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În perioada de înflorire a Indiei Britanice, Anahita, o fată de unsprezece ani dintr-o familie nobilă, dar săracă, leagă o prietenie de-o viață cu încăpățânata prințesă Indira, fiica privilegiată a unui maharajah indian. Ca însoțitoare oficială a prinţesei, Anahita își urmează prietena în Anglia chiar înainte de izbucnirea Primului Război Mondial. Acolo îl întâlnește pe Donald Astbury, tânărul moștenitor al magnificului conac Astbury, și pe intriganta sa mamă.
Optzeci de ani mai târziu, Rebecca Bradley, o tânără vedetă de film americană, are lumea la picioare. Dar când relația ei turbulentă cu iubitul său la fel de faimos ia o turnură neașteptată, ea e ușurată că ultimul său rol o va purta într-un sat englez îndepărtat. La scurt timp după începerea filmărilor la conacul Astbury, Ari Malik, strănepotul Anahitei, sosește pe neașteptate. Iar secretele pe care el și Rebecca le descoperă încep să dezlege misterele întunecate care bântuie dinastia Astbury...
„O poveste extraordinară, complexă și profundă, plină de personaje fascinante, ale căror secrete sunt dezvăluite treptat, până la final. Saga a patru generații, această istorie a unei iubiri pierdute și regăsite își poartă cititorii din palatele strălucitoare ale marilor maharajahi ai Indiei până pe vastele domenii ale Angliei.“ Booklist
„O povestitoare absolut fantastică... Un regal literar.“ Katherine Webb
Optzeci de ani mai târziu, Rebecca Bradley, o tânără vedetă de film americană, are lumea la picioare. Dar când relația ei turbulentă cu iubitul său la fel de faimos ia o turnură neașteptată, ea e ușurată că ultimul său rol o va purta într-un sat englez îndepărtat. La scurt timp după începerea filmărilor la conacul Astbury, Ari Malik, strănepotul Anahitei, sosește pe neașteptate. Iar secretele pe care el și Rebecca le descoperă încep să dezlege misterele întunecate care bântuie dinastia Astbury...
„O poveste extraordinară, complexă și profundă, plină de personaje fascinante, ale căror secrete sunt dezvăluite treptat, până la final. Saga a patru generații, această istorie a unei iubiri pierdute și regăsite își poartă cititorii din palatele strălucitoare ale marilor maharajahi ai Indiei până pe vastele domenii ale Angliei.“ Booklist
„O povestitoare absolut fantastică... Un regal literar.“ Katherine Webb
560 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2013
2847 people are currently reading
17993 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda Riley
157 books11.8k followersAKA: Lucinda Edmonds
Lucinda Riley was born in Northern Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into thirty-seven languages and sold thirty million copies worldwide. She is a No.1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.
Lucinda’s The Seven Sisters series, which tells the story of adopted sisters and is inspired by the mythology of the famous star cluster, has become a global phenomenon. The series is a No.1 bestseller across the world with total sales of over fifteen million copies.
Lucinda and her family divided their time between the U.K. and a farmhouse in West Cork, Ireland, where she wrote her books.
Lucinda Riley was born in Northern Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into thirty-seven languages and sold thirty million copies worldwide. She is a No.1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.
Lucinda’s The Seven Sisters series, which tells the story of adopted sisters and is inspired by the mythology of the famous star cluster, has become a global phenomenon. The series is a No.1 bestseller across the world with total sales of over fifteen million copies.
Lucinda and her family divided their time between the U.K. and a farmhouse in West Cork, Ireland, where she wrote her books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,381 reviews
October 26, 2015
5 Words: Beautiful, breath-taking, haunting, magical, heart-breaking.
This book.
Just... This book.
It's been one hell of a ride reading this. The Midnight Rose is the type of book you read slowly and devote time to. It makes you think. The writing is so beautiful, the story so magnificently crafted, that it takes your breath away.
I have to confess that I didn't like the beginning of this book. The first 100 pages or so are so, so different from the rest of the book. And I hated Ari. But by the end he'd developed and grown and changed so much.
But then the two stories started weaving together, and things got very interesting.
Anahita. Poor Anahita. This is her story more than anyone else's and I don't think I'll ever forget the story. As much as Rebecca was my favourite character for the first half of this book, Anahita is the one who really takes the spotlight.
This is a deep book, thoughtfully written and incredibly well researched. By turns it made my heart soar and then brought tears to my eyes. I don't think I can put into words just how amazingly beautiful this book is. Read it. Read it and weep.
The ending was one hell of a shocker, an excellent twist. And those last pages made me cry. What a ride. What a wonderful, haunting experience it was to read this book.
Huge thanks to Shaz at Shaz's Book Blog for giving me the opportunity to read The Midnight Rose and for introducing me to Lucinda Riley.
This book.
Just... This book.
It's been one hell of a ride reading this. The Midnight Rose is the type of book you read slowly and devote time to. It makes you think. The writing is so beautiful, the story so magnificently crafted, that it takes your breath away.
I have to confess that I didn't like the beginning of this book. The first 100 pages or so are so, so different from the rest of the book. And I hated Ari. But by the end he'd developed and grown and changed so much.
But then the two stories started weaving together, and things got very interesting.
Anahita. Poor Anahita. This is her story more than anyone else's and I don't think I'll ever forget the story. As much as Rebecca was my favourite character for the first half of this book, Anahita is the one who really takes the spotlight.
This is a deep book, thoughtfully written and incredibly well researched. By turns it made my heart soar and then brought tears to my eyes. I don't think I can put into words just how amazingly beautiful this book is. Read it. Read it and weep.
The ending was one hell of a shocker, an excellent twist. And those last pages made me cry. What a ride. What a wonderful, haunting experience it was to read this book.
Huge thanks to Shaz at Shaz's Book Blog for giving me the opportunity to read The Midnight Rose and for introducing me to Lucinda Riley.
January 1, 2021
Esta mujer es maravillosa.. Cada libro de ella es una verdadera obra de arte, que magistral manera de narrar, nada sobra, ni nada falta..
September 5, 2017
Dual review with Swedish first and then English!
SWEDISH REVIEW
Jag älskar att läsa böcker med exotiska platser och Midnattsrosen verkade ha alla ingredienser som jag gillar i en bok med två tidslinjer: en sorglig historia, ett intressant mysterium och starka kvinnliga karaktärer. Och på ett sätt fick jag det, i alla fall delvis. Men för att en bok med två tidslinjer, en samtida och en i det förflutna, ska fungera är det nödvändigt att de är lika intressanta att läsa. Visst, det är inte ett problem om den ena berättelsen är lite bättre än den andra. Problemet med den här boken är att nutidshistorien aldrig blir intressant och att Rebecca, den vackra filmstjärnan, aldrig fick chansen att skina. Det känns som om hon är bara där, så att Anahitas barnbarn Ari, skulle ha en kvinnlig följeslagare i sin sökning efter Anahitas "förlorade son. Rebecca's egna historia försummas tyvärr.
Bokens början är mycket spännande med den gamla Anahita som ser tillbaka i sitt liv och ger Ari en nedskriven redogörelse om sitt liv. Det är Anahitas återberättelse som höll mig intresserad genom bokens gång, hennes tidiga liv med sin mamma och pappa, när hon möter den rika Indira och flyttar hem till dem och senare resan till England med Indira för att börja skolan där. Det här är den del jag älskade mest i den här boken. Sedan möter Anahita Donald Astbury, och för att vara ärlig tyckte jag inte att de hade mycket kemi. Det kändes mest som en typisk händelse, två olämpliga människor möts och förälskar sig i varandra och det hela kan bara sluta på ett sätt. Olyckligt! Jag ogillade inte Donald, han var bara inte en intressant karaktär. Sedan uppstår naturligtvis problem och Anahitas måste åka tillbaka till Indien. Och det är här jag började få problem med Anahitas berättelse. Det blir förutsägbart, och för mitt liv kan jag inte förstå Donalds handlingar och ännu mindre kan jag förstå hur Anahita fortfarande kan älska honom tillräckligt för att acceptera hans ursäkter.
