Customer Reviews

A Catch of Consequence (Makepeace Hedley)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What a wonderful novel! It is so full of surprises, whenever you think "Aha! I know just what is coming now!" you are wrong and the story takes an unsuspected turn that causes you to become "glued" to it. You really can't put it down!

The plot, set in the 18th century (1765), is divided into three different parts corresponding to the three diferent locations where events take place. The main character, Makepeace Burkin, changes and evolves throughout the story, as she suffers the consequences of the "catch" the story begins with. Her solid puritan, egalitarian, business-oriented, no-nonsense American upbringing has made her hard-working, obstinate and fiercely independent, and it is a help in the moral choices she is constantly confronted with. However, the novel is not moralistic at all, and neither is the main character. She is a lovely tavern owner and supporter of the American cause against the British tyrants, who cannot imagine her life is going to take such a drastic turn. She has to stretch her moral principles indeed to cover many of the unbelievable, unimaginable situations she is involved in.

There are many historically relevant themes in the novel, which is set in such interesting times and is narrrated from the point of view of an outsider (a colonial, a woman) who travels to the metropolis, Britain, and does not see it with much sympathy: she generally distrusts and despises the ruling classes and is confronted with many a hilarious, almost surrealistic situation whenever she is in the company of the rigid British aristocratic crowd in their own sophisticated home (Yes. Makepeace finds herself and her eccentric , lovable "family" in the tyrants' lair, in London) .

However, those looking for a very romantic novel should be warned that, even though there IS a wonderful and heart-warming love story, the author does not overindulge in the romantic side of things. In fact, she is quite frugal and leaves quite a lot for the readers' imagination.

The greatest strengths of the novel are: it is a VERY GOOD story well told (a really good yarn) and the characters are all ROUND and well FLESHED OUT, even those that we only see for two pages and then dissapear. The highly interesting atmosphere of the era is described through the events or actions that affect the characters, the author never gives encyclopedia-like explanations.In short, it is a wonder how so much atmosphere, so vibrating a story, and such eccentric but believable characters

can be created by the author in just about 400 pages! Don't miss it! You won't regret it.

A Catch of Consequence was heart-warming and heart-breaking, fast paced and excellently written. Makepeace was a heroine to cheer for and to cry with. This is not a romance novel; do not expect the romance to be the point or the focus. It is about Makepeace's journey through love and heartache to self-realization and peace within herself. It is also a rollicking, fun, and deeply satisfying story. I grew to love all the characters and laughed and cried with them. Diana Norman has an enviable talent for storytelling. Highly recommended.

Makepeace Burke's story starts out in 1765 on Boston's waterfront in uncertain times. Her rescue of a drowning Englishman propels her into a future of adventure, heroism, passion and independence that will keep you reading well past midnight. Her character is thoroughly enjoyable as well as the people she surrounds herself with. The book is full of unexpected turns and such emotional intensity at times, that it has become one of the top favorite books I've had the pleasure to read more than once. You won't be dissapointed.

In 1765 Boston, tavern manager Makepeace Burke despises the English crown and aristocracy for what they are doing to her and her fellow colonists. However, that does not stop the twenty-four year old from rescuing Sir Philip Dapifer from drowning in the Charles River. Her Good Samaritan deed leads to her ostracism from her friends and other patriots.

Philip falls in love with his savior and returns the favor by sneaking her on board a ship bound to England. They marry on the vessel, but Makepeace finds life in England worse than Boston because the locals treat her with scorn for being a Yankee. As she adapts to her new life, Makepeace stays true to her beliefs of equality across the Anglo Atlantic, between classes, and between genders.

Though in many ways Makepeace is an anachronism seemingly more suited o live in today's society than the pre-Revolutionary War era, readers will admire her spunk. The story line enables the audience to taste life just before the war in Boston and London with an emphasis on the disparity of opinions. This fascinating dual look at the dichotomy make for a vividly fine historical tale that shows Diana Norman can paint multiple perspectives without dismissing either side inside an entertaining romance.

Harriet Klausner

I first started this book with little knowledge of the plot. I knew the basics, a puritan fished a noble out of the water and then there's marriage and all that good stuff. That would be a good premise for a novel, right? Well. Unfortunately, that's the premise for the first third of this novel. Really this is a bit like an English, girls version of "The Count of Monte Cristo".

