others of her class, and promtly begins a casual affair with Kit, an old friend . She also befriends an African boy and his brother. However, Deliliah still yearns for her old life and longs to return to Paris.
But, tensions reach an all time high when a murder is committed within their little community and an innocent person is about to be held responsible. For the the first time in her life Deliliah makes an adult, self sacrificing choice.
Will Deliliah finally let go of the monster hurt that keeps her from really falling in love? Will she find out who the real murderer is? Will Deliliah finally grow up and will she admit that Africa has gotten under skin?
I have read Deanna Raybourn's historical romances in the past. They are great mysteries and the author has a real talent. I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. This is unlike anything I have read from this author previously.
The descriptions of Africa are startling clear and vivid. All the beauty and harshness combined gave up a true life vision of the setting. The characters were also sharply drawn, the dialogue real and deep. This story was so absorbing I couldn't put it down.
This is part romance, part drama, part mystery. It is the most unique novel I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved it. I can not recommend highly enough. An A+ all the way.
Thanks to edelwiess for the advance copy!
All the stars!!!
There is almost too much to say about Deanna Raybourn's newest novel, A Spear of Summer Grass. I've enjoyed her writing before, in her Lady Julia Gray mystery novels, but, as much as I loved those novel and recommend them to fellow readers regularly, this novel has stolen my heart.
The novel, set in the 1920s, begins in Paris, but quickly relocates to Africa. Delilah Drummond is no stranger to scandal: her mother has married many times, Delilah herself has been married three, and her latest marriage has once again exposed her to gossip and speculation. In an attempt to avoid the negative effects of this most recent scandal, Delilah leaves Paris for a season in Africa. Africa is not the place Delilah dreamed of as a child, but in many ways it's more... and it has a drama all it's own. In the middle of this foreign landscape, Delilah discovers beauty, danger, love, and, most of important of all, her place in the world.
For many, Delilah may, at least at first, be one of those unlikeable characters. For me, I loved her from the start. She's quite frank and unapologetic about her life and actions. Her peers often find her loose of morals and standards, but that's not at all the reality of the situation. In many ways, I suppose Delilah could be considered a woman before her time. To be truthful, I'm unsure of exactly how female independence and sexuality was viewed in 1920s Europe, but the novel left me with the distinct impression that Delilah was not the norm. She takes lovers (but is never unfaithful during her marriages), stands up for what she believes, and is entirely capable (and willing) to do "a man's work."
I especially loved her character's history. She, like all the characters in the novel, are complex and layered. All of her actions and beliefs are rooted in something in her history, which one can assume is true of all characters, but Raybourn is especially skilled at weaving a character's tale in a believable, elegant fashion. Little by little, I felt that I came to know and understand Delilah, and, while I feel that A Spear of Summer Grass had a satisfying conclusion, I loathed leaving her behind.
I can't say I've ever read a novel that was set in Africa, but, after the descriptions of the landscapes, wildlife, and culture, I've come to love it a bit. Setting the novel here, in the 1900s, also opened up the perfect opportunity for Raybourn to incorporate themes and questions regarding colonialism and women's rights. These are two themes that I have a particular interest in when it comes to literature and I felt that Raybourn did a fantastic job of considering these subjects without being at all overbearing, instead settling for thought provoking and engaging.
Of course, I must touch on the romance within A Spear of Summer Grass. I've always admired Raybourn's deft hand when it comes to romance and the relationship in this novel is no exception. Raybourn takes two extremely flawed characters and fits their broken edges together in a beautiful, redeeming sort of way. The romance between Ryder and Delilah is, without at doubt, one of my all-time favorite romances.
I cannot recommend A Spear of Summer Grass enough. You'll not be able to leave these characters behind, nor the gorgeous African setting.
There is almost too much to say about Deanna Raybourn's newest novel, A Spear of Summer Grass. I've enjoyed her writing before, in her Lady Julia Gray mystery novels, but, as much as I loved those novel and recommend them to fellow readers regularly, this novel has stolen my heart.
The novel, set in the 1920s, begins in Paris, but quickly relocates to Africa. Delilah Drummond is no stranger to scandal: her mother has married many times, Delilah herself has been married three, and her latest marriage has once again exposed her to gossip and speculation. In an attempt to avoid the negative effects of this most recent scandal, Delilah leaves Paris for a season in Africa. Africa is not the place Delilah dreamed of as a child, but in many ways it's more... and it has a drama all it's own. In the middle of this foreign landscape, Delilah discovers beauty, danger, love, and, most of important of all, her place in the world.
