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After the Fire (Random House Large Print)
 
 
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After the Fire (Random House Large Print) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Belva Plain (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)


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Book Description

April 18, 2000 Random House Large Print
It began almost like a fairy tale. Plain Jane and Prince Charming met in college, fell in love, and were married soon after graduation. She shelved her dreams of a career as a painter to help him through medical school, and to be the perfect doctor's wife. He became a successful plastic surgeon and they had two beautiful children together.

But real life is no fairy tale. Suspecting there was another woman behind his erratic schedule, she went to his office to confront him. What happens that night leads to the end of a marriage and the breakup of a family.

Like Whispers, Belva Plain's novel about spousal abuse, After The Fire deals with one of the more provocative issues of our time: the battle of child custody as a woman finds herself overpowered by her husband's ruthless actions. Here is the story of one such woman who, in the aftermath of an ugly divorce, alone must rebuild her world, find the strength and wherewithal to live in it, and regain a life with her children.

Only Belva Plain, with her insight into the American family and the hearts of those who comprise it, could create a novel like this, showing that sometimes even real life can have a happy ending.

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

When young artist Hyacinth falls in love with and marries Gerald, a medical student, she thinks she has found heaven. But like many marriages, this one founders. Then one night in desperation Hyacinth commits an act for which she will pay dearly, giving Gerald the reason he needs to gain uncontested custody of their two young children. However, despite the anguish over her children and her broken marriage, Hyacinth takes a fashion design course and quickly rises to the top of her profession. Although known and admired for her portrayals of families in all their complexity, Plain's (Legacy of Silence) characters in this book fail to be convincing. The combination of Hyacinth's na?vet? and meteoric assent in the fashion business strains believability. The author's strength, however, lies in her ability to sustain suspense throughout the story, leaving listeners wondering about "the secret" until the end. Kate Harper reads with skill and emotion, rendering both male and female voices effectively. The tape quality is excellent. Recommended for popular fiction collections. Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Belva Plain doesn't know how not to write a bestseller."—Newsday

"Belva Plain is in a class by herself!" —The New York Times


From the Paperback edition.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 544 pages
  • Publisher: Random House Large Print (April 18, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0375409769
  • ISBN-13: 978-0375409769
  • Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,266,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

31 Reviews
5 star:
 (11)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (5)
2 star:
 (5)
1 star:
 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (31 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Sorry I read this title!, June 27, 2000
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.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Plain and Predicatable, but still worth reading, May 29, 2000
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.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Mother Knows Best, May 8, 2000
By A Customer
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.
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