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A Price For Everything
From the introduction by Rosamunde
" A Price for Everything is linked, from start to finish, by Mary Sheepshanks' humor and a rare sense of the ridiculous which bubble up at the least likely moments. I read the book at a single sitting and felt bereft when I finally closed the cover onto the last page."
"The house itself seemed to possess her. It was a love affair, and like many love affairs, it was inconvenient."
Nestled cozily in the English countryside stands a house called Duntan-grand, proud, beautiful to look at, yet slowly falling apart and riddled with problems. How can Sonia, Lady Duntan so fiercely love such a monster of a house, almost as much as she loves her four children, perhaps more than she loves her husband, whose family has lived at Duntan for over 200 years?
For Sonia, restoring Duntan to its former glory has become synonymous with repairing her own sense of self, and refurbishing the house means working closely with Simon Hadleigh, the charming director of the Heritage at Risk Association. But as her marriage seems to be crumbling faster than the house itself; her children growing up quickly; her painting career taking off and Simon awakening in her a long, dormant passion, Sonia realizes that everything has its price...
" A Price for Everything is linked, from start to finish, by Mary Sheepshanks' humor and a rare sense of the ridiculous which bubble up at the least likely moments. I read the book at a single sitting and felt bereft when I finally closed the cover onto the last page."
"The house itself seemed to possess her. It was a love affair, and like many love affairs, it was inconvenient."
Nestled cozily in the English countryside stands a house called Duntan-grand, proud, beautiful to look at, yet slowly falling apart and riddled with problems. How can Sonia, Lady Duntan so fiercely love such a monster of a house, almost as much as she loves her four children, perhaps more than she loves her husband, whose family has lived at Duntan for over 200 years?
For Sonia, restoring Duntan to its former glory has become synonymous with repairing her own sense of self, and refurbishing the house means working closely with Simon Hadleigh, the charming director of the Heritage at Risk Association. But as her marriage seems to be crumbling faster than the house itself; her children growing up quickly; her painting career taking off and Simon awakening in her a long, dormant passion, Sonia realizes that everything has its price...
306 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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About the author
Mary Sheepshanks
22 books10 followersMary Sheepshanks is now publishing under her maiden name, Mary Nickson. Her works published as Nickson include Secrets and Shadows, a sequel to Off Balance.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 18, 2009
I think it was 1999 or the following winter when I read every Rosamunde Pilcher written to that point, and then moved on to the wannabes, such as this author who I think has more sense of humor than Pilcher.
October 30, 2017
Enjoyable book in the style of Rosamunde Pilcher
February 26, 2022
I pulled an older book (written in 1995) from my bookshelves, and am glad it was there for me to read for the first time. "A Price For Everything" is a quiet novel by British author Mary Sheepshanks with a forward by Rosamunde Pilcher, which was why it caught my eye more than 25 years ago. While I did not find the writing similar to Pilcher's, it was still a nice diversion from more modern novels. I love reading about the years before cell phones, social media, and our being constantly connected no matter where we are or what we are doing.
The novel is a comedy of manners, in some ways, though there are serious things happening. While not laugh out loud funny by any means, there were scenes that were humorous, espcially when children were involved. It's the story of a couple who have grown distant from one another, while living busy lives raising a family and trying to save their large, rambling old home which has been in Archie Duntan's family for two hundred years. His wife, Sonia, is determined to save the house for the family at all costs, while Archie, preoccupied by another woman, would not mind if the family were to sell the larger home and some of the property, and move to a smaller home on the large estate's land.
I am always struck by how much more rational the Brits seem to remain, at least in literature, when someone strays in a marriage. This is not to say that Sonia was thrilled by her husband's dalliance, but she was not about to confront him about it since it would tear their family apart. Hoping to save their home, she meets with Simon Hadleigh for advice and assistance and becomes quite taken with him. She grows more and more attached to him, desperately so at times, despite Simon's being hot and cold with her at times, and the fact that he has a wife across the ocean.
There is a lively cast of characters from the town, and from visiting family members, the minister, and his wife, friends, and even characters who have no roll other than to be spoken about by others. Events play out one crucial night which bring everything to a head, forcing decisions to be made. Sonia is forced to make a very difficult choice. I felt she did the right thing, though it brought her pain, as it did me, as a reader. She learned, as we all eventually do in our lives that in life, there is "A Price For Everything."
This was not a great book about which I will rave, but it was a pleasant read about a time not very long ago, but when people could slip away and not be contacted, and could hide their comings and goings when they chose to do so. There were pros and cons to that, of course. On to the next book....
The novel is a comedy of manners, in some ways, though there are serious things happening. While not laugh out loud funny by any means, there were scenes that were humorous, espcially when children were involved. It's the story of a couple who have grown distant from one another, while living busy lives raising a family and trying to save their large, rambling old home which has been in Archie Duntan's family for two hundred years. His wife, Sonia, is determined to save the house for the family at all costs, while Archie, preoccupied by another woman, would not mind if the family were to sell the larger home and some of the property, and move to a smaller home on the large estate's land.
