Customer Reviews

Prologue to Love: A Novel About a Woman Financial Genius

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I chose this book from my college library stack 25 years ago on a Friday afternoon when I had no weekend plans. I left my desk only when absolutely necessary, or to sleep, until I finished the book. Without a doubt, the best book I have ever read. Atlas Shrugged runs a close second. I have picked it up several times to read again through the years.

This is, by far, the best book I have ever read. Taylor Caldwell's writing style allows the reader a vivid sense of the character's personalities and lifestyles. You feel like you are right there in the era, in their homes and in their lives. The best part of the book is realizing the true meaning that many readers could never identify with in their personal lives. Hopefully, you are not one of those people. You will want to share this book with others, after you have read it as quickly as you can, because you won't want to put it down!

I first read this book as a young teen and was impressed, not realizing how much subtle information was in the book about the state of the world.
Over the years I have read this book several times, and just recently found it again. I can only say that if you are open minded enough; you will be amazed at the information in this book about the new world order.

I first read "A Prologue to Love" when I was a young girl and it
remains the best novel I've ever read. I love Caldwell's rigorous intelligence, crisp avoidance of sentimentality for pure and honest emotion, and the sheer force of her language - she would have made a formidable lawyer or stateswoman. The book is sweeping but in the end a simple parable about how we can be blind to what is truly important and enduring because of fears born of ignorance, abused innocence and deprivation of love. I didn't understand the political commentary until later readings, but when I saw it, it just added another layer of richness to the story.
Read this book!

This is the very best book I have ever read. It totally dispicts the power or corruption money has on people. Some people think that money is power and that's all there is. They forget about family, friends, and God. Only to discover that money doesn't keep you happy or provide you friendship. You end up rich and lonely. I loved this book. I have a step-mother who could be the starring character in this book. I've been looking for this book for a long time. Couldn't remember the name. The first chapter in this book is the best since "It was the best of times, etc,etc." Absolutely loved this book.

My mother had this book on her shelf for many years. She just read it again and recommended it to me. Not only is this book well written, but the character sketches are absolutely fascinating. This book truly reveals the tragedy and ugliness, yet the hope and redemption that can be found in all mankind. A Prologue to Love truly gave me an insight into why many people just don't seem to operate in ways most of us can understand.

Taylor Caldwell does a masterful job of enabling the reader to actually see and become part of this novel. This is on the order of The East of Eden by Steinbeck...only better. What a great job of comparing the struggle between love and money! I'd highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a really great read.

This book was recommended to me by my dear friend, Harriet Cutler. When I asked her for a book recommendation she thought I'd like this for it's flashbacks into the Investment Banking business as it related to a young woman who inherited her father's wealth. Not only did I LOVE the book but I got so much more out of it. There were lines in the book that really made me step back and think. For instance:
'It's a funny thing about love: you don't need to have it returned to love somebody. Loving's enough.'
or
'You can be happy without money and you can be wretched with it. It depends on what kind of person you are.'
or
'I'm not the scoundrel you think I am; if you had ever taken the time to learn about me you'd even have liked me.'
or
'If people are lucky enough to have family they should cultivate it.'
or
'We all choose how to look at life.'
or
'How can you keep resentment alive so long?'
or
'Really, half the troubel and misery and pain people have is brought on by themselves. They either talk too much or not enough.'
or
'He had his preconceived frame of reference, and he thought everyone should fit into it. Why does everyone believe his own particular reality is the only reality?'
or
'Every day is different, and in some way we change every day.'
...need I say more? Well, believe it or not, there is more.
A great family saga of a story...

"A Prologue to Love" by Taylor Caldwell is by far one of the best books I have ever read. The book is about a poor girl who lives in a shabby house with her two nursemaids whom are paid a meager salary by the girl's father who is one of the richest men alive. The girl, Caroline adores her father who destests her because she looks like his deceased father. Although Caroline is far from beautiful, one boy Tom sees her inner beauty and the two instantly fall in love. Caroline's father eventually ends up taking her away from the only home she's ever loved and the only people who have ever loved her because he is having an affair with Caroline's mother's twin sister and she insists that Caroline get a better education. Caroline's father starts teaching his daughter unknowingly to be more like him, a penny pincher and turns a sweet innocent girl into what most people consider a heartless woman. But unknowingly to the public she's not heartless, just scared of being poor after an incident in a cheap store. In the end, Caroline and Tom are wed and have children but it's too late for Caroline who can't show her true feelings and ends up getting left for her cousin Melinda. It's a great book for anyone who feels they're misunderstood. It's a way to feel as if someone actually understands who they are. Taylor Caldwell truely captured the true essence of people's actions in "A Prologue to Love" and you can actually hear the people speak and feel their anger, sadness, happiness, and depair.

This was one of the first adult books I ever read, at around age thirteen. Forty years later, it is still one of my favorites. I was fortunate to find a beautiful hard-cover copy at a local library sale, and added it to my collection of books to be treasured. The character of Caroline Ames Sheldon is one of the strongest, purest and most pathetic female heroines in the history of literature. The book is beautifully written by Miss Caldwell. I am a fan of hers in general, and have read many of her other works (Captains and the Kings is another favorite). But this book occupies a special place in my heart and in my home.