Den sista delen av boken blev det en hel del skumläsning för att komma igenom, eftersom mitt humör växlade, ena minuten var handlingen irriterade att för att sedan bli tråkig. Det som höll mitt intresse uppe ända till slutet var att jag ville få ett svar på vad som hände med Anahitas son. Tacksamt nog var slutet bitvis bra.
Midnattsrosen var en besvärlig bok att bok att läsa i och med att handlingen var så ojämn. Med nästan 600 sidor hade handlingen behövt vara jämnare. Jag önskar att boken hade tagit upp mer mer om Anahitas liv i Indien efter att hon hade lämnat England för gott och jag skulle gärna ha bytt ut Rebeccas historia för det. Om jag inte hade gillat Anahita så mycket skulle den här boken varit mycket svårare att läsa.
Tack till Bazar Förlag för recensionexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I love to read books with exotic locations and Midnight Rose seemed to have all the ingredients that I like in a dual-timeline book; a sad story, an interesting mystery, and strong female characters. And, in a way did I get it, partly. However, for a book with two storylines, one contemporary and one in the past to work is it necessary that they are equally interesting to read. Sure, it's not a problem when one is slightly better than the other. The problem with this book is that the contemporary story never gets interesting and that Rebecca, the beautiful movie star, never got the chance to shine. She's just there, in the present, so that Anahita's great-grandson Ari while searching for Anahita's "lost son" has a female companion in his search. Her own history is sadly neglected.
Now, the beginning of the book is very intriguing with the old Anahita looking back at her life and giving Ari a written down account of her life. It's Anahita's life throughout this book that kept my interesting up, her early life with her mother and father, coming to live with the wealthy Indira and later on traveling to England with Indira to start school there. This is the part I loved the most in this book. Then Anahita's meets Donald Astbury, and to be honest, didn't I think that they had a lot of chemistry. It felt just like a typical kind of thing that happens in a romance book, two unsuitable people meet. I did not dislike Donald, he was just not an interesting character. Then, of course, problem arise and Anahita's has to go back to India. And, here is when I started to get a problem with Anahita's story as well as Rebeccas. It gets predictable, and for my life can't I understand Donald actions and even less can I understand how Anahita can still love him enough to accept his excuses.
The last part of the book did I skim a lot to get through since my mood alternated between annoyed and bored. What kept my interest up until the end was that I wanted to get an answer to what had happened to Anahita's son.
Midnight Rose was a hard book to read, with almost 600 pages to read had I hoped the story to be more even, but it had a lot of ups and down. I would have loved to have read more about Anahita's life in India after she left England for good and I would have gladly exchanged Rebecca's story for that. If I had not liked Anahita so much would this book have been much harder to read.
Thanks to Bazar Förlag for the review copy!
SWEDISH REVIEW
Jag älskar att läsa böcker med exotiska platser och Midnattsrosen verkade ha alla ingredienser som jag gillar i en bok med två tidslinjer: en sorglig historia, ett intressant mysterium och starka kvinnliga karaktärer. Och på ett sätt fick jag det, i alla fall delvis. Men för att en bok med två tidslinjer, en samtida och en i det förflutna, ska fungera är det nödvändigt att de är lika intressanta att läsa. Visst, det är inte ett problem om den ena berättelsen är lite bättre än den andra. Problemet med den här boken är att nutidshistorien aldrig blir intressant och att Rebecca, den vackra filmstjärnan, aldrig fick chansen att skina. Det känns som om hon är bara där, så att Anahitas barnbarn Ari, skulle ha en kvinnlig följeslagare i sin sökning efter Anahitas "förlorade son. Rebecca's egna historia försummas tyvärr.
Bokens början är mycket spännande med den gamla Anahita som ser tillbaka i sitt liv och ger Ari en nedskriven redogörelse om sitt liv. Det är Anahitas återberättelse som höll mig intresserad genom bokens gång, hennes tidiga liv med sin mamma och pappa, när hon möter den rika Indira och flyttar hem till dem och senare resan till England med Indira för att börja skolan där. Det här är den del jag älskade mest i den här boken. Sedan möter Anahita Donald Astbury, och för att vara ärlig tyckte jag inte att de hade mycket kemi. Det kändes mest som en typisk händelse, två olämpliga människor möts och förälskar sig i varandra och det hela kan bara sluta på ett sätt. Olyckligt! Jag ogillade inte Donald, han var bara inte en intressant karaktär. Sedan uppstår naturligtvis problem och Anahitas måste åka tillbaka till Indien. Och det är här jag började få problem med Anahitas berättelse. Det blir förutsägbart, och för mitt liv kan jag inte förstå Donalds handlingar och ännu mindre kan jag förstå hur Anahita fortfarande kan älska honom tillräckligt för att acceptera hans ursäkter.
Den sista delen av boken blev det en hel del skumläsning för att komma igenom, eftersom mitt humör växlade, ena minuten var handlingen irriterade att för att sedan bli tråkig. Det som höll mitt intresse uppe ända till slutet var att jag ville få ett svar på vad som hände med Anahitas son. Tacksamt nog var slutet bitvis bra.
Midnattsrosen var en besvärlig bok att bok att läsa i och med att handlingen var så ojämn. Med nästan 600 sidor hade handlingen behövt vara jämnare. Jag önskar att boken hade tagit upp mer mer om Anahitas liv i Indien efter att hon hade lämnat England för gott och jag skulle gärna ha bytt ut Rebeccas historia för det. Om jag inte hade gillat Anahita så mycket skulle den här boken varit mycket svårare att läsa.
Tack till Bazar Förlag för recensionexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I love to read books with exotic locations and Midnight Rose seemed to have all the ingredients that I like in a dual-timeline book; a sad story, an interesting mystery, and strong female characters. And, in a way did I get it, partly. However, for a book with two storylines, one contemporary and one in the past to work is it necessary that they are equally interesting to read. Sure, it's not a problem when one is slightly better than the other. The problem with this book is that the contemporary story never gets interesting and that Rebecca, the beautiful movie star, never got the chance to shine. She's just there, in the present, so that Anahita's great-grandson Ari while searching for Anahita's "lost son" has a female companion in his search. Her own history is sadly neglected.
Now, the beginning of the book is very intriguing with the old Anahita looking back at her life and giving Ari a written down account of her life. It's Anahita's life throughout this book that kept my interesting up, her early life with her mother and father, coming to live with the wealthy Indira and later on traveling to England with Indira to start school there. This is the part I loved the most in this book. Then Anahita's meets Donald Astbury, and to be honest, didn't I think that they had a lot of chemistry. It felt just like a typical kind of thing that happens in a romance book, two unsuitable people meet. I did not dislike Donald, he was just not an interesting character. Then, of course, problem arise and Anahita's has to go back to India. And, here is when I started to get a problem with Anahita's story as well as Rebeccas. It gets predictable, and for my life can't I understand Donald actions and even less can I understand how Anahita can still love him enough to accept his excuses.
The last part of the book did I skim a lot to get through since my mood alternated between annoyed and bored. What kept my interest up until the end was that I wanted to get an answer to what had happened to Anahita's son.
Midnight Rose was a hard book to read, with almost 600 pages to read had I hoped the story to be more even, but it had a lot of ups and down. I would have loved to have read more about Anahita's life in India after she left England for good and I would have gladly exchanged Rebecca's story for that. If I had not liked Anahita so much would this book have been much harder to read.
Thanks to Bazar Förlag for the review copy!
December 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and would have given it five stars if it hadn't been for a few bizarre events in the present day story. The present day story also dragged in parts. On the other hand, the story set in the past was well researched and held my attention. I love it when an author includes a bibliography. This book could have easily ended up on my favorites shelf. Five stars for the past, three for the present, equals four overall.
