Customer Reviews

Crimson (Eagle Large Print)

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This novel, now nearly 20 years old, is a lenghty chronicle of the life of Elinor O'Dare, the fictional romance novelist at the center of the story, along with her best friend and three grandaughters.

I won't cover the plot--you can read Publishers Weekly and Kirkus reviews for the details--but will just mention that one of the key themes is the growth and development of the lead female characters as their lives progress.

The Kirkus review mentions that "Crimson" isn't suspenseful, but I don't think the author, Shirley Conran, necessarily intended it to be that particular style. In my eyes, it is simply a well thought out, boldly told, interesting chronicle of the lives of the five females at the heart of the book. As a solid background to the main story line, Ms Conran includes a rather large sum of historical references which add to the plot's intrigue, beginning around World War I and extending through the end of the book in the late 1960's.

I must say I don't agree with the message relayed to the reader near the very end of the book. I won't discuss the specifics so as not to spoil the surprise for any potential readers, but will just say that seriously bad conduct is both glorified and justified. I think the intention of this aspect is to show the lead character overcoming self-doubt by becoming stronger and wiser, but I feel it is the wrong message to those reading the story who might find themselves in a similar situation in real life.

Having said all that, however, I still think it is a worth the read, especially for fans of the fictional romance genre.