Customer Reviews

The Visitor (English Garden, Book 3)

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

 

 

This novel was, unfortunately, the first and last book I read of the English Garden Series. I do not discourage against any of the other books, as I have not read them, nor do I discourage a reader from trying out Lori Wick. I am an avid reader of Christian fiction (perhaps TOO much!) and my rating is based off of similar books of Christian historical fiction.

There were several things that encouraged me to give this novel a 1-star rating. First, there were a confusing abundance of secondary characters. One may argue that by reading the first two books, keeping track of the extra (often seemingly insignificant secondary characters) would have been easier. Of course, that is true, but Wick also never allowed a me to even get a glimpse of who these other people were. The book is noted by many reviewers as a "stand-alone" novel. It didn't feel like it, I felt like an outsider constantly looking in.

The plot became fairly plodding and boring with little action beyond the self-conscience struggles of the protagonist, Cassie. It's Cassie, I believe, that really failed this entire book for me. Wick fell into a trap that some authors (too often, Christian fiction authors) fall into - that being that their female characters are beautiful, pious, gentle and all-around perfect. Wick, though, gives Cassie one "fatal" flaw: she has red hair. Unfortunately, that is the main problem holding Cassie and Tate apart. Her hair.

The novel is sweet, perhaps, and the idea of the plot (a young woman reading to a blind man and falling in love) is nice. But when one of the primary conflicts of the book arise from the color of Cassie's hair... well, I can admit that it doesn't make for the most thrilling or even self-reflecting read. I felt myself distanced from Cassie - how can any human being only have one tiny, tiny flaw? As a reader, you need to identify with the main characters to create true empathy for them - in this case, I saw a porcelain doll with no flaws who bemoans the fact that they don't like the color of their eyes or their feet are too small.

If you want to read Lori Wick, she does have some excellent novels - most published earlier in her career such as The Donovans or A Yellow Rose Trilogy. Also, I have a great love of Deanne Gist and Lori Copeland.

If you've read and enjoyed any of Jane Austin's novels, you will delight in Lori Wick's "The Visitor." This is the third book in her "English Garden" series and although it easily stands alone, readers will be enticed to read book 1 and 2. Wick's characters and dialogue are realistic and appropriate for the 1812 period of time in England. This is my first Lori Wick novel but It made me a fan and I intend to seek out more from this accomplished author.
Beverly J Scott

A tale of two sisters: one who falls in love with a blind man and one whose romantic interest is blind to her love. The story begins with the first sister reading daily to the man who, on his doctor's advice, has sought a quiet retreat, hoping the rest will help regain his sight. The second sister's heart throb is in Africa with a her brother. Another brother, at home with the sisters, is blind to how his shyness affects those around him. Once aware of the consequences of his shyness, he turns to God for help. Interwoven subplots reinforce the theme of God's love.

This book is written in a style that fits the historical scenario (1812 in the English countryside), but is not as interesting to me as some others by Lori Wick. My favorites by Lori Wick include The Princess, Song for Silas, and Sophie's Heart.

Once again, Lori Wick has provided a confusing story with many characters. Agreed, one "couple" can become tedious and a tad boring at times, but she shifts the action so many times in each chapter that I found myself turning to the front of the book to the cast of characters to confirm who they were! And I have read all of her books and am used to a big cast. The subplots were fine as subjects, but there were so many characters and so many story lines it was almost as if she couldn't come up with the main story and had to "fill" the gaps.

In my opinion, her earlier work still outshines her more recent, more "mature" books with regards to plot development and execution, character development, character description, and just plain likability of the characters. I was soooo taken with the Donovan family in "The Californians" and the Cameron's in the "Fireside" series. I wanted their stories to go on! Even The Texas Trilogy left me wanting more of the life of the characters...but these "English Garden" characters leave me shrugging with indifference.

Cassie and Tate are the main focus of the story (Cassie is the "Visitor") and they fall in love as she reads to him as he recuperates from an accident that has left him blind. Will he regain his sight? And if he does, will he still want Cassie, who doesn't see herself as beautiful as her sisters? Then there are Lizzie (Cassie's sister) and Moreland. Moreland is a friend of Lizzie's brother Edward, and she has loved him from afar. Moreland, blind to Lizzie's feelings, is certain she doesn't care for him! Once he finds out her true feelings, the gentle chase is on.

I found Lizzie and Moreland to be more fun than Cassie and Tate. And I thought Henry, who struggled with quietness (I didn't see him as shy, but rather someone who didn't like to interact with others), to be realistic as he overcame his selfishness. He finally realized that "living" his Christian life was not enough, and that by being quiet he was failing to tell others about his Lord. He asked God to change him and, althought he struggled and suffered through it, he began to turn around and become the family leader he should.

If you are a Lori Wick fan, and don't get me wrong, I am (I love the way she always presents the plan of salvation in her stories and the way her characters work on their prayer lives!), then this book will be appealing. If you are new to Mrs. Wick, read this book, but investigate her earlier publications. I promise, you won't be sorry you went on the treasure hunt.

I used to be such a huge Lori Wick fan but it seems like all her newer books, basicly anything after the Texas Rose Trilogy have just been trite books with no depth. Ok I will admit that the frist time that I read the Vistor I really like it. I thought that it was a fun quick read. But I just reread it and I just wanted to throw the book across the room everytime Cassie went off on her looks or lack there of in her opinion. At 24 years of age as Cassie is in the book you should realize that there is more to life then looks. And I just can't see that any guy would put up with girl so insecure about her looks as Cassie is and to pull what Cassie does in the book. But I guess in the world of Lori Wick if you are red head with freckles you have to get a guy to fall in love with you before he sees you to have any chance at happiness.

I am a big fan of stories from this era, and I really enjoyed all four books in this series. I live in reality... I don't need a story to further dwell on that. I enjoy that Lori's books are so ideal, so perfect. I don't mind that the characters aren't "believeable" as some have criticized. That's exactly why I read them! It's fun to escape. And yet in the story there are neat twists and turns. They aren't completey predictable. I recommend this book highly. And I enjoy that the characters you meet as the series goes along are main characters in later books. That is a very neat aspect. I do recommend reading the books in order. I skipped book 2 because I didn't own it and read it last. I wish I hadn't. It isn't necessary, but I think you miss out when those characters pop up in the later books.

I really enjoyed this book its a great story for anyone . It is also a beautiful love story how Cassandra falls in love with a man who is blind, and they give each other more faith hope and love. I'd recommend it to anyone and I think its the best in the English Garden series. Lori Wick always writes such great stories.

After reading some of the reviews I was hesitant to pick this book up, but in the end I am so glad I did! Though not as good as "The Rescue" this is still an excellent book.
I loved that Lori Wick decided to have both sisters involved in a romance instead of just one. I enjoyed Lizzie and Morland just as much as I did Cassie and Tate. This was another book, I just couldn't put down until I had read every word.
I felt that I could really identify with Cassie and her doubts of herself, because I also have had some of the same. I also enjoyed how Tate wasn't always perfect in his faith and that gave him a real sense of being human.
This entire series is definitely a must have addition to your collection. All of the books in the English Garden Series were excellent, especially the last three.

I found the book relaxing and entertaining, but not evoking the deep feelings or profound truth of some of her earlier works. Still worth reading, for Lori Wick fans.

I did enjoy this book but it is not as good as some of the other books Mrs. Wick has written. Though I did think that the storyline was very good. I liked the idea of a blind man and a supposably "plain" looking woman. It showed that beauty is not something that is seen with the eyes. If you have enjoyed any of Mrs. Wick's previous romance novels then I believe you will enjoy this one too.