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Eden Burning: A Novel
Teresa Francis could never go home again to the lush Caribbean island of her birth. Even at fifteen, as she fled to Paris to avoid scandal, Teresa knew that the island was her past, never to be spoken of again. Her future lay in New York, in a hasty marriage to a charming, wealthy man who would give her children yet never piece her wall of reserve.
But the island was in the Francis blood. And nothing could keep Teresa’s son from its shores, so mysterious, so seductive, its extravagant beauty veiling the darkness within. Here he would walk in his mother’s steps, in a parallel life, so close to the secrets she buried years before. And here he would find his destiny in the passions of history, political upheaval, and forbidden love. . . .
But the island was in the Francis blood. And nothing could keep Teresa’s son from its shores, so mysterious, so seductive, its extravagant beauty veiling the darkness within. Here he would walk in his mother’s steps, in a parallel life, so close to the secrets she buried years before. And here he would find his destiny in the passions of history, political upheaval, and forbidden love. . . .
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
52 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
Belva Plain
148 books321 followersBelva Plain was a best-selling American author of mainstream women's fiction. Her first novel, Evergreen (1978) topped the New York Times bestseller list for 41 weeks and was made into a TV miniseries. At her death, there were over 30 million copies of her twenty-plus novels in print in 22 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 12, 2021
4.5 This was really so very good. I was immersed in the story and always eager to pick it up and continue. There were moments I wanted control of events so badly, to make people speak, to change the dialogue or actions, I was so affected. Perhaps though, that is proof of very good writing.
Many times, a sentence held profound sentiment and imagery, an understanding of our nature as humans, and the effect of our world around us, the land, and our backgrounds. Many statements were quotable, and I loved the style.
I remember before reading Belva Plain, as a kid. I think I will have to revisit this author. But, I'm going to be sure it ends the way I want it to. LOL
Many times, a sentence held profound sentiment and imagery, an understanding of our nature as humans, and the effect of our world around us, the land, and our backgrounds. Many statements were quotable, and I loved the style.
I remember before reading Belva Plain, as a kid. I think I will have to revisit this author. But, I'm going to be sure it ends the way I want it to. LOL
June 15, 2020
So I tried another one of her books. This one at least has a story so that's why it got 2 stars. But it had incredible dialogue like "What use is a women when her womb doesn't work?" Really...
May 15, 2022
This is a story of loss of innocence, love, political upheaval, secrets and betrayal. It keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. At the end I was disappointed that a big secret was never revealed. I recommend this book.
July 9, 2013
Once again a great book by Belva. I love that she mixes history in with the story. It makes the reader understand what it was like to live through some of history.
As most of Belva's books, this one is a family tree of the Francois family, later known as Francis. It begins with Tee as a young girl on an island in the Caribbean known as St Felice. Tee isn't like the other kids her age. She doesn't understand the difference that everyone else see of black and whites. She befriends a black boy, and later he rapers her, resulting in a pregnancy when she is only 14. Her uncle sends her to Europe so her mother and sister won't find out about the pregnancy. Her servant, Agnus has never been able to have children, so she passes him off as her own naming him Patrick. Tee vows to never go back to St Felice, gets married and starts her own family. Try as she may, Tee ends up back in St Felice through her eldest son, Francis. It is quite the story of how Patrick finds his way back to the Francis family, without ever knowing that he is, in fact, part of it.
Historically, the book begins with slave labor, and slavery in full swing. But, at the ending it is the 1970's. The Revolution is past and there is a growing fear of communism.
As most of Belva's books, this one is a family tree of the Francois family, later known as Francis. It begins with Tee as a young girl on an island in the Caribbean known as St Felice. Tee isn't like the other kids her age. She doesn't understand the difference that everyone else see of black and whites. She befriends a black boy, and later he rapers her, resulting in a pregnancy when she is only 14. Her uncle sends her to Europe so her mother and sister won't find out about the pregnancy. Her servant, Agnus has never been able to have children, so she passes him off as her own naming him Patrick. Tee vows to never go back to St Felice, gets married and starts her own family. Try as she may, Tee ends up back in St Felice through her eldest son, Francis. It is quite the story of how Patrick finds his way back to the Francis family, without ever knowing that he is, in fact, part of it.
Historically, the book begins with slave labor, and slavery in full swing. But, at the ending it is the 1970's. The Revolution is past and there is a growing fear of communism.
February 9, 2017
She was a girl as innocent and beautiful as her family's lush Caribbean plantation - until she learned about dark desire and became a woman. Banished from paradise, Teresa Francis was swept into marriage and motherhood in opulent New York - a world away from her beautiful St. Felice island. But eventually, the secrets that refused to stay buried would draw her back again to paradise. A paradise now in the throws of revolution, which forces Teresa to confront her past and watch her future unfold.
I loved this book. I think that Belva Plain is perhaps one of my favorite authors. I particularly enjoyed how the characters interacted together and the writing was wonderful, in my opinion. If I had one dislike of this book, it was that it was slightly too long. I find that I can't really read long books anymore. Overall, though, I give this book an A+!
I loved this book. I think that Belva Plain is perhaps one of my favorite authors. I particularly enjoyed how the characters interacted together and the writing was wonderful, in my opinion. If I had one dislike of this book, it was that it was slightly too long. I find that I can't really read long books anymore. Overall, though, I give this book an A+!
February 16, 2015
Was not happy with ending.
August 18, 2016
Excellent with timeless themes that make it as relevant today as when it was published in 1982. Good character development and well plotted story.
July 27, 2019
Plain was one of my favourite authors in my early and mid-teens. This is the first time I've read her as an adult, and I think I'm not as into dramatic family/historical sagas as I was when I was when I was younger.
Plain is a decent writer, but this is definitely a race morality tale encircled by familial and romantic drama written by an older white woman in 1982. Though Plain is almost *there* on some topics, other times the story is cringe-worthy. The most cringe-worthy element is the black rape trope that begins the book.
Both main black men are murdered. Many of the women are underdeveloped and stereotypical characters, and serve only as catalysts for the experiences of men in the story.
The pace of the story is often fast and uneven, passing through years in a paragraph and then spending a lot of time in a seemingly inconsequential moment. I also didn't think that Mebane's turn was fleshed out enough.
Anywho...fine book for a light read, but this story has some major problems.
Plain is a decent writer, but this is definitely a race morality tale encircled by familial and romantic drama written by an older white woman in 1982. Though Plain is almost *there* on some topics, other times the story is cringe-worthy. The most cringe-worthy element is the black rape trope that begins the book.
Both main black men are murdered. Many of the women are underdeveloped and stereotypical characters, and serve only as catalysts for the experiences of men in the story.
The pace of the story is often fast and uneven, passing through years in a paragraph and then spending a lot of time in a seemingly inconsequential moment. I also didn't think that Mebane's turn was fleshed out enough.
Anywho...fine book for a light read, but this story has some major problems.
November 3, 2019
Took me awhile to get into the story. After the first 100 pages it came together. Interesting and well written, lots of research went into this. Not one I wouldn't read again. Lost my concentration in too many areas.
May 21, 2022
Interesting, twists and turns, a little insight into the development of the culture on the islands.
December 7, 2022
we’ll worth reading
A story of so much emotion challenge and complex personalities. A heartfelt story of hopes and dreams meeting reality. Really enjoyed it.
A story of so much emotion challenge and complex personalities. A heartfelt story of hopes and dreams meeting reality. Really enjoyed it.
March 16, 2017
4-1/2 stars
December 29, 2023
I don't think I liked a single character in this book.
May 14, 2014
Grabbed some books of a shelf of 70s paperbacks while visiting my mom last week. Now I've got a head cold and I'm plowing through some of them...
Nice slow writing, with (dare I say it) a 70s style. A little boring, with a real effort at character development, but somehow it still seemed thin even after 500 pages.
Having recently read Americanah, which truly hits home on race relations, this felt quaint.
Really, not a bad pick for spending a week-end on the sofa with a cold in mid-May while a snowstorm dumps outside.
Nice slow writing, with (dare I say it) a 70s style. A little boring, with a real effort at character development, but somehow it still seemed thin even after 500 pages.
Having recently read Americanah, which truly hits home on race relations, this felt quaint.
Really, not a bad pick for spending a week-end on the sofa with a cold in mid-May while a snowstorm dumps outside.
January 10, 2009
This historical fiction follows the course of a made-up caribbean island as it pursues independence. There are a lot of elements in the book that I liked such as exploration of class, gender, and race however somehow I failed to connect to many of the characters and they never ended up feeling "real" to me. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read that didn't manage to make me feel much.
January 12, 2010
After reading several richly written books, the writing style was so superficial. The many characters were hard to keep straight. The wives were shallow. It did cause me to view tropical paradises in a different light.
January 23, 2020
Roman historique mélangeant la colonisation, l'indépendance, les cartels, la montée du communisme, le tout lié à une histoire familiale compliquée qui traverse les époques. Très belle lecture pour moi.
October 12, 2024
J'ai aimé la façon d'écriture qui donne sensation que le livre était écrit originalement en français. La langue est simple et les descriptions sont bien faites. Un livre plein de leçon avec plusieurs événements et discussions sur la politique.
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February 22, 2008Plain, Belva
October 17, 2008
Very rich characters. I loved the time line and the manner in which she keeps the story flowing without a lot of fluff.
October 31, 2011
3.5 for this story of racial tension in the Caribbean.
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June 10, 2013#4 good
September 4, 2013
Good romance story.
July 6, 2015
Family saga contains many family, social and political issues. Slow reading at times.
February 25, 2016
I hated it and I love all her books
March 1, 2016
PB-B @ 1987, 3/88. A Caribbean plantation girl falls in love, goes to the opulence of New York, then comes home again. Okay.
April 11, 2016
Racial attitudes on a small Caribbean island. Political
April 22, 2024
Was it well written? 5 stars
Was it a good story? 5 stars
Good character development? 5 stars
Did it make me think? Yes!!
Did it make me feel? Yes
Great book
Was it a good story? 5 stars
Good character development? 5 stars
Did it make me think? Yes!!
Did it make me feel? Yes
Great book
May 31, 2008
The characters were vastly unlikeable.
April 6, 2017
I enjoyed the different story lines but sometimes it was difficult for me to follow who was say what. I was also a little disappointed with the ending, but it's somewhat true to life. If it was easier to follow the character transitions I would have given it a 4.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews