Mariana has made me an instant fan of Susanna Kearsley and after finishing her novel, I'll be sure to look for more works by this author. This was such a beautifully written novel and at times it felt reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier's writing as Kearsley does a masterful job of depicting her setting to such vivid detail that not only does it leave nothing to the imagination, but you actually feel like you've been catapulted into the storyline and are walking alongside the characters experiencing their journey.I bought the book a while ago, and I finally got around to reading it as it came highly recommended by a fellow trusted reader… ahem…ahem… Hannahr, and to be honest, I became downright curious what all the hype was about reading stories that revolve around old houses and quaint cottages. I can now say, I get it… I really do. Absolutely loved it!About the story… When Julia Beckett first laid eyes on a sixteenth century Wilshire farmhouse at the age of five, she knew instantly one day that would be her home. Fast-forward twenty-five years later, her wish comes to fruition and thus begins her adventure with her Greywethers cottage as it becomes a portal that transports Julia back to the seventeenth century. As Julia time-travels, she finds herself living the life of a young beautiful woman named Mariana that suffers at the hand of her horrible uncle and struggles to hide her forbidden love with Richard de Mornay. Eventually, though, Julia becomes immersed in the past and begins to fall deeper in love with Richard. Soon she realizes that her past life as Mariana will eclipse her own life in the present if she doesn't close the circle of events transporting her back in time.I loved the four main characters and their regressed equivalent. I enjoyed reading about the interesting romance that unfolded along with a fair share of twists and turns. Half way through the book, I thought I had it all figured out only to be proven quite mistaken, which I actually enjoyed. This book did require me to suspend my reality, but that's where most of the fun comes in because despite what my brain equates as logically possible, I couldn't help but wonder how exciting it would be to experience the possibilities of a different time and place. Having never been one to look for books on time-travel, after reading Mariana, I might just try a few more titles in this genre. Definitely a pleasant read that I feel comfortable recommending to others and will find myself re-reading at least a few times.
11/07/12 Re-readBuddy read with GR friends Jeannette and LeslieOriginal ReviewIf I could write, I would have written this book....There are some books that come through your reading world that touch you in ways you can't really explain. They're not always classics, or particularly well known, but for some reason you're so caught up in them that after you're through reading the final page, you close the book and think to yourself, "now that's a keeper".Such was the case of Mariana, a book about the redemptive power of reincarnation, lost love, found love, going backward to go forward, and (the cherry on my sundae) a old beloved house.Book illustrator Julia Beckett first sees the 16th century house, Greywethers, on a family jaunt when she's only 5, and promptly pronounces it "her house". She finds it again at age 22 and again at age 30, and this time (due to an inheritance) she buys it without even touring the inside. Upon moving in, she meets her neighbors Iain Sumner, a not-so-dour-Scots-Cambridge-read-executive-turned-sheep-farmer, and Geoffrey de Mornay, the handsome, wealthy owner of the local manor. In addition, Julia begins a strange foray into the 17th century, where she lives the life of Mariana Farr for hours at a time before returning to the present. Little by little, Mariana's life begins to effect Julia's own present day life, and the lives of Mariana and her lover Richard de Mornay must come full circle before Julia can move forward with her own conflicting feelings for Geoffrey.Kearsley did a fantastic job blending the time travel so seemlessly throughout the book. I never felt jolted as I have with other time travel books, trying to figure out what's what and when/where the characters are. In addition, the ending was so bittersweet, yet satisfying, that I admit to being a bit weepy by the last pages.Anyone who enjoyed Jude Deveraux's, A Knight in Shining Armor, should enjoy Mariana even more so. This is a sweet time travel romance with a satisfying ending. And once again, my love for beautiful old houses, ghosts, hidden objects and the serene English countryside is satisfied as well
What do You think about Mariana (1995)?
The inspiration behind Greyweathers in Avebury, WiltshireOhhh, you guys. I really don't know what I'm going to do when I run out of Susanna Kearsley's books to read. After finishing The Rose Garden a few days ago, I told myself to wait at least a few weeks to read this one - you know, to stretch it out, so I wouldn't go through withdrawal or anything. I picked up The Forgotten Garden as I'd heard Kate Morton's stuff was similar, but even after 100 pages, it failed to grab me because all I wanted was more Kearsley. So I gave in and started Mariana. The Red Lion pub in Avebury, WiltshireKearsley's stories are pure comfort, perfect for a stormy day, a warm blanket, and a cup of tea. Her characters are brave, kind, real, and always strive to do the right thing. Her leading men are solid, dependable types - romantic and passionate, yes, but always good and respectful. You'd want a man like that in real life, not someone who's pushy, arrogant, and makes your decisions for you. The west wing of Avebury Manor, the real Crofton HallIf I had one complaint about Mariana, it was that it wasn't longer. I wanted more time to get to know these characters, and I felt that certain relationships could have been a bit more developed. As it was, I loved the book and finished it with an enormous grin on my face. This one's a keeper.
—Mary
O último terço do livro foi simplesmente arrebatador. Todos os detalhes encaixaram, tudo passou a fazer sentido. Já antes estava desconfiada que alguma coisa não batia bem, mas não consegui antecipar o que era. O resultado foi que fui totalmente pega de surpresa com as revelações finais. Tem menos romance que O Segredo de Sophia, mas para a autora conseguir proteger os seus segredos neste livro tinha que ser assim. Esta autora é magistral! Escreve com uma delicadeza, sensibilidade e vivacidade tais que eu me senti na pele da Mariana. E consegue o que a maioria dos autores de policiais não conseguem: levar-me às páginas finais sem descobrir o mistério.
—Carla
In typical and endearing Kearsley style, Mariana combines time travel, romance and history. The setting is Greywethers, a 16th century English house. Book illustrator Julia Beckett purchases the Exbury farmhouse with an inheritance. She remembers seeing it as a five-year-old and it has been “her house” ever since. She enjoys her new life with friends Vivien, Iain and handsome manor owner Geoff de Mornay. Scenes in the Red Lion Pub come alive. After slipping back into the 17th century, Julia becomes entranced with Mariana, a former occupant of Greywethers. Julia must choose between Mariana’s love interest and her own contemporary life.Kearsley’s writing is beautiful and descriptive. I found the modern day characters less interesting than the time slip ones, but the movement back and forth between the two time periods is seamless. The ending has a creative twist which caught me completely by surprise. I greatly respect this author and enthusiastically await her next book.“You have to learn to look with more than your eyes…Try looking with your soul instead.”“The past can teach us, nurture us, but it cannot sustain us. The essence of life is change, and we must move ever forward or the soul will wither and die.”
—Holly Weiss
