Now Face to Face: A Novel (Paperback)

by Karleen Koen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Ten years after Koen introduced heroine Barbara Devane in her bestselling debut novel, Through a Glass Darkly, she brings back the strong-willed young woman to face further challenges among the baroque world of the European and colonial American nobility of the early 18th century. The settling of America and the courtly intrigues of the Jacobite rebellion in England serve as both backdrop and parallel for Lady Devane's path toward her own independence as an aristocrat and as a woman. Having been widowed at age 20, she has embarked for colonial Virginia, determined to develop a plantation there. Spunky and headstrong, she bristles when she is patronizingly described by one of her many admirers as a "fragile black butterfly"; anything but fragile, she takes lovers across political divides and frees her slaves against all advice. These flamboyant gestures often seem shallow, however, and Lady Devane's dismay at the treatment of the slaves in the New World characteristically seems more picturesque than humane. Koen doesn't hesitate to make her heroine less perfect than conventional characters of this genre; Lady Devane comments in a rare moment of self-reflection that her pity for her favorite servant never led her to seriously consider his feelings. A pervasive tone of gentility grounds the novel in its period, and Koen's smooth prose and nicely integrated background details make this a superior historical romance. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
This sequel to Through a Glass Darkly (LJ 11/1/86) follows Barbara Devane, a 20-year-old widow, as she picks up the pieces of her life. Devastated by her husband's betrayal and death and facing financial ruin from his participation in the South Sea Bubble scandal, Barbara travels to a Virginia plantation, now her grandmother's property. There she matures and finds the inner strength to return to England and face her problems. Back in London, however, she finds herself involved in Jacobite plots and the treachery of powerful men, which threaten her family, friends, and a new love. Period details, especially of politics, are abundant yet the 18th century never really comes to life. Many of the characters remain two-dimensional, while the action evolves slowly until the end, when several story lines are hurriedly tied up. Readers who enjoyed Koen's first novel will undoubtedly welcome this continuation, but others might find it heavy going. For large collections.
Barbara E. Kemp, SUNY at Albany
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 734 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1st edition (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307406083
• ISBN-13: 978-0307406088
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,271 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have ever read--mesmerizing, June 28, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Now Face To Face (Paperback)

I just read Now Face to Face yesterday, in one sitting--I couldn't put it down. After loving Karleen Koen's first book Through a Glass Darkly, I expected to like this book--I am happy to say that I loved it and can't stop thinking about it. It's almost unfair to characterize this book as historical romance--it is so much more than that-- I like the author's statement that the book is about a woman's search to find who she is, and not define herself by who she loves. I cried, tears rolling down my face--at the losses suffered by the heroine--and at the beauty and depth of the story, the langauge and the writing.The book does indeed contain romance, in addition, although I was unconvinced by the romance that the heroine finally embarked upon--I wanted to see more of the relationship between Barbara and Tony,Duke of Tamworth, explored and defined. I have many favorite books, that I periodically reread such as Jane Austen's novels and Shirley, by Charlotte Bronte--both Through a Glass Darkly and Now Face to Face join that list. Magnificent. I fervently wish that Ms. Koen will write a third in this series--I want to know what happens next to Barbara and Tony and Therese and Hyacinthe (yes, as in the best of books, I know and love these characters).

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Maturity realized..., January 31, 2000

By	L. Alper (Englewood CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Now Face To Face (Paperback)

Looking at the other reviews of the sequel to "Through a Glass Darkly", "Now Face to Face", my feeling is that many readers missed the point. Even though both books were marketed to the Historical Romance market, they really are closer in spirit to true Historicals such as Mary Renault, Patrick O'Brian or "The Thornbirds". The writing, especially, puts them into this class but also the themes both books deal with make them more fulfilling than "poor but plucky girl wins love in a corset".

"Now Face to Face" is missing some parts of what made "Through a Glass Darkly" successful. The first is sorely missed-the character of Roger Montgeoffrey who was as beguiling on paper as he was supposed to be in life. The second, graphic and gratuitous sex scenes I did not miss at all, although the milieu for them (the French Court) was wonderfully written. Some of the new characters simply aren't fleshed out enough; Col. Perry is described as "a saint" yet we never clearly find out why he's become Barbara's protector at the risk of losing his daughter's love. The scenes with Viscount Duncannon, Barbara's love interest, are simply not convincing; her overwhelming attraction to him is not explained in a believable manner.

Yet overall, "Now Face to Face" is a worthy successor to "Through a Glass Darkly" in dealing with themes of honor, devotion, and duty. As long as a bodice ripper is not expected, you will not be disappointed!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful historical saga continues..., March 10, 2006

By	CoffeeGurl (MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Now Face To Face (Paperback)

To me, Through a Glass Darkly is one of the most remarkable historical sagas ever written. I loved the novel so much and I kind of agreed with the comparisons to Gone with the Wind, except that Through a Glass Darkly has its own unique voice in historical fiction. I had looked forward to reading Now Face to Face and I couldn't believe that I had finally got my hands on a copy. This novel was not easy to obtain, but I'm glad I went the extra mile to get it. Barbara Devane has a legacy of debts left by her late husband, Roger Montgeoffry, which she decides to leave behind for the time being as she oversees her grandmother's tobacco plantation in Virginia. There she meets various people, namely one Col. Perry, who becomes her protector. Stronger and more determined, she returns to London to tighten the loose ends she's left behind. However, she will have to deal with various issues, such as her mother's pregnancy, her best friend Jane's involvement with the Jacobite uprising, and the biggest loose end of all, having to meet again with her cousin, the Duke of Tamworth, and his undying love for her. There are various twists throughout the novel.

The most impressive part of Now Face to Face is the historical aspects of the novel. I love just how realistic and to the point the author addresses slavery in the southern colonies. There is no romanticizing or cushioning the atrocities that occurred with the slaves. That is truly one of the most captivating parts of this novel. I also enjoyed the backdrop of the Jacobite Uprising. That has been one of my favorite historical backdrops since reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. As for the characters, they are as wonderful and three-dimensional as ever. Diana is still infuriatingly self-absorbed and Tony still touches me with his unrequited love for Barbara. Barbara has grown a great deal as a character. She is stronger now, more determined to face whatever comes at her, and she is more likeable as a result. There are characters from the first novel that I wish hadn't died, like Roger. He was such an amazing character, so wonderfully complex, and I feel that the author could have done so much more with him. Alas, the character of Laurence Slane is a good addition to the story, though he by no means replaces Roger. I loved this novel through and through, though not as much as Through a Glass Darkly. The ending isn't very satisfying. It felt too abrupt and rushed for my taste. I hope there will be a third installment of this wonderful saga soon. I know Karleen Koen will release a novel called Dark Angels, but I don't think it's the third part of this series. In the meantime, I recommend Now Face to Face to those who loved Through a Glass Darkly.