Scan barcode
liralen's review against another edition
3.0
Comparisons to Downton Abbey are inevitable here, aren't they?
What sets this apart, though, is that there's more room for slightly less savoury characters to have their way. Servants do things they shouldn't, and get away with it. They family members do things they shouldn't, and get away with it, one way or another.
The back of the book is a bit disingenuous, as Mary's secret is not the one that threatens to split the family apart -- but there are certainly secrets aplenty. I did wish that some of them had been explored in more depth, as it might have been interesting to take Mary's story further, or Harry's...but there's a lot of ground covered, and a lot of characters' stories explored.
It's an interesting time period, by the way, that period just before World War I -- the calm before the storm, in a manner of speaking. Not only must the family and servants gradually understand what war will mean for them, but the times are just on the cusp of changing -- women getting more independence (mentioned on and off in the book); more opportunities for the lower classes (there are hints of things changing in terms of mills and so on as well, although that's another thing that I wish had had a bit more closure).
Overall I'd call this a solid three- or three-and-a-half-star book -- complex characters; some plot points that could use a bit more investigations; an engaging look at a bygone era.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
What sets this apart, though, is that there's more room for slightly less savoury characters to have their way. Servants do things they shouldn't, and get away with it. They family members do things they shouldn't, and get away with it, one way or another.
The back of the book is a bit disingenuous, as Mary's secret is not the one that threatens to split the family apart -- but there are certainly secrets aplenty. I did wish that some of them had been explored in more depth, as it might have been interesting to take Mary's story further, or Harry's...but there's a lot of ground covered, and a lot of characters' stories explored.
It's an interesting time period, by the way, that period just before World War I -- the calm before the storm, in a manner of speaking. Not only must the family and servants gradually understand what war will mean for them, but the times are just on the cusp of changing -- women getting more independence (mentioned on and off in the book); more opportunities for the lower classes (there are hints of things changing in terms of mills and so on as well, although that's another thing that I wish had had a bit more closure).
Overall I'd call this a solid three- or three-and-a-half-star book -- complex characters; some plot points that could use a bit more investigations; an engaging look at a bygone era.
I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
maryrobinson's review against another edition
2.0
An Upstairs, Downstairs kind of story set in the early 1900s which follows the lives of the eighth Earl of Cavendish and his wife. It did not leave much of an impression with me, but would be a good reading suggestion for Downton Abbey fans.
leah_gravel's review against another edition
2.0
Les Ombres de Rutherford Park est le genre de livre facile à lire, à l'intrigue courue d'avance et aux personnages complètement fades. L'histoire est juste suffisamment bonne pour que l'on continue notre lecture malgré les défauts du livre (et pourtant quand on me promet un roman encore plus passionnant que Downton Abbey, ça me fait rêver) . C'est sûr, cette lecture ne restera pas dans les annales. Dommage, ça avait l'air prometteur...
colleenlovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Rutherford Park, the elegantly rambling estate of the Cavendish family in the Yorkshire countryside of England, seems a dream to those looking at it from a distance. Money and manners nearly ooze from its well-tended walls and gardens and the family is delightfully steeped in the traditions and rules that govern those of the elitist class. But just peek a little more closely at the inhabitants of Rutherford Park and you will see that not everyone is happy in this long standing status quo and just about everyone under its roof are hiding secrets.
As the lives of the Cavendish family are exposed along with those of the servants that live below stairs the reader is able to see just how twisted and complicated their lives can be, regardless of rank or money. If the family is to have any chance of surviving they must be able to bend the traditions binding them together and learn to adjust to the ever changing world swirling around them, even as eminent war threatens to change their lives once again.
Any fan of Downton Abbey or Upstairs/Downstairs will love this glimpse into a privileged yet highly fractured family. You have the strict, unbending traditionalist father, the stifled wife longing for some freedom of her own, the more modern children ready to break free from the binding responsibilities of the class they were born into, the servants who dutifully serve those beyond the green baize door while being divided between those wanting to stay true to their never ending duties and those that believe they deserve more; everyone is here.
The story ends only slightly settled and with enough left unanswered that I can only hope Elizabeth Cooke will provide a sequel that shows how the characters have moved on and grown after the events in Rutherford Park. Did William learn to loosen his hold on tradition and show his wife that he does in fact love her? Will Harry serve his country well and learn to take responsibility for his actions? What kind of woman will Charlotte grow up to be? I only wish I knew!
As the lives of the Cavendish family are exposed along with those of the servants that live below stairs the reader is able to see just how twisted and complicated their lives can be, regardless of rank or money. If the family is to have any chance of surviving they must be able to bend the traditions binding them together and learn to adjust to the ever changing world swirling around them, even as eminent war threatens to change their lives once again.
