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Bride Of Tancred
Miriam Wakeford was full of hope when she arrived to take up her new appointment as needlewoman and companion in the bleak, windswept house of Tancred, high on the South Downs.Her strict Quaker upbringing was no preparation for the experiences which awaited her there...
John Tancred, a widower, was a mysterious, moody figure, frequently harsh and sometimes surprisingly kind.His young daughter, Esmee, seemed unbalanced...John Tancred's mother was an imperious old lady who ruled the decaying mansion from her wheelchair.Above all, the atmosphere was filled with the evil, violent presence of John's dead father, Richard, who by his excesses had brought ruin, infamy and tragedy to the name of Tancred.
John Tancred, a widower, was a mysterious, moody figure, frequently harsh and sometimes surprisingly kind.His young daughter, Esmee, seemed unbalanced...John Tancred's mother was an imperious old lady who ruled the decaying mansion from her wheelchair.Above all, the atmosphere was filled with the evil, violent presence of John's dead father, Richard, who by his excesses had brought ruin, infamy and tragedy to the name of Tancred.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
2 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Diane Pearson
38 books28 followersDiane Margaret Pearson was born on 5 November 1931 in Croyden, London, England, daughter of Miriam Harriet Youde and William Holker. During her childhood, she often visited her grandparents in a village on the Surrey/Kent borders. She attended Secondary School in Croyden. She became in 1975, the second wife of the Irish actor Richard Leech (McClelland).
At 16, Diane started her career in publishing with Jonathan Cape Ltd, and she has been Senior Editor for Transworld Publishers for more than 35 years. In 1994 she won the British Book Award for Editor of the Year. As Diane Pearson she has published six historical romance novels and several short stories. She also was the President of the Romantic Novelists' Association from 1986 to 2011, when she retired. A widow since 2004, she lived in her native London until her death on 5 August 2017.
At 16, Diane started her career in publishing with Jonathan Cape Ltd, and she has been Senior Editor for Transworld Publishers for more than 35 years. In 1994 she won the British Book Award for Editor of the Year. As Diane Pearson she has published six historical romance novels and several short stories. She also was the President of the Romantic Novelists' Association from 1986 to 2011, when she retired. A widow since 2004, she lived in her native London until her death on 5 August 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 23, 2015
Unwanted young lady. Forbidding stone cliff top mansion. Scarred, morose master. Fey child. Old woman who works a garish rug on a loom. Lecherous, violent stable master. Suspicious villagers. Graves and secrets. Lots and lots of secrets.
"Bride of Tancred" is very much like Jane Eyre, with elements of Rebecca, Dragonwyk, and various Victoria Holt's. I nearly took a star off because of the similarities but decided that was unfair. It is good in its own right.
Because Ive read so many gothics, I found many aspects predictable and yet kudus to the author for shaking things up enough that I was genuinely surprised by some revelations toward the end. So well done!
I'm a little disappointed that I've now read all of Diane Pearson's books. Its really very sad :(
And by the way, for fans of Diane Pearson, this book is very different from her others. Its a Gothic all the way. Very different from her epics like Csardas. Good but different. Gothic lovers will definitely want to check this out!
CONTENT: PG
Some violent imagery, a rape attempt, and some sordid family secrets which I can't talk about without spoiling things but rest assured nothing is shown to reader.
PROFANITY: Mild
"Bride of Tancred" is very much like Jane Eyre, with elements of Rebecca, Dragonwyk, and various Victoria Holt's. I nearly took a star off because of the similarities but decided that was unfair. It is good in its own right.
Because Ive read so many gothics, I found many aspects predictable and yet kudus to the author for shaking things up enough that I was genuinely surprised by some revelations toward the end. So well done!
I'm a little disappointed that I've now read all of Diane Pearson's books. Its really very sad :(
And by the way, for fans of Diane Pearson, this book is very different from her others. Its a Gothic all the way. Very different from her epics like Csardas. Good but different. Gothic lovers will definitely want to check this out!
