The Shifting Fog [Paperback]

Kate Morton (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 551 pages
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin; First Thus edition (2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1741751772
• ISBN-13: 978-1741751772
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #896,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Shifting Fog becomes The House at Riverton, February 12, 2008

By 

Scrambler (Eastern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shifting Fog (Paperback)

This delightful book, originally published in Australia, will soon be available in the United States in a slightly edited form as "The House at Riverton." As a good read, HAR was comparable to "The Thorn Birds" for me, although the subject matter is very different. Ms. Morton, a new author with great potential, considerable already realized, embeds the origins or equivalents of many current issues into this novel set primarily in the 1920's, but actually spanning the century with the life of its chief protagonist, Grace.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like Upstairs, Downstairs you'll LOVE this book!, January 10, 2008

By 

Book Lover (SE US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shifting Fog (Paperback)

The Shifting Fog was a recommendation on my Amazon list. I read the description of the book (per the audio edition) and knew I had to have it. Unfortunately, it was no longer available through Amazon so I had to go to an auction site and actually bought it from a bookstore in another country! If you liked Upstairs, Downstairs or period drama from WWI and the 1920s you definitely have to read this book!

Grace is born 1n 1900 and gets a position as parlormaid at Riverton Manor when she is 14 (her mother had also worked at Riverton Manor). Over time, Grace becomes interested in the lives of the two teenage sisters who reside at Riverton during the summers (their father is "second in line" so Riverton is not their home).

The story continues through WWI and the affect that has on both "upstairs" residents and "downstairs" residents, and afterward until an evening in 1924 when a friend of the family, Robbie Hunter (who is also a depressed poet) commits suicide at a lake on the Riverton estate, in front of both Hannah and Emmeline (the sisters). After that night the sisters never speak again.

The story is narrated by Grace via flashbacks from 1999 when a film producer shows up at the nursing home where Grace now lives. Ursula the film producer is making a film about the events surrounding the suicide of Robbie Hunter and has tracked down Grace for her first hand account.

Aside from the era being very well drawn, the characters of Grace, Hannah, Emmeline, and the supporting cast are very rich and you can definitely lose yourself in this book. If you have seen Upstairs Downstairs you will recognize a lot of the descriptions of the duties and relationships of both the family and their servants - including their secrets. It is a wonderful book to curl up with.

I highly recommend it (if you can find it!).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Try the Audio Version!, June 8, 2008

By 

Liz (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shifting Fog (Paperback)

This is an excellent book, a beautiful narration. Kate Morton is a great storyteller! Caroline Lee has the perfect voice for the narration. One of the few books I truly did not want to end!

Go to Audible's website and listen to the sample of this book. The characters are fascinating. You aren't really drawn in by a plot, but by the very human relating and foilables, such as we all have.

I'd say the main theme is how such little deceptions cause such major events in life. There is suspense about how it all happened and the flash back from old age is done remarkably well. The reader has such a colorful voice. The little characteristics of her words become very special in her telling of the story. I'd give more than 5 stars if I could!