Devil Water

Mar 22, 2011 Emery Lee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Similar to other reviewers, I had very mixed feelings about this book. From a historical perspective, the research was impeccable, from the dialect and unique culture of 18th century Northumberland to Virginia of the early colonial period and all of the historical figures worked into the story.

On the negative side, even with my familiarity with this history, I struggled to maintain interest in the first 100 pages. Many times I felt the details were excessive and severely encumbered the plot prog...more Similar to other reviewers, I had very mixed feelings about this book. From a historical perspective, the research was impeccable, from the dialect and unique culture of 18th century Northumberland to Virginia of the early colonial period and all of the historical figures worked into the story.

On the negative side, even with my familiarity with this history, I struggled to maintain interest in the first 100 pages. Many times I felt the details were excessive and severely encumbered the plot progression. I also had some trouble with the flow of the story, feeling it too broken up as it spans almost forty years and is written as six books, some with large time gaps in between.

The book begins with a very detailed account of the early life of Charles Radcliffe, young brother to the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater who was executed for treason after the 1715 Jacobit uprising. The author recounts the event leading to the uprising that ended swiftly as an almost tragic comedy of errors, yet I felt almost complete emotional detachment from the main characters. When I did feel sympathy, it was more for James (the Earl) than for his reckless younger brother, but I always felt as if I were watching them with detachment, as if characters in a stage play.

For the first third of the book, the author tended to jump between Charles and James and then finally moved on to Jenny (at about page 230) and centered the rest of the book on her. It felt like separate books that didn't quite mesh togerther. I liked Jenny's character very much and the love story between she and Rob was compelling. This was truly the best part of the book for me, but then it circled back around to the Jacobite intrigue with the rising of 1745 and her father's subsequent execution.

I think I would have enjoyed this story more had the author decided to begin with Jenny and fill in her family background as the story progressed.

For those interested in English Jacobite history, particulalry the Uprising of 1715, I enjoyed Walter Besant's Dorothy Forster, another biographical fiction that relates many of these same events through the first person narrative of Dorothy Forster, sister to General Thomas Forster, a Northumberland MP, who like Charles Radcliffe, also escaped Newgate for France. I felt Besant's account of these particular events was more emotionally engaging.

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Feb 28, 2011 Lily Bart rated it 2 of 5 stars

if Edgar Allan Poe were trying to write like Sir Walter Scott, he might come up with something like this.

On the surface, it seems to be a very romantic, chivalrous tale, of a gallant cavalier who gives his life defending the cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie . . . and the beautiful daughter he leaves behind, who finds passion and a new start in the New World.

Problem is, this is Anya Seton, and she does to romance what Jim Morrison does to the blues. Starting off with something familiar, she makes...more

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Sep 06, 2010 Rosanne Lortz rated it 3 of 5 stars

My favorite historical fiction blog, Historical Tapestry, featured books by Anya Seton last month. Since I greatly enjoyed Seton’s book Katherine several months ago, I decided to join in the wild rumpus and read another of her books.

Devil Water is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of the early eighteenth century. In case your historical knowledge is a little fuzzy on this period (as was mine when I started this book), I will give you a little background. In the year 1688, England deposed the Stu...more My favorite historical fiction blog, Historical Tapestry, featured books by Anya Seton last month. Since I greatly enjoyed Seton’s book Katherine several months ago, I decided to join in the wild rumpus and read another of her books.

Devil Water is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of the early eighteenth century. In case your historical knowledge is a little fuzzy on this period (as was mine when I started this book), I will give you a little background. In the year 1688, England deposed the Stuart king James II because he was a Papist. This Glorious Revolution (so called because it was virtually bloodless) replaced the old monarch with his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William of Orange. When Mary and William died childless, the throne passed to Mary’s younger sister Anne. James Stuart, the younger Catholic son of James II, objected to being overlooked in favor of his Protestant sisters. He spent the rest of his life intriguing to gain the throne of England. The Latin name for James is “Jacobus,” and hence, all of James Stuart’s supporters were called Jacobites.

The first part of the novel focuses on Charles Radcliffe, a reckless younger son committed to the Jacobite cause (and illegitimate cousin to the Stuart pretender). Being of a somewhat Libertine propensity, Charles at the age of sixteen gets a farmer’s daughter pregnant, setting himself up for disastrous consequences. The farmer and his sons capture Charles and force him to marry the girl so that her child will be born in wedlock. This destroys Charles’ chances of a brilliant court marriage but produces Jenny Radcliffe, the half-border-lass, half-noblewoman who is the true heroine of the novel.

