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The Japanese Screen
The Japanese Screen by Anne Mather released on Jan 25, 1979 is available now for purchase.
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
5 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Anne Mather
799 books360 followersAnne Mather is the pseudonym used by Mildred Grieveson, a popular British author of over 160 romance novels. She also signed novels as Caroline Fleming and Cardine Fleming.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
Mildred Grieveson began to write down stories in her childhood years. The first novel that she actually finished, Caroline (1965), was also her first book to be published. Her novel, Leopard in the Snow (1974), was developed into a 1978 film.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 10, 2018
This is absolutely fashion-tastic. It gets five stars for the detailed descriptions of ghastly, ghastly, 1970s "style" alone. Some tasters:
A cape! But that's not even my favourite retro-monstrosity:
What an absolute corker!
The fashion is far more interesting than the plot, which is a really cringeworthy "older Spanish roué woos uptight English virgin". The Other Woman, if she can even be termed such since she has no interest in the hero whatsoever, is by far the most fun and amusing character in the book.
The plot really made no sense. Why did Monica even need the hero
I've not even mentioned the heroine yet, have I? The totally dreary Norland Nanny-style Susannah. Oh, she's actually a governess, but whatever.
One thing that does irk me: so it's completely unthinkable for a man to shag a girl in a weekend cottage if she's a virgin, but if she's had just one previous encounter, then somehow that's all fine? Because then there's nothing to preserve/respect? I hate this concept of utter "ruination" from what may have been a single encounter (but even if multiple with multiple men, so what?)
* rather shabby red velvet pants and a cream ribbed sweater
* He was casually dressed in a tawny-coloured lounge suit and a roll-collared silk shirt that clung to the contours of his chest as he moved
* Fernando looked stern and unapproachable in a black dinner jacket and narrow-fitting trousers. A mass of lace frothed over the satin edges of his lapels, and his hair had been combed smoothly against his head
* She was wearing an amber-coloured caftan, edged with blue and green lurex braid, that dipped deeply to the cleft of her breasts in front and had wide sleeves that displayed her slender arms to advantage. She wore little make-up, adding only a green eye-shadow and a colourless lustre to her lips. Gold hoops swung out from the ashen fairness of her hair and she knew she was looking her best. As it was a cool evening, she wore a navy blue velvet cape over her dress
A cape! But that's not even my favourite retro-monstrosity:
"His hair was damp from the shower he had just taken and he had changed into a white silk shirt with full sleeves that fastened at his wrist with pearl buttons. His trousers were cream, close-fitting at the hip, revealing the taut muscles of his thighs beneath the fine cloth, flaring towards the ankle above suede boots. Several of the buttons on his shirt were unfastened showing the brown skin of his chest, and she could see a silver medallion glinting amongst the hair.
What an absolute corker!
The fashion is far more interesting than the plot, which is a really cringeworthy "older Spanish roué woos uptight English virgin". The Other Woman, if she can even be termed such since she has no interest in the hero whatsoever, is by far the most fun and amusing character in the book.
The plot really made no sense. Why did Monica even need the hero
I've not even mentioned the heroine yet, have I? The totally dreary Norland Nanny-style Susannah. Oh, she's actually a governess, but whatever.
One thing that does irk me: so it's completely unthinkable for a man to shag a girl in a weekend cottage if she's a virgin, but if she's had just one previous encounter, then somehow that's all fine? Because then there's nothing to preserve/respect? I hate this concept of utter "ruination" from what may have been a single encounter (but even if multiple with multiple men, so what?)
May 31, 2018
A story with lots of conflict.
The hero and heroine meet while she is a governess for a friend of the H. There is a hesitant start to their relationship, but they eventually share a few kisses and fall in love. When the H returns home, breaking the h’s heart, she decides to take a job as a governess in his area of Spain. She hoped that she would meet him again and get an explanation of why he left her the way he did.
What she did not realize was the job was at his house and for his daughter. Then the drama really unfolds. There are dark secrets and undercurrents that keeps her uncomfortable and unhappy. And it just gets worse until the truth comes out.
I don’t think there was a happy moment for anyone in the second half of the book. It was a sweet story, very innocent for the h, but still very jaded. The dark secret is more sad than horrifying.
I felt badly for the wife of the H and his daughter. I’m not sure I liked the ending much either. I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction at the way it all turned out.
The hero and heroine meet while she is a governess for a friend of the H. There is a hesitant start to their relationship, but they eventually share a few kisses and fall in love. When the H returns home, breaking the h’s heart, she decides to take a job as a governess in his area of Spain. She hoped that she would meet him again and get an explanation of why he left her the way he did.
What she did not realize was the job was at his house and for his daughter. Then the drama really unfolds. There are dark secrets and undercurrents that keeps her uncomfortable and unhappy. And it just gets worse until the truth comes out.
I don’t think there was a happy moment for anyone in the second half of the book. It was a sweet story, very innocent for the h, but still very jaded. The dark secret is more sad than horrifying.
I felt badly for the wife of the H and his daughter. I’m not sure I liked the ending much either. I was left with a sense of dissatisfaction at the way it all turned out.
