A Catch of Consequence

Rating:
Summary: an entertaining romance
Review: In 1765 Boston, tavern manager Makepeace Burke despises the English crown and aristocracy for what they are doing to her and her fellow colonists. However, that does not stop the twenty-four year old from rescuing Sir Philip Dapifer from drowning in the Charles River. Her Good Samaritan deed leads to her ostracism from her friends and other patriots.

Philip falls in love with his savior and returns the favor by sneaking her on board a ship bound to England. They marry on the vessel, but Makepeace finds life in England worse than Boston because the locals treat her with scorn for being a Yankee. As she adapts to her new life, Makepeace stays true to her beliefs of equality across the Anglo Atlantic, between classes, and between genders.

Though in many ways Makepeace is an anachronism seemingly more suited o live in today's society than the pre-Revolutionary War era, readers will admire her spunk. The story line enables the audience to taste life just before the war in Boston and London with an emphasis on the disparity of opinions. This fascinating dual look at the dichotomy make for a vividly fine historical tale that shows Diana Norman can paint multiple perspectives without dismissing either side inside an entertaining romance.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: an entertaining romance
Review: In 1765 Boston, tavern manager Makepeace Burke despises the English crown and aristocracy for what they are doing to her and her fellow colonists. However, that does not stop the twenty-four year old from rescuing Sir Philip Dapifer from drowning in the Charles River. Her Good Samaritan deed leads to her ostracism from her friends and other patriots.

Philip falls in love with his savior and returns the favor by sneaking her on board a ship bound to England. They marry on the vessel, but Makepeace finds life in England worse than Boston because the locals treat her with scorn for being a Yankee. As she adapts to her new life, Makepeace stays true to her beliefs of equality across the Anglo Atlantic, between classes, and between genders.

Though in many ways Makepeace is an anachronism seemingly more suited o live in today's society than the pre-Revolutionary War era, readers will admire her spunk. The story line enables the audience to taste life just before the war in Boston and London with an emphasis on the disparity of opinions. This fascinating dual look at the dichotomy make for a vividly fine historical tale that shows Diana Norman can paint multiple perspectives without dismissing either side inside an entertaining romance.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: An unforgettable gem of a story
Review: Makepeace Burke's story starts out in 1765 on Boston's waterfront in uncertain times. Her rescue of a drowning Englishman propels her into a future of adventure, heroism, passion and independence that will keep you reading well past midnight. Her character is thoroughly enjoyable as well as the people she surrounds herself with. The book is full of unexpected turns and such emotional intensity at times, that it has become one of the top favorite books I've had the pleasure to read more than once. You won't be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: An unforgettable gem of a story
Review: Makepeace Burke's story starts out in 1765 on Boston's waterfront in uncertain times. Her rescue of a drowning Englishman propels her into a future of adventure, heroism, passion and independence that will keep you reading well past midnight. Her character is thoroughly enjoyable as well as the people she surrounds herself with. The book is full of unexpected turns and such emotional intensity at times, that it has become one of the top favorite books I've had the pleasure to read more than once. You won't be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: Could have been better
Review: Maybe my expectations were too high. This book was entertaining, and written from an interesting perspective. The story itself had a lot of potential for being great...but it was not great.
I wouldn't consider this a romance. It's not so much about the love story of the main character as it is about how the things that happen to her change her. If you're looking for a really moving love story, you'll be disappointed.
"A Catch of Consequence" was certainly worth reading, but based on other reviews, and the summary of the story, I was just expecting something with a little more substance.
So, don't expect the artistry of Diana Gabaldon, but read it anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Started out very good
Review: This book starts out very good. Then about half way through it slows down to a snails pace.

-- DON'T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK YET AND DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS --



After Pip dies and she starts plotting revenge and getting involved in coal, I had to force myself to keep reading. I did finally finish the book but it was with relief as opposed to contentment. I understand points the author was trying to make about woman power and the difficulty of making their own money in the 1700's and I applaud her for that. I just wish she could have done the second half of the book in a more interesting manner.

I would still highly recommend reading at least the first half of the book. It was very interesting and well worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: This book is a great catch!
Review: What a wonderful novel! It is so full of surprises, whenever you think "Aha! I know just what is coming now!" you are wrong and the story takes an unsuspected turn that causes you to become "glued" to it. You really can't put it down! The plot, set in the 18th century (1765), is divided into three different parts corresponding to the three diferent locations where events take place. The main character, Makepeace Burkin, changes and evolves throughout the story, as she suffers the consequences of the "catch" the story begins with. Her solid puritan, egalitarian, business-oriented, no-nonsense American upbringing has made her hard-working, obstinate and fiercely independent, and it is a help in the moral choices she is constantly confronted with. However, the novel is not moralistic at all, and neither is the main character. She is a lovely tavern owner and supporter of the American cause against the British tyrants, who cannot imagine her life is going to take such a drastic turn. She has to stretch her moral principles indeed to cover many of the unbelievable, unimaginable situations she is involved in. There are many historically relevant themes in the novel, which is set in such interesting times and is narrrated from the point of view of an outsider (a colonial, a woman) who travels to the metropolis, Britain, and does not see it with much sympathy: she generally distrusts and despises the ruling classes and is confronted with many a hilarious, almost surrealistic situation whenever she is in the company of the rigid British aristocratic crowd in their own sophisticated home (Yes. Makepeace finds herself and her eccentric , lovable "family" in the tyrants' lair, in London) . However, those looking for a very romantic novel should be warned that, even though there IS a wonderful and heart-warming love story, the author does not overindulge in the romantic side of things. In fact, she is quite frugal and leaves quite a lot for the readers' imagination.
The greatest strengths of the novel are: it is a VERY GOOD story well told (a really good yarn) and the characters are all ROUND and well FLESHED OUT, even those that we only see for two pages and then dissapear. The highly interesting atmosphere of the era is described through the events or actions that affect the characters, the author never gives encyclopedia-like explanations.In short, it is a wonder how so much atmosphere, so vibrating a story, and such eccentric but believable characters
can be created by the author in just about 400 pages! Don't miss it! You won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Not Much of a Catch
Review: While I found the historical context of the story to be very interesting, unfortunately I found the story as a whole to be soap operish. It felt as though the author put more effort in getting as much history in as possible rather than writing a believable plot. By the second half of the book, I found myself to be reading in order to finish rather than reading for enjoyment. The ending does give some satisfaction, but I don't see myself recommending this book. It just seems too contrived which takes away from the message the author clearly intended. In a word, dissappointing.