Jenny Radcliffe lives with her mother for several years until Rob Wilson, one of the local farmboys, takes the child to London to return her to her rightful father. The timing is unfortunate. Implicated in a Jacobite plot, Charles is languishing in the Tower of London, so Lady Betty (the one woman who truly loves him) raises Jenny as her own. Through wily means, Charles escapes from the Tower and heads to France.

Time passes quickly as Jenny grows into a young woman. Her lowborn mother dies, freeing Charles to marry again, and he makes a surreptitious visit to England to reveal himself to his daughter and gain her mother’s death certificate. On a trip to northern England where she was born, Jenny encounters Rob Wilson once again, and a mutual attraction flares up between them. Rob, knowing that Jenny is above his station, intends to stay out of her way, but when he discovers a plot by an insidious Viscount to rape Jenny, he intervenes and saves her honor. Refusing to explain his actions for killing a man, Rob is sentenced to penal servitude in the colonies.

Jenny goes to the continent to live with her father and her new stepmother but finds that her presence is a constraint upon their household. Learning what Rob did to save her, she decides to follow Rob to the Americas–but before she leaves, her father Charles Radcliffe makes her swear an oath that if he ever asks for her, she will come to him. Jenny uses her own money to free Rob. The two marry and set up a homestead in the colonies, living happily–although childless–for over a decade.

In time, news comes that the Jacobites have revolted again, and once again, Charles Radcliffe is in the Tower of London. This time, however, there will be no escape. Jenny receives his message asking for her, but Rob–despising everything about the Jacobites–refuses to let her go. Jenny must make a choice between her father and her husband, a choice that will either violate a promise or cause her to lose everything….

This book was an interesting read, although not quite the page turner that Katherine was. The end was particularly compelling, and I will admit to shedding a few tears. The title Devil Water refers both to a river in Northern England and also to an old English saying that means fear.(less)

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Feb 05, 2010 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: stuarts, historical-fiction, authors-qrs

Devil Water is set during the early 18th century, during the period when the Jacobites were attempting to restore the Stuarts to the English throne after the death of Queen Anne and the accession of the Hanoverian George I. (I should note here that like Katherine, Devil Water is what Seton calls in the author's note a "biographical novel", about real people and based on years of research.)

The Radcliffe family are ardent Jacobite supporters, particularly James Radcliffe, the Earl of Derwentwater...more

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Jun 27, 2008 Jaime rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this in 8th grade when my English teacher turned me onto Anya Seton, and went on to reread it a few times. It was by far my favorite Seton novel, but I'm not sure if I could get through it today. Maybe a little too florid? However, the history was well-researched and so it's an entertaining way to learn about England during the Jacobite Rebellion and colonial Virginia.

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Aug 26, 2010 Wanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, historical-fiction

"Devil Water contains many moving pictures of eighteenth-century high life in Northumberland, London, and Virginia, with copious descriptions of manners and customs. It should satisfy in full measure the many readers for whom it was intended." -- Times Literary Supplement

Here begins my adventure!

Well, it has taken me a bit of time to read through this book; but, I am finished and I would like to tell you that it was a great read! The characters are well-drawn, the research well-done, and this bo...more

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Sep 02, 2009 Cathie rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the back cover:

Devil Water is the true story of Charles Radcliffe, a Catholic nobleman who joined in the doomed Jacobite rebellion of 1715, and of Jenny, his daughter by a secret marriage. Set in the wilds of Northumbria, teeming London and colonial Virginia, Devil Water is a story of loyalty, passion, and courage in both the Old World and the New.

My impression:

Typical of Anya Seton this was a marvelous read. It started out slowly for me but picked up quickly. I read this book because it w...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nae_reviewed

I'm so pleased to have been introduced to Anya Seton's historical fiction novel Devil Water twenty-two years after her death. Her writing is just as fresh and exciting as a novel published in 2012, with rich detail and a unique way of connecting the true history of eighteenth-century England with a personal introduction to the people, both real and imagined, who steered the course of history with their lives. I've had a long visit with Charles Radcliffe, a Catholic nobleman, who supported the Ja...more

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Aug 28, 2009 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

From the back cover of the novel: "Devil Water is the true story of Charles Ratcliffe, a Catholic nobleman who joined in the doomed Jacobite rebellion of 1715, and of Jenny his daughter by a secret marriage. Set in the wilds of Northumbria, teeming London and colonial Virginia, Devil Water is a story of loyalty, passion, and courage in both the the Old World and the New." It was a good read and great history. While I enjoyed Katherine and The Winthrop Woman each even more than this, one can't ex...more

