Jennifer Donnelly, author of "A Gathering Light" as well as "The Tea Rose", has a wonderful gift for sweeping storytelling, with a lively cast of vivid characters, rich and detailed backgrounds. And so the complicated strands of betrayal and pretence, of ambition and family, are woven again into a new drama, in a new country. But the East End is also a place for those who have a past to hide, a new beginning to find. The stormy, noisy, brawling docklands are a natural home to the political fight as the fledgling Labour Party gets underway, and the struggle for the women's vote becomes more strident. But, Sid Malone is not his real name: he has a past and enemies by the score, including India's determined and ruthless fiance whose intention is to marry into the family money as well as becoming a leading political figure. Criminal, he may be, but, he also has a hidden charm, and a devastatingly attractive personality, and when India is called to treat him after a dockside brawl, their friendship becomes more intense. There, she meets a gangland boss called Sid Malone. Her family, her eligible, ambitious fiance, the male medical establishment all object, but, she insists on defying convention and finds a post in London's East End. India Selwyn-Jones is one of the rare new breed: a lady doctor. Set in London and Africa in the early days of the twentieth century, "The Winter Rose" introduces some remarkable new characters. But I was soon kicking myself for letting a little thing like length keep me from such a fantastic read! I could not put these books down.This is another strong, satisfying novel, full of rich storytelling, by the author of the favourite "The Tea Rose".
I'm always a little hesitant to pick up long books, which is the main reason The Wild Rose has been on my TBR for so long. Regardless, I had all three books on my shelves but 1) had never read the last and 2) couldn't remember the first two well enough to start with the third. But honestly, I'm not quite sure because I've read so many books since then and so much time has passed. If I remember correctly, A Northern Light was my first experience with Donnelly's writing (all the way back in high school) and then I picked up this book because I longed for more from her. The Tea Rose, The Winter Roseand The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly epitomize why I love historical fiction and family sagas! I actually read The Tea Rose (and The Winter Rose, too, I think) for the first time years ago. I spent one week with my nose stuck in these books, and I didn't regret it for a second. "I just finished the most wonderful story." I felt like Belle recently as I turned the last page in this incredible series.
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