Customer Reviews

The Town House

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The Town House by Norah Lofts is a varied tale exploring the lives of several generations of family members beginning in 1391. Excellently researched and exquisitely detailed, the story follows the Martin Reed family and his progeny through murder, adventure, wealth and poverty to the exciting conclusion of the first book in the trilogy. An excellent read for anyone interested in history, with amazing character and human insight.

this book is the first in the "house" trilogy, it starts in 1381 when a serf runs away from his master, the trials and tragedys that happen to him remind us just how brutal life was in 14th century England, it makes you want more and you get it in "The house at old vine" good historical , suspenseful reading, no one has yet to beat Norah Lofts

Norah Lofts is a wonderful storyteller. In the Townhouse, she begins with an ordinary English peasant, Martin Reed, as narrator. He describes how he rose to wealth and built the townhouse. The story then switches narrators to fill in the story as the years pass, but the last word in the novel belongs to Martin as a wise old man. A wonderfully vivid picture of medieval England is painted along the way and we meet some equally vivid people. Along with the realism, there's a touch of the supernatural. It's a shame it's out of print.

Norah Lofts is my all time favorite author. I love the way she used such quirky twists of fate and her style of telling the story from the different perspectives of more than one character in the book. She also adds in characters from other books and ties them all together in a most wonderful way. I don't know how she kept track of it all in the days before computers. It's a shame they haven't re-realsed more of her books. All the hype of authors such as Diana Gabaldon (I did love her first three in the Outlander series but now she's seriously off track and I'm wondering if she can live up to her reputation) who can't hold a candle to Ms. Lofts. I love the entire House trilogy but would be hard pressed to pick one favorite of what I've read of this author's wonderful books. Very frustrating that I cannot even find some of the ones I haven't read yet. I've devoured the whole of what's in my library.

Before there was Pillars of the Earth there was The Town House. Norah Lofts is a forgotten mistress of historical fiction. Compelling, detailed, exciting. Rich characters that go different directions that you want, surprise, disappointment, and satisfaction. Great book, queen of it's genre.

"The Town House" by Norah Lofts was a book that I picked up at a rummage sale. It sat around the house for several months, before I decided to read it, not expecting too much. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! This is an amazing book, with believable characters and circumstances. It is somewhat similar to "Pillars of the Earth," but the story goes down a different route, a different, but a very rewarding one. It was an absolute joy to read, and have read the sequel, and will start the third book soon enough. An absolute joy and an underrated classic.

I have owned this book for several years and have read it many times. Norah Lofts has a great grasp of English country living and English history. I am a big fan.

Ordered for wife she loved it . Fast Shipping and in perfect condition excellent seller .The Town House (Hardcover) by Norah Robinson Lofts

Fascinating book that is very hard to put down. If you read this you will become of fan of Norah Lofts and have a wonderful time reading her many varied lovely books.

My mother (a great Norah Lofts fan) handed this tale to me years ago and the story has never left my mind. Martin, the serf who counted himself lucky to know his birth year until love made (or ruined) his future, the old mid-wife, the bear tamer, the gypsy's child and the disappointed cardinal, they all remain in my memory along with others I do not name. The Town House sheltered them all at some point and it is easy to imagine their spirits moving between the walls,telling and retelling how chance and choice ruled their lives. If you like historical fiction, by all means try the Town House but remember what I say: once read, part of your memory will dwell in The Town House too.