My Sweet Folly

Rating:
Summary: A book definitely worth reading.....
Review: "My Sweet Folly" was an interesting read. It opens with these wonderfully sweet letters, and it twists and turns into something completely unexpected. The love scenes in this book were extremely different..there was so much tension between the H/H..it was unbearably erotic and almost desperate when they came together.....I would have given this book 5 stars in a flash, but I feel that the relationship between Folie and Robert was pushed aside too many times to focus on other aspects of the plot..I felt that the book would have been better paced if about 50 pages were shaved off. Also...regarding Melinda...I would have liked for there to have been scenes between her and her "suitor".All in all, this was really a great read..if you like Laura Kinsale this book is very typical of her..it doesnt disappoint..and the epilogue couldnt be sweeter.

Rating:
Summary: If you like classics like Bronte and Austen....
Review: ...then you will cherish and delight in this novel. It had all the feel of Bronte's "Jane Eyre;" a dashing-yet-mysterious, seemingly demon-driven man who harbors dark secrets and even darker fears is saved from a rapid spiral into black despair and even madness by his practical, plain, yet brave and generous "Folly" (Folie). I am genuinely perplexed at the handful of negative reviews and would venture to guess that some readers may have expected something more in keeping with what's typically offered in today's "historical romance" genre, and thus were frustrated with Ms. Kinsale's departure from the recipe. Though there are passionate moments of physical intimacy between Robert and Folie, the romantic aspect of the book is much more emotional and visceral and thus more satisfying, in my opinion, than the redundant sexual exploits favored by many authors. There is a strong element of sexual desire, but it is not the sole focus of the book.

Kinsale is a superb storyteller. She is, I believe, the only author today who truly presents an accurate portrayal of the Victorian era, its etiquette, verbiage, and complex social mores. This talent of hers is particularly evident in "My Sweet Folly."

The characters in this novel are complex, yet endearing, remarkable, yet painfully human, and Kinsale weaves together a story of friendship and love, despair and madness, intrigue and mystery, and even subtle humor into a rich literary tapestry that was a genuine pleasure to read.

I beg to differ with the reviewer who was dismissive of the written correspondence between Folie and Robert which introduced the story and was the foundation of their relationship. I found the letters telling and deeply touching; one is able to witness what began as an innocent diversion for two lonely people grow not only into love, but into a lifeline for both Robert and Folie. I felt this method of writing was inspired! Robert and Folie, had they met in person, would never have had the opportunity to know one another on such a personal level, given their circumstances, let alone had the opportunity to fall in love; however, the premise of corresponding to a "stranger" on the other side of the world seemed to offer a certain freedom from inhibition which allowed both Robert and Folie to reveal themselves to one another in a way they never could have - or would have - in society.

The tenderness that develops between Robert and Folie in their correspondence is quite moving and romantic, (I re-read the letters several times) but their relationship becomes even more compelling when danger throws them together years after their ink-and-paper relationship ended on a heartbreaking note. It is then that both are confronted with the flesh-and-blood embodiment of their secret hopes and desires, and it is then that what began as a somewhat unrealistic romantic idealism grows into a deep, passionate need that neither foresaw.

If you expect more from romantic fiction, if you appreciate exceptional writing that can hold its own against the classics, and if you are ready for a memorable romantic adventure, do try "My Sweet Folly."

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: I did not love this as much as her other books I had read previously but it was an enjoyable read. Her characters are as usual, very intricate and deep. This book truly had me on my toes all along - is he insane or not or basically what the heck is going on? Lots of twists everywhere. I thoroughly loved the ending, it was my favorite part - how he finally told her he loved her, it was very fitting.

Rating:
Summary: Liked the beginning the best
Review: I loved the beginning of this novel. Laura Kinsale and the Gothic hero seem like the perfect combination. Is he insane? Or is someone really trying to kill him? Plus, the letters were charming.

But then, the plot went off in a different tangent, and it was as if another story was being told. It's the bizarre plot elements from the latter half keep this from getting a higher grade.

