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The Rose of Sebastopol
by Katharine McMahon (Goodreads Author)
by Katharine McMahon (Goodreads Author)
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Review is here: Please read with caution as it contains spoilers. I have tried to word my review so as not to provide a summary of the story (that's not what you want to read). I have tried to word it so you can decide whether or not this is a book which you want to read.
***SPOILER ALERT****
In the beginning, I thought Mariella was a pain in the rear. I admired Rosa for her fortitude and spunk. I did not care for Dr. Thewell at all - could see right through his false veneer to his inner core of self-absorption and, he was a cad, too! (Does anyone still use that word? I think today he would be called a "dog" or something - really a "cheat!") And, while I was unsure of Max, I came to love him in the end.
I loved the way Mariella evolved from being a simpering young lady in the beginning to becoming a woman strengthened by her own sense of right and wrong. Her love for Rosa was her driving force even in the face of betrayal. And, believe me when I say this, wholeheartedly, whichever your love leans, Mariella's love for Rosa was undeniable and admirable, too.
I would re-read this book and will recommend this book to friends who want to learn about war in all its gory detail, Florence Nightingale, and the Crimean War and the deep affection of love, too.
Did I think this was a traditional romance? I do not think it was a traditional romance story either. At times, it was a love triangle and even a love square. Again, it was not any of these in the traditional or usual way; more sapphic, I thought.
I did learn a lot of history which I always appreciate. The Charge of the Light Brigade must have been a spectacular sight to witness. From the bits of information I picked up from the book and from Wikipedia, it was horrendous, too.
Portrayal of Life in the 1850s: As for life in the 1850s, I believe it was probably an accurate description. The women were subservient and the men overbearing and demanding. Although I am sure this was not accurate in every situation, as it was portrayed in this book, it was accurate. There were certainly women who were free-thinkers (Florence Nightingale was a good example to use in this book); but, most women were only beginning to come out from under their father's/husband's thumbs.
Review is here: Please read with caution as it contains spoilers. I have tried to word my review so as not to provide a summary of the story (that's not what you want to read). I have tried to word it so you can decide whether or not this is a book which you want to read.
***SPOILER ALERT****
In the beginning, I thought Mariella was a pain in the rear. I admired Rosa for her fortitude and spunk. I did not care for Dr. Thewell at all - could see right through his false veneer to his inner core of self-absorption and, he was a cad, too! (Does anyone still use that word? I think today he would be called a "dog" or something - really a "cheat!") And, while I was unsure of Max, I came to love him in the end.
I loved the way Mariella evolved from being a simpering young lady in the beginning to becoming a woman strengthened by her own sense of right and wrong. Her love for Rosa was her driving force even in the face of betrayal. And, believe me when I say this, wholeheartedly, whichever your love leans, Mariella's love for Rosa was undeniable and admirable, too.
I would re-read this book and will recommend this book to friends who want to learn about war in all its gory detail, Florence Nightingale, and the Crimean War and the deep affection of love, too.
Did I think this was a traditional romance? I do not think it was a traditional romance story either. At times, it was a love triangle and even a love square. Again, it was not any of these in the traditional or usual way; more sapphic, I thought.
I did learn a lot of history which I always appreciate. The Charge of the Light Brigade must have been a spectacular sight to witness. From the bits of information I picked up from the book and from Wikipedia, it was horrendous, too.
Portrayal of Life in the 1850s: As for life in the 1850s, I believe it was probably an accurate description. The women were subservient and the men overbearing and demanding. Although I am sure this was not accurate in every situation, as it was portrayed in this book, it was accurate. There were certainly women who were free-thinkers (Florence Nightingale was a good example to use in this book); but, most women were only beginning to come out from under their father's/husband's thumbs.
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Reading Progress
| 04/21/2009 | page 119 |
|
29.38% | "Not sure of page # - this is an ebook and pages number differently. Good book so far." |
| 04/23/2009 | page 260 |
|
64.2% | 5 comments |
| 04/25/2009 | page 260 |
|
64.2% | "ebook page 345 of 912 (Twenty-one, London)" |
| 04/25/2009 | page 260 |
|
64.2% | "ebook: Starting Part Three - where am I Donna?" 12 comments |
| 04/26/2009 | "Part IV, Chapter 1." 2 comments | |||
| 04/27/2009 | page 272 |
|
67.16% | "Oh, many thanks to Donna for helping me with the page numbers" |
| 04/29/2009 | page 400 |
|
98.77% | 4 comments |
Comments (showing 1-5 of 5) (5 new)
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Wanda
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rated it 4 stars
Apr 26, 2009 08:18am
ebook - page 467 of 912. Started Chapter 1 of Part 4. Still cannot figure out this love triangle thing; but, I am quite peeved at Dr. Thewell.
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Half a league half a league, Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred:
'Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
The Light Brigade and their famous charge upon the Russian troops makes an appearance in this book. Quite exciting!
I have fallen under Max's spell! If this were a movie, who would play Max I wonder? I will be sad when this book ends.
