Kernow & Daughter
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- $2.99
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
Published by St Martin's Press in New York and Piatkus in London, 1994, Kernow & Daughter attracted the following notices:
* Macdonald combines strong characters and a brisk narrative full of sharp observations about life, love, and the eternal struggle between men and women caught up in tightly structured, turn-of-the-[19th]-century society — US Booklist
* Macdonald in his usual expertise has created an outstanding novel, mastering a vivid account of life, love, and the problems affecting affairs of the heart. It is well worth the extra time and effort of an occasional second read to fully understand this excellent historical story — Affaire de Coeur
* He does write a very readable yarn, with vivid characters and an easy style — Western Evening Herald
* Another absorbing historical novel in this dependable writer's skillfully fashioned narratives. Macdonald expertly blends romance and historical drama into an intelligent and satisfying tale — Publishers Weekly
* Another Cornish-set tribute to women possessed of drive and impossible dreams ... With [elaborate] detail Macdonald tries to involve the reader in his latest extra-romance enthusiasm. A tall order, but his many fans are indulgent. Buried in yards of talk, sparks of fun, and family feeling – and a plug for female get-up-and-go — Kirkus
And—of Macdonald himself:
*He is every bit as bad as Dickens – Martin Seymour-Smith
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in Cornwall at the turn of the century, MacDonald's (To the End of Her Days) absorbing historical novel is another in this dependable writer's skillfully fashioned narratives. The sign above Barney Kernow's business reads ``Kernow & Son,'' but heroine Jessica Kernow, whom we first meet on December 31, 1899, has a different future in mind for the family business. Jessica shuns her father's imperative that she assume the roles of wife and mother. Moreover, she refuses to exchange a domineering father for a bossy husband. Fortunately, she meets someone who sympathizes with her plight: Cornwallis Trelawney, a man of breeding and substance who wants to cut a wide swath between himself and the scores of hopefuls in pursuit of his hand. Scheming together, Cornwallis and Jessica concoct a false engagement--which, predictably, backfires. With Cornwallis's help, Jessica lines up conspirators, including her brothers, who see advantages in supporting their sibling; Cornwallis's witty mother; and Jessica's former governess, Cressida Pym. Meanwhile, Jessica, who can speak the language of electricity to engineers, sets out to create the Helston Power Co. and eventually must take on her father, owner of the rival gas company. Macdonald expertly blends romance and historical drama into an intelligent and satisfying tale.
