Customer Reviews

A Woman of Substance

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For whatever the reason, A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford, was one of those books which always eluded me. Trying to read it on three separate occasions I never got any further than 200 pages. But this year when my online a book list decided to read this, I was determined to persevere or as Emma Harte, the heroine of the book said at the end, "To endure" till I finished the last page. And finish it I did and found myself falling in love with not only the characters portrayed in this book but with the areas of England Ms. Bradford describes as well.

There are books we all read who give us characters we will never forget. Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With the Wind, Father Ralph and Meggie from The Thorn Birds, Ari Ben Canaan and Kitty from Exodus. And to this list I now add the name Emma Harte.

A Woman of Substance is a grand book told over close to six decades and also introduces us to the Yorkshire area of England as well as the cities of Leeds and London. And as if that wasn't enough we come to know dear friends of Emma's like Blackie and the Kallinski family as well as enemies and rivals from the Fairley family. We also come to know Emmas brothers Frank and Winston and her children and grandchildren.

Emma, through great business acumen and the will to succeed, rises from a maid in a wealthy home to own a multimillion dollar enterprise. She does this to reap revenge on her former employer and his son, two men who have little understanding of their actions and the consequences. As Emma becomes more and more successful she finds herself marrying several men but only one does she love with all her heart.

If you enjoyed books like The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly and As the Crow Flies by Jeffrey Archer, I highly suggest you read this oldie and keeper of a book. I now look forward to read the next book in this series Hold That Dream and the rest including the newest one, Unexpected Blessing, which was just published.
.

I watch more TV than I read, but Barbara Taylor Bradford has changed my thinking. I specifically am searching for her books now, because "A Woman of Substance" really grabbed me.

I laughed and I cried and I was really shocked. When I got near the end of the book, I did not want the story to end.

I could really feel the friendships with Emma and Blackie. They were always there for eachother through everything. They're relationship moved me.

And the book was very inspiring for me as a woman. She didn't wimp out and kept fighting for what she wanted and what she earned.

The "Woman of Substance," and the other sequels following it are wonderful works! The story is based upon the poor Emma, who is a poverty-stricken child, living in rags, and yet comes out of it a wonderful young adult, working her way to empireship with her store business across the country. She works her fingers to the bone to achieve her goals, is a formidable woman, and always gets what she sets out to accomplish through her relentless perserverance. A worthwhile read, and VERY HARD to put it down once you get into the story!

I first read this book at least 20 years ago and think it will be a true classic. It is beautifully written by a very gifted author. The use of the English language is as joyful to read as Shakespeare, and the story is enthralling. It is a must for every young woman because it tells of the power of being a woman and the pitfalls. Voices of the Heart, Bradfords second novel I believe, was also extremely well written. Unfortunately as she has progressed through the years her story telling and use of the language have turned to pulp fiction. I wish she would take five years to write another classic!

A Woman of Substance is a book that I have wanted to read for many years but held off mainly because of the number of pages. With the help of a few reading friends, I was finally able to conquer this saga and am now happy that I did.
AWOS tell the story of Emma Harte. A young girl who came from poverty only to become one of the most powerful and richest woman in the world.
When Emma was just a child she worked for the Fairleys as a servant. The masters son, Edwin, and her became very close friends and eventually started a relationship that only led to trouble. Scorned and let down by Edwin, Emma ran off to find her fortune and vowed revenge of the Fairleys.
As we go through the years with Emma, we experience her love and loss but one thing always stayed true, her secret to life.
"You must endure."
Find yourself a nice comfortable place to read this great book and enjoy your time with Emma. You certainly will not regret it, or forget her.

This is my first book by BTB and won't be my last. I chose this strictly because I had seen three other books that related to this one, two which were part of the trilogy. I figured I would give it a try, as I love epics. I was definitely not disappointed. The characters were so vivid and real to me, I couldn't put the book down. At over 700 pages hardback, it is quite a read, but I have done it in less than a week. I absolutely couldn't get anything done until I found out what happened. I love the way she set it up- she got you hooked, then let you dangle for oh, 699 pages!!!

If you are a fan of Sara Donati's "Wilderness" books, you will definitely love this. I can't wait until tomorrow to get the sequel.

A Woman of Substance is the story of Emma Harte, an English woman who starts life out in poverty-like conditions and rises above it to become one of the richest women in the world. The story starts out in New York in 1968 where the reader is introduced to Emma and her granddaughter Paula. It then progresses to England in the current day (1968) where Emma settles down to do some family business. The book then goes back to Emma's childhood in England in the early 1900's. Emma is a maid at Fairley Hall, a job she hates but must perform to help the family finances. Something then happens that causes Emma to have to leave home and fend for herself. Being a strong person she doesn't dwell in self-pity. Instead she uses her mind and her natural talent at business to start the store that will later turn into a major empire.

A Woman of Substance is a well-written book. I must agree with other reviewers that the first part is a bit confusing and doesn't really do much except to set up the scene to take the reader back into Emma's childhood to see her rise to fortune. I honestly didn't think I would like this book during Part 1 but kept reading. Ultimately I was glad I didn't give up on this book as it is extremely entertaining and well worth the time to read. There are a lot of characters in the book to keep straight. Once figured out though the characters all have an important part in the book.

I can't say enough about this wonderful book. It is just brilliant. It has everything from poverty to fortune, love to hatred, revenge, friendship, laughter, tears. Every emotion possible is revealed during the 900 plus pages of this book.

A Woman of Substance is a must read book. Definitely a book to put on the keeper shelf to revisit in the future.

One of two top novels. Emma Harte is my favorite fiction character. I read this book many years ago and it still remains on the top of my list. As a young woman I was interested in climbing the road to success. Emma Harte's story was an inspiration. I identified with her obsticales, and cheered her success. Every female should read this novel.

This book is a joy to read. I found myself so enchanted by the characters that I read the book over and over again. Wonderful traditional rags to riches girl stuff.

This is the first book in a trilogy concerning Emma, her daughter, and her granddaughter. Emma went from "rags to riches" through hard work and perseverence without stepping on anyone elses toes. If you want a fast-moving, honest, down-to-earth success story, this is the one book you should read. Barbara Taylor Bradford has a great way with words and descriptions. Be sure to read the sequels to this book.