This unforgettable story of undying love combines mysticism, suspense, mystery, and romance into a web of good and evil that stretches from 16th-ce...
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Aug 04, 2011
Birgit
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That's my absolute favourite by Anya Seton. She combines present and past in this story of a crime in a medieval setting and how it's still affecting the present. She explains political and social issues in an easy to understand way. One of the books I keep re-reading
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Apr 13, 2008
Lisa
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I was really looking forward to reading this book. Maybe that's why I was so disappointed with it. I truly liked the idea of the book (reincarnation and karma- two things I strongly believe in), which is the only thing that prevented me from rating it with one star.
The characters were not real, I didn't felt as though I knew very much about how they were feeling and that some things were ridiculously elaborate (Julian is from Italy- we get it! I think that is mentioned at least 300 ti More...
The characters were not real, I didn't felt as though I knew very much about how they were feeling and that some things were ridiculously elaborate (Julian is from Italy- we get it! I think that is mentioned at least 300 ti More...
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Mar 15, 2009
Barbara
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I read this book when it was "new" and omg I LOVED it. It was complex and dark and romantic and my then 14 yr old self couldn't get enough.
Someone commented that it's "dated". It wasn't then but it's a reason I've never tried to re-read it. I want to keep the feeling of how wonderful it was to younger less world-weary me.
Someone commented that it's "dated". It wasn't then but it's a reason I've never tried to re-read it. I want to keep the feeling of how wonderful it was to younger less world-weary me.
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Mar 10, 2010
Lauren
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The storyline and narrative structure of Green Darkness are very different from other books I have read. Green Darkness starts out in 1968 with a house party. The hosts, Sir Richard and Lady Celia Marsdon are newlyweds but their relationship is anything but blissful, as Richard has turned cold towards his new wife in recent months. Several strange events lead Celia to enter into a catatonic state. One of the guests, an Indian doctor, realizes that Celia and Richard had known each other in a
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Jul 29, 2010
M
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I must be the only man who has ever read this novel. If you've been having difficulty getting to sleep, Green Darkness can help. I'm surprised some pharmaceutical company hasn't named a hypnotic after it. It's a long, dreary romance, rendered in prose that's the stylistic equivalent of dishwater, about a modern couple plagued by unresolved issues from a past life exasperating in all the wrong ways. The story idea seemed interesting, and I slogged through it one summer when I was in junior high s
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Jan 03, 2010
Margaret
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Katherine has long been one of my favorite historical novels, so I thought that it was past time to try one of her other books. I happened upon a copy of Green Darkness in my local used book store and figured that it would do as well as any to start out with. Sadly, I don't think it lives up to Katherine.
Partly, it's the narrative structure that didn't work for me. Green Darkness starts in the 1960's, with recently married Richard and Celia Marsdon. When Celia starts having visions a More...
Partly, it's the narrative structure that didn't work for me. Green Darkness starts in the 1960's, with recently married Richard and Celia Marsdon. When Celia starts having visions a More...
Aug 12, 2009
Afranze
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 07, 2010
Stacie
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I've had Green Darkness in my to-be-read pile for a long time now. I don't know exactly what was making me so reluctant to begin it. For one thing, the story takes place in two time periods: the late 1960's in an historic English manor home and in 1550's Tudor England during the reigns of King Edward VI and Mary I. I love stories about Tudor England, but this was my first one to also include the element of reincarnation. While I personally don't believe in reincarnation, it does make for a fasci
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Mar 12, 2010
Cat
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This could have been a good book. Written in the late 60s, her ideas and worldview were well ahead of her time and relatively original. But sadly, she's not a great writer and her desire to explore the concept of reincarnation overshadowed the story. You can feel her shoe-horning everything to fit the concept, which results in flat characters, trite plots, and the overall impression of her storytelling as juvenile (I know - ouch!). The incarnations of the characters as remaining pretty much who
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Dec 22, 2009
Nancy
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I've loved Anya Seton's books, but this one stretched credibility even farther than I can usually make it. It deals with reincarnation and the main story is set in England during the tumultuous years of young King Edward's reign to when Queen Elizabeth came to the throne. It's full of intrigue and religious persecution; first the Catholics under Edward, then the Protestants with Queen Mary's importation of the Spanish Inquisition, then the uncertainty as Queen Elizabeth began her reign.
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Dec 14, 2010
Emily
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"Green Darkness" was my first foray into Anya Seton's novels and I completely fell in love with her writing. As with all her books, the period is meticulously researched so you feel completely immersed in the time period. Green Darkness follows wealthy Celia Marsden, who following her recent marriage to Richard Marsden, moves to England. Their relationship is somewhat troubled and strained, but they cannot place as to why. They do know that they were instantly drawn to each other. When
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Jul 03, 2011
Megan
rated it:
Most of my friends know that I love anything and everything to do with Tudor England. So it shouldn't be a big surprise to learn that I was absolutely ENTHRALLED by this fascinating book from acclaimed author and researcher Anya Seton.
"Green Darkness" tells the story of Celia, a young peasant girl living in rural England during the 16th Century. Through her eyes, the reader experiences wars, religious reformation, romance, and feudal life. Her forbidden relationship with a Be More...
"Green Darkness" tells the story of Celia, a young peasant girl living in rural England during the 16th Century. Through her eyes, the reader experiences wars, religious reformation, romance, and feudal life. Her forbidden relationship with a Be More...
Dec 17, 2009
Laura
rated it:
This wasn't as good as the other Seton novels I've read. Despite an interesting idea, the characters weren't very real to me, and I didn't care very much what happened to any of them. Specifically, I thought the main character's husband was a huge jerk, even if he WAS wrestling with demons.
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Jul 27, 2009
Nikki
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I have to echo what many others have said about this book and that is to say this book was not nearly as good as Anya Seton's other books. This was the 3rd I've read by her thus far and while the other 2 I could barely put down, this one I had trouble picking it back up! I have read Avalon and The Winthrop Woman; those 2 were incredible with great characters that you actually get a sense of connection with and are interesting. The main problem with Green Darkness, I think lies in that the main p
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Mar 17, 2009
Aonbelay
rated it:
This book is very interesting. It takes the time to set up characters both past and present and captivates you. I feel that this is another book people either love or hate mainly because of the time and the historical thickness of it.
If you dig historical fictions, this is a good read. I read this book as a first addition and was ecstatic when it was re-released. Yes it's set in the 60's, yes it takes forever to get going, yes it's VERY wordy with historical dates and events, but th More...
If you dig historical fictions, this is a good read. I read this book as a first addition and was ecstatic when it was re-released. Yes it's set in the 60's, yes it takes forever to get going, yes it's VERY wordy with historical dates and events, but th More...
Sep 23, 2009
Hannah
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Read this a few years ago after completing Seton's magnificent Katherine. From what I remember of my impressions, this is not a bad book, but I'd also say it's not to the caliber of Katherine.
Usually, when I read time travel books, I enjoy the plot thread of the past lives better then the modern ones. In the case of GD, I actually liked the modern storyline better, and felt more sympathy with the characters in the present. Nonetheless, GR is still a beautifully written novel, and More...
Usually, when I read time travel books, I enjoy the plot thread of the past lives better then the modern ones. In the case of GD, I actually liked the modern storyline better, and felt more sympathy with the characters in the present. Nonetheless, GR is still a beautifully written novel, and More...
Jan 31, 2011
Barbra
rated it:
I read this book years ago and decided to do a reread and enjoyed it just as much. Although this is an historical novel it is also a novel about reincarnation.
Back Cover Blurb:
Celia de Bohun fell in love in 1552. But Stephen was a priest. When he returned her love, the young sweethearts became the victims of their savage times....
Centuries later, their tragedy threatens the life and happiness of another Celia, the young, rich and unhappy wife of Richard Marsdon and lady of More...
Back Cover Blurb:
Celia de Bohun fell in love in 1552. But Stephen was a priest. When he returned her love, the young sweethearts became the victims of their savage times....
Centuries later, their tragedy threatens the life and happiness of another Celia, the young, rich and unhappy wife of Richard Marsdon and lady of More...
Jul 27, 2011
This book wasn't as good as I was hoping, although by the end I did find myself quite absorbed by the story. Overall, I felt the writing to be too heavy-handed, in particular the references to spirituality and reincarnation, which read like obvious exposition. The link between the two parts of the story felt quite weak, and the transition between them was a little jarring. The ending also disappointed, after all the passion that had been building throughout the book, there seemed to be no real c
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Nov 17, 2010
Julie
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Green Darkness was a haunting book that spanned from Tudor England to the 20th Century. In the first part of the book, we are introduced to Celia and her husband. We quickly discover that there is something in their past life that causes conflict in their current life. In the second part of the book, we are taken back to 16th Century England during the reign of King Edward and we are introduced to another Celia. It's mildly predictable when everyone in Celia's 16th Century life resembles everyon
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Jul 25, 2010
Karen
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 07, 2010
Kelly A.
rated it:
omething that I have always been interested in, even though I don't believe in it, is reincarnation. The fact that there is an opportunity to live another life, so different yet similar to the others, is just fascinating! So, Green Darkness had two of my favorite reading subjects: the Tudors and reincarnation. Imagine how happy I was to find this book!
In Book 1, we begin our journey in 1968, with Celia, an American now unhappily wed to an English man. Soon she starts getting strange vision More...
In Book 1, we begin our journey in 1968, with Celia, an American now unhappily wed to an English man. Soon she starts getting strange vision More...
Jun 05, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
This book was a hand me down from my mother when I was teenager, since she herself read it when she was around the same age. So I can admit right off that I have personal attachment to the novel.
The book is a bit dated, written in the 60's with several references that may not be picked up immediately by the modern reader, but Anya Seton sets a timeless pace with her compelling writing and accurate historical research. The basis of the story is a woman falls into a coma and re-lives More...
The book is a bit dated, written in the 60's with several references that may not be picked up immediately by the modern reader, but Anya Seton sets a timeless pace with her compelling writing and accurate historical research. The basis of the story is a woman falls into a coma and re-lives More...
Mar 29, 2008
Myridian
rated it: 
Seton couldn't make up her mind whether she was reporting something that really happened vs. writing a novel. In the introduction she pledges her allegiance to Theosophy and belief in reincarnation. She further says that she based the 1960s portion of the novel off of at least a real place, and that all of the historical accounts of the 1550s support the events she depicts in that portion of the novel. I wish Seton had either written us a flat-out exploration of someone's past lives or a comp
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Jan 17, 2008
Tara
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I first read this book when I was about twelve years old. It was given to me by my mother, who also loved it. The copy was old, musty, and ancient; I think it was directly responsible for my love of that "old book smell." I'm sad to say that at some point, I lost it. Consequently, I spent the next 10 years frantically searching for another copy to no avail. It was out of print, and no used book store had it. Finally, one rainy afternoon, I came across a copy in an antique store in some
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Feb 18, 2011
maricar
rated it:
a vivid portrayal of Tudor England with all its drama, intrigue, and grisliness presented at the fore of the tumultuous story of passion doomed from the start, and reincarnated for redemption. Ms Seton has quite expertly maneuvered the love-hate relationship between the seemingly staid monk, Stephen, and the in-so-many-ways-as-yet naive and seductively beautiful, young Celia amidst the raging political and religious conflict following the death of Henry VIII.
England finds itself in More...
England finds itself in More...
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Feb 07, 2008
Ana T.
rated it:
After a steady diet of mysteries and romantic suspense novels I thought I needed something totally different.
I've had this book in my TBR pile for more than a year. I had picked it up because I loved Katherine and I wanted to read more books by Seton. Also this book has a theme that fascinates me - reincarnation, karma, good and evil... - even if I'm not sure if I believe it or not. Maybe it was my feelings toward it that kept me from picking it up for so long but now I'm really happ More...
I've had this book in my TBR pile for more than a year. I had picked it up because I loved Katherine and I wanted to read more books by Seton. Also this book has a theme that fascinates me - reincarnation, karma, good and evil... - even if I'm not sure if I believe it or not. Maybe it was my feelings toward it that kept me from picking it up for so long but now I'm really happ More...
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Jul 26, 2007
Beth
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Celia and Richard Marsden are recently married and living in England in 1968. During a weekend get together with friends Celia Marsden slips into unconsciousness and her mother's friend, Dr. Akananda, a doctor who believes in reincarnation, realizes the only way to help Celia is to have her relive her past life that is haunting her. Thus the reader is transported back 400 years ago, during the reign of King Henry VIII's children, a tumultuous time in England, and learns the story of a servant gi
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Jan 30, 2010
Chrissy
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Not sure what to say. I found this book arduous to get through and it seems to stall a lot in my opinion. But it did touch on really interesting issues like catholicism and its history, reincarnation, historical details of the time of King Edward the IV ad his persecution of catholicism. As a Catholic it was interesting to consider what it would be like to have practices of the religion outlawed. Sometimes in middle of the plot, when she would introduce mystical elements..I found it kind of con
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Feb 18, 2009
Nancy
rated it:
I am a huge Anya Seton fan, I have read Foxfire, and Katherine and will read My Theodosia next. Reading her books is the most painless way of reliving history. She makes 16th century life and times with all the turmoil and uncertainty of life and religion come alive in an unforgetable way. Celia and
Stephan are unforgetable characters as well as many of the lesser people who populate this fast moving story. The book is bursting with energy and moves you along with it back and forth th More...
Stephan are unforgetable characters as well as many of the lesser people who populate this fast moving story. The book is bursting with energy and moves you along with it back and forth th More...
Jul 30, 2010
Suze
rated it:
Tip #1 - Never read an author's best-loved, most respected book before you read their other books. It's bound to be a let down.
'Green Darkness' was quite a letdown from 'Katherine'. Although I still love Seton's writing and admire the depth of research she put into each book - I was expecting the caliber of a book like 'Katherine' (which I totally loved) and was quite disappointed.
This was all about a mystical past life of a couple, what they went through and how it resolved it More...
'Green Darkness' was quite a letdown from 'Katherine'. Although I still love Seton's writing and admire the depth of research she put into each book - I was expecting the caliber of a book like 'Katherine' (which I totally loved) and was quite disappointed.
This was all about a mystical past life of a couple, what they went through and how it resolved it More...
