Customer Reviews

Silent Governess, The

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Olivia Keene believes she is guilty of a crime and flees her home. In the process she stumbles onto Lord Bradley's property and overhears a conversation that makes her a threat to the Lord. She is caught trespassing and sent to prison before the Lord brings her to his estate and makes her a servant. So begins this story set in regency England.

Usually, I am not a reader of regency tales. I know, I know. Many people love them, but they aren't really my cup of tea. However Ms. Klassen's style is riveting. Her characters are caught in tangled webs that intersect and overlap and twist and turn with hopes and fears. And because the characters are so richly drawn, I can't keep myself from turning the pages when I should be doing other things. But I think what I love most about her style is that I am transported back in time, to a period I don't know well, but feel completely dropped into while I'm reading. I can hear the accents, see the streets, and watch the people. It makes for a compelling book that I couldn't put down.

So if you like historical novels, I suggest you try this one -- even if regency is not your usually choice. I think you will quickly learn why Ms. Klassen is a best-selling author of Christian fiction.

I have read every book Julie Klassen has written and this one absolutely did not disappoint. I thought it wasn't out until January 2010 and was so surprised to see it at my local book store. I snatched it right up. She gets better with each book she writes. Her books are so well written, it's amazing. I buy them wanting to delve right in but at the same time, try to read slowly so I can make the enjoyment last longer. Klassen's characters are people you wish you knew yourself, she makes them so very real. You feel their pain, know their joy and take them as your own friends.
I will not give away anything of the plot, but suffice it to say this is a magnificent book. There is mystery, romance, intrigue and faith all wrapped together in a delightfully longer book than the others.
Don't hesitate to buy this book. I'm hard to please and this is an excellent choice and not one bit of a waste of your book money. It's one for your collection.

I'm not a huge fan of the regency genre, so this book was a bit hard for me to get into. However, for those who ARE into "lords, ladies and manors" - this book will most likely be enjoyable.

As the story begins, Olivia Keene is fleeing from a terrible situation at home. When she ventures into the woods and ends up stepping on private property, she finds herself headed to the "lock up" accused of trespassing. Lord Bradley, owner of Brightwell Court comes to her "rescue" but only because he's terrified at the "secret" she might have overheard, while eavesdropping. Afraid that his past will catch up to him, Lord Bradley sentences Olivia to the position of under nurse at Brightwell Court, where she must live and work for the next three months. Keeping her under close scrutiny, Lord Bradley determines to find out just how much she knows about him personally, and whether or not she plans to expose him. However, as typical love stories go, they fight their growing attraction to one another while the plot thickens and they both desperately try to keep secrets from each other.

For fans of Jane Eyre and Jane Austen, this book will probably be a good read.

Upon finishing a book my wife suggested author Julie Klassen. "I think you'll like her."
The Silent Governess is ice-cream with extra toppings. Solid writing, compelling story, layered plots, historical, English village setting, mystery, action, suspense, and just enough romance to make it believable--but void of the un-manly "chick-lit" echelon. I dug in and could not stop. So guys, give Klassen a try, beginning like me, with this book.

The story starts with so much action you can't NOT read it. A jolly-good page turner. Nov. 1815 eventually becomes March of 1816 and there may be some who will cry `predictability', but that's true of any Hist/Fic/Rom. It's the worded path that Klassen pens that is the exception here. Such fun strolling through chapters painted with enchanting word visions of quaint village shops, Tudor buildings, and the occasional coach & 4. There are the rich and poor classes, of course, and a mansion, Brightwell Court, with a staff of no less than 17 staff which the heroine Oliva Keene, the muted governess, joins. It's gave me some of the same enjoyable thrills as in "Upstairs, Downstairs", while meeting these working class folk. There are secrets and consequences to actions, that all have to be played out prior to the satisfying end.

A three chapter length Christmas period in 1814 is worth the used book price alone. Our purchase was large print, 713 pages that moved so fast the end came prior to my desire to leave this English country estate. I don't get paid for plugging anyone's book, even bought our copy, but Klassen has her fifth book to release soon, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, Jan 2012. It's supposed to be another English estate tale, and by Dickens, I'm requesting my copy prior to release. I want it fast. Is it a sequel, or just the next well-written Klassen (lover of Austen, editor of Beverly Lewis) novel?

My wife love this author too. Ah, I've found another fine author, but so little time.

