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WIJFR: The House at Riverton (sp)

Kate Morton was recommended to me because of my love of Susanna Kearsley.  This being my first KM, I wasn't sure what to expect.  Overall, I'd say I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.  I found that the ending didn't quite match up to the long lead.  I think knowing from the beginning that Robbie died kind of left me to really not caring too much about his character.  Or rather, not getting attached.  I kind of wished she'd left it us knowing that there was a great big scandal instead of almost knowing the full story.

Having seen Downton Abbey, it was easier to picture what life might have been for a housemaid or ladies maid.  All the conversations that happened around the service people would have seemed really odd to me if I haven't already witnessed it on the show.  It also showed me how different life in service could be than the glamorous Downton Abbey.

I liked Grace, though I liked her as an old woman more than her younger self.  I also found myself being not too attached to her character either.  Maybe that was the problem with the book? The characters didn't really come to life for me.  I like Hannah and found her intriguing, but even during her affair with Robbie, I found that I was keeping myself and distance.  Emmeline was insipid and juvenile. Teddy, was ignorant and annoying. Robbie was damaged.  They all had the potential to be something more that just didn't come through.

What did strike me was all the tragedy. Hannah, Robbie, Emmeline, Mr. Fredrick.  All of them just wiped off the map.  And the truth behind it all covered up.  I think I will try another Kate Morton to see if the next has a little more oomph.  Any recommendations?
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116 books in 2016

my read shelf:
Lauren (SnShne322)'s book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
Wes: 10/8/2012


Re: WIJFR: The House at Riverton (sp)

  • dmlk413dmlk413 member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    I would recommend The Secret Keeper.  I also liked The Forgotten Garden. The House at Riverton was my least favorite of her books.
    My Book Blog

    my read shelf:
    Denise's book recommendations, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)


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  • kpowkpow member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    I've read The Forgotten Garden and The Distant Hours and really liked them. I have The Secret Keeper, but haven't read it yet.

    When I read The House at Riverton I finished and was like WTF? I sat there for a few minutes and had to open it back up and read again. I thought it was an awesome ending and totally surprised me, which is nice when a book is able to do that.

    I haven't heard of Susanna Kearsley. I'll have to look at her books.


    Can I marry them all?

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  • I tried to start listening to this a few weeks ago, but I had to give up.  I keep meaning to check if there is an issue with my audiobook, because it feels like I'm jumping in mid-story.  I tried starting it over three times and just felt lost each time I tried to listen, so I gave up.  It's a shame because I bought this from Audible so long ago that it's too late for me to return it and get something else in its place.
  • kpowkpow member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    It's definitely one of those books that's written to be confusing at first because it jumps around in the story. It's worth the read, but I understand how, especially with an audiobook, it is hard to give much time to a book that isn't clicking.
    Can I marry them all?

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