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Jul 17, 2010 Elizabeth rated it 2 of 5 stars

Having previously read only one other book by Ms Seton -- The Winthrop Woman, which I enjoyed tremendously -- I had high hopes for Devil Water. I was greatly disappointed, however, and almost put the book aside after the first 100 pages. The thing that makes this book hard to like is that the characters themselves aren't very likable, and near the end (spoiler alert!) one of the characters perpetrates an act of violence against another that is so heinous it is unforgivable, and yet when those tw...more

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Aug 25, 2012 Victoria Vane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Similar to other reviewers, I had very mixed feelings about this book. From a historical perspective, the research was impeccable, from the dialect and unique culture of 18th century Northumberland to Virginia of the early colonial period and all of the historical figures worked into the story.

On the negative side, even with my familiarity with this history, I struggled to maintain interest in the first 100 pages. Many times I felt the details were excessive and severely encumbered the plot prog...more Similar to other reviewers, I had very mixed feelings about this book. From a historical perspective, the research was impeccable, from the dialect and unique culture of 18th century Northumberland to Virginia of the early colonial period and all of the historical figures worked into the story.

On the negative side, even with my familiarity with this history, I struggled to maintain interest in the first 100 pages. Many times I felt the details were excessive and severely encumbered the plot progression. I also had some trouble with the flow of the story, feeling it too broken up as it spans almost forty years and is written as six books, some with large time gaps in between.

The book begins with a very detailed account of the early life of Charles Radcliffe, young brother to the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater who was executed for treason after the 1715 Jacobit uprising. The author recounts the event leading to the uprising that ended swiftly as an almost tragic comedy of errors, yet I felt almost complete emotional detachment from the main characters. When I did feel sympathy, it was more for James (the Earl) than for his reckless younger brother, but I always felt as if I were watching them with detachment, as if characters in a stage play.

For the first third of the book, the author tended to jump between Charles and James and then finally moved on to Jenny (at about page 230) and centered the rest of the book on her. It felt like separate books that didn't quite mesh togerther. I liked Jenny's character very much and the love story between she and Rob was compelling. This was truly the best part of the book for me, but then it circled back around to the Jacobite intrigue with the rising of 1745 and her father's subsequent execution.

I think I would have enjoyed this story more had the author decided to begin with Jenny and fill in her family background as the story progressed.

For those interested in English Jacobite history, particulalry the Uprising of 1715, I enjoyed Walter Besant's Dorothy Forster, another biographical fiction that relates many of these same events through the first person narrative of Dorothy Forster, sister to General Thomas Forster, a Northumberland MP, who like Charles Radcliffe, also escaped Newgate for France. I felt Besant's account of these particular events was more emotionally engaging.

(less)

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Oct 23, 2011 Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 3-stars, england, historical-fiction, historical-women

I quite enjoyed the two previous Seton books I’ve read; her strength is in writing well-detailed historical novels with strong, entertaining plots, and in that regard this one is no different. I was consistently entertained and kept wanting to know what happened next. And I learned a fair bit about the Jacobite rebellions, and some about colonial Virginia. The settings are well-done and enjoyable to read about. Seton’s books are certainly more immersive than those of many other historical fictio...more I quite enjoyed the two previous Seton books I’ve read; her strength is in writing well-detailed historical novels with strong, entertaining plots, and in that regard this one is no different. I was consistently entertained and kept wanting to know what happened next. And I learned a fair bit about the Jacobite rebellions, and some about colonial Virginia. The settings are well-done and enjoyable to read about. Seton’s books are certainly more immersive than those of many other historical fiction writers, who tend to skip over the description and assume readers will fill it in for themselves; Seton takes worldbuilding as seriously as many a fantasy writer and I always appreciate that.

I’m of two minds about the characters. Charles Radcliffe is possibly the most complex character here, and his exploits are interesting to read about. His daughter Jenny takes center stage for most of the book, and she’s just okay--she has her moments, but Seton’s rhapsodizing about her beauty and inviting us to feel sorry for her because other women are jealous and therefore dislike her often tends to overwhelm her actual personality. Her friend Evelyn is the more interesting of the two, and with far less screen time. And, unfortunately, a lot of Jenny’s time is spent on a quite unromantic romance (I concur with the other reviewers who called this the least interesting part of the book), which Seton nevertheless seems to expect us to find romantic. It reaches the height of silliness with a contrived “devil worship” episode, which, while one of the most important scenes in the book as far as its effect on the plot goes, takes up all of three pages including build-up and immediate aftermath, making it near impossible to take seriously--and it was a goofy idea besides.

