Mariana [Hardcover]

Susanna Kearsley (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Book Club Associates (1995)
• ASIN: B00132EGHC
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,542,002 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!