Abigail

Stevenson Saga #4

by Malcolm MacDonald

The beloved and final novel in the classic Stevenson family saga from epic master Malcolm Macdonald

Daughter of the wealthy and storied Stevenson family, Abigail Stevenson should have been a creature of unawakened innocence. But one fateful day she tricks her maid, Annie, into telling her the facts of life, and soon comes to realize that the same shocking secret can be a glorious and life-enhancing mystery. Thus begins her path of passion and indomitable ambition that will lead her from England to the great capitals of Europe, from the passions of man and woman to those of intellectual, artist, and creator.

A beloved novel by a beloved author, Abigail is a gripping and passionate tale of one woman's struggles to break free of the bonds of her heritage

"Malcolm Macdonald is a skilled storyteller who gets inside of his people and uses every inch of his vast canvas in action and relationships." -Los Angeles Times

"A cracking yarn by a born storyteller." -Daily Mail

"An enthralling Victorian saga." -Daily Telegraph

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

420 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 1979

About the author

Also under the names:
Malcolm Ross-MacDonald
Malcolm Ross
M.R. O'Donnell

Reviews

[David Szatkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good finish to an excellent series. The first three books effectively tell the story of the Stevenson family rise to power and tells the stories (and woes) of the parents. This book focuses on one of the daughters, and in so doing, allows the generations to move and be taken up into the saga. The book is historical fiction, but I don't know how 'accurate' the history is. But that said, the novel stands on its own merits and challenges the reader to think about what it means to be human, to love and to treat others with humanity.

[Susan]

1864-1894 (sequel) England and Italy about the Stevenson's

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit this is the only one in the series that I've read but I really loved this book

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the last in a four novel series of the Stevenson family. The novel tells the story of Abigail Stevenson, a very different woman of her time, interested in being a famous writer, finds herself immersed in the more sordid, but fascinating part of life, including sex, money and greed. A very passionate story of a women who knows what she wants even if it is not the proper thing to do. Malcom Macdonald is a wonderful storyteller and depicts an era that was not all prim and proper. This tale gives us an idea into the early world of writing, publishing and women's rights. Abigail and Annie are both very strong and enigmatic women in a time when women virtually had no say. A wonderful conclusion to this engrossing family saga.

[Pat]

An interesting take on MEN. enlightening about their attitudes and reasons for what they do.. This English born young lady starts out a writer and becomes a painter and spends most of her time in France and Italy before returning returning to England. Slow, but worth the read.

[Clara Weinberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this book. It had mystery, drama and intrigue. Help come from unexpended place take place back in Victorian time.