From Fields of Gold

Rating:
Summary: Golden!
Review: Alexandra Ripley is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. From Scarlett, to On Leaving Charleston, and now From Fields of Gold, Mrs. Ripley has certainly gotten my attention. If you love an author who can mix drama, passion, humor, and reality with broad strokes of historical detail and intriguing dialogue then you'll love her novels. This one in particular tells the story of a lonely woman, Chess, from the post-Civil War ruins of tidewater Virginia who is so desperate for companionship that she agrees to give her grandfather's patent on a cigarette machine to a man that will agree to marry her and give her children. Boyishly handsome and crudely competitive Nate is the man that takes the deal and leads Chess into a life of triumph and turmoil. Follow Chess as she fails and succeeds in the attempt at finding her true spirit among all of her trials and tribulations. Ripley gives you a character with the strength and passion of Scarlett O'Hara, but the honor and heart of Melanie Wilkes.

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I EVER READ
Review: From Fields Of Gold, was a masterfully written book. It was wonderful. I read it twice! I'm am 14 years old and loved it. People of all ages can relate to the feelings expressed by one of the main charactors, Chess. The romance of the book is inspireing and magical. I loved the last 5 pages of the book. I read it over and over, and have memorized that part along with sevral others. I loved this book and was in love with the charactors wihile reading. It deserves the five stars, I would recomend this book for all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Is it really a Ripley novel? Hard to believe
Review: I don't understand the reviews here. This is far from being Alexandra Ripley's best book. Where are the rich panorama, the vivid scenes, the remarkable characters and historical details that made "Charleston", "On Leaving Charleston", "New Orleans Legacy", "The Time Returns", "Scarlett" and "Love Divine" so wonderful? The plot itself is good but the whole book seems to be a rough outline. With the previous books I felt as if I were right there with the characters and watching them in real life. I haven't felt anything like this with this book. There was a time I even doubted it was really written by Alexandra Ripley. This one is either an early novel of hers or she was afraid to miss the deadline and wrote it very hastily.

Rating:
Summary: Lively read
Review: I have read all of Ripley's books ~~ Charleston, Leaving Charleston, Scarlett and so on ~~ and while this book is a good read, it isn't her best book. I do miss her historical in-depth of her characters and where they reside. I love history and miss it in this novel. However, this is an exciting book based on exciting times after the Civil War and just before the end of the 1800s. Nate Richardson has dreams ~~ big dreams of getting out of the tobacco fields in North Carolina and manufacture cigarettes and strike it rich. Chess (Francesa) Standish's grandfather has a machine that isn't patented and agreed to give it to Nate ~~ and Chess offered herself as part of the bargain ~~ as his partner and wife. Chess is thirty years old and fears she'd never get married. Nate was her only chance.

Together, they created an empire that builds a town and builds their name across the Alantic to London where they eventually traveled to. In spite of Nate's affairs, the couple are happy together but it takes another man for Chess' affections to get Nate to come around and fall in love with his wife.

It's an interesting novel ~~ very glittery and stylish. It does lack substance in some ways, but it's still a good read. It's not my favorite read of the year but it's enjoyable enough that I will recommend it to others.

9-21-04

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book for any Historical Fiction Fan!!
Review: I have read Scarlett, Charleston, On Leaving Charleston, and now From Fields of Gold, and have loved reading everyone of them. I love this author!! From Fields of Gold tells the story of a woman, Chess, from the Civil War ruins of Virginia who agrees to give her grandfather's patent on a cigarette machine to a man that will agree to marry her and give her children. Nate is the man that takes Chess up on her offer which begins a life of wins and losses. As usual, Ripley presents a strong female character with passion and flaws. Don't miss this book!!!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book!
Review: I have read two of Ms. Ripley's books, Scarlett and From Fields of Gold. Both are simply wonderful! Reading Scarlett years ago made me curious about Ms. Ripley's other works, and From Fields of Gold was NOT a disappointment! The characters are beautifully drawn, the details vivid, and the story moves at a wonderful pace. The main character, Chess, is multi-faceted and very interesting. Her husband, Nate, is also well-developed. You really get a FEELING of who these people are, how they think, what is important to them. Best of all was the ENDING! I won't reveal a thing except to say it is very, very satisfying! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: A Story of Gold!
Review: Once I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. It has a very romantic and exciting plot that keeps changing and surprising you throughout the story (almost like a soap opera). Alexandra Ripley is the most discriptive author I have ever encountered and this made it very easy to picture the whole story in my mind and made the book even more enjoyable to read. I love a romantic story that ends well and this fits the bill. Chess was my favorite character throughout the story because most of it is written from her point-of-view. If you like reading about post Civil War, American history and love stories I completely recomend this book for you. It's a must read!

Rating:
Summary: A Story of Gold!
Review: Once I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. It has a very romantic and exciting plot that keeps changing and surprising you throughout the story (almost like a soap opera). Alexandra Ripley is the most discriptive author I have ever encountered and this made it very easy to picture the whole story in my mind and made the book even more enjoyable to read. I love a romantic story that ends well and this fits the bill. Chess was my favorite character throughout the story because most of it is written from her point-of-view. If you like reading about post Civil War, American history and love stories I completely recomend this book for you. It's a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, A Must Read!
Review: This is by far one of her best books. I have read it twice and enjoyed it thoughoughly both times. Every time I read it I still can't put it down. The characters and plot are great. I love the ending and especially the clever last line of the book. Anyone who hasn't read it is missing out!

Rating:
Summary: A Good Book About the South
Review: This was a very good historical novel with likable characters and for the most part an intriguing plot. I never knew that Southerners and the English could be so scandalous! Chess is one of my favorites heroines ever, and Nate was interesting as well. I was so pleased with the ending, and any reader will be as well. I was a little displeased with Chess's behavior with Randall, not because she was having an affair, but with the utter consumption it had over her. And that Lily, wow, typical religious child gone wrong. Personally, I thought Ripley's Scarlett was superior, but I plan on reading her novels in the future.