Rating: 
Summary: Completely Enjoyable
Review: i was very impressed with Victoria Holt's storytelling capabilities. She just takes you on a journey through someone's entire lifetime. I was fascinated throughout the entire book. I never believed that i would read such a story. Over all the books that i have read for years, this is my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Completely Enjoyable
Review: i was very impressed with Victoria Holt's storytelling capabilities. She just takes you on a journey through someone's entire lifetime. I was fascinated throughout the entire book. I never believed that i would read such a story. Over all the books that i have read for years, this is my favorite.
Rating: 
Summary: enjoyable trash
Review: Let's talk trash. I mean, let's talk about trash. Trashy books, that is. But wait - who decides what's trash and what's not trash? Haven't you ever wondered whether there's some supreme council somewhere that issues decrees (perhaps in a sonorous voice, like God to Moses on Mt. Sinai): "THIS book shall only be sold in airports, and shall be considered TRASH and shall make some people who think themselves intellectuals ASHAMED to be seen reading it and shall be the kind of book that readers FORGET five minutes after they've turned the last page." But does being sold in an airport make something trash? Well, maybe in the U.S., but you can find some great books in airport bookstores in the U.K., Amsterdam, elsewhere. I guess it depends on the culture level of the folks where the airport is located. (Can I mock Americans, since I'm one? Okay, thanks, I will.) Now I've got a profound question: are there trashy books in French, Spanish, Italian? Is there a French Louis L'Amour (prolific trashy American Western writer)? An Italian Danielle Steel (prolific trashy American drama writer)? A German Barbara Cartland? (prolific trashy British romance writer. I think she's even a dame now, I mean a Dame now, so somebody thinks she's done something to be proud of). I dunno. Seems like those shiny white covers with foreign writing on them (usually with the title reading up the spine instead of down) make the book look like it it's gotta be literature, not trash. But let's extol the virtues of one of these trashy books you can find in rotating metal book stands in airports. I picked this one because I liked the nearly black cover and the mysterious eyes peeking over peacock feathers above the title. I wasn't disappointed. It's "enthralling", says the New York Times Book Review. I'm not sure I'd say it was "enthralling," nor would I say "appalling", but I might say something like "mildly enjoyable to read on a plane with lots of screaming babies because you don't have to concentrate very hard". The cover says, about the fan: "It was a beautiful, priceless heirloom that brought with its possession a curse ..." Oh boy, how exciting. I mean, how enthralling. Actually, I found the fan part of the story kind of flimsy. What I enjoyed was the good old-fashioned romance, the plain girl living in the church rectory, who grows up in the shadow of the gorgeous, wealthy Lavinia next door, who declines to marry the "solid, reliable" Colin, and instead finds herself attracted by the haughty Fabian, Lavinia's brother. I won't ruin it for you and tell you whether she gets the guy or not at the end, but I think you can guess. There's a nice middle part where she goes out to India, as well. Don't look for deep thoughts or historical insight, and don't be ashamed to enjoy it like I did. This book is just plain fun. Don't be a snob: buy trash!
Rating:
Summary: ** Highly Recommended **
Review: The central character of the book is Drusilla Delany. From her childhood Drusilla's life had been dominated by the Framling's - Lady Harriet, her son Fabian and her daughter Lavinia.
As a child Drusilla had played with Lavinia, and later they are sent away together to a finishing school in France. There Lavinia's wild and wayward behaviour leads them both into trouble.
After marrying, Lavinia leaves England for India, and later Drusilla accepts an opportunity to join her there as governess to Lavinia's children.
Arriving in Bombay Drusilla finds that Lavinia has not learned from her previous disasters.
The story moves between England, France and India and covers the period of the Indian Mutiny against the British in the mid 19th century. It is written mainly in the 1st person.
I didn't think this story would interest me, but I was enjoyably surprised; I think because the story is so well written.
Victoria Holt was one of the pseudonyms of Eleanor Alice Burford. After marrying she became Eleanor Alice Hibbert. Others she wrote under included Jean Plaidy, Ellalice Tate, Kathleen Kellow, Elbur Ford, Philippa Carr. She wrote almost 200 books under these names!
Her books are VERY addictive!
Sadly, most of her books are out of print at the date of this review. Some can be purchased on the Internet or from second-hand bookshops.
Rating:
Summary: I luved the book!
Review: This book is AMAZING! Ms. Holt did a wonderful job decribing Drusilla's feelings and the setting in which the book takes place. It's about a vicar's daughter who gets forced into becoming friends with selfish Lavinia Framling and helps her out in many ways ( like helping Lavinia through her pregnency of an ilegimate daughter ). Drusilla is faced with many problems throughout the book. One problem, deciding if she loves Fabian Framlimg ( Lavina's older brother ) who has admitted his feelings for her! This is a book that you will only find once in a life time. If you like Victoria Holt and romantic suspense and mystery than this book is for you! I will read this book probably 100 times and NEVER get sick of it! Yes, that's how good it is! READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: The BEST book I ever read!!!!
Review: This was the first V.H. I read and I loved it.This books different from the rest.I have read nearly 15 V.H.'s but this was the best.This was what made me pick the other's up.I must have read this book 50 times and loved it more each time.I picked it from the library so I tried to buy it but unfortunately I couldn't get it.Nearly everyone in my whole class has read it and each one has loved it. This is just gorgeous.The characters are potrayed so well that you can almost feel the story going on in front of your eyes. This is my all time favorite and I have yet to come across a better book. And I have checked out lots of writers! In my opinion everyone must check it out.But alas! opinions do differ.RIGHT?
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: This was the very first Victoria Holt book I read! It was great! This book hooked me on Victoria Holt and now I am a big fan of her's. A must READ
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