The Steadfast

Rating:
Summary: If Anne Perry were a man, this is the book she'd write...
Review: A lot of historical fiction books, particularly stories which take place in Victorian England, aren't known for their dash or thrill factor, but this novel is definitely the exception. Schweitzer's main character, Morris Moneypenny, is an architect who is bright and creative, but also very knowledgable about what you might call "guy stuff"...ale, ancient warfare, tall tales, and a wide range of other subjects. He uses this knowledge to woo clients and survive the dangerous situations he finds himself in.

I work in carpentry and the woodcrafts, so I enjoy reading about the characters who are building the house Moneypenny designs. Schweitzer manages to weave the story about building his client's house in and out of the main plot, which involves development of weapons,spies, political plots, international tension and anarchists. Strangely, I felt many of the things going on in the book reflected today's situation...substitute Al Quaeda for the anarchists and the USA for England, and you can see some of the parallels very clearly. It will make you think.

Some of the characters' sentiments might seem a little old-fashioned to some people today, but in a way, Schweitzer makes them refreshing. Overall, this is an incredible story--and the ending is outrageous. There are a lot of twists and turns along the way, too. Probably rates 4-1/2 stars; it definitely stands out among books written about this time period.

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling and personally involving reading
Review: Set in London at the close of the nineteenth century, The Steadfast by M. A. Schweitzer is a compelling and articulate novel about an honorable and well-rounded renaissance man who is drawn into the conflicting and dangerous world of violent figures who strive to topple governments and thrust Europe into war. Sharply written, with unforeseen twists and turns of plot, The Steadfast is highly recommended as being both thrilling and personally involving reading.