For many, Delilah may, at least at first, be one of those unlikeable characters. For me, I loved her from the start. She's quite frank and unapologetic about her life and actions. Her peers often find her loose of morals and standards, but that's not at all the reality of the situation. In many ways, I suppose Delilah could be considered a woman before her time. To be truthful, I'm unsure of exactly how female independence and sexuality was viewed in 1920s Europe, but the novel left me with the distinct impression that Delilah was not the norm. She takes lovers (but is never unfaithful during her marriages), stands up for what she believes, and is entirely capable (and willing) to do "a man's work."
I especially loved her character's history. She, like all the characters in the novel, are complex and layered. All of her actions and beliefs are rooted in something in her history, which one can assume is true of all characters, but Raybourn is especially skilled at weaving a character's tale in a believable, elegant fashion. Little by little, I felt that I came to know and understand Delilah, and, while I feel that A Spear of Summer Grass had a satisfying conclusion, I loathed leaving her behind.
I can't say I've ever read a novel that was set in Africa, but, after the descriptions of the landscapes, wildlife, and culture, I've come to love it a bit. Setting the novel here, in the 1900s, also opened up the perfect opportunity for Raybourn to incorporate themes and questions regarding colonialism and women's rights. These are two themes that I have a particular interest in when it comes to literature and I felt that Raybourn did a fantastic job of considering these subjects without being at all overbearing, instead settling for thought provoking and engaging.
Of course, I must touch on the romance within A Spear of Summer Grass. I've always admired Raybourn's deft hand when it comes to romance and the relationship in this novel is no exception. Raybourn takes two extremely flawed characters and fits their broken edges together in a beautiful, redeeming sort of way. The romance between Ryder and Delilah is, without at doubt, one of my all-time favorite romances.
I cannot recommend A Spear of Summer Grass enough. You'll not be able to leave these characters behind, nor the gorgeous African setting.
This is a hard book to rate and review. I've loved almost all of Deanna Raybourn's books. I liked this book, but there were points while I was listening to it [I had this as an audio book] when I heartily disliked both the main character Delilah, and some of the things that happened as the story played out. That said, I couldn't stop listening, and I was rooting for both Delilah and everyone else in this book to end well, so I guess I have to say that it was a good read.
Africa isn't a location I am particularly enamored of, or that I seek out books set there. However, as I was listening to this, I was very much put in mind of the movie Out of Africa, which I saw when it first came out, and which I adored. The angst and emotional roller coaster this book put me on felt very much like the overwhelming suspense and drama that the movie created. It had moments where I wanted to scream at more than one of the characters, but it also had moments of stunning beauty and power and strength that was exceptional.
Normally, Raybourn's characters connect for me immediately, and I adore them from page one. Delilah, not so much. She is very much a flawed, spoiled infuriating character, and the way the story plays out makes the reader - intentionally, I think - really dislike Delilah.
That said, there are also moments throughout the story where you really do love Delilah and want to stand up and cheer for her when she makes certain choices and does certain things. It's challenging to love her, but just when you think you can't, she proves you wrong [which would no doubt delight her, were she real!].
Without giving spoilers, I will just say, Delilah has depths and life experiences that explain who she is for the reader, and this is a book where you really do have to stick with it right to the end to get the payoff where she is concerned. All things considered, I'm very glad I did.
Africa isn't a location I am particularly enamored of, or that I seek out books set there. However, as I was listening to this, I was very much put in mind of the movie Out of Africa, which I saw when it first came out, and which I adored. The angst and emotional roller coaster this book put me on felt very much like the overwhelming suspense and drama that the movie created. It had moments where I wanted to scream at more than one of the characters, but it also had moments of stunning beauty and power and strength that was exceptional.
Normally, Raybourn's characters connect for me immediately, and I adore them from page one. Delilah, not so much. She is very much a flawed, spoiled infuriating character, and the way the story plays out makes the reader - intentionally, I think - really dislike Delilah.
That said, there are also moments throughout the story where you really do love Delilah and want to stand up and cheer for her when she makes certain choices and does certain things. It's challenging to love her, but just when you think you can't, she proves you wrong [which would no doubt delight her, were she real!].