Finally, every time I review an Anya Seton book I find myself writing some variation on: “Overall, this book has aged well for something written 50-60 years ago, but....” What comes after the “but” is always different. In this case, it’s a particularly unfortunate sequence from which it appears that Seton realized it’s a really bad thing to hit or rape one’s spouse, but considered such actions easily forgiveable if the offending spouse apologizes and promises never to do so again, and furthermore, that that person can show their continued love by making decisions for the other person without asking their preferences one way or the other. (Also, a kid with a limp and webbed fingers is better off dead? Huh?)

Meanwhile, the prose itself is serviceable, although the foreshadowing is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Three stars is perhaps a bit generous in my view, but Devil Water is overall an entertaining book and well-executed, although not on the same level as Katherine or The Winthrop Woman.(less)

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Jan 26, 2011 Deana rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical fiction lovers who don't mind a slower pace

Recommended to Deana by: hlt coe library

Shelves: borrowed, 2010-2011

I have a love-hate relationship with this book. On the one hand, I found the story (meaning the plot and characters) fascinating, and moreso because it is based on real people and real events. I found myself looking multiple things up on Wikipedia during each sitting. And yet... it was an INCREDIBLY slow read. It kept putting me to sleep. Partly because it seemed to drag on and on - events seemed to take far more pages than needed (spoiled by the internet much?) and ... I don't know, I guess I j...more I have a love-hate relationship with this book. On the one hand, I found the story (meaning the plot and characters) fascinating, and moreso because it is based on real people and real events. I found myself looking multiple things up on Wikipedia during each sitting. And yet... it was an INCREDIBLY slow read. It kept putting me to sleep. Partly because it seemed to drag on and on - events seemed to take far more pages than needed (spoiled by the internet much?) and ... I don't know, I guess I just didn't care for the writing style. Which makes me sad, because this author has been recommended by many people. Then again, they have never recommended this book in particular, so perhaps this one isn't really representative.

The story revolves around Charles Radcliffe and his daughter, Jenny. Charles is the grandson of King Charles II of England, and his older brother is the Earl of Derwentwater (translated as Devil Water) at Dilston. They are fervently Catholic in a time when England is moving quickly toward Protestantism, and are supporters (to the death!) of "The Pretender", "King James III" (in quotes, because he was never recognized as King although he was technically next in succession, but he was Catholic and there was a new-ish law preventing Catholics from taking the throne).

But the story more surrounds his daughter, Jenny (Jane), who was the result of a childhood affair with a country girl named Meg, whose father forced a marriage between them when he discovered her pregnancy, of course causing a scandal in the upper class life of Charles and his family. Jenny is torn in many ways due to her mixed heritage - between country life and life as "a lady", between Catholicism and Protestantism, between life in the north country and life in London, between romantic love to a childhood companion and fixed marriage to better her status and that of her family. I cried at multiple points in her story, and ESPECIALLY a lot at the ending... I began to believe I was in love with Rob myself, and was horrified by his reaction [to a spoiler], but glad of how he 'remedied' it.

And the historical details thrown in are just fascinating. I do think it's worth struggling through the writing style, but be prepared to take forever reading this. It -is- broken up into six shorter "Books" by timeline, so that gives good stopping points, where you can stop and come back to it months later like I did :)(less)

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Aug 20, 2008 Misfit rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-and-keep-for-a-reread

I am so pleased that this author's novels are being reprinted, I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them, especially Katherine. This is a fascinating tale, based upon the Radcliffs of Derentwater (Devil Water), staunch catholics and loyal to the Stuart cause, and descended from Charles II via the wrong side of the blanket. Charles Radcliff, the younger brother has a secret marriage to a lower born woman who gives birth to the love of his life, his daughter Jenny.

The story takes you f...more

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Dec 27, 2009 Frances Fuller rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I am in doubt of how to put this book in any of my shelves. Is this fiction or history? I have put all the names on Google, and I still have no answer. If only 25% of it is true, it is still a really amazing story. It took me four days to read it, which is something of a record, and can only be explained by the other books I read in between sections. I recommend this book to those who can enjoy the blurring of history with fiction, and not really ever know what is "Hollywood and what is history?...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed this story about the historical figure, Charles Radclliffe, a Catholic nobleman, and his misadventures connected with the two failed Jacobite rebellions. Also about his daughter Jenny, by a secret marriage, and her life and travels from Northumbria, London, and colonial Virginia. Charles Radcliffe was the second to last man to be executed (he was beheaded in 1746) on Tower Hill, London.

http://www.northumbrianjacobites.org....

