Rating: 
Summary: An amazing literary work
Review: What an amazing book! The brief storyline offered above piqued my interest but in no way prepared me for the depth of feelings and emotions I would experience when I met Charlotte and later, Justin. Having lived through a harrowing experience in her rape, Charlotte makes a very difficult decision to give birth to and abandon her baby. Years later, alone and lonely, she makes her way to the house of Gentle Men to befriend Justin, a man trying to atone for his sins of the past. The theme of the book is atoning for one's sins and forgiveness - Charlotte must not only forgive the soldier who took away her innocence, but she must also forgive herself for abandoning her baby. Hepinstall cleverly contrasts sex without love to intimacy without sex and emphasizes that you need a balance to make the best relationship. Through the house of Gentle Men, Charlotte and Justin aren't the only characters who seek and attain forgiveness - you'll have to read the book to learn more!For a first book, this is an excellent start and I hope to find more by Hepinstall very soon! Highly recommended and I will pass it on to everyone I know.
Rating:
Summary: Astounding and Amazing!
Review: When I was first approached by the author herself, about reading her book, I was intrigued and compelled. It's not often that an author takes the first step in the hopes that you might read their book. So, that was a great start for me. Second, this book was amazing. I was shocked by reaction and strong feelings in regard to character and storyline. From a powerfully violent beginning, to a story of redemption, and the hope and dream of happiness, I found so many wonderful things about this novel. Main character, Charlotte, is a broken shell of a young women but, grows and heals with the help of so many around her. I loved the whole idea of "The House of Gentle Men." It's a wonderfully classic and cleaver story with a new twist. Sincerely, this is a great book and I think a real treat for any serious reader. Thank you, Kathy Hepinstall. I really loved your book.
Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking and wonderful read!
Review: When this book was first published and I read the dust cover, I thought I would never enjoy this book. Even raving comments about this book from other readers never encouraged me to read this book. But this year my book group chose this title and I decided to at least give it a try. In other words I wouldn't judge the book by the dust cover. And now that I finally did read it I am so glad that this group chose the book and I finally did read it. From almost the first page the book invited me in and and didn't let go until the last page which I still think about. House of Gentle Men by Kathy Hepinstall is a poignant, lyrical read which at times is also violent. The plot focuses on a former husband and father who after World War II establishes a house for men who have done wrong deeds. In this house men will seek redemption by being kind to abused women and will in turn become gentle men and gentlemen. Then a a former soldier seeks out the house hoping to be redeemed for a deed he did several years ago in the same town. There he will meet two very different women who will forever change his life as he will change theirs lives. House of Gentle Men which deals with different kinds of love,unrequited love,loyalty but most of all redemption, is riveting and thought provoking. From the very beginning I was entranced by the character of Charlotte and the occupants of the gentle house. This was a wonderful book and I do recommend it if you are looking for a poignant book with vivid characters, an interesting plot and an ending which I never saw coming and to this day wonder what really happened. I now look forward to reading Absence of Nectar and Prince of Lost Places, Hepinstall's other books which I have heard are equally as good as House of Gentle Men. I recommend you read this book and see if you found it as wonderful as I did.
Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking and wonderful read!
Review: When this book was first published and I read the dust cover, I thought I would never enjoy this book. Even raving comments about this book from other readers never encouraged me to read this book. But this year my book group chose this title and I decided to at least give it a try. In other words I wouldn't judge the book by the dust cover. And now that I finally did read it I am so glad that this group chose the book and I finally did read it. From almost the first page the book invited me in and and didn't let go until the last page which I still think about. House of Gentle Men by Kathy Hepinstall is a poignant, lyrical read which at times is also violent. The plot focuses on a former husband and father who after World War II establishes a house for men who have done wrong deeds. In this house men will seek redemption by being kind to abused women and will in turn become gentle men and gentlemen. Then a a former soldier seeks out the house hoping to be redeemed for a deed he did several years ago in the same town. There he will meet two very different women who will forever change his life as he will change theirs lives. House of Gentle Men which deals with different kinds of love,unrequited love,loyalty but most of all redemption, is riveting and thought provoking. From the very beginning I was entranced by the character of Charlotte and the occupants of the gentle house. This was a wonderful book and I do recommend it if you are looking for a poignant book with vivid characters, an interesting plot and an ending which I never saw coming and to this day wonder what really happened. I now look forward to reading Absence of Nectar and Prince of Lost Places, Hepinstall's other books which I have heard are equally as good as House of Gentle Men. I recommend you read this book and see if you found it as wonderful as I did.
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