Customer Reviews

Mannerby's Lady

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When this book was first published in June, 1977, (which means it was written at least one year prior to that date) the gothic novel was still the most popular type of women's story, and this book somewhat bridges the two genres: gothic to Regency. This was the first Regency novel written by the author, whose previously published novels were historical, most of them set in Medieval times.

As with all the books of Sandra Heath, there is an absolute essence of Regency England to it; this book could not possibly have been set anywhere else, in any other time. But yet, even though it really isn't as good an example of the Regency romance as her later books, it's still way better than all too many by other writers. This is quite simply one incredible author, who treats her readers with respect, always, when it comes to research and setting and that nebulous quality: believability. (Yes there is one small boo-boo in it, but considering some of the clankers in other books published, it's hardly worth noting, and doesn't really, seriously, affect the plot at all.) I suppose that I should have knocked off one star, considering this, but the writing, the setting and everything else is so good, I'm not going to do that! I stand with my five stars!

Sarah Jane Stratford is the natural daughter of a very wealthy landowner, who decides to use her as the tie to his fortune. His nephew Edward grudgingly considers the match, although he'd much rather have his secret amour. The high-flying Jack Holland, friend to the Prince Regent, appears to be enamored of Sarah Jane, but then things are not always what they appear to be, are they? And finally, there is Paul Ransome, who is finagled out of his family's estate by somewhat nefarious means, and finds himself indebted to the Squire. The secondary characters are just terrific examples of their ilk.

Most of this story is set in the moors of Southern England, and it's almost as good as a travelogue, not to mention the local lore and legends which greatly enhance the story-telling. This is not the typical Regency romance, and certainly is not a gentle book by any means, but time has not worn away its charms. And certainly, it amply demonstrates the wonderful writing future that lay ahead of this gifted author.

I'm not even going to list the backflap here because it doesn't really have any bearing on the actual story.

Suffice it to say that the plot is as follows:
Lady Sarah Jane Stratford is legitimized by her father when it seems he's destined to die without a direct heir. We pick up her story when at 18 she has been living with her father for less than a year. He wants to marry her off to his nephew, the current heir, who in no way wants Lady Sarah Jane. The feeling is mutual.

Sarah Jane decides to meet one of her other admirer's in the woods and he forces himself on her, not drastically, but enough to get called out by one of the other admirer's, Jack Holland.

There's a duel that follows which forces Sarah Jane to go away and live with a tenant far away, Paul Ransome. He has a rather malicious sister, or is she, and he is also unfeeling, or is he.

The incongruities of this book and the fact that I really could not bring myself to like Sarah Jane or care if she ended up with the hero or not, says enough to my mind. I've given it two stars for effort, since there were times when I truly tried to keep up with the different plot twists, but some were just too bizarre and others only too clear.

I quite like Sandra Heath as a writer, so I would highly recommend her but this book is not one of her best.