The Charmed Circle I (CH)

by Catherine Gaskin

The three daughters of a renowned British actor--Julia, Constance, and Alex--find love and fulfillment, as well as a potentially devastating crisis, during the World War II years

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Family Saga, Romance

407 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 1988

About the author

Catherine Gaskin (2 April 1929 – 6 September 2009) historical fiction and romantic suspense.

She was born in Dundalk Bay, Louth, Ireland in 1929. When she was only three months old, her parents moved to Australia, settling in Coogee, a suburb of Sydney, where she grew up. Her first novel This Other Eden, was written when she was 15 and published two years later. After her second novel, With Every Year, was published, she moved to London. Three best-sellers followed: Dust in Sunlight (1950), All Else is Folly (1951), and Daughter of the House (1952). She completed her best known work, Sara Dane, on her 25th birthday in 1954, and it was published in 1955. It sold more than 2 million copies, was translated into a number of other languages, and was made into a television series in Australia in 1982. Other novels included A Falcon for the Queen (1972) and The Summer of the Spanish Woman (1977).

Catherine Gaskin moved to Manhattan for ten years, after marrying an American. She then moved to the Virgin Islands, then in 1967 to Ireland, where she became an Irish citizen. She also lived on the Isle of Man. Her last novel was The Charmed Circle (1988). She then returned to Sydney, where she died in September 2009, aged 80, of ovarian cancer.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little slow to get into but once I got into it, it was hard to put down. It's the story of a woman, Julia, her sisters and her father. It starts when she is still living at home. Her mother is killed during the Battle of Britain. In time, this leads to an interesting love affair and marriage. I thought the book really picked up once she leaves home and then as the war ends. I am glad it wasn't just another war story about the lives of those on the home front. It was definitely more than that. Each of the four main characters have interesting twists in their lives, all except maybe Julia's sister Connie. Each sister seems to represent a different way of life, the career woman, the stay at home mum/wife and the widow who is conflicted. Their father's life is interesting too and I like the way that Julia doesn't entirely trust the new wife/step-mother. Louisa is believable and human, neither perfectly good and sweet nor horrible. If you like family sagas written in this time period, you will enjoy this.

[Cheryll · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long read at 699 pages. It had a slow start and I wondered if I'd actually finish it. I thought the character Julia was pretty stupid in her actions. Rod was nasty and so was Stacia. For such a big book I expected more to happen. A bit disappointing...

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just remembered I read this one maybe 20 years ago. This is the one with the crumbling castle. It featured three sisters. One sister was an aspiring actress. She may have swam alot. That's all I remember from it. Haha.

I used to love Catherine Gaskin's epic sweeping novels. Most of her novels are kind of like biographies. They feature the whole lives of their characters and aren't necessarily plot driven. They often have idealistic moments followed by tragedy followed by a half recovery half going through the motions and trying to recapture a past happiness. Oftentimes you don't know which parts are the good parts till you get past them and want to return to those good times. They're actually kind of depressing novels now that I think on it. Anyways, I don't know where this novel falls on that spectrum, but I do remember loving it.

[Carole-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have the Fontana Publications paperback edition of 1989

[Elizabeth Sloa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed from the beginning to the last page.

[Sharon Duggan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Amalia]

Felt like two books - I liked the first half much better.

[Michael C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stylistically, a well-written novel, but I found it hard going and I gave up about two-thirds of the way through. For me, the lead female character was unsympathetic, and her unbelievably naive at times. Her relationship with her second husband did not ring true. The book was overlong, and could have benefited from some editing down. There was also in places some repetition, almost in the same words, which good editing would have eliminated.

[Claudia Segal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would actually give this book 4.75 stars. The author builds things up to a crescendo moments before the book ends. It's a beautifully crafted story that holds your attention firmly. Catherine Gaskin is a masterful writer.

[Cws]

F Gas

[Diann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The end of WWII, mostly in Scotland. A story of love & ultimate betrayal. But the love of family & friends is what makes it. Would definately recommend.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites.

[Tory · Rating 1 out of 5]

lame, lame, lame.

[Carobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Den magiska cirkeln.

[Donna Melton]

I picked this up at a yard sale. I really enjoyed it. The characters are believable and, for the most part, wonderful people. The story lines are fun. There's a nice twist. I will be looking for more by this writer.