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Caresse
Some spine creasing and a little edge wear. Back cover has a crease along spine edge, one on left, bottom corner and a small top and side edge crease. Top edge has a light roller mark (?). 1979 copy in great condition for the age. No marks other than stated and intact. Ships very quickly and packaged carefully!
- GenresGothic
305 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1979
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 14, 2023
A solid 4-star gothic romance—not spectacular, but it does twist a few tropes into slightly fresher territory. The final scene has ever-popular echoes of House of Usher...but I've not seen a fall from that particular disaster. Likewise, the plot passes over the usual mid-Victorian era in favor of the decadent Edwardian period, while the initial setup was something out of a bodice ripper—i.e., prudish actress has a rude introduction to desire when her future husband attacks her, but then he realizes she wasn't faking that haughty virtue. Oops. 😬 I liked the way their marriage came about; neither is keen on getting hitched, but Lancien is determined to make up for his behavior & provide Caresse with social respect, nevermind their volatile bedroom antics.
Alas, the writing often veers into cheese, & there are a couple glaring plot holes. Caresse opens the novel determined to become the next Sarah Bernhardt, yet after a few days of moping she's resigned to give up that dream. She also makes no further mention of a close friend's death from early in the novel, even when happenings should have dredged up at least a passing thought. But overall, it’s an enjoyable genre gothic. The characters were fairly fleshed out for 300 pages, & though Caresse falls into the usual trap of jumping to conclusions about her husband's affections, she isn't an idiot. She resents the stifling strictures of society but doesn't single-handedly launch a modern feminist overthrow & win the respect of the British empire. Instead she fights small battles—confronting Lancien about his mistress (to be an object of pity & gossip is abhorent to Caresse) & trying to make Lancien love her within the boundaries of their marriage.
Recommended for those who enjoy old-school gothic romance that includes a touch of bodice shredding.
Alas, the writing often veers into cheese, & there are a couple glaring plot holes. Caresse opens the novel determined to become the next Sarah Bernhardt, yet after a few days of moping she's resigned to give up that dream. She also makes no further mention of a close friend's death from early in the novel, even when happenings should have dredged up at least a passing thought. But overall, it’s an enjoyable genre gothic. The characters were fairly fleshed out for 300 pages, & though Caresse falls into the usual trap of jumping to conclusions about her husband's affections, she isn't an idiot. She resents the stifling strictures of society but doesn't single-handedly launch a modern feminist overthrow & win the respect of the British empire. Instead she fights small battles—confronting Lancien about his mistress (to be an object of pity & gossip is abhorent to Caresse) & trying to make Lancien love her within the boundaries of their marriage.
Recommended for those who enjoy old-school gothic romance that includes a touch of bodice shredding.
September 13, 2014
I found it to be a copy of the plot of the classic, Rebecca.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews