The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig
3.5/5 stars
St. Martin's Press, 2013
355 pages
Adult Historical Romance
Scheduled to release April 9
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a big fan of Willig's Pink Carnation series so I was thrilled to check out a new novel from her even if it meant not getting to continue with the exciting spies of that series. What I did not realize was that this book would also be a blending of past and present, with scenes taking place in the 1920s, 1999/2000, and a few other years as well to trace a family's history.
Beyond familiarity with the author, I also was grabbed by the reference to "Downton Abbey" and the mention of a Kenyan setting. However I did not notice the contemporary setting, which came as a surprise to me. There is one chapter in the 1920s and then it jumps to 1999 and I was so thrown. It took me a couple of chapters (and reading over the goodreads summary) before I was eased into the story.
It's a big family story with Clementine Evans on the path to partnership, looking into her grandmother's past, spanning England to Kenya and the many family secrets. As the story unravels, I found it fairly predictable but I was still sucked into completing the story. None of the characters really popped out at me. Clemmie is a workaholic lawyer who has just ended an engagement and has neglected family relationships in pursuit of a partnership. But the illness of her grandmother Addie leads to her questioning the family past. Meanwhile Addie's story in the past is of a poor relation, pushed to the side by her lady aunt but protected by her cousin Bea; their relationship becomes increasingly tangled as they age and the world goes mad (they live through World War I and the destruction of the aristocracy).
For me, the most interesting part was reading about the lives of the aristocracy, pre and post war. Before the war, they are flying high but after, Bea and the other young people drown in ennui and pursue any distraction to keep themselves from their thoughts. This also leads to some horrible decisions on the part of Bea and someone else.
Overall: I vastly prefer Willig's Pink Carnation series-I find them generally witty, fizzy confections while this book's more serious tone was less welcome although the time period is fascinating.
The author is new to me. Such positive feedback on this book on many blogs today. Will be making it to my TBR
ReplyDeleteLove her other series-this one just wasn't as good for me.
DeleteVery interesting premise for the book. There's so much about it that is appealing: the Kenyan setting, the blending of past and present. It's a shame that it didn't live up to your expectations. At least you're inspiring me to check out Willig's Pink Carnation series!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely recommend that series over this book-it just clicked more with me.
DeleteI am looking forward to starting this book though I dont' have high expectations. I was aware of the multiple timelines and story arcs and that is something I usually enjoy (typically I end up preferring the historical story to the contemporary one). I like the Pink Carnation series but I'm hopeful I'll enjoy this too.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be interesting to try a more serious book from this author. I do like that time period. Any time I read a comparison to Downton Abbey though I am wary because that has become the "it" phrase for historical fiction it seems and the books in question don't always hit the mark.
I prefer the historical more too. Interested to see your thoughts and if knowing more about the story impacts your enjoyment at all.
DeleteLove the cover but I don't do much HF, and haven't watched Downton Abbey
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
You haven't watched Downton Abbbey? How have you avoided it? LOL-if HF isn't your thing, probably skip this.
DeleteI don't normally read much adult historical fiction, but it does sounds like it has some potential. I would love to start Downtown Abbey, I've seen it on Netflix. Great review. Glad you enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I would definitely recommend the first season of DA if you can get it-so good!
DeleteI haven't heard of this one before, but I'm a big fan of historical romance! I'm sure the time jump would throw me off a little bit as well, but it sounds like once you got past that you were able to connect to the story a little bit more. I'll have to check out her Pink Carnation series! I like witty books:)
ReplyDeleteReally love the Pink Carnation books-cannot emphasize that enough!
DeleteI've never heard of this one before either, but I'm sure that it's not for me. It sounds really confusing, and I hate when I can't connect with the characters. That's my biggest pet peeve. But I'm glad that you liked her other series! (:
ReplyDeleteLoves,
Megan@The Book Babe
It also doesn't help that it's an adult book and that I loved her first series so much. I don't know that I'd describe it as confusing but I could not connect with the characters at all.
DeleteSorry this book didn't win you over as much as her other books; sounds like they are pretty different though! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I felt like the tone was very different and that may have been part of the problem. I wanted a light frothy confection like the Pink Carnation series is.
DeleteI'd never heard of this one before, but I do like the sound of it! Though the time jump may be too jarring. Maybe I should start with the Pink Carnation series first, and see if I like it. Wonderful, honest review!
ReplyDeleteI'd check out the Pink Carnation series first too-so much fuN!
DeleteGreat review! My sister and I have never heard of this one before, though we do have Downtown Abbey so maybe we should check this book out for more on the time period and such.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading : )
-Leslie
If you love the time period for DA, this might have some good moments for you; it certainly has some overlapping themes.
DeleteDownton was the first thing I thought too, we are all so obsessed :)
ReplyDeleteBut yes it does sound good
Yeah, any mention of DA is enough to get me to give a book a second look at the least!
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