March 24, 2019
4 stelute pentru poveste; 3 pentru scriitura care mi s-a parut un pic cam mediocra. Este un roman care se citeste usor in vacanta de vara pe plaja. Un plus al romanului este ca povestea te prinde repede si te acapareaza in mrejele ei.
Romanul are ecouri din " Rebecca" de Daphne du Maurier si "Jane Eyre" de Charlote Bronte, aviz fanilor romanului gotic.
Romanul are ecouri din " Rebecca" de Daphne du Maurier si "Jane Eyre" de Charlote Bronte, aviz fanilor romanului gotic.
January 19, 2016
“The more you leave out, the more you highlight what you leave in.”
----Henry Green
Lucinda Riley, the New York Times bestselling author, has penned an enchanting tale of love, loss and royal family secrets, in her book, The Midnight Rose. This is the story of a girl named, Anahita, spanning across many generations, and with the help of another protagonist, Rebecca, the readers get to revisit the life of Anahita and her royalty and her family secrets.
Synopsis:
In the heyday of the British Raj, eleven-year-old Anahita, from a noble but impoverished family, forms a lifelong friendship with the headstrong Princess Indira, the privileged daughter of Indian royalty. As the princess's official companion, Anahita accompanies her friend to England just before the outbreak of World War I. There, she meets young Donald Astbury—reluctant heir to the magnificent, remote Astbury Estate—and his scheming mother.
Ninety years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet. But when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, she's relieved that her latest role, playing a 1920s debutante, will take her away from the glare of publicity to a distant corner of the English countryside. Shortly after filming begins at the now-crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anahita's great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly, on a quest for his family's past. What he and Rebecca discover begins to unravel the dark secrets that haunt the Astbury dynasty .
Ari, the great grand son of Anahita, received the papers containing the life story of her great grand mother, that leads him to the Astbury Hall in England to find Anahita's lost son, Moh. At the same time, Rebecca, an American actress, visits the Astbury Hall in England for a film shooting, where she befriends the current Lord Astbury. Fate brings both these characters together, where together they try to find Anahita's lost son, Moh, thereby unraveling some great and hidden Astbury family secrets. Will they be able to find Moh?
I've been quite a huge fan of this best selling author. Riley's exquisite writing style and eloquent words along with a free-flowing and addictive narrative, make the book one hell of a page-turner. The book is so enslaving that the story lingers in the minds of the readers long after it's appalling climax. From the very first half of the book, the story delves deeper into the historical aspects of both the countries- India, during British Raj, and England- both in present and in the past.
The layering of the story line is quite intricately, especially both the stories, one of Rebecca and the other of Anahita, are in perfect tune with one another. Thus when the readers shift from one timeline to another while reading, they can easily set back into each of the timelines with ease. From the cultural in-differences to the fashion statement to the linguistic gap to the political strata, social prejudices etc, are all very thoroughly portrayed in the story line. Each and every scene from the book is so vividly described that it feels like the scenes are playing out before the yes of the readers.
The author not only transports her readers back in time but also takes them to see various eye-catching destinations that are not only strikingly featured but also evocatively described. The characters of the book plays out to be the most strongest aspect in the story, which are extremely well-developed layered both with flaws and skills. Anahita's painful and heartbreaking story has lot of power to move the readers whereas Rebecca's story helps the readers to contemplate with the past. The supporting cast is also developed with lots of flair and charm that can leave a lost lasting impression in the minds of the readers.
In short, the book is rich in history and the backdrop is vibrantly painted that supports an equally poignant story of two women.
Verdict: This is a must read book for historical fiction readers.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Lucinda Riley, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Henry Green
Lucinda Riley, the New York Times bestselling author, has penned an enchanting tale of love, loss and royal family secrets, in her book, The Midnight Rose. This is the story of a girl named, Anahita, spanning across many generations, and with the help of another protagonist, Rebecca, the readers get to revisit the life of Anahita and her royalty and her family secrets.
Synopsis:
In the heyday of the British Raj, eleven-year-old Anahita, from a noble but impoverished family, forms a lifelong friendship with the headstrong Princess Indira, the privileged daughter of Indian royalty. As the princess's official companion, Anahita accompanies her friend to England just before the outbreak of World War I. There, she meets young Donald Astbury—reluctant heir to the magnificent, remote Astbury Estate—and his scheming mother.
Ninety years later, Rebecca Bradley, a young American film star, has the world at her feet. But when her turbulent relationship with her equally famous boyfriend takes an unexpected turn, she's relieved that her latest role, playing a 1920s debutante, will take her away from the glare of publicity to a distant corner of the English countryside. Shortly after filming begins at the now-crumbling Astbury Hall, Ari Malik, Anahita's great-grandson, arrives unexpectedly, on a quest for his family's past. What he and Rebecca discover begins to unravel the dark secrets that haunt the Astbury dynasty .
Ari, the great grand son of Anahita, received the papers containing the life story of her great grand mother, that leads him to the Astbury Hall in England to find Anahita's lost son, Moh. At the same time, Rebecca, an American actress, visits the Astbury Hall in England for a film shooting, where she befriends the current Lord Astbury. Fate brings both these characters together, where together they try to find Anahita's lost son, Moh, thereby unraveling some great and hidden Astbury family secrets. Will they be able to find Moh?
I've been quite a huge fan of this best selling author. Riley's exquisite writing style and eloquent words along with a free-flowing and addictive narrative, make the book one hell of a page-turner. The book is so enslaving that the story lingers in the minds of the readers long after it's appalling climax. From the very first half of the book, the story delves deeper into the historical aspects of both the countries- India, during British Raj, and England- both in present and in the past.
The layering of the story line is quite intricately, especially both the stories, one of Rebecca and the other of Anahita, are in perfect tune with one another. Thus when the readers shift from one timeline to another while reading, they can easily set back into each of the timelines with ease. From the cultural in-differences to the fashion statement to the linguistic gap to the political strata, social prejudices etc, are all very thoroughly portrayed in the story line. Each and every scene from the book is so vividly described that it feels like the scenes are playing out before the yes of the readers.
The author not only transports her readers back in time but also takes them to see various eye-catching destinations that are not only strikingly featured but also evocatively described. The characters of the book plays out to be the most strongest aspect in the story, which are extremely well-developed layered both with flaws and skills. Anahita's painful and heartbreaking story has lot of power to move the readers whereas Rebecca's story helps the readers to contemplate with the past. The supporting cast is also developed with lots of flair and charm that can leave a lost lasting impression in the minds of the readers.
In short, the book is rich in history and the backdrop is vibrantly painted that supports an equally poignant story of two women.
Verdict: This is a must read book for historical fiction readers.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Lucinda Riley, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
September 9, 2017
The Midnight Rose was completely absorbing. I love these gothic novels with rich atmosphere and dual timelines, although I sometimes have to take more tragedy and bleakness than I would like along with them. I've read one novel by Lucinda Riley before, and loved how her story included exotic locations as well as England. But it was so sad that I couldn't bring myself to read another of her books for several years.
This time I was braced for tragedy at least in the earlier timeline, and ended up cursing myself for still getting attached to the characters. There's no doubt that Riley can suck you in and make you dread what's going to happen to them. The haunting sadness of their story clung to me for several days after I finished reading.
The thing that disappointed me about this one is the modern timeline. I was really hoping it would make up for the tragedy of the past. It did offer a bit of redemption, but it was not nearly as satisfying as it could have been. The romance was underdeveloped, and materialized almost out of nowhere. I didn't have the chance to become invested enough in it. That dissatisfaction also lingered with me for several days, making me waver between 3 and 4 stars on my rating.
Still, the haunting nature of both books I've now read by Riley tells me that I will be back for more in the future. Like a moth to a flame.
This time I was braced for tragedy at least in the earlier timeline, and ended up cursing myself for still getting attached to the characters. There's no doubt that Riley can suck you in and make you dread what's going to happen to them. The haunting sadness of their story clung to me for several days after I finished reading.
The thing that disappointed me about this one is the modern timeline. I was really hoping it would make up for the tragedy of the past. It did offer a bit of redemption, but it was not nearly as satisfying as it could have been. The romance was underdeveloped, and materialized almost out of nowhere. I didn't have the chance to become invested enough in it. That dissatisfaction also lingered with me for several days, making me waver between 3 and 4 stars on my rating.
Still, the haunting nature of both books I've now read by Riley tells me that I will be back for more in the future. Like a moth to a flame.
August 9, 2016
On Anahita's 100th birthday, her family gather in the Indian mountains to celebrate. Taking her eldest great-grandson Ari to one side, she gives him a pile of papers. It's her life story, she says, written down in case her long-lost son can ever be found; Anahita (Anni) was told that little Moh died when he was two, but she's never accepted this and knows her now 80 year old son is out there somewhere. Reading her papers, Ari travels to Astbury Hall in England where Anni spent some time during the Great War and begins to retrace her steps.
Also visiting Astbury Hall is American actress Rebecca. Shooting a film set in the 1920s, she becomes friendly with the current Lord Astbury. Seeing her dressed in period costume, he's stunned to find her the image of his American grandmother, brought over with a handsome dowry to save the crumbling Astbury Hall after the war. Armed with Anni's papers and the Astbury family diaries, Ari and Rebecca work together to uncover the truth about what became of Moh.
Anni's story was vibrant and rich in historical detail, with an ending that was both shocking and poignant. Unfortunately, Rebecca's story was weak, taking up far too many pages whilst achieving nothing, full of superfluous characters and simpering conversations. A decent edit could have solved a lot of this, but nothing could have saved the latter stages of her tale which descended into complete farce.
The best dual-timelines get the balance right between past and present; the past story will always be the stronger of the two, with the present-day story complementing it rather than fighting it, as Rebecca did here. Anni deserved so much better.
Four stars for Anni, one or two for Rebecca.
Also visiting Astbury Hall is American actress Rebecca. Shooting a film set in the 1920s, she becomes friendly with the current Lord Astbury. Seeing her dressed in period costume, he's stunned to find her the image of his American grandmother, brought over with a handsome dowry to save the crumbling Astbury Hall after the war. Armed with Anni's papers and the Astbury family diaries, Ari and Rebecca work together to uncover the truth about what became of Moh.
Anni's story was vibrant and rich in historical detail, with an ending that was both shocking and poignant. Unfortunately, Rebecca's story was weak, taking up far too many pages whilst achieving nothing, full of superfluous characters and simpering conversations. A decent edit could have solved a lot of this, but nothing could have saved the latter stages of her tale which descended into complete farce.
The best dual-timelines get the balance right between past and present; the past story will always be the stronger of the two, with the present-day story complementing it rather than fighting it, as Rebecca did here. Anni deserved so much better.
Four stars for Anni, one or two for Rebecca.
January 12, 2014
Be prepared to pick up this book and be transported not just to another time and place but another continent as well.
Lucinda Riley is a skilful writer when it comes to the dual narrative, she does it so well, that it seems that the two stories set some hundred years apart in this novel bear no relation to each other. But of course they do as they the story weaves from 1911 to the present, and evokes many emotions through the characters and shows class, tradition, love and war in many forms.
In the present day we meet Rebecca Bradley, an American film actress, who has the world at her feet and has the world press there to watching her every move. She flies to London to take part in a period drama film, and ends up at Astbury Hall, Dartmoor, Devon playing a young girl in the 1920s. It is a far cry from the life she leads and she uses the fact that she can escape into a past life through her character to actually escape from the person she is or is at least becoming. The press cannot reach her there and neither can her famous actor boyfriend. Rebecca has time to breathe freely.
Halfway round the world Ari Malik is struggling to come to terms with his life, he has neglected his personal life for the sake of his business and career. However it is not fulfilling and when the death of his great-grandmother, leaves him a quest he now has the means to escape and discover something about her past and his future. Ari is unsure why him of all her descendants was chosen. Perhaps the journey to Astbury Hall will answer everything?
It is Ari's great grandmother who we get to know in the past narrative to this story, in fact it is her who tells it to us. Anahita Chaval is nobility in terms of Indian culture, but the death of her father means that she is some what impoverished. We are transported to the heyday of the British Raj, Riley has brought to the page and let it jump out and envelope us; the smells, the sounds, the sights and the warmth of India where we can glimpse a life of Indian Royalty.
It is into royalty that Anahita becomes a companion to Princess Indira, a rather spoilt brat of a girl who sulks until she gets her own way. However, Anahita somehow seems to be the calming influence and they forge a lifelong friendship that takes them through their days in India and also to England when they are both sent to school. Anahita thrives at school, whilst Indira knows her destiny and just treats it all as some social whirl. When they are despatched to Astbury Hall one summer, because war is looming they find their lives change very much.
Astbury Hall is the tie that binds the present day with the past, it is where Ari, Anahita and Rebecca are all drawn to. It does not give up its secrets easily and it is fiercely protected by Mrs Trevathan the housekeeper who only attends to the present day Lord Astbury.
Ari learns the truth about this house and Anahita's role in it with patience and insight.
Rebecca learns that ghosts can perhaps never be laid to rest and that they manifest themselves in some startling ways.
Anahita learns to love deeply and honestly, without regard for social class, status, money and colour of skin.
As readers we finally learn how all of this comes together, how each part of the story fits with the other parts. There were times when I could predict what was going to happen, but they were few and far between which is why I had to keep on reading. I was saddened that the book had to end at some point as I wanted more, but it was right it did end.
Lucinda Riley has left a legacy with this book. Her passion is in this book, it did not feel like a formulaic novel with a dual narrative. Riley has given us the colours of India, rich, bright and vibrant, to the classic English house and countryside. The difference between cultures just not in the present day; the american actress versus the fading English aristocracy but in the past where; the poor Indian girl versus the rich moneyed American girl. The characters get right under your skin, you care about them, you want to see happiness but you also want justice. Good must overcome prejudice and ultimately over evil actions to.
This is an absorbing read and with nearly 700 pages to get through you will be drawn in. An excellent read.
Lucinda Riley is a skilful writer when it comes to the dual narrative, she does it so well, that it seems that the two stories set some hundred years apart in this novel bear no relation to each other. But of course they do as they the story weaves from 1911 to the present, and evokes many emotions through the characters and shows class, tradition, love and war in many forms.
In the present day we meet Rebecca Bradley, an American film actress, who has the world at her feet and has the world press there to watching her every move. She flies to London to take part in a period drama film, and ends up at Astbury Hall, Dartmoor, Devon playing a young girl in the 1920s. It is a far cry from the life she leads and she uses the fact that she can escape into a past life through her character to actually escape from the person she is or is at least becoming. The press cannot reach her there and neither can her famous actor boyfriend. Rebecca has time to breathe freely.
Halfway round the world Ari Malik is struggling to come to terms with his life, he has neglected his personal life for the sake of his business and career. However it is not fulfilling and when the death of his great-grandmother, leaves him a quest he now has the means to escape and discover something about her past and his future. Ari is unsure why him of all her descendants was chosen. Perhaps the journey to Astbury Hall will answer everything?
It is Ari's great grandmother who we get to know in the past narrative to this story, in fact it is her who tells it to us. Anahita Chaval is nobility in terms of Indian culture, but the death of her father means that she is some what impoverished. We are transported to the heyday of the British Raj, Riley has brought to the page and let it jump out and envelope us; the smells, the sounds, the sights and the warmth of India where we can glimpse a life of Indian Royalty.
It is into royalty that Anahita becomes a companion to Princess Indira, a rather spoilt brat of a girl who sulks until she gets her own way. However, Anahita somehow seems to be the calming influence and they forge a lifelong friendship that takes them through their days in India and also to England when they are both sent to school. Anahita thrives at school, whilst Indira knows her destiny and just treats it all as some social whirl. When they are despatched to Astbury Hall one summer, because war is looming they find their lives change very much.
Astbury Hall is the tie that binds the present day with the past, it is where Ari, Anahita and Rebecca are all drawn to. It does not give up its secrets easily and it is fiercely protected by Mrs Trevathan the housekeeper who only attends to the present day Lord Astbury.
Ari learns the truth about this house and Anahita's role in it with patience and insight.
Rebecca learns that ghosts can perhaps never be laid to rest and that they manifest themselves in some startling ways.
Anahita learns to love deeply and honestly, without regard for social class, status, money and colour of skin.
As readers we finally learn how all of this comes together, how each part of the story fits with the other parts. There were times when I could predict what was going to happen, but they were few and far between which is why I had to keep on reading. I was saddened that the book had to end at some point as I wanted more, but it was right it did end.
Lucinda Riley has left a legacy with this book. Her passion is in this book, it did not feel like a formulaic novel with a dual narrative. Riley has given us the colours of India, rich, bright and vibrant, to the classic English house and countryside. The difference between cultures just not in the present day; the american actress versus the fading English aristocracy but in the past where; the poor Indian girl versus the rich moneyed American girl. The characters get right under your skin, you care about them, you want to see happiness but you also want justice. Good must overcome prejudice and ultimately over evil actions to.
This is an absorbing read and with nearly 700 pages to get through you will be drawn in. An excellent read.
March 17, 2023
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2023/...
Terminado, por fin!
No está mal escrito, y no diré que no engancha, pero tampoco me ha gustado. Es algo complicado, pero me he pasado toda la lectura deseando terminarlo y eso no es bueno.
El gran fallo creo que ha sido que el poco misterio que podía tener la historia, la propia autora se lo va cargando con unos cambios temporales en los que ya te indican cómo ha terminado el tema. Baza mal jugada!
Los personajes pueden ser interesantes. Historia dura la de la protagonista (todo un drama, demasiado porque a la pobre no le puede pasar nada peor) y el final demasiado peliculero (por favor!)
Tema de la India interesante, pero se me ha hecho muy aburrida la lectura, no sé si por el estilo lento, en exceso descriptivo, partes en primera persona que no me gustan o, simplemente, que lo que me estaba explicando no me indicaba de qué iba la novela.
Resumiendo, es la dura historia de una joven. Toques paranormales que no sé qué pintan, malos malotes (pero que muy malos) , en fin, una mezcla de Psicosis y Rebeca que me ha dejado muy fría y con pocas ganas de repetir con la autora. (es la segunda novela que leo de ella y creo que es un claro ejemplo de «no eres tú, soy yo»
De los romances mejor no hablar
Ojo, es tan solo mi opinión, quizás otras lectoras que gusten de menos romance en sus lecturas, lo podrán disfrutar mucho más
Terminado, por fin!
No está mal escrito, y no diré que no engancha, pero tampoco me ha gustado. Es algo complicado, pero me he pasado toda la lectura deseando terminarlo y eso no es bueno.
El gran fallo creo que ha sido que el poco misterio que podía tener la historia, la propia autora se lo va cargando con unos cambios temporales en los que ya te indican cómo ha terminado el tema. Baza mal jugada!
Los personajes pueden ser interesantes. Historia dura la de la protagonista (todo un drama, demasiado porque a la pobre no le puede pasar nada peor) y el final demasiado peliculero (por favor!)
Tema de la India interesante, pero se me ha hecho muy aburrida la lectura, no sé si por el estilo lento, en exceso descriptivo, partes en primera persona que no me gustan o, simplemente, que lo que me estaba explicando no me indicaba de qué iba la novela.
Resumiendo, es la dura historia de una joven. Toques paranormales que no sé qué pintan, malos malotes (pero que muy malos) , en fin, una mezcla de Psicosis y Rebeca que me ha dejado muy fría y con pocas ganas de repetir con la autora. (es la segunda novela que leo de ella y creo que es un claro ejemplo de «no eres tú, soy yo»
De los romances mejor no hablar
Ojo, es tan solo mi opinión, quizás otras lectoras que gusten de menos romance en sus lecturas, lo podrán disfrutar mucho más
September 3, 2016
If you want to read about India in the time of the Raj, England during World War I, prejudice, terrible mothers, and doomed love affairs with its echoes into the present, Lucinda Riley’s The Midnight Rose might be the book for you.
It is an enjoyable read to be sure, but not what I expected. Two parallel stories are told simultaneously. In the past, we read the tale of young Indian Anahita Chevran, as she travels between her homeland and England, where she is trapped at the beginning of World War I. In present day, actress Rebecca Bradley is filming a 1920’s period drama set in the same Astbury Hall, in Dartmoor, where Anahita lived part of her time in England.
Let me shortly explain my disappointment. To tell two story lines concomitantly is not always easily well done. Anahita and Donald story seemed solid, although I could not like Donald and Anahita’s behavior were not always easy to understand. Rebecca and Ari’s story, on the other hand, was weaker and less developed; the characters flatter. The power of a dual time-line novel depends on the past and the present being equally believable. That did not fully happen with Midnight Rose. A pity, the story had potential. However, I kept reading because of the strength of Anahita story, wanting to learn how her life story ultimately ended.
Considering all the limitations pointed up above, still a reasonable good read. 2.5/3 stars.
It is an enjoyable read to be sure, but not what I expected. Two parallel stories are told simultaneously. In the past, we read the tale of young Indian Anahita Chevran, as she travels between her homeland and England, where she is trapped at the beginning of World War I. In present day, actress Rebecca Bradley is filming a 1920’s period drama set in the same Astbury Hall, in Dartmoor, where Anahita lived part of her time in England.
Let me shortly explain my disappointment. To tell two story lines concomitantly is not always easily well done. Anahita and Donald story seemed solid, although I could not like Donald and Anahita’s behavior were not always easy to understand. Rebecca and Ari’s story, on the other hand, was weaker and less developed; the characters flatter. The power of a dual time-line novel depends on the past and the present being equally believable. That did not fully happen with Midnight Rose. A pity, the story had potential. However, I kept reading because of the strength of Anahita story, wanting to learn how her life story ultimately ended.
Considering all the limitations pointed up above, still a reasonable good read. 2.5/3 stars.
September 26, 2022
Lusinda je sasvim sigurno ovom pričom nadmašila sebe. Ovo nije obična porodična drama o kojim inače piše. Ovo je ludilo na poslednjih stotinak strana!
Iako nema vidljivih sličnosti, mislim da će se dopasti ljubiteljima Rebeke. Želim s još nečim da uporedim ali bi bio veliki spojler, pa ću samo reći da me je pred kraj podsetila na jedan vrhunski stari film🤭
Iako nema vidljivih sličnosti, mislim da će se dopasti ljubiteljima Rebeke. Želim s još nečim da uporedim ali bi bio veliki spojler, pa ću samo reći da me je pred kraj podsetila na jedan vrhunski stari film🤭
August 14, 2021
Trandafirul nopții, are de toate: poveste, dragoste, mister, suspans, prietenie și o particică de istorie. Deși la început, m-am simțit intimidată de numărul paginilor, pe parcursul lecturii nici nu le-am simțit și m-am cufundat cu totul în poveste.
Cartea începe cu dorința Anahitei de a-și spune povestea, fiului ei, presupus decedat încă din copilărie. Înzestrată, cu o intuiție ieșită din comun, ea nu acceptă nicio clipă acest lucru. În ziua în care împlineşte o sută de ani, îl cheamă pe nepotul ei Ari pentru a-i da misiunea vieții lui - să îi gasească fiul și să îi dea povestea vieții ei.
De aici, acțiunea pornește pe două planuri: trecut - viața Anahitei în India și în Anglia și prezent - viața Rebeccăi și a lui Ari.
Eu m-am îndrăgostit de povestea Anahitei, de înțelepciunea ei încă de când era copilă, copilăria cât a fost de matură și mi-a plăcut modul în care a fost educată în acele timpuri. Ea nu are parte de o viață uşoară, dar găsește alinare în orice și tratează cu bunătate toate situațiile. Rar am întâlnit personaje atât de vii și de frumoase.
Alături de Indira, fiica unui maharajah, căreia îi era însoțitoare, dar și prietenă, Anahita ajunge în Anglia unde trăiește o frumoasă poveste de dragoste frumoasă și interzisă cu Donald Astbury.
Dacă vor trăi fericiți până la adânci bătrâneți, ce se întâmplă cu Indira, dacă este viu fiul Anahitei vă las pe voi să aflați, pentru că merită cu desăvârşire să pătrundeți în lumea creată de Lucinda Riley.
Cartea începe cu dorința Anahitei de a-și spune povestea, fiului ei, presupus decedat încă din copilărie. Înzestrată, cu o intuiție ieșită din comun, ea nu acceptă nicio clipă acest lucru. În ziua în care împlineşte o sută de ani, îl cheamă pe nepotul ei Ari pentru a-i da misiunea vieții lui - să îi gasească fiul și să îi dea povestea vieții ei.
De aici, acțiunea pornește pe două planuri: trecut - viața Anahitei în India și în Anglia și prezent - viața Rebeccăi și a lui Ari.
Eu m-am îndrăgostit de povestea Anahitei, de înțelepciunea ei încă de când era copilă, copilăria cât a fost de matură și mi-a plăcut modul în care a fost educată în acele timpuri. Ea nu are parte de o viață uşoară, dar găsește alinare în orice și tratează cu bunătate toate situațiile. Rar am întâlnit personaje atât de vii și de frumoase.
Alături de Indira, fiica unui maharajah, căreia îi era însoțitoare, dar și prietenă, Anahita ajunge în Anglia unde trăiește o frumoasă poveste de dragoste frumoasă și interzisă cu Donald Astbury.
Dacă vor trăi fericiți până la adânci bătrâneți, ce se întâmplă cu Indira, dacă este viu fiul Anahitei vă las pe voi să aflați, pentru că merită cu desăvârşire să pătrundeți în lumea creată de Lucinda Riley.
January 21, 2016
Side note: One version of this book says 496 pages while my UK copy is 671 pages.
“Physical comfort--materialism, if you like--is the enemy of any serious spirituality, I think. When we're warm and well fed, our souls can be empty and we still make it through the day. And as I've discovered recently, it is the greatest poverty of all.”
“My father always said that to push a rock an inch in a lifetime was the same as throwing a hundred pebbles into the sea every day. Big change comes slowly, but it will come”
----
What a story...
We start off in the present day with Anahita (love that name) as she prepares to meet her extended family:
I am a hundred years old today. Not only have I managed to survive a century, but I've also seen in a new millennium.
As dawn breaks and the sun begins to rise over Mount Kanchenjunga beyond my window, I lie on my pillows and smile to myself at the utter ridiculousness of the thought. If I were a piece of furniture, an elegant chair for example, I would be labeled an antique. I would be polished, restored and proudly put on show as a thing of beauty. Sadly that isn't the case with my human frame, which has not mellowed like a fine piece of mahogany over its lifetime. Instead, my body has deteriorated into a sagging hessian sack containing a collection of bones.
The story continues after .
The story is split between Rebecca (an american actress filming at Astbury Hall), Ari, and Anahita's story of growing up in India and living England, including the real story of what happened to her.
I had certain feelings when I came upon events in the story but overall it went in directions I didn't expect. It is beautifully told... you get a keen sense of both India and England (past and present) and quickly get attached to these people.
It was a different time back when Anahita was little but some of the attitudes back then I still had to shake my head at. Especially Maud Astbury... I didn't think much of her at first but as we got to know her...
Even after you learn some about why Maud is the way she is and why she thinks like that.. it doesn't excuse her actions.
One of many things that had my blood boiling Oooh, that woman!
So many secrets kept from so many people for different reasons... to some, certain things were vitally important and unfortunately, some of those caused alot of turmoil and heartache.
Anahita was/is a strong, resourceful, and compassionate woman. She deserved better treatment but I admired her for picking up the pieces of her life and rising above what happened to her.
At first, Rebecca's portion and contribution to the storyline was confusing. She is easy to like and the filming of the movie of the state was fun to see through her eyes but it did have me wondering from the get go. It does pay off, so be patient :).
Ari Malik wasn't easy to like at first but he grew on me. I could sense he was a good person who needed time to find his way... I was glad when he decided to explore his great-grandmother's story
Anthony did seem kind but odd... his full story when it is revealed, I just wanted to give him a big hug.
That one small section in the ending with
Would recommend, happy reading!
November 10, 2016
Well. This is frustrating.
I was prepared to give this book four stars. It had some serious flaws, mind you. Trite dialogue ("I just want to make love to my girl"), one-dimensional heroes and villains, the thing where the narrative totally skips over relationship building moments and tells you the characters are in love, etc etc. However I was curious enough about where the story might head, and was decently engaged. It did a pretty good job of balancing two different storylines as well. So the quality wasn't the best, but the entertainment was pretty nice.
But then in the last hour (I was listening to an audiobook) it threw a curve ball of transphobia and ableism. Deux ex machina transphobia and ableism at that. I'm pretty furious about it. Therefore this book gets two overly generous stars.
I was prepared to give this book four stars. It had some serious flaws, mind you. Trite dialogue ("I just want to make love to my girl"), one-dimensional heroes and villains, the thing where the narrative totally skips over relationship building moments and tells you the characters are in love, etc etc. However I was curious enough about where the story might head, and was decently engaged. It did a pretty good job of balancing two different storylines as well. So the quality wasn't the best, but the entertainment was pretty nice.
But then in the last hour (I was listening to an audiobook) it threw a curve ball of transphobia and ableism. Deux ex machina transphobia and ableism at that. I'm pretty furious about it. Therefore this book gets two overly generous stars.
August 6, 2016
This could be my favorite Lucinda Riley book.....I LOVED it! What a beautifully written story! I was drawn in right from the start and it just kept on going. It had everything that I look for in a good read: great characters, and a story that just wouldn't quit! It was told from various viewpoints, and it went back and forth in time and places around the world, until the whole story was told. I won't give a synopsis of the book, but can only say that I highly recommend this book! I was so sorry for it to end!!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the advance copy...can't wait to share it with everyone in March!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the advance copy...can't wait to share it with everyone in March!
October 16, 2019
Ich habe keine Ahnung, warum mich gerade dieses Buch angesprochen hat. Irgendwie war mir danach und
obwohl ich zunächst skeptisch war, weil ich solche Bücher eigentlich nicht lese, war ich letztlich begeistert! Meisterhaft wurden hier verschiedene Zeiten miteinander verwoben. Sonst habe ich meist das Gefühl, dass ich immer wieder aus der Geschichte gerissen werde, wenn es Rückblenden gibt - Hier wurde jedoch die Geschichte trotzdem weiter erzählt. Die Charaktere sind mir so ans Herz gewachsen, dass mich ihr Schicksal wirklich berührte und ich Tränen in den Augen hatte. Die Sprache der Autorin öffnete Tür und Tor, zu der von ihr erschaffenen Welt und so ließ ich mich entführen in indische Paläste und auf einen britischen Landsitz.
obwohl ich zunächst skeptisch war, weil ich solche Bücher eigentlich nicht lese, war ich letztlich begeistert! Meisterhaft wurden hier verschiedene Zeiten miteinander verwoben. Sonst habe ich meist das Gefühl, dass ich immer wieder aus der Geschichte gerissen werde, wenn es Rückblenden gibt - Hier wurde jedoch die Geschichte trotzdem weiter erzählt. Die Charaktere sind mir so ans Herz gewachsen, dass mich ihr Schicksal wirklich berührte und ich Tränen in den Augen hatte. Die Sprache der Autorin öffnete Tür und Tor, zu der von ihr erschaffenen Welt und so ließ ich mich entführen in indische Paläste und auf einen britischen Landsitz.
February 19, 2018
Also die eine Sache habe ich ja so nicht kommen sehen 😱🙈 aber alles in allem ein sehr tolles Buch 😊
September 27, 2023
Visai greitai ir įdomiai susiskaitė, poilsiui. Pasakojimas vyksta dviem laikais- prieš šimtą metų vykusi Anachitos, ir dabartinė Rebekos istorija. Tiesą sakant Rebeka erzino, neįtikino jos charakteris, ir nors visa knyga priminė muilo operą, bet ta naujųjų laikų linija tai vientisas akių vartymas. Apie Anachitą skaityti patiko kur kas labiau, tačiau trūko emocijos, kartais atrodė kad skaitau dokumentinę apybraižą.
Manau, karts nuo karto grįšiu prie Riley, pasisaldint gyvenimą 😀
Manau, karts nuo karto grįšiu prie Riley, pasisaldint gyvenimą 😀
May 15, 2023
5 sterren- Nederlandse paperback
Quote: hij was altijd speciaal geweest, vanaf het eerste moment dat hij zijn ogen had geopend en zij geschokt in die blauwe kijkers had gestaard. Vivek had haar er eindeloos mee geplaagd en zelfs haar trouw in twijfel getrokken, tot ze bij Anahita op bezoek gingen, die hen vertelde dat Mura's vader ook blauwe ogen had gehad.
Quote: vervolgens bestelde hij een glas wijn en haalde de stapel vergeelde bladzijden van zijn overgrootmoeder uit zijn handbagage.
Quote: Ze omhelsde mij, haar tanige lichaam beschermde mij terwijl ik huilde. Ik weet niet hoelang wij daar zo gezeten hebben tot ik eindelijk opstond en afscheid namvan mijn familie. Toen liep ik langzaam de tempel uit, arm in arm met de enige persoo. In de wereld van wie ik wist dat ze werkelijk om mij gaf.
Wat een ongelofelijk, prachtig verhaal van Anahita. De andere personages, zeker in het heden zijn de personages de kapstok en de haken waaraan het verhaal van Anahita is opgehangen. Dus ondersteunende verhaallijnen. Een dikke 5 sterren voor mij.
Quote: hij was altijd speciaal geweest, vanaf het eerste moment dat hij zijn ogen had geopend en zij geschokt in die blauwe kijkers had gestaard. Vivek had haar er eindeloos mee geplaagd en zelfs haar trouw in twijfel getrokken, tot ze bij Anahita op bezoek gingen, die hen vertelde dat Mura's vader ook blauwe ogen had gehad.
Quote: vervolgens bestelde hij een glas wijn en haalde de stapel vergeelde bladzijden van zijn overgrootmoeder uit zijn handbagage.
Quote: Ze omhelsde mij, haar tanige lichaam beschermde mij terwijl ik huilde. Ik weet niet hoelang wij daar zo gezeten hebben tot ik eindelijk opstond en afscheid namvan mijn familie. Toen liep ik langzaam de tempel uit, arm in arm met de enige persoo. In de wereld van wie ik wist dat ze werkelijk om mij gaf.
Wat een ongelofelijk, prachtig verhaal van Anahita. De andere personages, zeker in het heden zijn de personages de kapstok en de haken waaraan het verhaal van Anahita is opgehangen. Dus ondersteunende verhaallijnen. Een dikke 5 sterren voor mij.
December 1, 2022
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Γνώρισα την γραφή της Λουσιντα από τη σειρά των βιβλίων με τις 7 αδερφές και τώρα με το "Ρόδο του μεσονυχτιου" με κέρδισε ολοκληρωτικά. Ομορφη ιστορία που με ταξίδεψε σε μέρη μακρινά, σε παλιές εποχές, που μου θύμισε κάτι από τους σκοτεινούς κόσμους των αδερφών Μπροντε. Το Αστμπερι Χωλ, θα μπορούσε να είναι ένα άλλο Θορνφιλντ Χωλ και η παράξενη, ψηλή γυναίκα με τα μακριά μαλλιά, θα μπορούσε να είναι η γυναίκα της σοφίτας από την Τζέιν Ευρ της Σάρλοτ Μπροντε. Επίσης οι αναφορές στο Haworth, το χωριό που έζησαν και μεγάλωσαν η Σάρλοτ, η Εμιλι και η Αν και φυσικά η κόρη του εφημερίου και φίλη της Αναχιτα, Σάρλοτ Μπρουκνερ, είναι πασιφανές πως φωτογραφίζει τη Σάρλοτ Μπροντε. Ο φόρος τιμής της Λουσιντα στη Σάρλοτ Μπροντε είναι ολοφάνερος.
Ομολογώ, πως υπήρχαν κομμάτια στην ιστορία που δεν με έπεισαν απόλυτα και άλλα που βρήκα υπερβολικά και μη ρεαλιστικά, αλλά δεν με νοιάζει καθόλου. Πέρασα τόσο υπέροχα, διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο που χωρίς την παραμικρή σκεψη, το βαθμολόγησα με 5 αστεράκια. Κρίμα που ένα τόσο μεγάλο ταλέντο, όσο η εξαιρετικη Λουσιντα Ραιλι, μας άφησε τόσο νωρίς. Είθε να αναπαυθεί εν ειρήνη. Η κληρονομιά που μας άφησε, με τα όμορφα βιβλία της, θα μας συντροφεύει για πολλά χρόνια ακόμα.
Ομολογώ, πως υπήρχαν κομμάτια στην ιστορία που δεν με έπεισαν απόλυτα και άλλα που βρήκα υπερβολικά και μη ρεαλιστικά, αλλά δεν με νοιάζει καθόλου. Πέρασα τόσο υπέροχα, διαβάζοντας αυτό το βιβλίο που χωρίς την παραμικρή σκεψη, το βαθμολόγησα με 5 αστεράκια. Κρίμα που ένα τόσο μεγάλο ταλέντο, όσο η εξαιρετικη Λουσιντα Ραιλι, μας άφησε τόσο νωρίς. Είθε να αναπαυθεί εν ειρήνη. Η κληρονομιά που μας άφησε, με τα όμορφα βιβλία της, θα μας συντροφεύει για πολλά χρόνια ακόμα.
November 7, 2022
Tare frumos acest roman care îți stârnește repulsie, drag, melancolie, milă și care te ține cu sufletul de gură.
Acesta nu e doar o poveste de dragoste; are personaje puternice, exotice și variate, decoruri superbe și mai multe planuri narative captivante și dinamice.
În momentul citirii epilogului, m-a trecut un fior, nu mă așteptam la acel final.
Acesta nu e doar o poveste de dragoste; are personaje puternice, exotice și variate, decoruri superbe și mai multe planuri narative captivante și dinamice.
În momentul citirii epilogului, m-a trecut un fior, nu mă așteptam la acel final.
April 4, 2019
*audiobook (Storytel)
Con La Rosa de medianoche hago mi debut con esta autora, y tengo que decir que me ha enamorado. Dos historias separadas en el tiempo. La del pasado, que la protagoniza Anahita y Donald, dos personas que se enamoran a pesar de tenerlo todo en contra. Su amor termina de una forma trágica.
Ochenta años después Ari, el bisnieto de Anahita viaja a Inglaterra para rehacer los pasos de su bisabuela para descubrir algunos secretos.
En Astbury Hall, mansión donde Anahita vivió unos años, se encuentra Rebecca, una actriz americana, rodando una película. Rebecca y Ari irán descubriendo cómo empezó el amor entre Anahita y Donald, los momentos felices que vivieron en esa mansión y lo detalles que desencadenaron el final trágico para ese amor.
Lucinda Riley me atrapó con esta historia que transcurre, una parte, en la India de los palacios de Maharajá, en Inglaterra de la I Guerra Mundial. Con una protagonista, Anahita, fascinante, aunque a veces me sacaba de mis casillas que fuera tan buena, que vivió una preciosa historia de amor que al final no tuvo un final feliz.
La trama del presente me intrigó. Al ir descubriendo los detalles de la vida de Anahita en Astbury Hall. Los misterios que encierra esa mansión, con personajes misteriosos, como Anthony, actual propietario, la ama de llaves, muy servicial pero tiene algo hace que receles de ella, me ha recordado a una novela gótica. Sientes que esa casa esconde muchos secretos. Me ha gustado mucho como la autora ha ido hilvanando todos los detalles de la historia para que al final encaje.
Me hubiera gustado más momentos entre Ari y Rebecca, me han gustado mucho estos dos personajes tanto juntos como por separado.
El epílogo me ha dejado n punto de tristeza, de lo que pudo ser y no fue. Anahita tuvo muy cerca el poder cumplir su deseo pero no se hizo realidad...
Con La Rosa de medianoche hago mi debut con esta autora, y tengo que decir que me ha enamorado. Dos historias separadas en el tiempo. La del pasado, que la protagoniza Anahita y Donald, dos personas que se enamoran a pesar de tenerlo todo en contra. Su amor termina de una forma trágica.
Ochenta años después Ari, el bisnieto de Anahita viaja a Inglaterra para rehacer los pasos de su bisabuela para descubrir algunos secretos.
En Astbury Hall, mansión donde Anahita vivió unos años, se encuentra Rebecca, una actriz americana, rodando una película. Rebecca y Ari irán descubriendo cómo empezó el amor entre Anahita y Donald, los momentos felices que vivieron en esa mansión y lo detalles que desencadenaron el final trágico para ese amor.
Lucinda Riley me atrapó con esta historia que transcurre, una parte, en la India de los palacios de Maharajá, en Inglaterra de la I Guerra Mundial. Con una protagonista, Anahita, fascinante, aunque a veces me sacaba de mis casillas que fuera tan buena, que vivió una preciosa historia de amor que al final no tuvo un final feliz.
La trama del presente me intrigó. Al ir descubriendo los detalles de la vida de Anahita en Astbury Hall. Los misterios que encierra esa mansión, con personajes misteriosos, como Anthony, actual propietario, la ama de llaves, muy servicial pero tiene algo hace que receles de ella, me ha recordado a una novela gótica. Sientes que esa casa esconde muchos secretos. Me ha gustado mucho como la autora ha ido hilvanando todos los detalles de la historia para que al final encaje.
Me hubiera gustado más momentos entre Ari y Rebecca, me han gustado mucho estos dos personajes tanto juntos como por separado.
El epílogo me ha dejado n punto de tristeza, de lo que pudo ser y no fue. Anahita tuvo muy cerca el poder cumplir su deseo pero no se hizo realidad...
March 29, 2023
Atât de tristă și plină de emoție!!
August 18, 2019
Geen woorden voor om het sublieme te overtreffen!
Hoe Lucinda Riley er toch in slaagde om twee verhaallijnen als een dirigent te leiden naar een harmonieuze verbondenheid!
Hoe Lucinda Riley er toch in slaagde om twee verhaallijnen als een dirigent te leiden naar een harmonieuze verbondenheid!
June 29, 2022
vai, cât mi-a plăcut. ❤️
December 12, 2019
Wat een heerlijk en mooi verhaal <3. 4,5 sterren!
March 15, 2022
O legatura puternica intre Anahita, o fata de unsprezece ani dintr-o familie nobila, dar saraca si printesa Indira. Ari Malik, stranepotul Anahitei, la rugamintea ei incepe sa-l caute pe fiul acesteia, crezut mort cu ani in urma. Si asa apare in ecuatie Rebecca Bradley, o tanara actrita americana care afla de la Ari secrete de familie nestiute.
O poveste frumoasa, frumos scrisa.
O poveste frumoasa, frumos scrisa.
January 17, 2019
A delightful book for the new year and holiday season. This read is what I have experienced in the past from this author, imaginative and with a storyline that flows beautifully. It's 1911 the reader is taken to exotic India a country that the British were besotted with. India was a country where an ordinary Englishman could live like a king. The richness of Indian Royalty was to be envied even without batting an eyelid to the extreme poverty and the plight of those born low caste. The reader is introduced to Anahita (Anni) who even though is of high caste blood finds herself through misfortune living as a companion to the Maharani’s youngest daughter Indira at Cooch Behar. Indira is a spoilt child and is wilful but with Anni’s calm nature and inherited insights difficult situations are overcome. The Maharani treats Anni as one of her own children and sends her off with Indira to school in the UK. At the death of Anni at 101 years old, a great grandson Ari is in possession of her life’s story and on plane to the UK where he hopes to find the answers and truth to Anni’s young adult life while living with an English family, English aristocracy at Astbury Hall. 2011 Rebecca Bradley an American movie star is on location at Astbury Hall, here Ari makes her acquaintance and through her hopes to meet Lord Astbury who is a recluse. To add to the mix both Rebecca and Ari have difficult relationships, Rebecca's partner is a hard drinking drug taking misfit and Ari’s partner has tired of waiting for a commitment from him and has left him. The story really develops from here whereby Ari gains an audience with Lord Astbury and cracks in the cover-up of the past start to appear. The author increases the suspense and manages to drag it out whereby now this book is hard to put down. Truths are finally revealed with Anni’s insights to the life of her lost son becoming the truth. Whilst suspicions of Lord Astbury are indicated the final twist is a bit of a doozy and unexpected.
January 20, 2014
A 3.5 star read for me.
Sometimes I need a good dollop of escapism in my reading material, especially during the dreary Winter months when sunshine is in short supply. Fortunately I had The Midnight Rose, Lucinda Riley’s latest novel, to keep me entertained when the Christmas festivities had fizzled out.
This is the story of Anni (Anahita) Chavan, a tale which spans four generations and two continents. As Anni celebrates her 100th birthday in Darjeeling, India, surrounded by her extended family, she decides to entrust her great-grandson, Ari, with the task of uncovering long buried family secrets – secrets which will lead him to Astbury Hall and the staid world of the English aristocracy.
As the novel progresses, we see the vivid colours of India at the height of the Raj; a warm, vibrant setting which contrasts sharply with the cold, reserved atmosphere which awaits Anni when she comes to England. The characters are larger than life, particularly the strong women in the shape of Anni and her nemesis, Lady Maud Astbury.
The Midnight Rose is a thoroughly entertaining read which will appeal to those who enjoy historical sagas in the style of Barbara Taylor Bradford and Lesley Pearse and perhaps fans of Downton Abbey. Yes, there are a few predictable elements but there’s no doubt Ms Riley can spin a good yarn to keep her readers captivated.
- See more at: http://www.lovelytreez.com/?p=786#sth...
Sometimes I need a good dollop of escapism in my reading material, especially during the dreary Winter months when sunshine is in short supply. Fortunately I had The Midnight Rose, Lucinda Riley’s latest novel, to keep me entertained when the Christmas festivities had fizzled out.
This is the story of Anni (Anahita) Chavan, a tale which spans four generations and two continents. As Anni celebrates her 100th birthday in Darjeeling, India, surrounded by her extended family, she decides to entrust her great-grandson, Ari, with the task of uncovering long buried family secrets – secrets which will lead him to Astbury Hall and the staid world of the English aristocracy.
As the novel progresses, we see the vivid colours of India at the height of the Raj; a warm, vibrant setting which contrasts sharply with the cold, reserved atmosphere which awaits Anni when she comes to England. The characters are larger than life, particularly the strong women in the shape of Anni and her nemesis, Lady Maud Astbury.
The Midnight Rose is a thoroughly entertaining read which will appeal to those who enjoy historical sagas in the style of Barbara Taylor Bradford and Lesley Pearse and perhaps fans of Downton Abbey. Yes, there are a few predictable elements but there’s no doubt Ms Riley can spin a good yarn to keep her readers captivated.
- See more at: http://www.lovelytreez.com/?p=786#sth...
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