I am always struck by how much more rational the Brits seem to remain, at least in literature, when someone strays in a marriage. This is not to say that Sonia was thrilled by her husband's dalliance, but she was not about to confront him about it since it would tear their family apart. Hoping to save their home, she meets with Simon Hadleigh for advice and assistance and becomes quite taken with him. She grows more and more attached to him, desperately so at times, despite Simon's being hot and cold with her at times, and the fact that he has a wife across the ocean.
There is a lively cast of characters from the town, and from visiting family members, the minister, and his wife, friends, and even characters who have no roll other than to be spoken about by others. Events play out one crucial night which bring everything to a head, forcing decisions to be made. Sonia is forced to make a very difficult choice. I felt she did the right thing, though it brought her pain, as it did me, as a reader. She learned, as we all eventually do in our lives that in life, there is "A Price For Everything."
This was not a great book about which I will rave, but it was a pleasant read about a time not very long ago, but when people could slip away and not be contacted, and could hide their comings and goings when they chose to do so. There were pros and cons to that, of course. On to the next book....
April 25, 2022
This is what is often euphemistically called ‘a light read’ – a fairly frothy bit of fluff – eminently enjoyable during the indulgence but insubstantial and melting easily from the mind once completed. A bit like candyfloss.
The setting is fairly timeless and tricky to pinpoint precisely. It is some good while after the war but modern enough to mention the delights of gay sex, the menopause, pubic hair and bodily functions. It rests somewhere in upper middle England with Sonia and Archie at the head of a family struggling with the considerable upkeep of Duntun a dilapidated country estate….. the novel feels like a less salubrious version of Downton Abbey minus the aristocratic titles. The characters all sit comfortably amongst the landed gentry wooing a foreign Princes’s money, indulging in country shoots and putting on art exhibitions.
The style is rather Wodehouse in its light amusing tone though the content is much darker with money worries, multiple marital infidelity, a vile mother-in-law, and a super sensitive younger child Birdie, whose stomach pains surge as her parents’ fight. The house beloved of Sonia who has married into the family is falling apart needing a small fortune to fix. Money they don’t have though Archie’s feckless self-centred bitch of a mother Ros does….at a price, her price.
It can by no means be described as a rip roaringly hilarious work, but there are certainly some hugely enjoyable moments and the writing is way above average. Brother Ambrose the smelly defrocked drug pedalling priest from the sinister Brothers of Love cult is one of the key delights, alongside the boo hiss shenanigans of Ros which are the mainstays of ‘A price for Everything’. Light and frothy with a slightly spiky edge is a daunting style to do well but Mary Sheepshanks has made a very fine stab of it with her first novel. A good way to spend a relaxing evening and I wonder the author is not more widely read and better known.
The setting is fairly timeless and tricky to pinpoint precisely. It is some good while after the war but modern enough to mention the delights of gay sex, the menopause, pubic hair and bodily functions. It rests somewhere in upper middle England with Sonia and Archie at the head of a family struggling with the considerable upkeep of Duntun a dilapidated country estate….. the novel feels like a less salubrious version of Downton Abbey minus the aristocratic titles. The characters all sit comfortably amongst the landed gentry wooing a foreign Princes’s money, indulging in country shoots and putting on art exhibitions.
The style is rather Wodehouse in its light amusing tone though the content is much darker with money worries, multiple marital infidelity, a vile mother-in-law, and a super sensitive younger child Birdie, whose stomach pains surge as her parents’ fight. The house beloved of Sonia who has married into the family is falling apart needing a small fortune to fix. Money they don’t have though Archie’s feckless self-centred bitch of a mother Ros does….at a price, her price.
It can by no means be described as a rip roaringly hilarious work, but there are certainly some hugely enjoyable moments and the writing is way above average. Brother Ambrose the smelly defrocked drug pedalling priest from the sinister Brothers of Love cult is one of the key delights, alongside the boo hiss shenanigans of Ros which are the mainstays of ‘A price for Everything’. Light and frothy with a slightly spiky edge is a daunting style to do well but Mary Sheepshanks has made a very fine stab of it with her first novel. A good way to spend a relaxing evening and I wonder the author is not more widely read and better known.
March 21, 2021
"The house itself seemed to possess her. It was a love affair, and like many love affairs, it was inconvenient.
"Nestled cozily in the English countryside stands a house called Duntan -- grand, proud, beautiful to look at, yet slowly falling apart and riddled with problems. How can Sonia, Lady Duntan so fiercely love such a monster of a house, almost as much as she loves her four children, perhaps more than she loves her husband, whose family has lived at Duntan for over 200 years?
