Mariana [Mass Market Paperback]

Susanna Kearsley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995

From the winner of the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize, this mesmerizing, suspenseful, and richly atmospheric tale of time travel draws us into the heart of a heroine we won't soon forget...

The first time Julia Beckett saw Greywethers she was only five, but she knew at once that it was her house. Now, twenty-five years later, by some strange chance, she has just become the new owner of the sixteenth-century Wilshire farmhouse. But Julia soon begins to suspect that more than coincidence has brought her there. As if Greywethers were a porthal between worlds, she finds herself abruptly transported back in time. Stepping into seventeenth-century England, Julia becomes Mariana, a beautiful young woman struggling against danger and treachery, and battling a forbidden love for Richard de Mornay, handsome forebear of the present squire of Crofton Hall. Each time Julia travels back, she becomes more enthralled with the past, falling ever deeper in love with Richard...until one day she realizes Mariana's life threatens to eclipse her own--and that she must find a way to lay the past to rest, or risk losing a chance for love in her own time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

When Julia Becket first saw the old farmhouse as a child, she claimed it as her own. Years later, lost in the same Wiltshire village, she assumed it was more than coincidence that she found the house again, so she bought it. As the new owner of Greywethers, Julia meets her new neighbors Geof, the town squire, Iain, a farmer and Vivien, the owner of the village pub. Julia settles down to a quiet country life that is different from the life she had in London, but she feels at home. Then she discovers that she is a link to the past-- a past that is as real as the present when she becomes a woman named Mariana. At first, Julia is frightened of her transformation into a woman from the past. Eventually, Julia's visits into the seventeenth century increase as she becomes more and more drawn by events beyond her control. Mariana's life is more than just history-- Julia feels Mariana's every emotion. When Mariana falls in love with Richard de Mornay, Julia compares him to his descendant and present owner of Crofton Hall, the attractive and attentive Geof de Mornay. Could Geof be Richard reincarnated just as she is Mariana? Could he be the reason she is at Greywethers? The only person who seems to understand what Julia is experiencing is Freda Hutherson, Geof's housekeeper. She won't tell Julia what her connection is to Mariana, but she helps guide her through the tumultuous situation of being both Julia and Mariana. Julia doesn't know why she is reliving Mariana's life, she only knows that something important is going to happen-- something that will affect not only Mariana's life in the past, but Julia's life in the present. According to Freda, time is a circle and when Julia has completed the circle she will stop becoming Mariana. In order for the circle to be complete, Julia must search her soul for the truth about a love that would not die, a love that has transcended time.Emotionally powerful and beautifully written! Ms. Kearsley has crafted an award-winning novel in the Gothic tradition! I loved this book! Susanna Kearsley is remarkable! She weaves a tale of reincarnation that will make you believe-- and make you wonder! A touching, heart wrenching story of two women who share the same soul. The name Mariana will haunt you long after you read the last page!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

From the winner of the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize, this mesmerizing, suspenseful, and richly atmospheric tale of time travel draws us into the heart of a heroine we won't soon forget...

The first time Julia Beckett saw Greywethers she was only five, but she knew at once that it was her house. Now, twenty-five years later, by some strange chance, she has just become the new owner of the sixteenth-century Wilshire farmhouse. But Julia soon begins to suspect that more than coincidence has brought her there. As if Greywethers were a porthal between worlds, she finds herself abruptly transported back in time. Stepping into seventeenth-century England, Julia becomes Mariana, a beautiful young woman struggling against danger and treachery, and battling a forbidden love for Richard de Mornay, handsome forebear of the present squire of Crofton Hall. Each time Julia travels back, she becomes more enthralled with the past, falling ever deeper in love with Richard...until one day she realizes Mariana's life threatens to eclipse her own--and that she must find a way to lay the past to rest, or risk losing a chance for love in her own time.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 379 pages
• Publisher: Corgi; Corgi ed edition (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055214262X
• ISBN-13: 978-0552142625
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,600 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write modern gothic novels that blend historical adventure and modern-day suspense with romance and a touch of something spooky, so they don't fit neatly into any category, really...but they're fun to write!

I live on the north shore of Lake Ontario, east of Toronto, in Canada.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!!!, April 1, 2002

By 

Psboston7 "~ And so it Goes ~" (Upland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mariana (Unbound)

That one word sums up my elation at finishing this book. I took this book at a leisurely pace because I didn't want to rush it, and it wasn't so engrossing for me at first to have to rush into. I'm glad I did this because this is one that lingers. I read "The Shadowy Horses" first and can honestly say that I enjoyed this one more, I'm currently reading "Splendour Falls", which was I believe before "Mariana", and so far it has me quite intrigued.

Ms. Kearsley does justice to both Mariana and Julia. The blend of History and Romance is dare I say it?.... Sweet. I loved the relationship between Julia and her brother. I love the whole "soul mate" feel in this book. It reminded me of "A Knight in Shining Armor" by Jude Deveraux although this moved at an entirely different pace and the ending brought tears to my eyes. This past weekend I found myself picking up this book again and re-reading some parts. It was JUST THAT GOOD.

Happy Reading

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, impossible to put down!, September 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mariana (Unbound)

I can't possibly begin to describe what a wonderful book this is. The author drags you into the story until you become so immersed in it that you can't put the book down. Even after the last page is read the images remain with you for a long time. This is one of those books that can be read and reread and not lose its magic. I have lent Mariana to many of my friends and everyone has loved it. I believe that, with this book, we are seeing the emergence of a great storyteller.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical Soulmates Reunited, November 29, 2001

By 

Diana F. Von Behren "reneofc" (Kenner, LA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mariana (Unbound)

Ms Kearsley handles 21st century woman, Julia Becket's transformational flashbacks into the life of 16th century handmaiden, Mariana, with about as much reality as anyone could expect when dealing with such an improbable happening. She does it well. Never once when reading this story about a savvy young Londoner who chucks her enervating city life for one in a small village, did I think Julia's decision a foolish one or fathom Ms Kearsley's telling of it silly. On the contrary, I found Julia's flashbacks engrossing, enjoying thoroughly Kearsley's meshing of the past and present as well as my own attempts to correctly match the past souls with the present bodies. The hypothesis of the old house retaining the passion of a past event is one that reoccurs in some of Barbara Erskine's novels, particularly "House of Shadows". While Ms Erskine dwells mainly on the supernatural, Ms Kearsley, more satisfactorily uses the metaphysical elements of her story to heighten the romance. Don't hestitate to pick up a copy of this Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize winner; it certainly is well done and worth your time if you favor a good story interjected with realistic romance!