#56 ~ The House at Riverton
February 7, 2008 at 11:16 am | Posted in Barnes & Noble, Books, Culture, Family, First Look Book Club, Historical Fiction, Secrets and Lies | 7 CommentsTags: British Aristocracy, Edwardian England, family secrets, Kate Morton, The House at Riverton, The Monsters of Templeton, The Remains of the Day

The House at Riverton: A Novel by Kate Morton
When Barnes and Noble announced their second offering to the First Look Book Club I was ecstatic. Just reading the brief descriptions of the novel and its author made me excited to receive a copy of this book. When it arrived, I found that it even smelled good. The novel matched the smell and that is always a brilliant combination. B&N certainly picked a winner to follow up The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff.
The House of Riverton tells the story of Grace, a 90-year-old woman who is jolted back to the memories of her past service to the household of Lord Ashbury when she receives a letter from a woman making a film about the tragedy that happened there in her youth. Grace may be elderly, but she is a sharp and insightful woman. Her story is entertaining and somewhat sad. The fate of the Ashbury family dramatically impacts her life in so many ways; but, her personal sacrifices, like her service itself, were left seemingly unnoticed until it was too late. Still, Grace regrets nothing except that which hurt her daughter. Woven within the story of her youth is the story of her own family. Part of what makes this novel so poignant is that she retells the story of her life at Riverton and the truth of what happened the night of the poet’s suicide as a love letter to her grandson.
Although this novel has widespread appeal, it will be most especially enjoyed by those who enjoy reading about Edwardian England and about the lives of those who served British aristocracy. As much as I loved The Remains of the Day, there was little warmth within it. The people at Riverton, both upstairs and downstairs, live as their status dictated, but they are very human and complex. What makes this novel so special and delightful is its heart.
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To buy this novel, click here.
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Hi, I enjoy your website. This books sounds like a great read. I enjoy historical ficiton and would love to win a copy. Please put me in your drawing for this book.
Comment by Tracy— May 4, 2008 #
Tracy, you’re in. Thanks for you interest!
Comment by Literate Housewife— May 4, 2008 #
Yet another I’d like to read. I love historical fiction and also enjoy British fiction, so this would be perfect for me.
Comment by kegsoccer— May 9, 2008 #
I would love to read this one too, I think. It certainly sounds interesting!
Comment by Devourer of Books— May 9, 2008 #
I have this on my tbr list, please enter me in the contest. Thanks
Comment by Erin— May 14, 2008 #
I’d love to read this! I tried to get in on this First Look but I was too late.
Comment by lisamm— May 20, 2008 #
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