Any fan of Downton Abbey or Upstairs/Downstairs will love this glimpse into a privileged yet highly fractured family. You have the strict, unbending traditionalist father, the stifled wife longing for some freedom of her own, the more modern children ready to break free from the binding responsibilities of the class they were born into, the servants who dutifully serve those beyond the green baize door while being divided between those wanting to stay true to their never ending duties and those that believe they deserve more; everyone is here.
The story ends only slightly settled and with enough left unanswered that I can only hope Elizabeth Cooke will provide a sequel that shows how the characters have moved on and grown after the events in Rutherford Park. Did William learn to loosen his hold on tradition and show his wife that he does in fact love her? Will Harry serve his country well and learn to take responsibility for his actions? What kind of woman will Charlotte grow up to be? I only wish I knew!
oddandbookish's review against another edition
4.0
I give this 3.5 stars which rounds up to 4.
This is your typical historical fiction novel about family drama caused by secrets. I happen to like books like this so naturally I liked this. It wasn’t the best one I ever read, but it was still good and entertaining for the most part. It took a while for the story to actually get going. What I really liked was how it took place just before World War I broke out. It captured a really interesting time in England and France.
This is your typical historical fiction novel about family drama caused by secrets. I happen to like books like this so naturally I liked this. It wasn’t the best one I ever read, but it was still good and entertaining for the most part. It took a while for the story to actually get going. What I really liked was how it took place just before World War I broke out. It captured a really interesting time in England and France.
rai's review against another edition
2.0
it recovered itself towards the end, but that wasn't enough to save the book. there was too much dragging in the middle. I didn't care about any of the characters, and the one action I felt was good, the woman ended up not following through with. So, yeah, you can skip this one.
skullfullofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a book billed to remind us of Downton Abbey, and in that case it delivered. Starting with one scandal and snowballing into more, life at Rutherford park is tense and awkward for all classes.
Without giving too much away, I will say that I wished the plot lines were better developed. Much too much time was spent having minor characters wallow in their own instrospection, and some of the more interesting lines seemed to abruptly cut themselves short. There is some rumblings that the staff hate Lady Cavendish, and it even leads to a crescendo, but then nothing comes of it.
The ending fizzled out, something predictable that took too long to be told, and I wish more time was spent giving me juicy details of a scandal than reading some of the awkward dialogue or musings of spoiled rich children. I eventually only read a chapter at a time. More than that felt too tiring to read, which is a shame.
Not a bad book, but could have been much better.
Without giving too much away, I will say that I wished the plot lines were better developed. Much too much time was spent having minor characters wallow in their own instrospection, and some of the more interesting lines seemed to abruptly cut themselves short. There is some rumblings that the staff hate Lady Cavendish, and it even leads to a crescendo, but then nothing comes of it.
The ending fizzled out, something predictable that took too long to be told, and I wish more time was spent giving me juicy details of a scandal than reading some of the awkward dialogue or musings of spoiled rich children. I eventually only read a chapter at a time. More than that felt too tiring to read, which is a shame.
Not a bad book, but could have been much better.
abookishaffair's review
3.0
"Rutherford Park" reminded me very much of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs. It follows the comings and goings of those that live and work in the grand estate house of Rutherford Park. It's an interesting slice of life kind of book that will appeal to historical fiction lovers who want a wide variety of characters to read about.
The list of characters was a little overwhelming to me. Almost every chapter focuses on a different character's interactions with the other characters in the book. I was a little overwhelmed with how many characters there were. I had to keep reminding myself of who was who. I kind of found myself wishing that the storyline focused a little bit more on just a few characters. One of the issues with big casts is that it is hard to get to know some of the characters.
I really enjoyed the time period of the book. The book takes place just prior to WWI, which is such a fascinating time period to me. You get a good sense of what it was like for a family of great means to transition to post-Victorian London.
Overall, this is an interesting tale of family secrets and the ties that bind families and those surrounding them together.
The list of characters was a little overwhelming to me. Almost every chapter focuses on a different character's interactions with the other characters in the book. I was a little overwhelmed with how many characters there were. I had to keep reminding myself of who was who. I kind of found myself wishing that the storyline focused a little bit more on just a few characters. One of the issues with big casts is that it is hard to get to know some of the characters.
I really enjoyed the time period of the book. The book takes place just prior to WWI, which is such a fascinating time period to me. You get a good sense of what it was like for a family of great means to transition to post-Victorian London.
Overall, this is an interesting tale of family secrets and the ties that bind families and those surrounding them together.