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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mary Jo Putney at her best--which is stunning!, October 23, 1999
I love this story! The empathic, sensitive, animal-healing hero is to die for, and I really love the heroine, especially her psychic abilities and the way the hero and heroine both love animals so much and connect emotionally and spiritually over this love. MJP's major talent is very much in evidence in every part of this story. I am in awe of her elegant use of flashbacks, the careful, believable, moving character development with great motivation, the extraordinary romance, friendship and passion between the hero and heroine. Also, MJP's special gift, very much in evidence here, is interweaving the relationship between the hero and heroine with their relationships with their blood families as well as their "families of affiliation." Particularly in this case the latter provides a welcome chance to revisit old friends in Rebecca and Kenneth. I find the whole setting of the heroine's incredible gardens enthralling, including her artistic ability with flower arrangements and "carving" bushes in the topiary and elsewhere. I love Meriel's amazing tree house and the lovely image of the beautiful horse Dom gets her with hair the color of hers. The scene with the fox Meriel and Dom save is very moving, as is the relationship she has with her East Indian rescuer and his romance with an important subcharacter. So many riches in one book, I have to say more. <G> I experienced the prologue as incredibly powerful--what a fantastic hook! I myself never suspected for a moment who the villain is until the climax, but his evil is not at all "out of the blue." Also well done is the interweaving of the theme of the castle ruin throughout the whole book. It serves multiple linked purposes, including the ultimate regaining of the heroine's blocked memory. I am tempted to hazard my own response to the symbology here--that the castle ruin can be seen to represent (among other evocative images and metaphors) the heroine's family roots, and a basic solidity in her core character that allows her to heal from the horrendous psychological trauma in her early childhood shown in the prologue. Conceptually, the castle ruin also provides opportunities for MJP's wonderful, subtle wit, which shines throughout the book. The plotting altogether is superb. For example, I love what MJP does with the madhouse and the way that the hero's helping Ames' daughter Jena leads to Dom later getting assistance to help rescue Meriel from the same place. I like the interweaving of what is happening with Kyle, the hero's twin, with what is happening with Dom, the hero, throughout the book. I found myself wondering about halfway through if Dom and Kyle are going to change places in the end as a powerful echo of their switching places throughout the book. So for me it is extremely well motivated and "organically cohesive" when MJP does that switch figuratively, in a believable psychological way, with Dom and Kyle realizing that Dom is very like their father, rooted in family and tradition and the land, and that Kyle is a natural wanderer. Kyle also realizes that only he has been keeping himself from following his dream and that he doesn't have to resent anyone or anything for that situtation anymore--he can remedy it himself.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Putney At Her Best, September 12, 1999
Mary Jo Putney has made a name writing books that combine lyrical romance with strong characterization and social commentary. In THE WILD CHILD she is in top form. This historical tells the story of Meriel Grahme and Dominic Renbourne. Dominic is the younger of an earl's two sons--by ten minutes. Those few minutes make all the difference. Relaxed and friendly where his identical twin is formal, and independent where his twin is duty-bound, Dominic is hardly one to step to his brother's tune. But then Kyle, his brother, offers him the chance to realize a dream Dominic had thought beyond his grasp. In return, he must play Kyle in an odd charade that makes no real sense to him; he agrees to court his brother's betrothed, Meriel Grahame, a lovely, wealthy--and apparently mad heiress. So begins a well-realized love story between two remarkable people. Putney creates a magical quality for Meriel's vast garden, where much of the story takes place. In some ways, THE WILD CHILD is an adult retelling on THE SECRET GARDEN, with the roles reversed. Here the woman needs to heal. Meriel is both strong and vulnerable, freed in some ways from the constraints on women in her culture, yet bound by the borders of her garden. Her gradual recovery makes an uplifting story. For all her silences and withdrawal, she often comes across as one of the most sensible people in her small world. The garden is beautifully realized, from vivid descriptions of the topiary to the enchanted quality of Meriel's tree house. Dominic's burgeoning love touches a deep chord. I don't normally go for twin substitution stories, but this one works. His dilemma--coming to love with his brother's intended--avoids cliches. Rather than bogging down with discord or misunderstandings, the characters act with maturity, humor, and a refreshing dash of common sense. None are perfect; when Dominic isn't pretending to be his overly exacting twin, he is somewhat of a disorganized mess. His faults only increase his charm. His fundamental decency adds power to the conflict he faces when he realizes how he feels for Meriel. With gentle stealth feminism, Putney comments on how labels such as "hysterical" and "mad" have been used to silence women's voices. Although this book is a historical, it has resonances with our own culture. The commentary is all the more effective because of the compassion Putney infuses into her work. She seems to care for all her characters, male and female, young and old, of all races, conservative or modern. Putney fans may recognize Meriel as the descendant of another Merial in the novel UNCOMMON VOWS. Nor does the story arc end with THE WILD CHILD. Due out in summer 2000, THE CHINA BRIDE tells the story of Dominic's brother Kyle and an unusual, captivating woman who comes into his life. THE WILD CHILD is well worth reading. It is Mary Jo Putney at her best. And that is good indeed
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A+A+A+ Thumbs Wayyyy up!!! Wonderful Book!!!, May 22, 2002
Loved this book. This book is my second Putney to read and I must say that I am most impressed with this author's writing style. Her plots are not conventional nor was it predictable. It is refreshing to find an author that has been out there for a while writing stories of this caliber.... just think of the joy of discovering her back list!!! LOL "The Wild Child" tells the story of two twin brothers that have a very strained relationship although at one time they were very close (as common with twins) it also tells the story of a woman not afraid of her own physical wants and desires, however because of a tragedy when she was young has chosen to stay "mute" with society's world. Getting to know Meriel and her world was tedious at times because quite frankly reading a book where one of the main characters does not communicate can be. I do highly recommend this book once it picked up it really became rather interesting. If you like books with Twins switching places I also recommend "The Switch" by Sandra Brown as well as "Deceptions" by Judith Michael. If you should like books about Heroines that are "mute" then try "Awaken My Love" by Robin Schone. Happy Reading
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