CONTENT: PG
Some violent imagery, a rape attempt, and some sordid family secrets which I can't talk about without spoiling things but rest assured nothing is shown to reader.
PROFANITY: Mild
June 12, 2015
Miriam Wakefield has never felt like she fit in anywhere, not even in her Quaker village. But when she takes a post at Tancred, things are even worse. The cold stone mansion rests on a cliff top where nothing else can stay, not even lichen. The people of Tancred seem to cower under some unseen restraint, never telling the whole story, always withholding from everyone. It's as if the old Master of Tancred never died. His presence seems to come maliciously out of his portrait to taunt everyone and never let them forget.
The master, John Tancred is scarred hideously and keeps to himself leaving the house and those in it to the winds. His mother is lost in the past, remembering what Tancred once was and forgetting what it is. She weaves a bizarre pattern on her loom and dreams of who knows what. And she will never forget that the Tancreds have royal blood in them. Then there's a child no more than twelve, but who's in no way a child. She dances over the windswept hills in time to her song and with it inflicts fear and anger into her strange family. Is she mad or dangerously sane?
I really liked this, more than Jane Eyre. I know, that's a shocking thing to say. But all the suspense and mystery of Jane Eyre cannot compare to the secrets of Tancred. The hero is no Mr. Rochester, he doesn't ever try to fool Miriam, he respects her too much. But he has got a skeleton in his closet, and he won't let it out willingly.
PG Some violence and bit mentioned from the past. And attempted rape and several sordid secrets which I'm not going to list. Let is suffice to say that the former Master of Tancred was evil.
The master, John Tancred is scarred hideously and keeps to himself leaving the house and those in it to the winds. His mother is lost in the past, remembering what Tancred once was and forgetting what it is. She weaves a bizarre pattern on her loom and dreams of who knows what. And she will never forget that the Tancreds have royal blood in them. Then there's a child no more than twelve, but who's in no way a child. She dances over the windswept hills in time to her song and with it inflicts fear and anger into her strange family. Is she mad or dangerously sane?
I really liked this, more than Jane Eyre. I know, that's a shocking thing to say. But all the suspense and mystery of Jane Eyre cannot compare to the secrets of Tancred. The hero is no Mr. Rochester, he doesn't ever try to fool Miriam, he respects her too much. But he has got a skeleton in his closet, and he won't let it out willingly.
PG Some violence and bit mentioned from the past. And attempted rape and several sordid secrets which I'm not going to list. Let is suffice to say that the former Master of Tancred was evil.
February 7, 2017
This is one of the best historical Gothics I've read in a long time - yes it follows some very familiar plot lines (a la Jane Eyre) - but it's wonderfully written and a good story in its own right.
Miriam, a young Quaker woman, persecuted by her own people for being of illegitimate birth takes up a post in a monstrous and dilapidated house on the isolated coast of England and finds herself catering to the older lady of the house, an off kilter Dowager, and in charge of the care of the lady's granddaughter - who is even more off kilter. And the gentleman of the house? The physically and mentally scarred John Tancred.
Needless to say there are dark family secrets that get pulled out into the daylight - but they feel appropriately romantic to the Gothic theme, and are well handled by the author - and not altogether predictable. The characters are well layered and surprisingly it's actually the male lead who suffers from the least development - playing second fiddle to the complex character of his mother and eerily creepy daughter.
Obviously its not literature on par with classics like Jane Eyre, but nor is it "genre fluff" - fans of Eyre, and more recent Gothic classics like Rebecca and Moura should enjoy this. I wasn't totally happy with the ending...it was fine but missing one little element that would have made it perfect in my mind...but I won't spoil it;-)
Miriam, a young Quaker woman, persecuted by her own people for being of illegitimate birth takes up a post in a monstrous and dilapidated house on the isolated coast of England and finds herself catering to the older lady of the house, an off kilter Dowager, and in charge of the care of the lady's granddaughter - who is even more off kilter. And the gentleman of the house? The physically and mentally scarred John Tancred.
Needless to say there are dark family secrets that get pulled out into the daylight - but they feel appropriately romantic to the Gothic theme, and are well handled by the author - and not altogether predictable. The characters are well layered and surprisingly it's actually the male lead who suffers from the least development - playing second fiddle to the complex character of his mother and eerily creepy daughter.
Obviously its not literature on par with classics like Jane Eyre, but nor is it "genre fluff" - fans of Eyre, and more recent Gothic classics like Rebecca and Moura should enjoy this. I wasn't totally happy with the ending...it was fine but missing one little element that would have made it perfect in my mind...but I won't spoil it;-)
February 8, 2019
I didn't feel like the characters were sufficiently well developed to make this anything more than a copycat Gothic.
February 27, 2012
this is another old friend. i was about 19when i first read it. it reminded me of jane eyre. except this governess is fleeing the religious oppression of her family. to a famiy who need her a place she makes a real diffrence. & of course falls for the man of the house. just love this book.
April 12, 2025
The Bride of Tancred is an entertaining story that involves many themes that help give the story momentum. Pearson manages to delve into the psyche of her protagonist, whilst enabling the ongoing analysis into a various array of characters that continue to evolve with the plot, gaining traction throughout. The storyline was enjoyable, easily accessible and not predictable, making it an all in all "good" read .
Gothically influenced with a jane eyre-esque vibe crossed with the ever present malady similar to Poes "The Fall of the house of Usher," The Bride of Tancred adopts the techniques such as the ever present personification of the dilapeditated house with many allusions throughout connected to characters within. Pearson has allowed for her own tale to exquisitely unfold as she weaves her writing, allowing for the story to hold its its own integrity as a piece enabling the reader to explore the confines of Tancred and its inhabitants. The expositions, rising action, and climax enable an immersive experience that is highlighted in an apt writing style that allows the reader to easily access the imagery of the writing. Pearsons story comes alive, which is full of suspense, keeping the reader aligned with the main protagonist and easily directing the reader to ask the intended questions.
Overall an enjoyable read.
Gothically influenced with a jane eyre-esque vibe crossed with the ever present malady similar to Poes "The Fall of the house of Usher," The Bride of Tancred adopts the techniques such as the ever present personification of the dilapeditated house with many allusions throughout connected to characters within. Pearson has allowed for her own tale to exquisitely unfold as she weaves her writing, allowing for the story to hold its its own integrity as a piece enabling the reader to explore the confines of Tancred and its inhabitants. The expositions, rising action, and climax enable an immersive experience that is highlighted in an apt writing style that allows the reader to easily access the imagery of the writing. Pearsons story comes alive, which is full of suspense, keeping the reader aligned with the main protagonist and easily directing the reader to ask the intended questions.
Overall an enjoyable read.
February 8, 2019
Agonizing over a star rating for this 1960s Gothic novel started a fierce internal battle:
CRITIC: Well, it’s not exactly Nine Coaches Waiting.
FANGIRL: But it’s incredibly creepy, and keeps me reading until the wee hours.
CRITIC: True, but it’s not a masterpiece of English literature.
FANGIRL: That’s not fair; you know Jane Eyre is incomparable. But this author’s writing is way better than anything written by Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney.
CRITIC: Fine, then. Go ahead and read your little yellowed out-of-print paperback. Just don’t bother me with it.
FANGIRL: (Rolling eyes while turning to the next page)
In the midst of this mental war, I suddenly realized that I judge Gothic novels differently from books of any other genre. I give Gothics more grace because I just love them soooooo much. So, to silence two of the crazy people inside my head (I’ll have to deal with the rest of them later), I created the following Gothic rating system.
THE HOUSE:
5 stars. Tancred is just as creepy as Thornfield Hall, has its own personality, and becomes a character in its own right.
THE GIRL:
4 stars. Miriam Wakeford is the first-person narrator, and she’s an interesting blend of innocence and fortitude. Her Quaker religious background added another dimension to the story, which I really enjoyed.
THE GUY:
3 stars. John Tancred’s character isn’t nuanced and complex like Mr. Rochester, but he’s likeable in a Byronic hero sort of way, and I found myself cheering him on.
THE OTHER CHARACTERS:
3 stars.
THE WRITING:
3 stars. As mentioned by FANGIRL previously, the writing is good. Not brilliant like the writing of Mary Stewart or Daphne du Maurier, but good. In the “show, don’t tell” school of writing, this book is about 50% show and 50% tell, and the 50% that is shown is incredibly atmospheric.
PAGETURNABILITY:
5 stars. Couldn’t put it down.
AVERAGE STAR RATING:
3.8 stars rounded up to 4.0 stars.
CRITIC: Well, it’s not exactly Nine Coaches Waiting.
FANGIRL: But it’s incredibly creepy, and keeps me reading until the wee hours.
CRITIC: True, but it’s not a masterpiece of English literature.
FANGIRL: That’s not fair; you know Jane Eyre is incomparable. But this author’s writing is way better than anything written by Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney.
CRITIC: Fine, then. Go ahead and read your little yellowed out-of-print paperback. Just don’t bother me with it.
FANGIRL: (Rolling eyes while turning to the next page)
In the midst of this mental war, I suddenly realized that I judge Gothic novels differently from books of any other genre. I give Gothics more grace because I just love them soooooo much. So, to silence two of the crazy people inside my head (I’ll have to deal with the rest of them later), I created the following Gothic rating system.
THE HOUSE:
5 stars. Tancred is just as creepy as Thornfield Hall, has its own personality, and becomes a character in its own right.
THE GIRL:
4 stars. Miriam Wakeford is the first-person narrator, and she’s an interesting blend of innocence and fortitude. Her Quaker religious background added another dimension to the story, which I really enjoyed.
THE GUY:
3 stars. John Tancred’s character isn’t nuanced and complex like Mr. Rochester, but he’s likeable in a Byronic hero sort of way, and I found myself cheering him on.
THE OTHER CHARACTERS:
3 stars.
THE WRITING:
3 stars. As mentioned by FANGIRL previously, the writing is good. Not brilliant like the writing of Mary Stewart or Daphne du Maurier, but good. In the “show, don’t tell” school of writing, this book is about 50% show and 50% tell, and the 50% that is shown is incredibly atmospheric.
PAGETURNABILITY:
5 stars. Couldn’t put it down.
AVERAGE STAR RATING:
3.8 stars rounded up to 4.0 stars.
August 8, 2020
As another reviewer, Joy, mentioned, this book is like an old friend. It's one that I have re-read several times in the last 20 years or so. It is reminiscent of Jane Eyre, Rebecca and fits the Gothic genre. I have read a few historical romance novels that are similar to Jane Eyre in plot (unwanted/ solemn girl with few prospects becomes a governess on a secluded estate, becomes indispensable to the family, and eventually falls in love with the brooding master, who has a deep dark secret that threatens to keep them apart). This one is better than the average copy-cat. It's a quick read (172 pp.) that often serves to clear my head between weightier novels.
March 10, 2011
A cross between Jane Eyre and err ... some other book! Not a bad read
February 28, 2024
Enormously fun, "Bride of Tancred" is a terrific example of 20th Century historical gothics at their best, much like Sylvia Thorpe's "Strangers on the Moor." In 1898, Quaker Miriam Wakeford flees her unhappy upbringing to take a position as a seamstress/companion/governess/general dogsbody at Tancred, a forbidding house in the South Downs. She soon discovers that something is wrong with the house beyond its decrepitude, a wrongness that also extends to its few remaining inhabitants. Pearson does a wonderful job at teasing out the novel's secrets, while evoking an ominous atmosphere. Clearly the author is a fan both of Charlotte Brontë and Daphne Du Maurier and "Bride of Tancred" functions like a valentine to "Jane Eyre" and "Jamaica Inn" in many respects, while still holding its own. There are no great surprises to be had in the novel, but the getting-there is a lot of fun. Although she became a best-selling author for her series of historical family sagas published in the 1970s through early 1990s, Pearson sadly never wrote another gothic.
August 23, 2020
A riveting tale, engagingly told with the protagonist's voice. I do feel that Esmee's fate was cruel and it should have been possible, if not to save her, then at least to recognise that the adults in her life had utterly failed to provide her with appropriate support and care.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2022
Surprisingly good considering it's age.
The book is essentially chick lit written in 1960's and I would describe as easy reading.
It only falls down because the love story makes zero sense as the woman basically falls at the man's feet having barely spoken to him.
Nevertheless it was a fun read
The book is essentially chick lit written in 1960's and I would describe as easy reading.
It only falls down because the love story makes zero sense as the woman basically falls at the man's feet having barely spoken to him.
Nevertheless it was a fun read
June 9, 2017
I enjoyed this book tremendously - well worth reading.
October 2, 2018
A lovely tale of the life of a young Amish girl.
December 2, 2025
A short and ridiculously gothic read. Full of every genre trope, very much in the Victoria Holt style. The only thing a little unusual was a Quaker main character. I enjoyed it for what it was.
November 17, 2023
I loved this book first time around but this time i'm noticing a distinct over-use of the word 'weird' throughout the whole book.
:-(
:-(
March 15, 2016
The Bride of Tancred, The Eyre and the world once entered.
Being a die-hard fan of Jane Eyre I just had to get this book. I've read that the plot was quite similar and even though I knew nothing could beat the real thing, I was curious and ended up surprised by how much I liked it. Pearson published this book in 1973, she didn't try to hide the fact that she loved Jane Eyre herself, in fact, through the main character Miriam she even mentions it. I loved Miriam's assertiveness and her love of books, her favourite author being Hardy. Miriam, disowned and now in a new role as a seamstress/housekeeper at the much feared Tancred House, was the only one who saw through John's dark exterior and anger and she was still attracted to him even though half of his face was disfigured. It was because of the secrets protected by all at the house that sometimes she felt it was too much... For me, no matter how similar, nothing will ever compare to Jane Eyre, but this book is beautifully written and a fast page-turner so I recommend it to anyone who's looking for a good, well written novel. ---
"My grandfather, for a man who was after all only a farmer, had an exceptionally fine collection of books; and partly because I was lonely and partly because I wished to emulate my mother, I immersed myself in the wild, extravagant world of Mr. Dean Swift, Jane Austen and the exciting Bronte Sisters. The world, once entered, could never be left again. If I was lonely I did not know it, for the characters in my grandfather's books were more real, more satisfying by far, than any friends I ever wanted to have." ---
"To those who love reading and learning, books are living things..."
Being a die-hard fan of Jane Eyre I just had to get this book. I've read that the plot was quite similar and even though I knew nothing could beat the real thing, I was curious and ended up surprised by how much I liked it. Pearson published this book in 1973, she didn't try to hide the fact that she loved Jane Eyre herself, in fact, through the main character Miriam she even mentions it. I loved Miriam's assertiveness and her love of books, her favourite author being Hardy. Miriam, disowned and now in a new role as a seamstress/housekeeper at the much feared Tancred House, was the only one who saw through John's dark exterior and anger and she was still attracted to him even though half of his face was disfigured. It was because of the secrets protected by all at the house that sometimes she felt it was too much... For me, no matter how similar, nothing will ever compare to Jane Eyre, but this book is beautifully written and a fast page-turner so I recommend it to anyone who's looking for a good, well written novel. ---
"My grandfather, for a man who was after all only a farmer, had an exceptionally fine collection of books; and partly because I was lonely and partly because I wished to emulate my mother, I immersed myself in the wild, extravagant world of Mr. Dean Swift, Jane Austen and the exciting Bronte Sisters. The world, once entered, could never be left again. If I was lonely I did not know it, for the characters in my grandfather's books were more real, more satisfying by far, than any friends I ever wanted to have." ---
"To those who love reading and learning, books are living things..."
April 12, 2013
Don't remember too much of the storyline other than I enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews