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Without Charity
When Sarah first saw Harlaston Hall, its grandeur unnerved her. How could this mansion have anything to do with her family, and in particular with her grandmother Charity? But as she became immersed in the story of the house, it became vital that she uncovered the truth.
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
24 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Paver
59 books2,352 followersMichelle Paver was born in central Africa, but came to England as a child. After gaining a degree in biochemistry from Oxford University, she became a partner in a city law firm, but eventually gave that up to write full-time.
The hugely successful Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series arose from Michelle's lifelong passion for animals, anthropology and the distant past—as well as an encounter with a large bear in a remote valley in southern California. To research the books, Michelle has traveled to Finland, Greenland, Sweden, Norway, Arctic Canada and the Carpathian Mountains. She has slept on reindeer skins, swum with wild orca (killer whales), and got nose-to-nose with polar bears—and, of course, wolves.
The hugely successful Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series arose from Michelle's lifelong passion for animals, anthropology and the distant past—as well as an encounter with a large bear in a remote valley in southern California. To research the books, Michelle has traveled to Finland, Greenland, Sweden, Norway, Arctic Canada and the Carpathian Mountains. She has slept on reindeer skins, swum with wild orca (killer whales), and got nose-to-nose with polar bears—and, of course, wolves.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 16, 2015
The book was ok to read, but the story is quite unsurprising, and the chemistry between Charity and Robert were not really there. I think forbidden love is an interesting subject to write about, but Michelle Paver could have made an effort a little more to make the relationship feel more real and interesting to read about. Instead, you get a relationship that lacks any passion.
But still the book was enjoyable to read, although not as good as I had hoped for and the end was a little annoyed that a certain part of the dialogue was in French with no translation.
But still the book was enjoyable to read, although not as good as I had hoped for and the end was a little annoyed that a certain part of the dialogue was in French with no translation.
May 9, 2020
Totally absorbed & thoroughly enjoyed !
Not my usual choice of genre but so pleased I read it ! Opened me up to a new world I didn't know I liked - read Wakenhurst and loved it. Took a chance as didn't think another title would be as so enjoyable - very much mistaken ! Loved this as much !!!! Was so absorbed, I read it in 3 days !!! Thank you Michelle Paver, I am excited to read more of your books
Not my usual choice of genre but so pleased I read it ! Opened me up to a new world I didn't know I liked - read Wakenhurst and loved it. Took a chance as didn't think another title would be as so enjoyable - very much mistaken ! Loved this as much !!!! Was so absorbed, I read it in 3 days !!! Thank you Michelle Paver, I am excited to read more of your books
September 22, 2020
Heel aardig tussendoortje
December 9, 2024
I think I had some mistaken idea that this book might be slightly gothic and clearly it was not. Having last read Wakenhyrst and Dark Matter, this one was a hard pivot. Still reeling from the fact that this came out of the writer of Dark Matter.
It's sort of the book equivalent of a TV show you put on the background, or a decent book to read between things - not so captivating that it can't be put down or requires much energy. The pace is slow, the plot suitably predictable, with the vibes of Downton Abbey (but less scandal/happenings) or the odd period, small-town setting BBC show.
Disclaimer: Framed stories or past/present alternating stories, even when they try to demonstrate how a prior history affect a younger set of characters, have rarely worked for me. This seems to have been a popular approach at some point but usually means that the narrative pace or suspense is killed more than enriched. One possible exception/opportunity I can think of is if it's used well in the horror genre.
Characters
I've enjoyed Paver's Dark Matter very much and was aware she had a middle-grade series with a young male protagonist as well. Perhaps they just happen to be pieces of writing that expanded on her strength: interiority of male characters (which is maybe a bit odd or essentialist of me to say) and creating a sense of historical place. For a long time, Will actually comes off as the character with the most interesting POV, including when he's seen from the eyes of others.
But any of the "past" storyline characters would have resonated more than the present ones, because the stakes always felt higher.
I appreciated that Paver didn't do the "all good people are good-looking, all bad/evil people are ugly" thing that underpins a lot of writing. Characters show up and step offstage in all shapes and sizes without direct correlation to their personality or moral fiber. Also should concede that there is a fairly convincing portrayal of a narcissist in the "present" storyline.
Story framing: The Present investigation of the Past
The "present" time, as a note, is also a "period" piece at this point and feels perhaps more foreign culturally than it might have even acknowledging that the setting is the UK and the subject matter is "am I descended from a baron or just a rando."
This is actually a mildly interesting subject when summarized like this, but it's a lot more sentimental and vague in the book. There's a brief mention of how historical investigation can rectify someone's reputation and I do appreciate it - but again, this didn't seem to be the main motivation either.
The main annoyance with the present time is that long stretches of it focus on main character Sarah recovering from her trash ex-boyfriend/never-fiancé who, of course, also ruins her job at the time. I'd also be less low-key annoyed by that constant interruption if I had knowingly picked up a book with that label.
It doesn't help that there's quite a bit of tedious flip-flopping ahead of the actual story starting ("Oh, I can't do this"; a chapter later, "I must do this! I must know!"; "I'm my own person and all good, just doing it for Charity now"; "I am super invested because it will shape my world view and now I can't sleep"). Ultimately, Sarah's part of the story just did not pull the same weight for me. It's not like she's required to be impoverished but all of the main people in the "present" are super comfortable and this adds an extra measure of distance. They also appear unaware that they are extremely rich (might even consider themselves upper middle class).*
The "past" setting is early 20th century British Empire/Boer War era, so pre-WWI - an era I almost never get to read about. So that was educational and intriguing (and sad, re: war crimes). I am always here for seeing people in a different era navigate the commute to London from the countryside or explore the British Museum and then have high tea.
The portrayal of upper-crust British social interactions was also fascinating - the extreme adherence to reserve or keeping a "stiff upper lip", and how politeness allows people to forthrightly promote lies to each other (often with the support of other parties present) because it would be ~kinder~, such as Robert's conversation with Mr. Bowles the night after a party. (The fact that Robert feels bad enough for Bowles to lie so the other man feels better, while knowing this guy increasingly enjoys classical literature involving violent assault of young women and has an inappropriate fixation on his (Robert's) wife, and that therefore Violet has a valid reason (for once) to seriously dislike someone - that's a whole other thing.) Anyway, the hypocrisy is delightfully credible.
Because of social proprieties, the tiniest actions take on heightened significance. Lied about liking to drink tea without milk? Such kindness! Took a train out to London to clear up a potential misunderstanding? Extraordinary!
*Just read more background on Paver herself and this is way more personal/reflective of her own background than I'd known going in. Many things/decisions in character behavior make more sense now.
It's sort of the book equivalent of a TV show you put on the background, or a decent book to read between things - not so captivating that it can't be put down or requires much energy. The pace is slow, the plot suitably predictable, with the vibes of Downton Abbey (but less scandal/happenings) or the odd period, small-town setting BBC show.
Disclaimer: Framed stories or past/present alternating stories, even when they try to demonstrate how a prior history affect a younger set of characters, have rarely worked for me. This seems to have been a popular approach at some point but usually means that the narrative pace or suspense is killed more than enriched. One possible exception/opportunity I can think of is if it's used well in the horror genre.
Characters
I've enjoyed Paver's Dark Matter very much and was aware she had a middle-grade series with a young male protagonist as well. Perhaps they just happen to be pieces of writing that expanded on her strength: interiority of male characters (which is maybe a bit odd or essentialist of me to say) and creating a sense of historical place. For a long time, Will actually comes off as the character with the most interesting POV, including when he's seen from the eyes of others.
But any of the "past" storyline characters would have resonated more than the present ones, because the stakes always felt higher.
I appreciated that Paver didn't do the "all good people are good-looking, all bad/evil people are ugly" thing that underpins a lot of writing. Characters show up and step offstage in all shapes and sizes without direct correlation to their personality or moral fiber. Also should concede that there is a fairly convincing portrayal of a narcissist in the "present" storyline.
Story framing: The Present investigation of the Past
The "present" time, as a note, is also a "period" piece at this point and feels perhaps more foreign culturally than it might have even acknowledging that the setting is the UK and the subject matter is "am I descended from a baron or just a rando."
This is actually a mildly interesting subject when summarized like this, but it's a lot more sentimental and vague in the book. There's a brief mention of how historical investigation can rectify someone's reputation and I do appreciate it - but again, this didn't seem to be the main motivation either.
The main annoyance with the present time is that long stretches of it focus on main character Sarah recovering from her trash ex-boyfriend/never-fiancé who, of course, also ruins her job at the time. I'd also be less low-key annoyed by that constant interruption if I had knowingly picked up a book with that label.
It doesn't help that there's quite a bit of tedious flip-flopping ahead of the actual story starting ("Oh, I can't do this"; a chapter later, "I must do this! I must know!"; "I'm my own person and all good, just doing it for Charity now"; "I am super invested because it will shape my world view and now I can't sleep"). Ultimately, Sarah's part of the story just did not pull the same weight for me. It's not like she's required to be impoverished but all of the main people in the "present" are super comfortable and this adds an extra measure of distance. They also appear unaware that they are extremely rich (might even consider themselves upper middle class).*
The "past" setting is early 20th century British Empire/Boer War era, so pre-WWI - an era I almost never get to read about. So that was educational and intriguing (and sad, re: war crimes). I am always here for seeing people in a different era navigate the commute to London from the countryside or explore the British Museum and then have high tea.
The portrayal of upper-crust British social interactions was also fascinating - the extreme adherence to reserve or keeping a "stiff upper lip", and how politeness allows people to forthrightly promote lies to each other (often with the support of other parties present) because it would be ~kinder~, such as Robert's conversation with Mr. Bowles the night after a party. (The fact that Robert feels bad enough for Bowles to lie so the other man feels better, while knowing this guy increasingly enjoys classical literature involving violent assault of young women and has an inappropriate fixation on his (Robert's) wife, and that therefore Violet has a valid reason (for once) to seriously dislike someone - that's a whole other thing.) Anyway, the hypocrisy is delightfully credible.
Because of social proprieties, the tiniest actions take on heightened significance. Lied about liking to drink tea without milk? Such kindness! Took a train out to London to clear up a potential misunderstanding? Extraordinary!
*Just read more background on Paver herself and this is way more personal/reflective of her own background than I'd known going in. Many things/decisions in character behavior make more sense now.
November 7, 2019
Very classy historical romance
A slow starter, but one I gradually got swept into and found myself entranced by her beautifully drawn characters. Subtle, well-researched, intriguing and utterly satisfying. Finished it with a sigh, a faraway look, and a tear in my eye.
A slow starter, but one I gradually got swept into and found myself entranced by her beautifully drawn characters. Subtle, well-researched, intriguing and utterly satisfying. Finished it with a sigh, a faraway look, and a tear in my eye.
December 29, 2019
Boring
This plot money at the speed of a slug. I struggled through 40% of the book and cried, 'uncle!'. I kept hoping it would get better!
This plot money at the speed of a slug. I struggled through 40% of the book and cried, 'uncle!'. I kept hoping it would get better!
August 29, 2020
Brilliant storyline
This book kept me glued to the page from start to finish with its twists and turns. Well recommended and an enjoyable read.
This book kept me glued to the page from start to finish with its twists and turns. Well recommended and an enjoyable read.
July 3, 2022
OK
Took a while to get into the book . The story picked up somewhat but the ending was so predictable and drawn out.
Took a while to get into the book . The story picked up somewhat but the ending was so predictable and drawn out.
March 19, 2023
It reminded of Susan's Kearsley's books, but without the timeslip element.
A heartwarming story - too slow, though.
A heartwarming story - too slow, though.
August 7, 2014
After reading the relentlessly grim but excellent Sound of One Hand Clapping I grabbed the book that looked closest to a mindless read on my shelf - and this was it. Bit of a cliche from start to finish - set in two time periods (1900s and present day) with a young woman grieving over a failed relationship who researches her family history to find lo and behold her grandmother was a poor village girl who fell in love with the landed gentry. Naturally the poor village girl was terribly feisty, smart, dignified and attractive and the the aristocrat was in an awful relationship and was handsome, brave and compassionate. Blimey - you'd think I'd have abandoned it but actually it was a bit of a page turner and I gobbled it up.
August 23, 2008
For a first novel, this is pretty good. The chapters alternate between the early twentieth century (1900-1905) and the present day, but I preferred the chapters set in the past. Modern-day concerns seem so trivial in comparison, and I found myself impatiently skimming the bits about Sarah's tediously tragic life. The dialogue feels a little clunky in places, and I couldn't believe the perfect memories of the many people that Sarah interviewed.
That said, I did like this book. I'm a sucker for working-class-girl/upper-class-gentleman romances, especially when they have happy endings.
That said, I did like this book. I'm a sucker for working-class-girl/upper-class-gentleman romances, especially when they have happy endings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2014
I loved this book, I remember reading it back when I was about 18.
I loved it and "A Place in the Hills" the way Michelle writes going back and forth in time is spot on. I Loved it with a capital L.
I think because I loved it so much a have read nearly ever book she's written!
I loved it and "A Place in the Hills" the way Michelle writes going back and forth in time is spot on. I Loved it with a capital L.
I think because I loved it so much a have read nearly ever book she's written!
January 27, 2015
This was the first Michelle Paver book that I read and it's still my firm favourite. All of the characters are so well-written and she intertwines their stories in a really interesting and sympathetic way. A must-read!
August 28, 2015
This was a book that had everything. It was well written, good plot and got better and better as you read toward the end. The time period floated between the early 1900's and present day in England. Simply a book to enjoy and one you are sorry to turn the last page.
March 16, 2014
A really good read. It is a long book - 575 pages - and it kept my interest until the end
August 29, 2023
„und wäre die Liebe nicht“
November 22, 2016
I really like this author but have so far read her creepy atmosphere ones and this is more romance genre. Still very well written and readable, and I definitely empathised with all the characters but one of the romances felt a bit tacked on. Turn of 20th Century bits seemed largely very well researched (although beer wasn't canned until thirty years later) and the family history research journey rang true if a little idealised. Most frustrating for me where tantalising mentions of a 'bat sanctuary' where a character volunteers. No more detail ever given. Hynton isn't a real place but it's set in south Lincolnshire and I do know of a bat rescue in that area. May have to contact author to ask where that inspiration came from! I'll definitely continue reading Michelle Paver's back catalogue.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews