http://www.lovethybook.com/2012/11/th...The story starts off with Charles Waterston, who is going through a divorce, he is heartbroken, his wife left him for another man, and he just can't stop thinking about her and how his life just got screwed up.I actually liked this part of the book, it hit close to home. But he was getting so whiny and kept repeating the same thing over and over. If that's not enough, his firm transfers him to New York, but that is too much for him to handle. He takes leave of absence and goes skiing in Vermont for Christmas. One he arrives in the snowy town he needs a place to stay and that's when we meet a sweet elderly woman, who immediately falls in love with Charlie. (And I don't mean in love in love). They just become really close, and through her Charlie learns about Sarah Ferguson, a woman who died there two centuries before. Charles is mesmerized by this woman and her story, and to add to his luck he finds a set of diaries that she kept. By learning about Sarah and what she went through, he can finally let go of the past, and live toward the future.That's basically what this book is about, a middle aged man finding his way back to happiness after a divorce. My mom and aunt recommended this book to me. She made it sound a lot better though than what I thought it was. Sure the story is kind of sweet and all, but I couldn't get in touch with the characters as much as I would like to. Maybe if the story didn't jump from Charlie to Sarah I would be more interested. Sarah's story is interesting enough, I would just like to skip Charles all together and find out more about her. But that's just my opinion. If you're looking for something fun and quick to read, by all means it's a good book. It just didn't do it for me.
My aunt brought this book to me. She said it was one of the best Danielle Steele that she has written....and I think she has read them all. The primary story is about Charles Waterson whose wife recently left him. He was shocked as he didn't think there were any problems in the marriage. Moving from London to New York does nothing to help Charles adjust to his new wifeless life. He is not doing well in his job and decides to take some time off and go to Vermont to ski. In a snow storm, he discovers a B&B in a little town in Massachusettes. The owner of the B&B has a remote home she is not using and Charles decides to lease it to find some peace in his life. What he finds are the diaries of Sarah who lived in the house in the 1780's. Sarah's story is the second story line of the book. Sarah had been forced by her father to marry a rich, older man. This man beats and rapes her. Sarah sews all of her jewelry into a cloak, escapes, and takes a small ship to America. She stays in Boston and people there are fasinated with her, but she wants to live in a rural area and eventually does. Of course, she meets a wonderful man. Sarah finds out her husband in England has died and marries the wonderful man and they have a wonderful life. (are there too many wonderfuls in here???) However, Sarah's story gives Charles the ability to let go of his past and go for a future with a woman that he has met. It is a romance story, but Sarah's life give a good insight into what could have been like for women in her day and age.
What do You think about The Ghost (1998)?
This is probably my favorite Danielle Steel books. You have a story within a story in this one. The outside frame story is of a man who thought his life was wonderful until his wife leaves him for another man, he moves back to America, he realizes he hates his job, and takes an extended ski vacation. This is where the second story is woven into the plot. He gets stuck in a snow storm and ends up renting an old house from a woman in Vermont. While there, he discovers the diaries of Sarah Ferguson, written in the late 1700s. The rest of the book is about how he gets caught up in Sarah's story of a horrible marriage, her escape to the New World, and how she finds a new love and life there, and while reading all this, it helps him to overcome what has happened to him and find a new love. It is a really wonderful story.
—Robin
A great read! Despite the dissapointments, etc. encountered in their first marriages-- Charlie and Franscena allowed themselves to fall in love with each other. I truly, believe they found their "happily ever after." In my opinion, the adversity earlier experienced by Gloria Palmer, Charlie, Franscena and Sarah ... allowed them to help themselves and others "get their happy back." I would love to know what Franscena's mother thought about Charlie? ...would the mother be happy because Monique is happy?
—Kisha
It's a heartfelt story that I just couldn't resist. I just finished this book and I loved it. It is a very good story and I loved reading about Francois and Sarah. Their story is so heartwarming and inspiring. As Charlie said while reading the journals, Sarah and Francois life experience almost feel real to me. Although I kind of hoping that Sarah is really a ghost that physically communicating with Charlie instead she just wanders around and makes only one time appearance to Charlie, and never speak to him. However, as the story goes on, Sarah is actually giving Charlie some hints to her journals. Although the story is predictable, I grow fond of it and it almost makes me cry bucket to learn Sarah's adventures and misfortunes.It is a very simple story, an easy read, a page turner and almost a heart-wrecking read. Other than Charlie finally learns that he has to move on with his life and cherishes people around you, I too has learn quite a great deal by reading the book as a little motivation to move on forward. As always, Steel's stories really get me hooked up and love.
—Darlyn
