A Season of Mists

Ann of Norfolk Saga #1

by Sarah Woodhouse

The determination of young heiress Ann Mathick to manage an estate ruined by her dissolute uncle wins the admiration of her neighbors, especially that of the dashing, but disreputable, Sir Harry

Genres: Historical, Historical Fiction, British Literature

Hardcover

First published February 14, 1985

About the author

Sarah Woodhouse was born on 1950 in Birmingham, England, UK. She grew up in Cambridgeshire and attended St Mary's convent school before studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Medieval English at Reading University.

Sarah is the author of numerous short stories, many of which were published in 19 magazine in the 1970s, and 9 romance novels from 1984 to 2000. In 1989, her novel The Peacock's Feather won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book, with warm and interesting characters who feel like real people, with all of their kindnesses and foibles. It is set mostly in rural Norfolk at the very end of the eighteenth century. The plot is interesting and goes in unexpected directions. The reader connects with the characters, and you really care about what is going to happen to them, including the excellently depicted secondary characters as well as the key cast members.

The book feels historically accurate and true to the period. The writer obviously had an excellent grasp of the times. It seems that Ms Woodhouse's books are out-of-print now, sadly, and don't seem to be on kindle either. This one was published in 1984, and IMO has not dated at all. With a smart new cover, I'm sure it would find many grateful readers. I have an old paperback I was lucky enough to pick up at a thrift shop. I will now try to find copies of some of her 0ther books.

Well worth the read.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book under false pretenses, as the summary on the back cover is for a different book by a different author. Nevertheless, I found this historical romance, set in England (Norfolk) in the late 18th century, an engaging read. Ms. Woodhouse, a Norfolk native, describes the countryside exquisitely, although the reader might conclude that Norfolk’s weather is always either bad or worse.

The characters are well-developed and interesting, and portrayed with plenty of humor. Ann, the protagonist, comes to Norfolk after inheriting a farm belonging to her less-than-socially acceptable uncle. The farm is in disrepair, and Ann shows ingenuity while attempting to put both the farm and its suspicious and unhappy employees to right. She is less adept at choosing suitors. Ann enters a somewhat closed society with ideas and values of her own, and various characters have different opinions of this. We see these revealed through everyday farming and visiting activities as well as at large parties and elegant balls.

My favorite character was the Doctor, an eccentric man who frequently abandons socially acceptable behavior along with his wig. Since he is a master of his profession, these oddities are tolerated by everyone, and even admired by a few. His character is often an interesting mix of whimsy and cynicism, and he can rarely be relied upon to do what society would prefer, leading to much humor from the reader’s perspective.

I wasn’t crazy about the ending to the book, but wait, there’s a sequel. After finishing this book, I immediately requested it (The Peacock’s Feather) from the library. There is also a third book. Be forewarned: you might need to read all three if you begin this one. That could be a good thing.

[Kathy Roling · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoyed it. Love reading about English
country life; liked Ann, the heroine. Liked the doctor but didn't
care for Ann's suitors. May try to read The Peacock's Feather which
is the sequel but I think it may be out of print.