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: Gets better on the second reading
Review: I picked up the trade paperback copy of this book at a local store (sorry, Amazon). It was thick and oversized which is just what I like. However, it was in the Fiction section. I was expecting something with more history and less you-know-what. As I read this, it seems MUCH more like a romance novel than a book of historical fiction. If romance novels are your cup of tea, go for it.As I read it the first time I was slightly disgusted with all the sex and with some of the characters being rather two-dimensional (notably Diana, the mother of the heroine, and Tony, her cousin). The Duchess (grandmother of the heroine) is always irritable and snappy, even when she's being loving, and the heroine, Barbara, spends most of the novel in emotional turmoil about her marriage. But it does have a good effect of transporting the reader to the era, so I reread it, and once I was able to mentally class it as "romance" and not "fiction" it was enjoyable as a sex-filled period romp. Though I could do without all the sex scenes. So, it's all right, but I wouldn't rave about 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: This book made me cry...
Review: ...it is a terrific love story, really a bunch of love stories, all poignant. The relationship between Barbara and her grandmother is beautiful, the relationship between Barbara and her husband, DeVane, is tragic. Someone else called this the story of a dysfunctional family---that was an understatement! Set against the intrigues of the French court in the early 1700's and the South Sea Bubble venture, this is the story of a headstrong young woman who's determined to marry a man clearly not right for her, a man whose romantic and sexual past will come back to haunt the girl he marries. Koen pulls no punches. People die, children become ill, fortunes disappear, lives are ruined, love affairs turn out badly, but the wonderful Barbara will get through it all and emerge a stronger, better woman. Get out your handkerchiefs! The biggest problem I have with Karleen Koen's great big terrific historical novels is that she writes so few of them. She can give the more prolific Diana Gabaldon a good run for her money!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Historical Romance since Forever Amber!!!
Review: I have read this book twice now and am seriously thinking about reading it again this summer. The first time I read it-it was an absolute delight. I am hooked on historical romances and this one takes the cake. I have not been able to find another novel that compares to its beauty. The characters and story line are wonderful. The vivid attention to detail puts you right there. I hope that Ms. Koen continues to write historical romance. Her style of writing cannot be repeated. Thanks for a great book! Avid fan!
Rating:
Summary: READING RARELY GETS BETTER THAN THIS!
Review: Yes, Yes, Yes! THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY is so good. I can't believe it took me nearly ten years to get to this book. I can honestly say I haven't been this enthralled with a book since I read THE PROUD BREED (by Celeste DeBlasis) approximately three years ago. All 750+ pages have been absolutely compelling reading. It takes place in London and Paris in the early 1700s. 15 year-old Barbara Ackerly is the granddaughter of the Duke and Duchess of Tamworth and has been raised in proper society standards. Her mother is attempting to arrange a marriage between her and an old family friend, Roger Montgeoffrey, Lord Devane. Roger is 42-years-old and Barbara has had a crush on him since she was about 10. Barbara's mother, Diana, a beautiful but nasty woman who likes to sleep around and is attempting to arrange the marriage in order to help pay off her enormous debts. Roger is interested in Barbara because by marrying her he will get the deed to some property he wants to develop. (Barbara's mother is deeply in debt due to her estranged husband's drinking and gambling). Barbara is excited at the prospect of marrying Roger. She just knows she can make him love her. However, Barbara's aunt has other ideas. She wants the property for her son, Tony, who is the latest Duke of Tamworth and does everything in her power so that the Barbara/Roger wedding does not become a reality. The story goes on from there. To tell much more would rob the reader of the pleasure of discovering all its drama for themselves. The characters are so real that I feel I know them. This is more of a historical novel than a romance. Sex scenes are not detailed. I have to give this a 5***** rating. It goes on my keeper shelf and on my list of favorite books of all time.
Rating:
Summary: A fabulous read!
Review: Yes, Yes, Yes!! THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY is so good. I can't believe it took me nearly ten years to get to this book. I was absolutely enthralled with the book and put it up there with the likes of some of my other all-time favorite historical fiction such as THE PROUD BREED by Celeste DeBlasis and KATHERINE by Anya Seton. It takes place in London and Paris in the early 1700s. 15 year-old Barbara Ackerly is the granddaughter of the Duke and Duchess of Tamworth and has been raised in proper society standards. Her mother is attempting to arrange a marriage between her and an old family friend, Roger Montgeoffrey, Lord Devane. Roger is 42-years-old and Barbara has had a crush on him since she was about 10. Barbara's mother, Diana, a beautiful but nasty woman who likes to sleep around and is attempting to arrange the marriage in order to help pay off her enormous debts. Roger is interested in Barbara because by marrying her he will get the deed to some property he wants to develop. (Barbara's mother is deeply in debt due to her estranged husband's drinking and gambling). Barbara is excited at the prospect of marrying Roger. She just knows she can make him love her. However, Barbara's aunt has other ideas. She wants the property for her son, Tony, who is the latest Duke of Tamworth and does everything in her power so that the Barbara/Roger wedding does not become a reality. The story goes on from there. To tell much more would rob the reader of the pleasure of discovering all its drama for themselves. The characters are so real that I feel I know them. This is more of a historical novel than a romance. Sex scenes are not detailed. I have to give this a 5***** rating. It goes on my keeper shelf and on my list of favorite books of all time. I did try to read the sequel, but could never really get into it and gave up fairly early. I may try again later.
Rating:
Summary: bad boy reviews
Review: through the glass darkly is one of the greatest romance novels of all time. Simply because of the way Koen makes the characters come alive. Each significant female character holds her own. Diana's heartlesness,Barbarba's love, Theresa's poverty and the grandmothers age, make each one human.
Barabara's love for her husband is both compelling and realistic. Koen shows step by step their love for each other develop.
This book is amazing, heartstopping, beautiful, poetic and deep. You can read it multiple times but still come away with something different.
If you want to discover love the bitterness of life Read it. It's worth it
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST HISTORICAL FICTION (romantic) BOOKS!!
Review: Through A Glass Darkly will take you to the splendors of a lost time!! Like all great historical fiction it is full of characters so compelling they create their own world!! This is a story of a great family ruled by a woman of extraordinary charms, beauty, power!! Do not miss this book or its sequel Now Face to Face!!
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.
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