47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a great catch!, February 24, 2004
This review is from: A Catch of Consequence (Makepeace Hedley) (Paperback)
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.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Haven't liked a book so well in a long time, May 16, 2005
This review is from: A Catch of Consequence (Makepeace Hedley) (Paperback)
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.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An unforgettable gem of a story, August 16, 2003
This review is from: A Catch of Consequence (Makepeace Hedley) (Paperback)
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.
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