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Longleaf
used romance novel
Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 26, 2020
In the mid-70s, mystery novelist Joseph Hanson wrote two gothics. The first of these, "Longleaf," is an absorbing take on the genre. In 1880s Tennessee, orphaned Bird Thatcher, who has grown up with the aftermath of the Civil War, learns that her history is not what she thought it was, launching her into an odyssey that takes her ultimately to New Orleans, into past mysteries and into a world of secrets and spiritualism. Bird is an appealing heroine; the themes of the novel, as well as its characters, are more mature and nuanced than is typical of the genre. In some respects the novel is an extended exploration of the repercussions of pride and greed. Hanson would write one additional Gothic, a much-more stereotypical--and flimsy--effort called "Tarn House," before turning back to writing mysteries under his own name. "Longleaf" is well worth seeking out.
October 15, 2014
4.5
Gothic novel, with mystery plot, written by Joseph Hansen as Rose Brock. The writing is excellent and occasionally i could glimpse Hansen's softer touch that i've come to love especially from the Dave Brandstetter series.
The story takes place in 1880, and it follows Bird, an 18-year-old girl of uncertain parentage, from Catalpa to New Orleans and back, as she searches for answers.
The book is fascinating in its vivid yet cool and rational rendering of the times and social mores. Very well-defined and intriguing secondary characters and strong women characters, including the MC. The only thing that left an unsatisfied kind of feeling was the romantic sub-plot; while i could relate to Hart's character (it had that "human" touch), Bird sometimes seemed cold. However, this is a very small part of the story.
Overall, recommended.
Gothic novel, with mystery plot, written by Joseph Hansen as Rose Brock. The writing is excellent and occasionally i could glimpse Hansen's softer touch that i've come to love especially from the Dave Brandstetter series.
The story takes place in 1880, and it follows Bird, an 18-year-old girl of uncertain parentage, from Catalpa to New Orleans and back, as she searches for answers.
The book is fascinating in its vivid yet cool and rational rendering of the times and social mores. Very well-defined and intriguing secondary characters and strong women characters, including the MC. The only thing that left an unsatisfied kind of feeling was the romantic sub-plot; while i could relate to Hart's character (it had that "human" touch), Bird sometimes seemed cold. However, this is a very small part of the story.
Overall, recommended.
November 14, 2021
Not the prototypical gothic romance, this book is full of rich imagery and some great period detail. The first hundred pages are relatively slow, with lots of lived in scenery and moody detail but once the heroine sets off for New Orleans, things get agreeably strange and dark.
June 2, 2012
Pseudonym of Joseph Hansen
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews