Customer Reviews

A Perfect Stranger

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Book Review

Title: A Perfect Stranger
Author: Danielle Steel
Pages: 400
Available in paperback
Publisher: Dell 1985

Book Description:

Her rich father had always sheltered Raphaella de Mornay- Malle. Coming from Spain she had always had duennas to look after her. At the age of 18 she becomes married to a business partner of her fathers by the name of John Henry Phillips. John is much older then Raphaella and although the marriage is not arranged the father allows it because John Henry is one of this business partners and a great man. John Henry Phillips is her life, he treats her wonderfully and she in turn loves him unconditionally.

Her love for John Henry does not die when he becomes incapacitated. She keeps her bounds to marriage very well until meeting a complete stranger. Alexander Hale becomes infatuated with Raphaella. Alex wants nothing more then to make Raphaella happy. As she tries to hold on to her husband she finds herself drifting into the arms of the perfect stranger.

While John gets worse Alex becomes more persistent in pursuing Raphaella. She eventually gives in, not forgetting her love for her husband but needing love from another who can interact with her to keep going on. She is struggling for what's right and wrong, to define the line between living and dying.

Personal Book Review:

This book gets 4 stars from me. It's one of Danielle Steels better books. It's not as pearly as some of her work, but it's not as devastating as others she's written. At the same time it's the same as her classics. It's the perfect balance, something that could really happen.

She describes the love a woman for a man that is so strong it can't be broken. The thing's Raphaella denies herself because she is married is amazing. She doesn't attempt to give into temptation until Alex starts pursuing her hard. Even after he tries his best Raphaella can't let go of her husband until he is gone. She is strong but becoming weak with all the loneliness she is facing.

The characters and the plot are both very realistic. It would be something awful to go through, but there may be people out there who have seen it happen. I think this is a wonderful book to inspire someone who may be down and out. It makes you think things have a good outcome sometime down the road, even if you have to bend to get there.

Other Novels by Danielle Steel:
Malice
Leap of Faith
Diamonds
Johnny Angel
House on Hope Street
Now and Forever
Dating Game
Loving

Other novels relating to the theme of:
Passion's Promise by Danielle Steel
Once In a Lifetime by Danielle Steel
To Love Again by Danielle Steel

This is the greatest book I ever read. I believe that this is the best book that Danille Steel has ever wrote. I couldn't put the book down. I got like 5 infractons for not putting it down. When my friends called me I wasn't even listening to them. Once I got done I read it about 5 more times. The movie they made for this book wasn't even as good as the book.

This book was sooo good. i couldn't put it down. i have to say this is the best d.s. book.

This is a book that really sweeps you away. Danielle Steel is such a talented writer, this book displays that talent at it's best. If you're looking for a love story, a story about marriage, a story about struggles & survival...this book has all of that. This is a classic Steel book, go pick it up & read it!!

This was a typical D.S. book. I have read a few of Ms. Steele's books and they always leave me satisfied but I'm never passionate about her books. This time was no different. If you want a nice, laid back read - this is a good book for you. If you want passion, excitement and fireworks - skip it.

It is an easy read, I read this within a night, but couldn't put it down once I started. It is an innoucuous love at first, and it takes you through the sides of torn and what is right and moral. By the end I felt the rollercoaster ride of emotions and wished there was more...It would make a great movie.

Raphaella marry's her fathers business partner John Henry when she is 18 years old. When John Henry becomes incapacitated Raphaella does not give up her duties as a wife. Even when she meets a man who falls in love with her she remains loyal to her husband whom she shows great respect.

This book was fab. well recommended.

I have read every book by Ms. Steele. She is amazing in her characterizations, you really feel as if you know her characters .
The story itself was pretty engrossing, but the repetitions of leaving and going back got to be too much. I almost wished poor Alex would have left HER for a change.

The book did keep me somewhat focused and entertained in the beginning, however, I found myself skipping parts here and there closer to the middle of it. And more so as the story kept going. The story itself isn't new.. beautiful young woman married to a much older man finds herself tied to him indefinitely as the old man is an no hurry to die after a series of strokes. Then a woman's slooowly developing affair with a young and handsome lawyer and a moral battle between a loyalty to a gravely ill husband and newly found love. I mean, come on! Everything about this book is predictable and boring. The setup itself - woman's rare beauty (are they ever ugly??), rich and noble family, lawyer's career-oriented wife that left him for her career when he wanted babies etc, etc. And to add insult to an injury, the main heroine just can't get a backbone and tell her father to go to hell when he forces her to leave US and come back to her family which means the end of her oh-so-important new love (is it really?). Bleh!!! Don't waste your time like I did, do something meaningful instead or read another book instead.. read reviews first :)

The setting and much of the characterization are great, and parts of the action; but the logic of the plot is awful--three likable people behaving irrationally and giving each other years of anguish through not talking about important matters that they would have been half-witted not to discuss openly. But DS was just finding her feet in those days, so we can forgive her! And there are parts of the romance that are charming, to enjoy anyway!