"For Sonia, restoring Duntan to its former glory has become synonymous with repairing her own sense of self, and refurbishing the house means working closely with Simon Hadleigh, the charming director of the Heritage at Risk Association. But as her marriage seems to be crumbling faster than the house itself, her children growing up quickly; her painting career taking off and Simon awakening in her a long-dormant passion. Sonia realizes that everything has its price ..."
~~back cover
Charming "Rosamunde Pilcherish" novel: beautifully portraying life in the country, and delving into the various relationships each of the characters has, to themselves and to each other. Sweet, but bittersweet at the same time.
And a nail biter at the end: which price will Sonia chose to pay?
"Nestled cozily in the English countryside stands a house called Duntan -- grand, proud, beautiful to look at, yet slowly falling apart and riddled with problems. How can Sonia, Lady Duntan so fiercely love such a monster of a house, almost as much as she loves her four children, perhaps more than she loves her husband, whose family has lived at Duntan for over 200 years?
"For Sonia, restoring Duntan to its former glory has become synonymous with repairing her own sense of self, and refurbishing the house means working closely with Simon Hadleigh, the charming director of the Heritage at Risk Association. But as her marriage seems to be crumbling faster than the house itself, her children growing up quickly; her painting career taking off and Simon awakening in her a long-dormant passion. Sonia realizes that everything has its price ..."
~~back cover
Charming "Rosamunde Pilcherish" novel: beautifully portraying life in the country, and delving into the various relationships each of the characters has, to themselves and to each other. Sweet, but bittersweet at the same time.
And a nail biter at the end: which price will Sonia chose to pay?
September 15, 2019
This is a pleasant, character-based novel. It mainly revolves around an upper-middle class family who want to save their ancestral home, but don't have the funds to do so. Archie and Sonia are experiencing conflict as they can't agree on the way forward.
While far removed from everyday life, the principles and dilemmas of family life, and priorities, are relevant to most of us. The writing is good, and I very much liked Birdie, Archie and Sonia's third child, a very sensitive and thoughtful little girl.
There are a few caricatures, and a somewhat over-pious and enthusiastic vicar who is seen as either tiresome or a figure of fun. But on the whole, I thought the book very enjoyable.
Latest review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
While far removed from everyday life, the principles and dilemmas of family life, and priorities, are relevant to most of us. The writing is good, and I very much liked Birdie, Archie and Sonia's third child, a very sensitive and thoughtful little girl.
There are a few caricatures, and a somewhat over-pious and enthusiastic vicar who is seen as either tiresome or a figure of fun. But on the whole, I thought the book very enjoyable.
Latest review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
August 4, 2021
One of my favourite books ever ,Mary Sheepshanks is such an interesting writer with a rare insight into relationships and how tensions in families affect children and adults .
I loved the characters and the humour , her writing brings alive characters like poor Mrs Bean , what a wonderful portrait of her , the unbeatable food and the obnoxious poodle !
Likewise her description of Lady Rosamund and Archie bring them and their foibles and world to life . I only wish I had been a guest at one of the tennis or dinner parties .
A beautifully observed slice of a country house and lifestyle and the hold it has on at least one of the family resulting in divisions , scheming, strange alliances and dalliances .
I loved the characters and the humour , her writing brings alive characters like poor Mrs Bean , what a wonderful portrait of her , the unbeatable food and the obnoxious poodle !
Likewise her description of Lady Rosamund and Archie bring them and their foibles and world to life . I only wish I had been a guest at one of the tennis or dinner parties .
A beautifully observed slice of a country house and lifestyle and the hold it has on at least one of the family resulting in divisions , scheming, strange alliances and dalliances .
December 21, 2016
I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. An English couple (Sonia and Archie) have their marital troubles and are at odds over how to maintain or not an old family estate. Despite their infidelities, they deal with their marriage, family and homestead in an adult way. Add to the mix of kids and friends a unique mother-in-law with her own agenda. There are the undertones of the British proper way to act and converse that have many little digs in the dialogue.
March 31, 2016
My favorite Mary Sheepshanks so far! She writes beautifully...good stories, fully-fleshed-out characters, and a wonderful wit. She tells this tale so deftly and gracefully. I have now read it twice, and I may re-read again in the future---it is that enjoyable.
August 4, 2019
So, it's a good story, but I'm not a huge fan of family dramas. The best part of the book was the picture of family life in old manor houses in England. Good plot, good characters, but not exactly my cup of tea
June 13, 2012
Not a favorite, just ok, I guess.
Read
June 13, 2015I threw this book in the trash. It was about an unhappy marriage & instead of talking to each other, they each had an affair.
May 8, 2015
This book was hard to get through although I did enjoy the last third of the novel.
September 23, 2012
Hackned theme but a well written and easy read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews