A review by maplessence
Devil Water by Rudolf Steiner, Anya Seton

3.0

On Good reads we all have our little quirks as readers. One of mine is that when I settle down with a book unless its a favourite author I'm expecting at least a 3* read. For me thats a good, but not memorable read. Even though I'm not the slightest bit mathematically inclined. I have a little line graph in my head until I settle on my final rating.

This is a book where the graph looked like the Swiss Alps until I ended up back where I started at 3*

For me, a big part of the problem was when the story changed from Charles/James to Jenny. I now know this is part of Seton's family history (which I didn't know till afterwards when I read the author's note) but I think Seton was probably hoping to discover more about the character of Jenny. Since she didn't I now know what a Goodreads “Mary Sue” is, as in spite of her sufferings, Jenny remains a blank perfect doll. Rob is better drawn but Seton doesn't make him a sympathetic character.

I do think Seton may have been better to have kept her focus on Charles. The narrative in that part was a real page turner. The language felt authentic (other than a slightly too early use of the expression about needing to break eggs to make an omelette) Doubtful even if it would have been in use in France at that time – really can't see a man from Northern England using it.

I have a copy of Katharine which is considered by many to be Seton's best work. If I don't enjoy that - & I am now not in a rush to get to it!- I'm just going to assume this is author that for me has dated badly.

Can't win them all. :)