Pargeters [Mass Market Paperback]

Norah Lofts (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lofts's final work bears the storyteller's signet that distinguished her more than 40 novels. A very special house is the centerpiece of this historical narrative that begins in 17th century England when Adam Woodley, a skilled pargeter (plasterer), has a house named in honor of his craft. His one-sided marriage to the daughter of Pargeter's owner begins the line of men and women who, through the Civil War between Royalists and Roundheads, tried to hold on to the beloved property. It is Adam's daughter Sarah who ultimately survives, enduring a loveless marriage to save her heritage when it is sequestered in the postwar spoils. In the unfolding of Sarah's struggle for the restoration of Partegers, Lofts takes the reader into a turbulent period as the effects of war, Puritanism and local brutalities tear at the fiber of doughty Anglians. January 3
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Pargeters is the English manor house built in the 17th century and named after the "pargeter" (plasterer) who designed it. This final novel by the late author is about the family who struggled to retain the house during the turbulence of the Civil War, Cromwell's rule, and the Restoration. Seventeen-year-old Sarah Woodley-Mercer assumes the responsibility for Pargeters and its people when her parents and brother die. Ultimately, her only hope is to marry a former worker who receives the estate as a war bonus. His dour Puritanism makes life wretched for everyone until his own daughter brings release for the others by poisoning him. Although rather somber, this is a vivid re-creation of a historical period, as are all of the earlier Lofts books. For most public libraries. Joan Hinkemeyer, Denver P.L.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (February 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821722778
• ISBN-13: 978-0821722770
• Product Dimensions: 16.2 x 10.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,082,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best historical fiction, June 24, 2002

By 

Kathylene Privitera (Augusta, WV United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pargeters/a Historical Novel of Seventeenth-Century England (Hardcover)

Norah Lofts wrote the best historical fiction, not cheesy historical romance, just good history stories...her books are mostly centered around a town in northern England, Baildon, and the villages surrounding it; this novel, Pargeters, will catch you in its spell; you will become so engrossed in the characters & their lives, that you will forget they lived 400 years ago, & are fiction anyway, you'll be sorry, as I always am, when Norah Loft's stories end!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story with lots of ups & downs, August 25, 2008

By 

Historical Fiction Fan (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pargeters/a Historical Novel of Seventeenth-Century England (Hardcover)

This story that takes place in England immediately before, during and after the Commonwealth period is excellently written. There are characters to love and to despise, along with lots of history and cultural information, and even a couple of mysteries woven in to the story. Some of the events I was able to guess ahead of time, but several were completely unexpected. Sarah's determination and fortitude reminded me a bit of Scarlett O'Hara, although Sarah certainly had a more realistic view of herself and others than Scarlett ever managed. The ending was such a combination of sadness and joy, and it was very much a suprise. I would have wished Sarah more periods of happiness in her life, but other than that, I could not have wished for the story to be any different than it was. Outstanding!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book if you need to escape and get away from it all, August 26, 2008

By 

R. A. Wells "CanaryAlice" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pargeters/a Historical Novel of Seventeenth-Century England (Hardcover)

I have read this book 5 times and its great if you want to forget about everything and escape into the historical world of ancient Suffolk. I love Norah Lofts books and this is one of her best ones. I am trying to collect them all.