October 10, 2014
A good romance, a nice sweet read. An older romance from the 1970's, so a pretty clean romance. A young governess meets a older good-looking sexy wealthly Spanish man(of course, is there any other?) and is drawn to him. He of course is attracted to her against his will. He can't resist her and asks her out on a few innocent dates. They share a few kisses as they fall in love, but he runs from their love and flees the country. She gets a new governess job in Spain and is excited as she hopes to find him, not realizing the dark secret he is hiding that could hurt people he loves but at the same time free him.....will their love survive?
Well written, the author manages to do a wonderful job capturing the sweetness of them falling in love and the conflict they go through.
Well written, the author manages to do a wonderful job capturing the sweetness of them falling in love and the conflict they go through.
January 11, 2025
Vintage Harlequins
Another Vintage Harlequin written in 1974. If nothing else the difference from to back then are intriguing.
Old Harlequins are always enjoyable. This one no exception. With all the elements we want and characters we expect this was a good book.
Another Vintage Harlequin written in 1974. If nothing else the difference from to back then are intriguing.
Old Harlequins are always enjoyable. This one no exception. With all the elements we want and characters we expect this was a good book.
August 17, 2012
The heroine and hero met when she was a governess for a friend of the heroes. They immediately felt the attraction to each other. When she is let go of her previous employment she travels to Spain to work as a governess to another girl, not knowing it's the heroes adopted child. When the heroine finds out the hero is married, she is devastated but circumstances lead them to be able to wed.
Confusing at times but a very decent book.
Confusing at times but a very decent book.
September 29, 2021
I respect Anne Mather as one of the pioneers of the Harlequin Presents series, the first romance books I read. However, this book is not one of my favorites of hers. It tells the story of Susannah, an orphaned governess who is working for a not-so-great employer when she meets handsome, mysterious Fernando. They date on the down-low, and Susannah falls for him quickly, but Fernando has secrets that will tear them apart.
Pros: A trip back in time, when smoking was the normal (cheroots, for Fernando), red velvet was fashionable for women's pants and men's jackets, and the innocent virgin of the traditional romance was just beginning to tiptoe into sexual awakening.
Cons: very stereotypical alpha male with a mostly submissive female, almost instalove,
I enjoyed the descriptions of Spain and a Moorish house, as well as the trip back in time, but Mather has written better romances.
Pros: A trip back in time, when smoking was the normal (cheroots, for Fernando), red velvet was fashionable for women's pants and men's jackets, and the innocent virgin of the traditional romance was just beginning to tiptoe into sexual awakening.
Cons: very stereotypical alpha male with a mostly submissive female, almost instalove,
I enjoyed the descriptions of Spain and a Moorish house, as well as the trip back in time, but Mather has written better romances.
March 20, 2024
I really liked the descriptions in this one, I was totally transported. Susannah as a character was fine but I didn't really like anyone else and it took a lot to get where it was going that the ending was very rushed.
May 20, 2024
Eh. The hero is a moron. When I read of the ‘big obstacle’ and the explanation I just rolled my eyes. Read Noël’s review. The heroine not much better. Skimmed it.
June 13, 2016
This was the first fiction book I have ever read. I remember I was in Grade 6 then and one of my classmates' mom had a very extensive collection of Mills and Boon books. At the time, I didn't even know what Mills and Boon books were. But since my best friend borrowed one book, then I also borrowed a book which my classmate suggested. A book written by Anne Mather.
I read the book only once, so I don't even remember the storyline. Reading the summary now, I remembered bits and pieces. Nothing stood out for me when I first read the book. I remember it took me almost one week to finish the book. I was really not so into it and just wanted to finish the book so I could return it. Because my best friend wanted to borrow another one and did not want to borrow something else while I was still holding on to the first book.
I remember that I thought the story was dragging and the dialogues were not captivating for me. That's why it took me one week to finish the book. But that is my memory. I am speaking with the mindset of a 12-year-old at the time.
But I remember this book not because of the story. I remember it because it opened me up to the world of the written word. Anne Mather is not my favorite author. But she has gained my everlasting respect when I read this book. It was a very good impression for me, albeit I don't remember the story anymore.
From that day till date, I have read countless books and a lot of Anne Mather books. And I will continue reading for as long as my eyes can. But I would like to walk down memory lane. I am currently looking for a copy of The Japanese Screen in electronic format. I want to remember the book that started my journey to the world of the written word.
I read the book only once, so I don't even remember the storyline. Reading the summary now, I remembered bits and pieces. Nothing stood out for me when I first read the book. I remember it took me almost one week to finish the book. I was really not so into it and just wanted to finish the book so I could return it. Because my best friend wanted to borrow another one and did not want to borrow something else while I was still holding on to the first book.
I remember that I thought the story was dragging and the dialogues were not captivating for me. That's why it took me one week to finish the book. But that is my memory. I am speaking with the mindset of a 12-year-old at the time.
But I remember this book not because of the story. I remember it because it opened me up to the world of the written word. Anne Mather is not my favorite author. But she has gained my everlasting respect when I read this book. It was a very good impression for me, albeit I don't remember the story anymore.
From that day till date, I have read countless books and a lot of Anne Mather books. And I will continue reading for as long as my eyes can. But I would like to walk down memory lane. I am currently looking for a copy of The Japanese Screen in electronic format. I want to remember the book that started my journey to the world of the written word.
February 6, 2014
Strange story with very little romance
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews