Right from the moment I 'met' this book I was enchanted. The cover art is gorgeous and well done, but I digress. One should never judge a book solely by the cover art.Caro Peacock has spun a wonderful and haunting adventure/mystery of historic proportions in this, her debut novel. This novel orginally appealed to me on numerous levels. The first and largest of which was the era. The Victorian era is one that I've become rather well versed with as I have been working in that era with one of my novels as well. Another level that it appealed to me was that there were several things in here that I had studied in the era. Apart from all of that, this novel has a great deal of a mystery to the plot, which is also a genre I'm familiar with both as a reader and a writer.
So when I read this novel I read it twice. Once as a reader allowing myself to be swept up with the plot and the characters and once as a writer with the keen eye toward details and anachronisms.
The reader in me adored this novel. "Would you be kind enough to tell me where they keep people's bodies," I said. There's no denying from the very first line that Peacock has one heck of a novel in store for us. This pace continues for the majority of the novel.
Liberty Lane is a very likable character that I think a reader could identify with on numerous levels. She has received an anonymous note that her father had been shot in a duel, only her father did not believe in duels. Liberty knows that this is a lie and she sets out to learn the truth about her father's death and the circumstances leading up to it. While on her journey she needs to decide who's a friend and who is a foe all while slowly discovering herself along the way.
I read this book in about a week and was absolutely unable to put it down for several of those nights.
As a writer I also loved this book, however I had noticed a few things that seemed odd. One such thing was when Liberty had thought that one of her charges needed to 'piss.' While Liberty is indeed a free spirit, this term seemed both out of character for her as well as unlady like and out of place for the era. Another was when her and Daniel were speaking of another character referring to him as an 'ass'. I hadn't seen anything about this sort of off color language in my studies, but as we all know there are exceptions to the rules and it's possible that this sort of thing was indeed spoken then.
Peacock's governess acts according to the historical role and what I'd studied about it. It's clear she had more than done her research both in the governess role and in the clothing styles. Speaking of the clothing, while it's wonderful to see the descriptions, it also slows down her pacing a bit by adding a description of the clothing each character is wearing upon meeting them. However, she picks that pacing right back up and we are once again speeding alongside Liberty in her frenzy to learn the truth.
The twists and turns and red herrings sprinkled through here are wonderfully plotted and excuted. I didn't see the ending coming all that much before it was revealed. The ending is satisfying and by no means is a let down. (There's nothing worse than a let down ending!)
All in all this is a fabulous novel and I wholeheartedly reccommend it to any fan of historicals, mysteries and to the Victorian era. One thing is certain: I will be among the first in line for the sequel.
Bravo Caro for your fabulous tale!
A Foreign Affair
By Caro Peacock
Trade Paperback Fiction: 352 pages
Publisher: Avon +
ISBN: 978-0-06-144589-7
Price: $13.95 U.S./$14.95 Canada
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Comments: 23
I enjoyed the way that you caught those details of the book that were not in step with the era or the character. And the "off-color" language that didn't fit ~ While at the same time looking at the Book from both the Reader's and the Writer's perspective and relaying your findings in vivid detail ~ in such a way that lets us decide on whether to purchase or read this Novel.
You leave us with a feeling and a sense that this is a Novel to experience.
Great Job!
Rene
When I set out to write this review I had intended to see both sides of the fence. The side that is the writer's side and the side that is the reader's side.
In doing so I hoped to offer a new perspective on the novel without giving away much of the plot. My rule was absolutely NO SPOILERS!
I hope I've succeeded in doing this and I do hope that some of you grab the book.
Clint's already reading my copy of it! :)
You are absolutely right, Rene! This book is one to experience. It's not one to merely read and toss aside after. It begs to be read and reread.
I just noticed that this article is featured right now on Gather's homepage under 'Books'!
Congrats on your feature and here's a 10 for you.
"Piss" is more difficult. I entirely agree with you that, in the mid-nineteenth century, a well-brought up woman would not use the word. But in the freer language of the Regency period, an upper class woman might use it. I see the 1830s as a transition period from Regency to Victorian, with a resulting uncertainty about language and morals. Which side of the line you choose is, to some extent, a matter of guesswork. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the book.
I had thought that you used the "piss" word as a way to show that Liberty doesn't follow rules much and marches to the beat of her own drum. Or at least it seemed possible to me that was a subtle way to reinforce her spirited nature.
I absolutely loved the book and I've already recommended it to a local librarian who has promptly added it to her "must buy" list.
My husband is in the process of reading it. He picked it up right after I was done with it.
But you make me want to read the book. Great review.