Makepeace Burke does marry the noble she fished out of the Boston harbor, and she does head to England with him, causing a clash of class and culture. But her husband, Phillip, came to America in the first place to get a divorce from his cheating wife (which in England would have required an act of parliament) and his first wife isn't so eager to just make way for the new one...sparking the conflict that leads this book.

Revenge, class, suitability and the ability to be a good person no matter what life deals you is what this book is about. It is funny, charming, heartbreaking, romantic and very, very good. If you like historical fiction you'll like this book.

---Had so enjoyed reading Diana Norman's 3 novel series about "a mistress of the art of death" set in 12th century England (written under the name Ariana Franklin) that I was delighted to discover this series.

While I do understand some of the criticism about slow starting and a not too likable heroine, for those of us who love historical novels, these are still a treat. What struck my fancy particularly is that Norman begins writing about an 18th century American---very rough around the edges, but possessing many of the qualities that are positive about us---then took us back to England with all the drama of dropping that character smack into what America was rebelling against. It's a balanced portrait, since Makepeace Burke, the Sons of Liberty, and the Brits are not without glaring, very human faults as well as endowed with what is best in both cultures.

Once I was accustomed to Norman's style and the migration to England, the portrait of Hogarthian England was fascinating---scenes from TOM JONES kept popping up in my head.

I'm looking forward to TAKING LIBERTIES from Norman next.

Diana Norman is a gifted writer. She draws characters quickly and beautifully, and puts them in fascinating situations. This is the story of Makepeace Burke, a tough entrepreneurial single spinster (aged 26!) in colonial Boston. One day, as she is returning from clearing the lobster traps, she sees something in the water; when she realizes it is a man, and alive at that, she decides to reel him in, despite the fact that it could be the Sons of Liberty who have put him in the drink. Indeed, this one action changes her life forever, and affects every aspect of her life from then on.

The action takes place primarily in Boston and England, with a cast full of interesting characters. There are some improbable situations, and our protagonist is not always likable or easily understood, but I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone interested in historical fiction, character-driven stories or women's lit. I will definitely buy others in the series.

It's 1765 and Boston is in an uproar at taxation without representation. Tavern owner Makepeace Burke "catches" an English lord drowning in the harbor and brings him to her home to care for his injuries. Sparks start flying between Makepeace and Sir Phillip Dapifer as she tries to find a way to get him back to the English without the locals finding out she's harboring the "enemy". I really enjoyed the tension between these two, along with their very dry but highly amusing banter.

The story is told in three parts. The first part tells the tale of the "catch" of Sir Phillip, their flight from Boston and the voyage to England. The second part has Makepeace trying to fit into London society and the battles with Pip's witchy ex-wife. Eventually tragedy strikes and Makepeace is forced to start another life for herself and her family, but she is bent on revenge for those who wronged her. I see some other reviewers didn't care for the third part, but as another reviewer noted it is very similar to the revenge minded Count of Monte Cristo. And, as in that book Makepeace does finally realize that there is more to life and family than her single minded plans for revenge.

All in all a very entertaining and engaging read, and one I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the glimpses of life along the Boston harbor, Georgian England and the coal mines of Northumberland. I found all the characters to be well defined, even the secondary ones. While it's not the greatest piece of historical fiction I've read, it's still worth taking the time to check this one out.

Maybe my expectations were too high. This book was entertaining, and written from an interesting perspective. The story itself had a lot of potential for being great...but it was not great.

I wouldn't consider this a romance. It's not so much about the love story of the main character as it is about how the things that happen to her change her. If you're looking for a really moving love story, you'll be disappointed.

"A Catch of Consequence" was certainly worth reading, but based on other reviews, and the summary of the story, I was just expecting something with a little more substance.

So, don't expect the artistry of Diana Gabaldon, but read it anyway.

Makepeace Burke is a tavern owner in 1765 Boston who is minding her own business while retrieving her lobster pots from Boston harbor when her life is changed forever. The story starts in Boston as England enacts the Stamp Act on the colonies and the Americans begin to revolt against taxation without representation. The author vividly portrays the sights, smells and sounds of pre-Revolutionary America and England, while weaving a story of an independent woman of the time. The story is a spellbinding historical tale full of humor, love, hate, and revenge. This novel should not be missed!