Obsession, Lust, Greed & Violence (Wideacre - Philippa Gregory)

Member Name: luckyarchers

Product:	Wideacre - Philippa Gregory
Date:	13/11/09 (274 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Strong, compelling characters and plot

Disadvantages: Tragic plot may make reader too depressed.

== Author & Style ==

Philippa Gregory has written novels set in the Tudor period and the present day that I have enjoyed, so I thought I would try the first book in her trilogy set in 18th century England, called Wideacre. This was her first novel, published in 1987, after getting a PhD in 18th century literature.

I would never have guessed from the style of writing that this was written by the same author as the Tudor or modern novels. Although the other Philippa Gregory books that I have read contain serious themes, they have had lighter moments to help balance the atmosphere.

Early on in Wideacre the author shows in detail her love of the countryside and the natural treasures it contains. As I love being in unspoilt areas of British countryside, this helped reel me into the plot, but despite the idyllic scenes at the start of the book, I found this a depressing yet compulsive read.

The twists and turns of plot held my attention, while wondering what evil the desperate and calculating Beatrice would perform next, with her actions affecting the ordinary folks as well as the rich.

I didn't like any of the main characters, but that didn't stop me being engrossed by the tale of their lives. If they had not been contaminated by coming into contact with the main character, Beatrice, who is like a poison, perhaps I could have liked some of them. I appreciated the depth of the characters all the more because they changed with their experiences. While one becomes more intense, others grow old and lazy prematurely, grow-up to more fully appreciate what is going on around them, or turn alcoholic.

While I am glad I read Wideacre, I didn't want to go straight into reading the second book in the trilogy, as I felt in need of a light humorous read before embarking on anything else of a serious nature. The epilogue does entice me to read the second book, The Favoured Child, about the next generation, after I have recovered sufficiently from the first, although the ending of this first book does make it suitable for those who only have the time or inclination to read this first novel. The last book in the trilogy is called Meridon.

I found the map of the Wideacre estate at the front of the book helpful in keeping track of where events were taking place. The text wasn't confusing, but as this book is 624 pages long, I doubt whether many could afford the luxury of time to read it in one undisturbed seating.

Philippa Gregory's latest book The White Queen, which is the first in her Plantagenet series was published in hardback on 18 August 2009.


== Outline of Plot ==

Wideacre Hall and Estate is the Sussex ancestral home of the Lacey family.

Beatrice Lacey loves her childhood home and learns much about the running of the estate from her Squire father, while her sickly brother spends most of his time indoors in his mother's company.

When she realises that Wideacre will be inherited only by a male relative of her fathers she is devastated. She becomes determined to do whatever is necessary to continue to live on this beloved estate, despite the assumption of her family that she will marry and move to her husband's home.

I found the lengths she is prepared to go to achieve her obsessive aims sickening. In the words of most authors this tale of obsession, lust, greed and violence would have had me discarding the book, but the skill of Philippa Gregory made me want to go on reading despite this.


== Historical Accuracy ==

The Lacey family and the Wideacre Estate are fictional.

The geography of West Sussex where the novel is set is accurate, as are the attitudes of the people in the 18th century, the differing farming methods and riots.

The two most important historical themes that this book deals with are the role of woman, and the poor being forced off working on the land.


== Recommendation ==

I feel like I have had a love/hate relationship with this book.

It is the first book that I haven't "enjoyed" that I have felt compelled to finish. This is because I appreciated the outstanding writing.

Despite the fact that I found this an uncomfortable read, with an evil/insane main character, and wouldn't want to repeat the experience, I believe that it is excellently written, so I will still give it 5 stars.



RRP: £7.99
Amazon Price: £5.49
Paperback: 624 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (16 Oct 2006)
ISBN-10: 000723001X
ISBN-13: 978-0007230013

Summary: Well written but uncomfortable story, set in 18th century Sussex.