Rating: 
Summary: I cried my heart out this is the best book I have yet read!
Review: "Through A Glass Darkly" is the most, heart-wrenching, attention grabber, poignant, love story that I have yet read. The details of the late 1700's in England and France captured my attention and the way Koen writes the characters feelings, thoughts, and actions that literally passed through me and into my very core. It has the strength to make even me, a very tough, and hard pleasing person, cry and worry over the characters' dilemmas. Since I do not have much time on me, I must wrap things up. This is the best novel that I have read so far its twists and turns kept me turning pages from early morn to late at night wondering what would happen next until everything ended. I love this book so much I went out and bought it right after I finished (I had rented the book from the library when I first read it) it! I would totally recommend this book to any fan of: heartbreaking love affairs, old English/French history and of course a long, hearty 743 page novel to pass the time reading.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Romance
Review: Although this sort of period romance isn't my usual cup of tea, "Through A Glass Darkly" remains one of my favorite novels, one that I've reread many times. The characters are vividly drawn, the story is engrossing, the writing style is lush. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: I COULDN'T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN AND HAVE NO IDEA WHY!
Review: I guess it is the wonderful writing that made "Through a Glass Darkly" such a compelling page-turner. I loved all the descriptions of the British aristocracy (or should I say the 'idle rich'?) during the early 1700's. And I was intrigued and repulsed by the images of the French royalty (and their patrician friends and acquaintances) and the lurid and decadent details of their nightlife. Learning about the workings of Tamworth, the lovely estate that is central to the story was absolutely fascinating. When I read a book, I like to transport myself into the principal character (or the female who is closest to the lead). Even with the 'Harry Potter' series, I can visualize myself (quite easily) as a student at Hogwarts. I could not see myself as Barbara Aderley. I can't imagine falling madly in love with a man who was almost 30 years older than me WHEN I WAS TEN! Throughout the entire novel, we are constantly reminded what a good, kind, honorable, and decent man was Roger Montgeoffry. I'm sorry; I just couldn't see those qualities. To me, he was a selfish, thoughtless individual who lived a very immoral and depraved life. And I am not referring to his 'little secret'! He was a horrible husband who had no qualms about leaving his fifteen year old wife (for more self indulgences) immediately following a horrible tragedy. Throughout all of this Barbara remained in love with Roger--I can't understand it. Wouldn't these events have been an impetus to sever the relationship (for most normal people)? I also felt cheated because supposedly Roger had promised an explanation for his actions--and we never received it. I love fairytales--any book or movie where there is joy and most definitely 'happy ever after.' There is very little joy in this saga; very few people are kind and there is a lot of death (read with kleenex). I really wanted something good to happen to Barbara, Therese and to poor Tony (who started off being fat, stupid and insecure and then morphed into movie star good looks, confidence and intelligence) but nothing ever did. I recommend THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY to anyone who enjoys a well-written historical novel. If you enjoy a warm fuzzy book, then read Rosemund Pilcher (my preference!).
Rating:
Summary: Why Has It Taken Me So Long To Read This Book?
Review: I had heard about this book some time ago, but only just got around to reading it recently. Most likely because I have an unsatiable hunger for GOOD historical fiction. "Through A Glass Darkly" more than hits the mark for qualifying in this category. I found the beginning a bit slow, but it could have just taken me some time to get used to the large cast of characters. After that, the book just sails. At first, I found young Barbara's declared "love" for the much older Roger to be a bit much, too unbelievable by far. Of course, I realized it only adds to the degree of pain the heroine suffers when she discovers the hidden truth to Roger. Any experienced reader will be able to pick up the many clues to Roger's BIG SECRET which are peppered throughout the first half of the book, prior to it's revelation. A host of strong secondary characters play integral roles in moving this story forward. The Duchess, Barbara's grandmother is a fiesty old battle axe whose presence adds some humor to the tale. Barbara's mother, Diana , flawlessly plays the role of a woman who whores herself for her own selfish purposes . Diana's nemesis, her sister in law and Barbara's aunt Abigail is another humorous character; a busbody trying to advance the interests of her son Tony, the current Duke of Tamworth. At first Tony come off as a fat bumbling idiot, but by the end of the book he's a slim, dashing young man, who happens to be in love with his cousin Barbara. What a tangled web. I found myself rooting for Tony and Barbara to end up together. I was thrilled to learn of the sequel "Now Face To Face," in the hopes they may end up together yet. This book is more historical fiction than a true romance. It covers, in great detail, economics, politics and social mores of early 1700's England. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves big beefy works of historical fiction. It will not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Why Has It Taken Me So Long To Read This Book?
Review: I had heard about this book some time ago, but only just got around to reading it recently. Most likely because I have an unsatiable hunger for GOOD historical fiction. "Through A Glass Darkly" more than hits the mark for qualifying in this category. I found the beginning a bit slow, but it could have just taken me some time to get used to the large cast of characters. After that, the book just sails. At first, I found young Barbara's declared "love" for the much older Roger to be a bit much, too unbelievable by far. Of course, I realized it only adds to the degree of pain the heroine suffers when she discovers the hidden truth to Roger. Any experienced reader will be able to pick up the many clues to Roger's BIG SECRET which are peppered throughout the first half of the book, prior to it's revelation. A host of strong secondary characters play integral roles in moving this story forward. The Duchess, Barbara's grandmother is a fiesty old battle axe whose presence adds some humor to the tale. Barbara's mother, Diana , flawlessly plays the role of a woman who whores herself for her own selfish purposes . Diana's nemesis, her sister in law and Barbara's aunt Abigail is another humorous character; a busbody trying to advance the interests of her son Tony, the current Duke of Tamworth. At first Tony come off as a fat bumbling idiot, but by the end of the book he's a slim, dashing young man, who happens to be in love with his cousin Barbara. What a tangled web. I found myself rooting for Tony and Barbara to end up together. I was thrilled to learn of the sequel "Now Face To Face," in the hopes they may end up together yet. This book is more historical fiction than a true romance. It covers, in great detail, economics, politics and social mores of early 1700's England. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves big beefy works of historical fiction. It will not disappoint.
Rating:
Summary: Great balance of history and fiction!
Review: I have read both this book and its sequel both twice thru, it's that great. The author's ability to blend historical fact into such an interesting plot line is amazing. Most books I read that try to involve historical politics tempt me to skip ahead due to boredom, but not this book! The characters' individuality makes for realistic interaction and conflict. I couldn't help but read this book in no more than five or six sittings. It really is quite a sizeable book, but if it's the type of reading that catches your attention, pick it up, set yourself down, and prepare for one of the most realistic, captivating, enjoyable treks into the fictitious past.
Rating:
Summary: Epic and timeless
Review: I read this book about a year after it was published, and I loved it. Recently, I decided to purchase it and read it again, and now I love it even more. Karleen Koen does a phenomenal job of taking the reader past sympathy for the characters, and actually making you feel empathetic as you read the book.
Barbara is a timeless heroine, going from naive first love to the disillusioned acceptance of her married life, she starts the book as a child and emerges a young, strong, woman.
This book possesses all of the things that make historical romance great: diverse characters, rich descriptions of opulent settings, politics, corruption, fashion and manners. But the underlying themes of unconditional love, and undying faith are the things that really make this a novel worth reading.
Although this book appears voluminous and long, the story is so well written and plot driven that the 700+ pages seem not to be enough.
Barbara and Roger made me cry, Diana made me laugh. Much like life, this book offers the bitter and the sweet. Excellent writing and enriching reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated
Review: Koen did her research, and that's to her credit. But the plot was sluggish, the characters flat and I simply could not force myself to care. It was only by sheer force of will that I finished it at all. If you're really looking for a "fluffy" novel with plenty of melodrama, you might like this book. I, however, was searching for something with more meat to it...
Rating:
Summary: Ten stars please
Review: This brilliant, if weighty novel made its appearance sometime around 1986. Lush and engrossing, it is truly like no other novel. A hybrid of romance, historical fact, and mystery (though not in the usual sense) it is difficult to write a compelling review of this work without giving away some of its secrets. And secrets it does possess. Perhaps the reason for my reticence will be explained when I describe the circumstances which first brought me to this work. Rifling though a bin at one of the major book retailers in Manhattan (the bin containing books with no jacket), this intriguing title caught my eye. With not inside flap to offer any description and no review blurbs on the back, I was at a loss as to what I was about to encounter. Finding the style easy and flowing, and the story interesting enough, I leisurely padded my way through the first several chapters. But then something happened. Call it a "hook," call it anything you will, but the can of worms Koen opened up with the development of the characters took hold and there was simply not putting this book down. Innocent, young and pretty Barbara Anderley has led a sheltered life. When she and her sister and brothers were abandoned by her courtesan mother, they were taken in by a doting grandmother. Life on their 18th century country estate was a somewhat isolated and protected one. We follow Barbara from age 15 up until she is 21, and if we thought her formative years were an education, what she learns about her husband, his peccadilloes, sex in general, and the world around her will make most heads spin. If you look up "dark secrets" in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of Barbara's husband, Roger. Suffice it to say the trials and tribulations of married life that Barbara goes through will leave you gasping for air. Through a Glass Darkly is filled with sex scenes, but the descriptions are anything but offensive and they are so well woven into the plot that you won't be able to imagine the book without them. What happens to Barbara, the protagonist in the novel, and how Koen keeps the tension up to the climax is sheer genius.
Rating:
Summary: vividly rich characters come to life in this novel.
Review: Through A Glass Darkly is my favorite novel of all time. Simply put this novel is a masterpiece of writing.The setting, 18th-century London and France. The main character, Barbara Alderley, a young girl from a wealthy family is married off to a much older man by the name of Roger Montgeoffry.This is a magnificent tale in which the reader becomes swept up in the turmoil that ensues as the novel progresses. The characters in which there are many come to life due to the wonderful way in which the author Karleen Koen writes them. The novel is overaught with emotion,the description of places and settings in the novel are rich and glorius. You will come to know the characters on an intimate level. Loving some and loathing others. I loved the way in which the author wrote the book to show it's many layers so that you understand the smaller characters in the novel as well as the main ones.This is a gripping and tragic tale but also densely atmospheric. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.
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