Customer Reviews

An Outrageous Affair

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

 

 

The Overlook Press, the small publishing house that first introduced American readers to the epic novels of Penny Vincenzi, is committed to bringing all of Vincenzi's backlist in print in the United States (even as another, larger publisher has snatched up her newest titles now that the word is out). AN OUTRAGEOUS AFFAIR, first published in the United Kingdom in 1993, is another terrific example of Vincenzi's ability to bring together a couple dozen characters (and just as many subplots) in intriguing, titillating and outrageous ways.

The novel opens in Great Britain in 1942, in the middle of World War II, as aristocratic (and sexually frustrated) Caroline Hunterton falls desperately in love with American fighter pilot Brendan FitzPatrick. After Caroline becomes pregnant, she tries to reach her lover to tell him the news; distraught when he does not reply, she (at the urging of her mortified parents) gives the baby girl up for adoption and marries a man she does not love. When Brendan, who has been wounded and unable to be contacted, finally returns to Suffolk, a heartbroken Caroline tells him it's too late for their love. But it's not too late for one thing --- adoption proceedings have not yet been finalized, and Brendan can take their daughter, Fleur, for his own.

He does so, and the doting young father takes the girl back to New York City. After the war, Brendan turns his eyes westward --- to Hollywood, leaving his beloved daughter in the care of relatives while he pursues his dreams of stardom. Brendan might not be much of an actor, but he certainly does have star quality --- that is, until the threat of exposing a salacious scandal destroys him utterly.

As for Caroline, she and her husband have three children in quick succession. The oldest, Chloe, couldn't be less like Fleur. When teenaged Chloe learns of Caroline's past --- and of the existence of Fleur --- she realizes there's a reason for Caroline's persistent distance from her. She soon throws herself into marriage with noted London thespian Piers Windsor, who might be the most talented actor of his generation but is an absolute disaster as a husband. As for Fleur, she bitterly resents being kept a secret from her English "family" and becomes determined not only to avenge her father's death but also to have her revenge on the mother and sister who have shunned her for so long.

Into the mix comes dashing, debonair journalist Magnus Phillips, whose tell-all book on Piers Windsor exposes connections that no one knew existed --- and threatens to destroy the lives and loves of both Chloe and Fleur.

Fans of Penny Vincenzi's other novels will recognize trademark details here: the sprawling time frame, the large cast of characters, the teetering balance between scandal and propriety, between appearance and reality. Readers are also in for a particularly alluring historical ride this time around, as the action travels from old Hollywood to Madison Avenue advertising pitch meetings to the London theater scene to noble English country house culture. Both Fleur and Chloe are compelling characters, and their climactic meeting proves just as satisfactory as audiences will have anticipated. Perhaps not surprising given its title, AN OUTRAGEOUS AFFAIR has somewhat more (and more explicit) sex than many recent Vincenzi novels; it also contains numerous homophobic comments that (one hopes) are meant to be reflective of the novel's 1950s and 1960s setting rather than a straightforward commentary.

Nonetheless, AN OUTRAGEOUS AFFAIR gives readers more of what they've come to expect from Penny Vincenzi: a thoroughly enjoyable family saga with glamour, romance and drama to spare.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

Another page turner by excellent writer Penny Vincenzi. The plot is drawn out to almost unbearable lengths that at times becomes tiresome. But the characters, as always with this writer, captivate and you care about their outcome. I wish Penny would return to the historical milieu, her trilogy about the Lytton family was so superior to this women's jargon.

She is such a great writer that I have ordered and read all of her books.

Delivery time was excellent as usual. Wish local bookstores would carry more English writers. All her books get a 5 star rating from me.

I devoured the trilogy beginning with No Angels. I am so dispointed with this book. There is no character that I liked or even cared about. I was very disapointed with the book. I guess the premiss is that sex sells.

I have read many books by Penny Vincenzi and have never been disappointed until I read this one. I can't believe she actually wrote this garbage. It was drawn out and boring. I could not even get interested in the characters. Love this author but this book was a big disappointment.

I love Penny Vincenzi! I ordered several books from Amazon that she authored. All of them are wonderful! I'm so glad I can find any book I want on Amazon. How did we ever survive without it?

This is the first book by this author that I have read, and it will be the last, regardless of the other reviewer's comments. Reading this book was a total waste of time. Indeed, toward the end of the book, I just simply quit. I agree with another reviewer. I didn't care about any of the characters enough to finish this this long winded tome. I continued to read the book in hopes that I would eventually become interested or caught up in the story, but it never happened, and in fact, the story and characters just became more annoying and aggravating with every page.There are so many other great books out there that a reader does not have to waste days on end reading this book that doesn't provide any excitement or suspense to hook the reader.

Penny Vincenzi has long been one of favorite authors. Interesting characters, unexpected events, sad times, happy times, ...all in a real epic tale. Highly recommended.

Another WINNER!!! A definite page turner with so many colorful characters. A MUST for any Penny Vincenzi Fan.