When you read romances that are 15 years old or more, you never know what you’re going to get. Sometimes they are great and completely stand the test of time. (Some of the best books I’ve read recently have been from the 90’s.) But some of the books that seemed daring and new back then now just seem a little dull. I’m wondering if that’s the case with these Patricia Gaffney books – which were praised as one of the best series ever written back in the 90’s when they came out.
To Love and To Cherish by Patricia Gaffney
(1995, Victorian) 9/1/12
Grade: 3.5
Christy is settling in to his life as the vicar in the village of Wyckerley, the small town where he grew up. But his world is upended when his childhood friend Geoffrey Verlaine returns and takes over as the new lord, along with his wife Anne. Christy and Anne are powerfully attracted to each other, but their lives and faiths seem to keep them apart, even after Geoffrey is gone.
I found it difficult to grade this book, because it was extremely well written and did a wonderful job depicting Victorian village life – but I found myself struggling to get through it, especially the first half. The author said she based it partly on the books of Thomas Hardy, and perhaps it’s difficult for someone in the 21st century to understand the religious differences that keep Christy and Anne apart (she’s an atheist, supposedly, but it never seems that believable. Her constant depiction of herself as a terrible person never seemed to fit with her actions.) Christy’s struggles as a minister were more believable and interesting, but the book just seemed to drag for a large portion of the story. This book was highly recommended so it was a bit of a disappointment. These have been in my TBR pile for a long time so I plan to read all three, but I hope the next two are more enjoyable.
Next up – To Have and To Hold. So far it’s at least completely different…
Karen Wheless
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