This book was not at all what I expected. My mother recommended it to me, and even gave me her copy to read. It sat on my to-read bookshelf for years. I guess I have learned my lesson...never judge a book--or your mother--by its cover. Wow! I know my mom tends to enjoy sentimentally sweet, somewhat predictable, feel-good stories...kind of like the ones you read at Christmas, or like a Hallmark movie. She also enjoys Christian fiction. So having those things in the back of my mind, in picking up this book and reading the title (Her Father's House...that sounds like it could be her Heavenly Father's house, right?) and in looking at the portrait of the author on the back dust cover, I just made an assumption. A silly assumption.This is a wonderfully written, engrossing tale about a man who falls hard and fast for a charming beauty in New York City. He's a lawyer who is quickly making a name for himself, climbing the ladder of success, and so forth. Lillian seems to be a perfect match for him, and his life is charmed. Soon Lillian becomes pregnant and things start to fall apart...and he starts to question whether he really knows his wife at all. After some shocking revelations and careful planning, he makes a decision that will change his life--and the life of his child--forever.The characters are more than believable; it's like they're your own friends, acquaintances, or family members. Belva Plain has extraordinary insight into the human mind and human nature. She writes it and you feel it, you see it, you're there. I felt Donald's pride, his astonishment, his shame, anger, fear, and hope. And I couldn't wait to find out how the story would end. Once I realized this novel was not going to be Christian fiction, I assumed it was a romance. Nope, not that either. I guess the best category for it is general fiction. Very good, general fiction. In looking up information on Mrs. Belva Plain, I learned that she died just a few years ago, at the beautiful age of 95. She wrote many, many novels, of which 22 were New York Times Best-sellers. I am most definitely interested in reading a few more of Mrs. Plain's gems. And I'm starting to wonder if I really even know my mother at all. :) 4.5 stars from me.
The Review: "It is the spring of 1968 when Donald Wolfe, a young graduate of a midwestern law school, arrives in New York. Filled with ambition and idealism, he is dazzled not only by the big city but by the vivacious, restless Lillian, whom he marries in the heat of infatuation. Surely theirs is no marriage made in heaven, but they have a child, Tina, and she is the love of Donald's heart. For her he would give up everything--his home, his distinguished career, and his freedom. When his flawed marriage begins to fail, a choice must be made. Shall he consider a step that would force him into flight and a life of hiding? From her earliest years, Tina is exceptional, a brilliant student and a joyous, loving spirit. At the university she falls in love with Gilbert, who graduates from law school just as she is about to enter medical school. Together they go to New York, where she learns the truth about her family's past, a truth that must change her regard for the father who has protected and cherished her. When a terrible lie has been told out of love, can it be forgiven? With courage and compassion, Belva Plain paints a moving portrait of the choices that shape the course of our lives, the secrets that haunt us, and the love that helps us heal and move on. It is a work of riveting storytelling and rare emotional power by one of the most gifted novelists of our time."I love Belva Plain's books. Again they make me think - would I have done that, or done it that way? I fell in love with Donald Wolf when he made his decision. I think he was truly a selfless man. Another must read.I chose this book for an alternate read - our book club reads 6 books chosen by all of us and the other 6 are of your own choosing and we share them - so we get lots of ideas of books to read.
What do You think about Her Father's House (2002)?
I loved it! And, it's not just because I haven't read a Belva Plain novel that I didn't like, but "Her Father's House" is a well-told story of a father, a successful New York lawyer, who kidnaps his 2-year old daughter from his socialite ex-wife, and raises her under a false identity in Georgia. The story of this terrible situation was rich and layered with much emotion; and the characters felt honest and real. The book started out a tiny bit slow to me but once the foundation was laid the story moved along at a good pace. And, as I approached the end, I read ever so slowly, savoring each sentence in a vain attempt to delay the inevitable end. If you enjoy family drama, then I highly recommend this book as well as other novels by Belva Plain.
—Marie Gentilcore
I've never read a book by Belva Plain that I did not love. This one was the best book I've read in a long while. I could not put it down, and in fact, I consumed it all in one day.The author thoroughly understands human nature, and develops her characters well. We see their flaws as well as their virtues. The plot leads the reader through a twisted path of deception, social establishment, greed, alternate identity, second chances, and all the things that weave a great novel.The main character, Donald Wolffe, moves to NYC as a lawyer after growing up on a farm in North Dakota. He appears to be a hard worker, wholesome, thrifty, and believes the best in people. He meets Lillian by chance one day in the park, and they find they have a lot in common. However, Lillian isn't exactly as she appears, desiring more in life than Donald is able to provide. A child on the way should draw them closer, but instead, Donald finds himself with a wife who doesn't want to be a mother, doesn't want to be married (to him, anyway) and thus the plot thickens. I really liked the nanny Maria, whom Lillian hires to care for the baby so she can continue to travel to exotic places in the company of her well-connected husband and social elites. Donald meets with Maria in the park every Sunday afternoon, in order to see his child. She informs him that things are not well in the home. He makes a drastic decision that affects everyone over the next twenty years. Belva Plain truly is a wonderful writer. Her books are not romance novels, nor are they mysteries, although there are usually elements of both in her books. For general fiction, they are the best. I'd encourage everyone to read anything by Belva Plain.
—Lois
It seems like I am a terrible romance-book picker. So far, there isn't anyone that I had like. And this one goes into the lot too. The premise for the story sounds interesting, a teenager discovers that her father was the one who kidnapped her from her real mother because she was unfit for both of them. Sounds okay, but the reasons leading to this conclusion are somewhat illogical and nonsensical.First of all, why would Donald take his wife to a party where there are beds in the garden or something. Doesn't make sense. Anyway, the wife only wanted wealth and fame, nothing else. She didn't love her husband nor anything else, just money. And she's pregnant and the father decides to take the baby girl away and raise her in secret with a loving step-mother. It is a tender story of acceptance, love, and honesty. But it was told in such a sluggish pace that I quickly lost interest in the book. I felt it was more of telling than showing. There was no dialogues or actions from the characters. Sometimes I wonder if the characters were doing anything at all while I was reading through the nonstop enormous chunks of paragraphs that described things or situations, and especially tried to explain what the scene was about. Who would not get bored at this rate? But yeah, I finally finished reading the book and the ending dissatisfied as much as the beginning.
—Wei Cho
