Customer Reviews

After the Fire

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Belva Plain is one of those authors who I still insist upon reading. But now, after finishing After the Fire, I may very well pass on reading her books in the future. Known for her blockbuster hit, Evergreen and the continuation of this family saga, some years ago Plain ventured into more contemporary subjects. I for one sure whish she hadn't especially after reading this book and others like Homecoming and Fortune's Hand among other titles. Concentrating on issues like spousal abuse, blackmail, family issues, adultery and child abuse, I still long to read a book like Evergreen or even one like her more recent Legacy of Secrets which was her last good book.

The theme of After the Fire is once again rich girl marries poor doctor man and whle their lives shoulde picture perfect, they're not. And in one moment the husband is in a postion not only to divorce his wife but also to sue for custody of their children. The remaninder of the book is predictable but all the while I wondered why the woman didn't pursue his allegations and clear her name.

I'm sorry I can't wholeheartedly recommend this book even as a beach read and am still longing for another great read from Belva.

If I hadn't read other books by Belva Plain, I would give this book 5 stars. It was a good book, but she has done so much better in books like Evergreen and Legacy of Silence. This was a fast read (I did it in 3 days, along with working 8 hours each day and studying) and I was wrapt until the middle of the book, when I realized exactly what was going to happen. I finished the book, with hopes that I was incorrect. I was disappointed with the transparent climax, but overall this is worthwhile, especially if you haven't read any of Plain's greater works or can forget that you have.

When Hyacinth meets her future husband (soon to be a successful doctor) Gerald, her mother doesn't trust him. As time goes by he charms everyone. A fire leads to blackmail, divorce, and the issue of custody. Arnie, the partner to Gerald in their medical practice tries to make everyone happy. But does he have a motive for this. This was an excellent book I could not put down. I loved it.

Once again, Belva Plain has written a compelling family storythat was hard to put down. I have read all of her novels and enjoyed"After the Fire" immensely. The characters are interesting and believable; and the story combines both tragedy and happiness. A must read for her fans. You won't be disappointed.

This book falls into the category of what I call Grandma or Mothers Day books--probably given as a gift.
Hyacinth,a quiet,gentle and totally non-sophisticated girl is swept off her feet by a handsome,go-getting young doctor who is quick to seize any opportunities to advance his career.Against the advice of her mother,she marries him and sublimates her budding artistic career to him and their subsequent children.Unfortunately, Hyacinth is too much of an innocent to realise that this monster is "Gaslighting" her into a state of subjugation to the point where he forces her into a divorce and the signing away of her children.He convinces her that she's guilty of a criminal offence which,if brought to light would ruin the lives of her family.I am normally a fairly mild mannered person but I could cheerfully have punched this excuse for a man till he was a pulp! After many lonely years,she meets a new love who sets her on the path to newly realised talents and who helps her to rediscover her self confidence and future happiness with him and her reclaimed children.

This is the story of the marriage of Hyacinth and Gerald. Hyacinth is a romantic, naïve, young artist who believes in true love and in the integrity of Gerald; her new husband fresh out of medical school. Gerald has big plans for the future and a need for the society that Hyacinth's family can provide. Hyacinth's needs are those of any wide-eyed young girl who has lived in the shadow of a beautiful mother. She needs only the true love that she doesn't believe she truly deserves.

The reader enters Hyacinth's world, feels her trust in the man she loves, and lives her heartbreak as the marriage slowly dissolves, taking her children with it in an ugly divorce based on blackmail. We follow Hyacinth as she finds the courage to make her way alone, while grieving for her children and for the comfort and warmth of the home she had made with them. Her intense love for Gerald turns to hate and to a fierce determination to get her children back. In After the Fire, Belva Plain skillfully weaves the tendrils of suspense in a story filled with joy, betrayal, sadness, and ultimate victory!

Gerald and Hyacinth are the picture perfect couple. She a beautiful artist, he a brilliant surgeon, and two wonderful children. Their marriage is the envy of all their friends, until...

One night a mysterious phone call prompts Hy to look deeply into her marriage. After confronting her husband about his infidelity, Hy goes into a downward-spiral leaving her acccused of commiting an unthinkable act. An act that will ultimitely leave her husband-less, and child-less.

For fear of what Gerald will do with what he knows, Hy must never speak about what happened, not even to her mother Francine, who always hated Gerald anyway. But as time goes by she realizes she must face what happened on the night in question if she is to get her children back.

"After The Fire" is a page-turning family saga as only Belva Plain could write. The characters well-developed, the plot realistic and thoroughly entertaining.

Belva Plain has written another bestseller about a family in crisis that will fly up the bestseller list's.

Nick Gonnella

Expecting a decent read, I was severely disappointed as I have read other Belva Plain books. The character of Hyacinth is totally unbelievable. How can a person live in this world and be so utterly ignorant of what real life is? The further I got into the story, the more incredulous and indignant I became. She allowed her husband to victimize her. Yes, he was despicable but she took it all. If this woman loved her children and wanted them with her as much as she claimed, she would have at least pursued some kind of second opinion, confidential consultation, something! And what about any true and lasting remorse expressed for the accidental death? She only expresses fear of spending time in jail. The woman exists in a complete cocoon. How sympathetic is that for a character? Spare yourself this book.

I always read Belva Plain's new books since I have enjoyed her previous books very much. I found this book to be predictable from the onset. I looked at the front of the book twice to be sure I hadn't inadvertently grabbed a Danielle Steele book from the library shelves. The story line is a standard and I found nothing redeeming or unique in any of the characters. I didn't feel any empathy for Hyacinth's situation since it seemed totally unrealistic that she would have relinquished her children without resorting to every possible alternative. I am certain that Belva Plain will return to her previous writing style with her next book(s)...please.

Gerald and Hyacinth appeared to have a perfect marriage, blessed with two beautiful children. However, when cracks appeared (or were the cracks there all along?), there was no stopping the swift breakdown of the marriage and the bitterness that came with it. Gerald had the upper hand in the divorce as he successfully blackmailed Hyacinth into letting him have the custody of both children. Pressured by Gerald, but unable to divulge the secret behind his blackmail to anyone, only when the mystery surrounding the fateful night was solved would Hyacinth be able to get on with her life.

The plot was gripping. However, the impressive part was the way the emotional aspects in the book was handled. The sweetness of being in love, the tension between mother and daughter, the bitterness of a marriage breakdown, the pressure and burden of keeping a terrible secret, and the pain of losing loved ones were well-explored. Subtle, but intense at the same time.