The characters are realistic, though they're not Kinsale's best. Or at least not her most interesting. Robert is not a typical Kinsale hero -- and perhaps this plot could have used one of those.

Read "The Flowers of the Storm" or "The Shadow and the Star" for a better Kinsale.

Anne M. Marble Reviewer, All About Romance

Rating:
Summary: An intoxicating read!
Review: I loved this story so much that I bought an extra copy, highlighted several parts that reminded me a lot of my husband and presented it to me in a romantic setting. That was years ago and he still has it in a place of honor!

When I saw it released in large print and hard back, I HAD to get it!

Readers, this book is FABULOUS! I found it intoxicating!

Rating:
Summary: A book that stands out on its own
Review: I thought that opening with the love letters was ingenious. I have read many romance novels, and they always follow the same path, frustratingly predictable. In this book you are constantly surprised, and the plot flows through the end of the book, whereas in others in stops three quarters of the way through, and the last part is usually about how deliriously happy the couple lives on, and different places where they make love. This one is definitely a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I totally agree with the reader from Texas. I enjoyed the first half of the book then it all went downhill. I'd recommend Kinsale's "Flowers from the Storm" I think it's her best.

Rating:
Summary: Great start, but goes downhill...
Review: I was just introduced to Laura Kinsale by the website All About Romance which recommended this book and FLOWERS FROM THE STORM. I read that book (challenging in parts and not an easy read emotionally) and then turned to this one. The introduction of the story was fantastic, with the love letter device being introduced and then the story of what was really happening in India to Robert being revealed only just before the end. The ending with the letters was great once again.

I loved the scenes showing how a country lady would have access to Lady Melbourne (herself the daughter of a country baronet originally) and through her to her daughter Lady Cowper and thus to Almack's. It was also fun reading about Almack from the perspective of one who was neither impressed by it nor cared very much for the high society in it. And this too from the perspective simply of a young widow who has nothing really to gain or lose except marrying her stepdaughter off suitably.

However, the middle of the book was really hard to follow, with too many accidents, too many sub-plots and generally too much of everything. The mystery element was well-done to a point: Why was Robert behaving so oddly? Who was Lander? Was Robert correct in suspecting Lander? But then things began to unravel. Yes, I could understand that Robert could not take Folly (whose real name is Folie) into his confidence. What man would say "I think I am going mad, but I also think I am being driven into madness through poison, and I don't know who is responsible."

Not only does Robert's reticence hurt the plot, but it also prevents the development of a further source of tension. The political element to the poisoning plot simply did not add much to the story. Frankly, a personal vendetta made more sense than a political vendetta (with Robert being used as a guinea pig). An unsavory relationship between Robert's first wife and her relative was hinted at, but we learnt relatively little about his first marriage. Basically, his actions during that time made little sense - such as: why did he not divorce his wife for adultery, or have the marriage annulled? The lack of information on this subject, and the lack of Robert's own reflections on that period (until very late in the story) made Robert seem either infatuated or already half-mad or perhaps both. And then, his writing the love letters to Folly made virtually no sense at all.

I don't know how Robert differs from the typical Kinsale hero, having read just two books of hers. I do wish that this book had focused more on the romance of Folly and Robert, and on Robert's first marriage. As it stands, the first part of the book is great (at least 4.5), but the second part of the book rates 2.5, which averages out to about 3.5 for the entire book. Definitely not a comfort read, in the same way that I re-read Quick's two books, but sometimes gripping.

Rating:
Summary: An exquisitely beautiful beginning; a badly botched ending.
Review: Kinsale can do better than this. Read this book for the beautiful first half, but be prepared for an ending which goes awry. Few writers of fiction today have Kinsale's talent, but more and more frequently, she cannot pull her plot together at the end. It is both mystifying and frustrating to us Kinsale fans.

Rating:
Summary: Unusual; I Loved It!
Review: Out of the ordinary. Extremely well written. I am sort of a harsh critic and I have only praise for the characterizations, plot, writing. I thank the author for gifting readers with this book.