A Catch of Consequence (Makepeace Hedley) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE woman feathering her boat round the bend of the Charles River into Massachusetts Bay that early morning on August 15 1765 was about to..." (more)
Key Phrases: young josh, tavern wench, bonny lass, Lady Dapifer, Roaring Meg, Sir Philip (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Makepeace Burke hates waste, so it is only logical that she would fish a drowning man out of the ocean. The man turns out to be Englishman Philip Dapifer, who was tossed into Boston Harbor by several Sons of Liberty protesting the Stamp Tax. Most of her customers and Makepeace herself are closely aligned with the cause for American freedom, so she tries to keep Philip hidden in her tavern until he recovers, but once Makepeace's future mother-in-law intrudes, everyone in Boston soon knows she is harboring the enemy. Forced to leave everything behind, Makepeace travels with Philip to England to begin a new life in a country she hates with a man with whom she is slowly falling in love. Resplendent with historical details, filled with beautifully crafted characters, and kissed with a subtle touch of romance, Norman's tale is historical fiction at its best. Makepeace is so irresistibly indomitable, readers will relish every moment of her unforgettable adventures. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Praise for earlier writing: 'Drama, passion, intrigue and danger, I loved it and didn't want it to end ever.' Maureen Waller, Sunday Times. 'Very readable and highly entertaining' Financial Times 'Quite simply, splendid ' Frank Delaney 'She captures the feel of the period, with wit, verve and emotion. I hated coming to the end of the book.' Woman's Own --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 386 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425190153
• ISBN-13: 978-0425190159
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,092 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a great catch!, February 24, 2004

By	Maria Álvarez Folgado "alfaris5" (castellar del valles, barcelona Spain) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What a wonderful novel! It is so full of surprises, whenever you think "Aha! I know just what is coming now!" you are wrong and the story takes an unsuspected turn that causes you to become "glued" to it. You really can't put it down!

The plot, set in the 18th century (1765), is divided into three different parts corresponding to the three diferent locations where events take place. The main character, Makepeace Burkin, changes and evolves throughout the story, as she suffers the consequences of the "catch" the story begins with. Her solid puritan, egalitarian, business-oriented, no-nonsense American upbringing has made her hard-working, obstinate and fiercely independent, and it is a help in the moral choices she is constantly confronted with. However, the novel is not moralistic at all, and neither is the main character. She is a lovely tavern owner and supporter of the American cause against the British tyrants, who cannot imagine her life is going to take such a drastic turn. She has to stretch her moral principles indeed to cover many of the unbelievable, unimaginable situations she is involved in.

There are many historically relevant themes in the novel, which is set in such interesting times and is narrrated from the point of view of an outsider (a colonial, a woman) who travels to the metropolis, Britain, and does not see it with much sympathy: she generally distrusts and despises the ruling classes and is confronted with many a hilarious, almost surrealistic situation whenever she is in the company of the rigid British aristocratic crowd in their own sophisticated home (Yes. Makepeace finds herself and her eccentric , lovable "family" in the tyrants' lair, in London) .

However, those looking for a very romantic novel should be warned that, even though there IS a wonderful and heart-warming love story, the author does not overindulge in the romantic side of things. In fact, she is quite frugal and leaves quite a lot for the readers' imagination.

The greatest strengths of the novel are: it is a VERY GOOD story well told (a really good yarn) and the characters are all ROUND and well FLESHED OUT, even those that we only see for two pages and then dissapear. The highly interesting atmosphere of the era is described through the events or actions that affect the characters, the author never gives encyclopedia-like explanations.In short, it is a wonder how so much atmosphere, so vibrating a story, and such eccentric but believable characters
can be created by the author in just about 400 pages! Don't miss it! You won't regret it.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haven't liked a book so well in a long time, May 16, 2005

By	Ashley (Phoenix) - See all my reviews

A Catch of Consequence was heart-warming and heart-breaking, fast paced and excellently written. Makepeace was a heroine to cheer for and to cry with. This is not a romance novel; do not expect the romance to be the point or the focus. It is about Makepeace's journey through love and heartache to self-realization and peace within herself. It is also a rollicking, fun, and deeply satisfying story. I grew to love all the characters and laughed and cried with them. Diana Norman has an enviable talent for storytelling. Highly recommended.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an entertaining romance, July 2, 2003

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In 1765 Boston, tavern manager Makepeace Burke despises the English crown and aristocracy for what they are doing to her and her fellow colonists. However, that does not stop the twenty-four year old from rescuing Sir Philip Dapifer from drowning in the Charles River. Her Good Samaritan deed leads to her ostracism from her friends and other patriots.

Philip falls in love with his savior and returns the favor by sneaking her on board a ship bound to England. They marry on the vessel, but Makepeace finds life in England worse than Boston because the locals treat her with scorn for being a Yankee. As she adapts to her new life, Makepeace stays true to her beliefs of equality across the Anglo Atlantic, between classes, and between genders.

Though in many ways Makepeace is an anachronism seemingly more suited o live in today's society than the pre-Revolutionary War era, readers will admire her spunk. The story line enables the audience to taste life just before the war in Boston and London with an emphasis on the disparity of opinions. This fascinating dual look at the dichotomy make for a vividly fine historical tale that shows Diana Norman can paint multiple perspectives without dismissing either side inside an entertaining romance.

Harriet Klausner