I bought this book mistakenly as I'm not a huge fan of books under the 'Christian Romance' genre, but I found that it was not too over-bearing with religious overtones and whatnot. The author wrote a good story that wasn't too predictable and made for a good mystery. I very much enjoyed her quotes about the lives of governesses she included before each chapter, showing that she clearly did her research and there was lovely detail about the hierarchy in a manor house from the lords and ladies right down to the scullery maids giving the reader a good insight into the strict rules pervading society during the Regency period in England.

Some of the characters she created I wish she had developed more to make the story a little more rounded, otherwise it was an entertaining, short read. I think most people will end up enjoying it.

I loved this book. It is over 400 pages long and I started it at night with the thought I would read most of it and then go to sleep. Well I did not go to sleep until after I was finished. It is well written and kept my attention from beginning to end. The Regency time period is one of my favorites. The characters and plot were developed and interesting. The spiritual aspect is not heavy or preachy. In some ways I wish it were more developed. I have read all of Julie Klassen's books and liked them but this is my favorite. I highly recommend this Christian historical fiction novel.:)

I wanted to like this book so much, but it became boring pretty quickly. One reviewer said something like "she suffered through it." I felt the same way. And life is too short to suffer through books unless required to for some end.
I loved the cover, and will never again judge a book by its cover.
or by its 5 star reviews. I am going to start listening to the
3 star and under reviews.

I haven't read anything else by this author, but I probably will since she seems to have some talent for writing--I just found this story boring.

I've been on a reading streak as of late, and have a new book that you need to read. This book, called "The Silent Governess" was written by Julie Klassen, and was sent to me as part of Bethany House's free blogger review program. This book is almost a Nancy Drew meets Jane Austin kind of work, and is very successful in both genera's. The book begins with a young lady, whom we come to know as Olivia, running from her current life, headlong into another to escape danger. Each step of her journey is filled with twists and turns, that keep the reader coming back for more. Eventually Olivia is forced into the employ of a man named Edward because of something she overheard, unfortunately, because of injuries she has sustained, she is no longer vocal, causing her to be a mute and rendering her virtually useless anywhere besides the nursery, where the aging nanny needs assistance. Eventually, Olivia is reunited with her parents, who unbeknownst to her are actually part of the mystery surrounding her employ at Brightwell Court! Want to know what happens? Well, you'll just have to pick up your own copy! I highly recommend it.

I received The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, published by BethanyHouse, in order to review. I must tell you that when this book arrived, I put it aside. It has 443 pages from start to finish and it seemed too bulky to even begin reading. How I wish I had picked it up weeks ago! This book is absolutely wonderful. I hated to put it down once I started reading. The chapters are short and they pull you in. The characters are interesting. The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end. I thought I had everything figured out midway through the book, but I was sooo wrong. The author did a fantastic job with this book. The discussion questions that are included are a plus!

Now, I will tell you a little about the book. Miss Olivia Keene finds herself running from her home, having to keep a horrible secret, and ends up overhearing a conversation that could ruin the reputation of Lord Edward Bradley, not to mention his future, his inheritance and his home. Lord Bradley decides to keep Olivia in his employ so he can keep an eye on her. She becomes an under nurse then a governess to Lord Bradley's two young relatives. Due to Olivia being strangled, she lost her ability to talk for quite a while, giving the book the title "Silent Governess." This book is filled with twists and turns, secrets, romance, and excitement. It is worth your time to read!

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Olivia Keene, at a early age, has the ability to cipher sums. Her father, being proud of her ability, often took her to the local pub and racetrack, placing wagers on her ability to give the correct answers. Around the age of twelve, something happened and her father lost interest in her, drinking to excess, becoming very quarrelsome, and making Olivia's life miserable.

Coming home late one night she surprises a man trying to strangle her mother. She grabs a fire iron, striking him on the head and he falls to the floor. Thinking she has murdered the man, her mother encourages her to flee from the home and go to St. Aldwyns, a girl's school where she might obtain a position.

On the way, Olivia overhears a conversation revealing a secret she should not have heard. Lord Bradley, occupant of the Manor, and whose secret she had overheard, forces her to take a position in the nursery, caring for his two young cousins. This way he could assure himself of her silence. Keeping her own secret, Lord Bradley's secret, and his contempt for her makes for a very stressful life.

The story is moving, mysterious, and romantic as the writer keeps you focused on the life of a Governess in an English Manor where nothing is as it appears to be. Mrs. Klassen did a excellent job of holding my interest to the final conclusion. I strongly recommend you read the book to see if Olivia's and Lord Bradley's secrets are exposed, what impact the secrets have on the lives of those living at the Manor. A must read for those who enjoy historical fiction, you will become a fan of Mrs. Klassen and look forward to reading all of her books.

This book was supplied by the publisher as a review copy.