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| A Splendid Ruin |
I just finished a wonderful historical novel by Megan Chance and I couldn't wait to start this post and review it for you. The novel takes place in San Francisco before and after the historic earthquake of 1906.
Plot Synopsis
The story unfolds as May Kimble, whose mother has died, leaves New York and travels to San Francisco to live with relatives she didn't even know existed. When she arrives she finds her relatives living in luxury and she is introduced to a life she only dreamed existed. Her cousin Goldie takes her under her wing and introduces her to society and everything about San Francisco. Goldie helps her shop for a new wardrobe, introduces her to all her friends, and takes her to see the sights of the city. For the first time May wears beautiful gowns and attends balls.
As the plot continues to unfold May sees that everything is not what it seems and she may be in real danger. She wonders who she can really trust and must use her wits to survive a possible terrible future. How will she escape? This is a compelling novel that shows just what a human being must endure in order to survive.
Main Characters
This book is full of interesting characters. Of course there is May who is a talented undiscovered artist.
May's relatives the Sullivans are certainly interesting. Goldie the cousin who is all about being in societies limelight. Uncle Jonny is so generous to May, but is there an ulterior motive? Aunt Florence is May's mothers sister. Why is she so ill she cannot visit with May? There are so many questions May wants to ask her about her Mother and Father. In the Sullivan household are several servants and one in particular, Shinn, is a big help to May.
Other characters of interest include Ellis Farge, an architect who admires May's artwork and Stephen Oelrichs, an attorney and Goldie's former fiance. Then there is Alphonse Bandersnitch, a writer for the society pages of the newspaper. Don't you just love that name? Bandersnitch is not his real name and everyone is trying to guess his identity. He does a great job of remaining anonymous even while attending all of the society happenings around town.
Recommendation
I could go on and on talking about the book, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Let me just say it is full of mystery and intrique with lots of twists and turns. I recommend this as a must read!
A Splendid Ruin sounds interesting, Mary Beth. Mystery and intrigue in the historical time of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 captures my imagination. Thanks for this book recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI have previously read a review on this book and thought how I needed to read it. Knowing that you also recommend it, makes me think I would definitely enjoy reading it. It must be truly wonderful if two trustworthy friends so highly recommend it. It would be very sad indeed to first suffer the death of a beloved mother and then be cast into an unknown world of family members with nefarious intent. The title leads me to believe there will be a day of reckoning.
ReplyDeleteI love a book with well developed, interesting characters and "A Splendid Ruin" appears to achieve this. I also like the plot and already feel drawn in to know more. Thank you for an intriguing review!
ReplyDeleteI love historical novels, and you have definitely piqued my interest with this intriguing review! This sounds like a book I would enjoy, and it will be going on my "to read" list for sure.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I would enjoy. Give me all the twists and turns and I'm a happy camper! Thanks Mary Beth for adding to my growing list of must reads.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like another excellent book recommendation. I've been keeping all the book reviews on this site to use when I'm choosing books for my mom. Thanks for another suggestion - saves me a lot of work searching out books for her.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing that I like better than mystery and intrigue now add in some history and I'm hooked. Thanks Mary Beth for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThis book caught my attention not too long ago. Was it a First Reads selection? Sounds like an excellent choice.
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