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1st out of 56 books
—
26 voters
The Town House (House #1)
by
Norah Lofts
Martin Reed is the serf born in 1381 who starts Norah Lofts' epic 'House' trilogy. He resents the feudal system that undermines him. When circumstances change, he begins a new life as a free man, builds the house and founds a family. From the perspectives of five characters who live in the house, Lofts evokes fourteenth- and fifteenth-century life with the storytelling abi...more
Library Binding, 0 pages
Published
June 1st 1959
by Amereon Limited
(first published 1957)
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In the latter part of fourteenth century England, Martin Reed is a young man being trained by his father to be a smith. He is owned by the lord of a manor in Rede, Norfolk.
One day he rescues a frail young girl from a beating by her stepmother. He is immediately taken with her and vows to marry her. When going before the lord of the manor to ask for her hand in marriage, the lord sets his eyes on Kate and refuses their marriage request.
Martin, in a fit of anger, punches the lord in the face, is b...more
Sep 13, 2012
BoekenTrol
marked it as not_read_only_released
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Inatal
Recommended to BoekenTrol by:
Moem
From one of the book boxes that Moem sent to me.
There are so many books, that I have had to choose which one to read and which ones to send on to make other people happy.
This one will go on a LONG journey to Brazil. Hopefully the new reader fins lots of reading pleasure in it.
There are so many books, that I have had to choose which one to read and which ones to send on to make other people happy.
This one will go on a LONG journey to Brazil. Hopefully the new reader fins lots of reading pleasure in it.
Just arrived from Netherlands and it was kindly sent by BoekenTrol through BM.
I started this trilogy by reading "The House at Old Vine". Now, I just finished the first boot of this series and I still didn't enjoy that much compared to other readers.
I started this trilogy by reading "The House at Old Vine". Now, I just finished the first boot of this series and I still didn't enjoy that much compared to other readers.
1 like · like · see review
Medieval English historical novel -- very fun to read because it took place in Bury St. Edmunds, where we lived in England.
This book included The Maude Reed Tale in the latter part of this volume, but the tales were different enough to be quite interesting: I *thought* I knew what was going to happen, but then she whisked the floor out from under me and I was again in unfamiliar territory, wanting to know "what happens next."
The characters are complex; although there is still something of a good/bad dichotomy, there is remorse (or not) for past mistakes (you know, like murdering your lover so he won't tell your husb...more
The characters are complex; although there is still something of a good/bad dichotomy, there is remorse (or not) for past mistakes (you know, like murdering your lover so he won't tell your husb...more
This was my first delve into a Norah Lofts book and the first of her 'House' trilogy. If I'm honest, the writing style took me a little while to get used to ( my fault, not that of the author!)but after I settled into it I began to enjoy it more. The characters were all nicely presented and I learned much about the particular historical period. I will definitely read the other two books in this trilogy and probably more of this author's work, but I'll have a little break in between just to drag...more
I clearly remember trying to read a Norah Lofts novel about 30 years ago when I was laid up in hospital for 3 months expecting my first child and just couldnt get into it. Maybe I was just not ready or there were too many distractions and worries but I am sorry to say I abandoned her - until now. I now appreciate what a wonderful storyteller she is. I loved this book and the writing is sublime. It was written in 1959 and to me it truly stands the test of time. The style of writing is far differe...more
This is the first Norah Lofts book that I have read. A good easy read, she creates believable characters that you want carry on reading about. I look forward to reading the follow on books that are centered around the same family and their fortunes as time goes by. Definitely a good book for lovers of historical fiction.
An excellent book, the start of the House trilogy. I had read The House at Old Vine and The House at Sunset so it was good to find the first book of the trilogy. This is early Norah Lofts, printed in 1959, and it contains little gems, mentioning events and characters, that she eventually used in forthcoming books; I always enjoy that type of continuity.
Fascinating story about a town house from its beginning, why it was built and by who, spanning generations, adding wings. You see the surrounding area change with the values and morals of its inhabitants. It was heart breaking in parts and quite a difficult read at times but I couldn't put it down.
I read this several years ago and I am now re-reading all 3 books in the trilogy. As someone else mentioned in their review, anyone who liked Pillars of the Earth would really enjoy the 3 books in this series, The Town House, The House at Old Vine and The House at Sunset. Very enjoyable!
It was definitely good writing, and I could have given this book a four star rating easily, but I just couldn't get past what happened to the first guy's wife. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say anything more, but it killed the book for me.
An extremely interesting account of a young, runaway serf and his tragedies and triumphs. The house he builds in the 1400's is viewed through the centuries to modern times, along with the people and events connected with it.
1 like · like · see review
Great book. Reminds me of the pillars of the earth. I now want to read the other two, but it looks like they are not available in kindle edition and the paperbacks are really expensive. Will have to wait.
A neighbor loaned The Town House to my Mom almost 48 years ago. Mom didn't read it, but I did. It's a stellar tale of medieval lives...Still a favorite book.
Before there was Pillars of the Earth there was The Town House. Norah Lofts is a forgotten mistress of historical fiction. Compelling, detailed, exciting.
I loved this book when I read it in the mid-sixties. And I still love it each time I re-read it. Norah Lofts was an amazing writer.
Jun 11, 2013
Cindy Van Lerberg
added it
the whole series on that house did something for me emotionally. The things that go on generation after generation in a house...
Captivating story set in a realistic social, political, and economic context. I'm eager to read the two sequels.
The first in a fantastic trilogy of life for the common man in and around the reformation. Highly recommended.
If you like "London" you'll like this. Much shorter and an easier read, but a really interesting story.
Just when someone gets a bit tedious, switches to someone else. Good enough to want to read the rest
Jun 06, 2013
Darlene Johnson
added it
Enjoyed this again after 40 some years. Awaiting the last book in this trilogy, "House at Sunset"
Looked interesting enough to want to read it. Didn't take the chance the first time: raincheck :-)
The Town House is the first in The House Trilogy. Its set in Britain in the late 1300’s and follows the one family through the decades told from 5 different perspectives. I haven’t read much set in this time but I thought it was very well written although it took me a while to get into it. It was a sad story, and there was very little to be happy about especially after the first part had ended. It sort of made the rest of the story even sadder but it was definitely a good read. I think I’ll wait...more
May 22, 2012
Mary
added it
I read it ages ago, but am going to read it again. I remember it was excellent.
My first Norah Lofts, which left me wanting more!
Read this one many years ago and found myself again caught up in the lives of these characters. Can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
Very disappointed...
Loved it!! But I love everything I've read by this author so... Can't wait to get the next in the Trilogy!!
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Norah Lofts, née Norah Robinson, (27 August 1904–10 September 1983) was a 20th century best-selling British author. She wrote over fifty books specialising in historical fiction, but she also wrote non-fiction and short stories. Many of her novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of a specific house and the residents that lived in it.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England...more
More about Norah Lofts...
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England...more
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Dec 15, 2011 01:49pm