Customer Reviews

Hester Roon (Isis General Fiction)

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This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.

After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.

It is hard to believe that no one in this grand old world has not bothered to write a review for this wonderful Historic novel. Hester was born to a sculley maid in 18th century England and was made to stay closeted in her attic room throughout her childhood. Her Mother managed to send her to school where she thrived. Her Mother killed herself after being discovered helping a highway robber know when wealthy people stayed at the Inn so he could rob them She was trying to save enough to get her and Hester away to start a better life. Hester was put to work there but when the fat old landlard began to put the make on Hester, she fled to London where she got a job with an old lady. She was transported to the West Indies when she was accused of working with some other people who were out to rob the old lady. In the Indies, she was put to work with a wealthy family whose top man was a weak, handsome person. She fell for him and resisted the attention of a nearby plantation owner who was much the more desirable man for her. The famous Slave insurrection happened and everything comes out well in the end, thanks to Hester's integrity and unfailing strength. She is one strong lady. Nora Lofts is one of a kind and this is a goood novel.

This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.

After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.

The reviews already given pretty much cover the story line. I just want to say that this is my alltime favorite book. When asked what book I would take with me to a desert island if I could have only one, this would be it. The constantly changing scenarios along with the wonderful personality representations have kept me reading this one about once a year since I bought it in the seventies. I am on my third copy! Thanks JMK

This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.

After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.

This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.

After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.

Norah Lofts is one of my favorite authors and I have re-read all of her books two and three times over the last thirty years....Hester Roon is a poor girl, born out of wedlock and with no advantages in 18th century England...the cruelty, neglect and poverty that she endured was nothing to what was waiting for her in the New World...the only thing I didn't like about this book is that it ended!

This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.

After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.

This is a stirring tale of the life of a young, beautiful, eighteenth century Englishwoman. Born the bastard daughter of a maid in service at a roadside inn, Hester Roon was adored by her mother, who struggled to give her some advantages, such as an education. Hester's world would come crashing down upon her at a young age with her mother's untimely death due, in part, to involvement with a highway robber.
After her mother's death, Hester, no more than a child, is inducted into service at the very same inn where her mother had tediously labored. Years of sheer drudgery pass uneventfully, until the owner of the inn notices that Hester is blossoming into young womanhood. Commanding her to become his mistress, he forces himself upon her. Hester, repulsed by what has happened to her and determined that it should not happen again, flees to London, having a few adventures along the way.

When the somewhat naive Hester finally arrives in London, she is befriended by denizens of London's seamy underworld. Scammed into being the unknowing and unwilling participant in a felonious scheme, Hester is caught, tried, and convicted. Faring better than her cohorts in crime, she is transported to the West Indies, little more than a slave. Selected to work as companion to a young gentlewoman on a slave-run sugar plantation, she fatuously falls in love with the woman's handsome husband, only to discover that a better man loved her. Initially repudiating him, it would take a bloody slave rebellion to open her eyes and make her realize the worth of this man, who would love her unconditionally and do anything and everything to ensure her happiness and safety.

This is a sweeping panoramic tale of eighteenth century England and the West Indies. Artfully told by a master storyteller, it will keep the reader turning the pages until the very end.