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Sep 11, 2009 MAP rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction

A novel following the actual person of Charles Radcliff, younger brother of James, Earl of Derwentwater, who was one of the leaders of the Jacobite revolt in 1715.

This book had me totally hooked from the very beginning. I was never once bored or waiting to get away from some character and back to another one. This book WOULD have been a 5 star, except for 1 way over the top incident about 70 pages from the end, from which, in my opinion, the book never recovered (or at least, my opinion of the b...more

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Jul 08, 2011 Elli rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: england, intrigue, political, historical, historical-fiction

This book followed the story of the Radcliffe family, a Roman Catholic family in 18th century England who were heavily involved in trying to restore the Catholic Stuarts to the English throne. It was particularly focused on the youngest brother, Charles, whose loyalty to the Stuart cause was life long thing. His relationship with his daughter also was a major factor in the presented story. It was really about the both of them, and everything that effected their lives. It was an easy book to invo...more

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Aug 18, 2008 Lady of the Lake rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Maybe it's me? Perhaps I'm just not connecting for some reason. It does seem to be a long streak of books that aren't taking me away...i don't know but This is another story that just didn't send me into another time and place...while yes the historical facts are amazing...albeit nothing I haven't read about (many times) before. The Jacobite period isn't my favorite time either which may have to do with how well i liked this book... there are many books i have read that use this time frame...add...more

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Jul 02, 2009 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars

If I could give this book six stars, I would. But I have special prejudices--first, I have been fascinated with the Stuarts and Jacobites for years, and second, my sixth great grandfather appears as one of the book's historical figures in colonial Virginia. This romantic and tragic story of Charles Radcliffe, the fiercely loyal cousin of Bonnie Prince Charlie, in some ways parallels Charles Stuart's own story. And Charles Radcliffe's beautiful and loyal daughter, who spent her early years in the...more

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Oct 26, 2010 Eileen Granfors rated it 3 of 5 stars

I am a Seton fan. I thought this might have a good Halloween tie in, but there's a lot of English history first. That's okay too--love historical books.

My original idea was to match a book with my new novel "Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead"--"Rules of Attraction" is the right era, but not as involved in the traditions.

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Aug 12, 2012 Alice Jacobson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another great book by Anya Seton. Deep in well researched history. Wonderful storyline and chacters. If you do not like historical detail this is not the book for you. She was a lot of information on the Jacobites and and interesting look at settling Virginia in the early 1700s. Excellent read.

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Jul 31, 2011 Jayne Charles rated it 2 of 5 stars

This began and ended quite well but I felt it sagged a bit in the middle like a bad souffle, and I found myself counting pages to the end. Some fascinating sections in the jail - it seemed if you were a member of the gentry and had enough money you could pretty much come and go as you pleased. Funny what you pick up in these historical novels.

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Jul 20, 2010 Katherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was so wonderful! Lush descriptions of Northumberland, colonial Virginia, and glamorous London. The story centers on Jenny, the daughter of Jacobite rebel Charles Radcliffe. We follow Jenny on her adventures from young girl to strong-willed woman; her story is an intense one. This is another winner from Seton, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

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Jul 08, 2012 Abby Fick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really good book. A little slow to start, but I couldn't put it down by the end. Among many other things involves an unbelievable romance that really is a true story. Will help me suspend some disbelief the next time I'm reading fiction and think "Yeah, right."

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Jan 06, 2013 Mandy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not one of her best. Impeccable research as usual and interesting historical characters but somehow failed to engage as some of her other books do, notably Katherine. Disappointing

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Jul 06, 2010 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Lovely, well crafted, well plotted book. While I could put it down, I felt that the characters were well rounded and portrayed as humans, not merely as caricatures. Definitely a must for any historical fiction reader.

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Jan 17, 2009 Gregandemy rated it 4 of 5 stars

i really enjoyed this book. A historical look into the early colonies and life in England during the 1700's. well written, a great story that just drew me in. Loved getting to read the historical facts at the end to see how much was based on truth..

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Dec 11, 2012 Brenna rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction-great-britain, arthur-to-elizabeth-ii, historical-fiction-america-s

Oy this was a difficult one for me. The story seemed to not mesh well together and the characters always seemd a bit distint-you didn't get a feel for them or ingrain yourself into their lives which is what I enjoy so much about books. For a short window of time you can become a completely different person and live separate life. This book didn't do that for me which made it rather painful to read. The back story about the Jacobite rebellion and the attention to historical detail is what saved i...more

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Apr 11, 2009 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars

The writing of Anya Seton is spellbinding. Set in the 1700's, this tells a story of courage, love and loyalty.

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