Without giving spoilers, I will just say, Delilah has depths and life experiences that explain who she is for the reader, and this is a book where you really do have to stick with it right to the end to get the payoff where she is concerned. All things considered, I'm very glad I did.
Have any of you ever read a book that was both amazing AND horrible? That was A Spear of Summer Glass for me. I'm so full of conflicted feelings - I'm honestly not even sure if this reaches 4 stars... screw that, considering all the stuff that annoyed me in this? Not going to round my rating up. I'm incredibly sorry, because I've loved everything I've read by the author so far AND A Spear of Summer Grass had quite a few spectacular moments, as well as a complex main character. But... no, this isn't 4-star material for me.
I'm still incredibly excited to pick up everything else Deanna Raybourn has published, though! I still have the Veronica Speedwell books and two of her standalones to go, and I'm pumped for all of these. ASoSG was just not my cup of tea.
I'm still incredibly excited to pick up everything else Deanna Raybourn has published, though! I still have the Veronica Speedwell books and two of her standalones to go, and I'm pumped for all of these. ASoSG was just not my cup of tea.
This can be a difficult novel.
For more reviews, check out my blog.
It's utterly enjoyable in every way. Everything is spot on - from the descriptions, to the characterisation, to the sexual tension. But Raybourne doesn't shy away from the attitudes of the era, and that might well make a modern reader uncomfortable.
It's kudos to her that she doesn't, really. 1920's Africa was full of 'benevolent' racists who believed you needed to 'civilise' the natives because, poor dears, they were just too backward and stupid to do it themselves. The colonists were helping, or at least, so they believed. It can be difficult to read a book full of this, where even our heroine has some of these attitudes. Obviously, as she is our main character, she is more sympathetic than most and many of the other colonists are just people who believe that the native Africans are less than human, but she is still a woman of her era.
I've never liked politically-correct history, as it's nonsense, but that doesn't mean that the casual, parental, borderline-condesenscion is easy to read.
Raybourne makes another brave choice in making Delilah somewhat unlikeable, especially at the beginning of the novel. She seems selfish, self-absorbed and inconsiderate. She sleeps with married men and breaks hearts left right and centre. She's fascinating and believable, but you wouldn't want her as a friend. That's fine by me - I've never been one of those people who needs to like a main character to enjoy reading about them. If I did, I'd never have read Lolita. Besides, her slow, gradual improvement and character development is one of the best things about this book.
Apart from the writing. My God. Look, I love Raybourne's Lady Julia Grey mysteries, but her writing there wasn't especially strong. She had some moments of brilliance, but they were just that, moments. I can safely say she's come into her own here. The descriptions of Africa were breathtaking.
All in all I was very impressed. The book was very good, just... read the bits about race critically.
4 out of 5.
Provided free by Harlequin through Netgalley.
For more reviews, check out my blog.
It's utterly enjoyable in every way. Everything is spot on - from the descriptions, to the characterisation, to the sexual tension. But Raybourne doesn't shy away from the attitudes of the era, and that might well make a modern reader uncomfortable.
It's kudos to her that she doesn't, really. 1920's Africa was full of 'benevolent' racists who believed you needed to 'civilise' the natives because, poor dears, they were just too backward and stupid to do it themselves. The colonists were helping, or at least, so they believed. It can be difficult to read a book full of this, where even our heroine has some of these attitudes. Obviously, as she is our main character, she is more sympathetic than most and many of the other colonists are just people who believe that the native Africans are less than human, but she is still a woman of her era.
I've never liked politically-correct history, as it's nonsense, but that doesn't mean that the casual, parental, borderline-condesenscion is easy to read.
Raybourne makes another brave choice in making Delilah somewhat unlikeable, especially at the beginning of the novel. She seems selfish, self-absorbed and inconsiderate. She sleeps with married men and breaks hearts left right and centre. She's fascinating and believable, but you wouldn't want her as a friend. That's fine by me - I've never been one of those people who needs to like a main character to enjoy reading about them. If I did, I'd never have read Lolita. Besides, her slow, gradual improvement and character development is one of the best things about this book.
Apart from the writing. My God. Look, I love Raybourne's Lady Julia Grey mysteries, but her writing there wasn't especially strong. She had some moments of brilliance, but they were just that, moments. I can safely say she's come into her own here. The descriptions of Africa were breathtaking.
All in all I was very impressed. The book was very good, just... read the bits about race critically.
4 out of 5.
Provided free by Harlequin through Netgalley.