Flame and the Flower [Import] [Hardcover]

Kathleen E Woodiwiss (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Macdonald & J (October 16, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0354045792
• ISBN-13: 978-0354045797
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (185 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,782,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With more than thirty-six million copies of her bestselling novels already in print, Kathleen E. Woodiwiess remains one of America's most successful and beloved storytellers. She is the author of twelve enormously successful masterworks of romantic fiction, including The Flame and the Flower, Shanna, Ashes in the Wind, Petals on the River, and The Elusive Flame.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

136 of 146 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic that started it all, April 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Flame and the Flower (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm astonished by the amateur reviewers who aren't intelligent enough to read and analyze this book within the context of the time during which it was written. It was written in 1972, it was one of the first times women were allowed to read about sex outside of male pornography, and it was before the darkest and most delicious of female fantasies were sanitized by the modern scourge of "political correctness". It's immensely readable and the prose isn't purple, it's excellent writing. Perhaps Brandon should have been redeemed sooner; perhaps Heather should have displayed more spine, but within the historical setting of 1799 and given the age of the characters (17 & 35), it's actually probably more accurate than many of the romances written today where all the young misses are feisty and all the gents are enlightened. I first read the book when I was 15. I'm 39 now and still have trouble putting it down whenever I pick it up. As someone else so wisely said, it was written to be enjoyed, not analyzed. And I will never understand the readers/women who claim to be feminists, yet want to censor other women's fantasies as part of your political agenda. As a woman and a feminist, I'll read whatever I please, thank you, and that includes this marvelous classic.

38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully entertaining romance!!, September 30, 1999

By 

B. Brown (Dayton, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flame and the Flower (Abridged Audio Cassette Edition) (Audio Cassette)

I've read all the reviews and respect all the varying opinions, but I think the ones that slam this book, criticize the grammar and the characterizations are really missing the whole essence of this book. How someone can read this and not fall in love with Heather and Brandon, even a little bit, is beyond me. The rape scene bothers some people, I can understand that. I don't want my daughter reading a book and thinking that is okay either. The hero makes a BIG mistake, yes, and he realizes that. He also grows a lot, too. As does the heroine, who I'm tired of everyone saying how whiney and pitiful she was. She was not. She was soft and sweet and niave, which is a refreshing change from the feminists definition of what a woman should be nowadays. I think Kathleen Woodiwiss has a gift for making her characters seem so real you feel like you know them personally and intimately. I've yet to read an author in any genre of fiction who can match her ability. I read romance for the light-heartedness and warm fuzzy feelings you get when they confess their undying love for each other, not to analyze every word, punctuation, or stero-typed character. If you are looking for an historical romance to sweep you away, try this. I loved it when I read 10+ years ago and still enjoy it each time I read it, at least once a year. The Flame and the Flower will make you laugh and cry and want more from Ms. Woodiwiss.

34 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story about two very flawed people, July 16, 2006

By 

Neilisa (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Flame and the Flower (Mass Market Paperback)

This is such a great story but you may find it hard to like the characters. The basic plot is this: Heather Simmons, bereft and penniless after her father dies, is taken in by her uncle and very-abusive aunt, Fanny. Heather is forced to flee a dangerous situation and ends up in Brandon Birmingham's cabin on his ship, Fleetwood. He mistakes her for a prostitute and takes advantage of her. She ends up pregnant, he's forced to marry her, and the rest of the story is spent on them discovering their love and learning to trust each other.

Heather Simmons is not your typical fiery heroine. She's had to survive constant physical and emotional abuse from her aunt and being raped by Brandon. Hence, she is docile, skittish and lacks confidence in herself. Notwithstanding, Heather has strength inside of her that shines through. Brandon is not a likable character at all. After raping Heather, he offers to keep her as his mistress, against her will of course, until she escapes. He's used to being in control and having his way.

The characters do redeem themselves in the end. Heather flourishes under Brandon's care. She finds courage and confidence once she's secure of his love. Brandon learns what it is to love someone deeply, like the kind of love his parents shared.