The Caretaker's Daughter

Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: Amidst the backdrop of a nineteenth century English country estate, two women struggle to find love--and the truth that could either bind them together or tear them apart.

When Brontë agreed to marry John Baptiste, she did not have any of the idealism of most new brides. Theirs was a marriage of convenience. Lord John Baptiste needed an heir, and Brontë's family needed a quick answer to their financial woes. Unfortunately, the marriage was not the answer to the problems that they had hoped for. Instead, it becomes the catalyst for a chain of events that could prove nearly fatal. The day following the wedding, Lord John is almost killed by a gunman, leaving Brontë to run Markby Estate on her own.

Almost immediately, Brontë realizes there are many strange happenings at Markby Estate, the least of which are the actions of its servants. Addison Le Claire is the enigmatic and volatile caretaker's daughter. Through a series of incidents and deductions on Brontë's part, she is able to coerce Addison's secrets from her. In a startling admission, Brontë learns that not only is Addison illiterate, but she has been singlehandedly running Markby Estate since her father's death months before. Addison discloses to Brontë that she has stayed at Markby because she wants to make extra money for a trip to Paris to study art. In truth, she is looking for clues to her mother's disappearance 22 years before. Clues, Addison is positive, she will find behind the walls of Markby Estate.

The Caretaker's Daughter delves into the budding relationship of two women born into different backgrounds. As the story progresses, Addison and Brontë explore the bright possibilities of love and the dark truths of greed. In the end, the lies of the past are uncovered and serve to break the chains for future happiness.

Rating:
Summary: Amidst the backdrop of a nineteenth century English country
Review: estate, two women struggle to find love--and the truth that could either bind them together or tear them apart.

When Brontë agreed to marry John Baptiste, she did not have any of the idealism of most new brides. Theirs was a marriage of convenience. Lord John Baptiste needed an heir, and Brontë's family needed a quick answer to their financial woes. Unfortunately, the marriage was not the answer to the problems that they had hoped for. Instead, it becomes the catalyst for a chain of events that could prove nearly fatal. The day following the wedding, Lord John is almost killed by a gunman, leaving Brontë to run Markby Estate on her own.

Almost immediately, Brontë realizes there are many strange happenings at Markby Estate, the least of which are the actions of its servants. Addison Le Claire is the enigmatic and volatile caretaker's daughter. Through a series of incidents and deductions on Brontë's part, she is able to coerce Addison's secrets from her. In a startling admission, Brontë learns that not only is Addison illiterate, but she has been singlehandedly running Markby Estate since her father's death months before. Addison discloses to Brontë that she has stayed at Markby because she wants to make extra money for a trip to Paris to study art. In truth, she is looking for clues to her mother's disappearance 22 years before. Clues, Addison is positive, she will find behind the walls of Markby Estate.

The Caretaker's Daughter delves into the budding relationship of two women born into different backgrounds. As the story progresses, Addison and Brontë explore the bright possibilities of love and the dark truths of greed. In the end, the lies of the past are uncovered and serve to break the chains for future happiness

Rating:
Summary: Things are not always as they seem
Review: It was a difficult journey that led me to write this review. This book has a lot of wonderful moments. Nevertheless, there are a couple of issues which over shadow any good writing.

The principle character (one of two) has a difficult time controlling her yearning for the one with whom she is falling in love. There are two scenes I find very troubling. And this is why I give the "1" rating. A rating of "0" would have been more appropriate if I felt the author was malevolent in her intentions, but I do not. The story has love in it, though these two scenes in particular are why I reject this story.

In one scene the character gives in to her yearning, call it self-love, while the other lay sleeping beside her. Perhaps that is passable in a larger context. However, another scene shows the character, in anger, and this gets tricky, physically forcing her opinion on the woman she has now admittedly fallen in love with. The closest I can describe this scene is in a movie that I was forced to watch (being from the south) titled, "Gone With the Wind." The scene is the one where "Rhett Butler" takes the character played by Vivien Leigh, kicking and screaming up the stairs. The next morning shows Vivien Leigh happy in bed having apparently been made love to by "Rhett Butler."

There was some discussion with many of my friends whether this scene in "Gone With the Wind" had epitomized the suggestion men make when they say that a woman really means "yes" when she says "no." And perhaps that movie played into that myth.

In this book, the scene can be more clearly defined as not consensual, and is played out between two woman.

With respect to the author of this book, Margaret Mitchell (author of "Gone With the Wind,") and those that may read this review, it is with reluctance that I forward these thoughts.

However, had I known these scenes existed in this book (or any other book for that matter) I would have wished not to have read it.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Page Turner!
Review: Reading through the pages of The Caretaker's Daughter, I was immediately transported into the 19th century. The story of Bronte and Addison is so engaging and one you'll not want to miss. Covering topics of friendships, desire, domestic abuse, love, deceit and jealousy (to name a few), Gabrielle Goldsby truly weaves a wonderful tale. Her characters and storyline were so entertaining that I read this novel in one grand sitting. The mysteries of the Markby Estate will definitely keep you guessing all the way to the end. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Page Turner!
Review: Reading through the pages of The Caretaker's Daughter, I was immediately transported into the 19th century. The story of Bronte and Addison is so engaging and one you'll not want to miss. Covering topics of friendships, desire, domestic abuse, love, deceit and jealousy (to name a few), Gabrielle Goldsby truly weaves a wonderful tale. Her characters and storyline were so entertaining that I read this novel in one grand sitting. The mysteries of the Markby Estate will definitely keep you guessing all the way to the end. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Most beautiful love story
Review: This book became one of my favorite books almost from the very first page. Beautifully written, this book takes you into a different time, different place. Both women are strong and brave. They started as mistress/worker which soon turned into friendship which lead into romance. You can almost feel what they feel. Wonderful book and very easy read.