What do you think?
Rate this book
Henry and Rachel
Brought to live with the George family as a child, all anyone knew about enigmatic Rachel was that she worked hard, making herself indispensable to the plantation. And she remained a mystery until the day she disappeared…even to her husband. Especially to her husband.
Henry was Rachel’s opposite—gregarious where she was quiet, fanciful where she was pragmatic. After years of marriage, Rachel left Henry and their oldest son without explanation and set off on a steamer for New York City with their other four children. Was her flight the ultimate act of betrayal or one of extraordinary courage? Eight characters connected by blood and circumstance reconstruct Rachel’s inexplicable vanishing act.
Weaving real family letters into this narrative of her own great-grandparents, Laurel Saville creates a historical novel of incredible depth and beauty.
Henry was Rachel’s opposite—gregarious where she was quiet, fanciful where she was pragmatic. After years of marriage, Rachel left Henry and their oldest son without explanation and set off on a steamer for New York City with their other four children. Was her flight the ultimate act of betrayal or one of extraordinary courage? Eight characters connected by blood and circumstance reconstruct Rachel’s inexplicable vanishing act.
Weaving real family letters into this narrative of her own great-grandparents, Laurel Saville creates a historical novel of incredible depth and beauty.
284 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2013
106 people are currently reading
1463 people want to read
About the author
Laurel Saville
11 books98 followersLaurel Saville is the award-winning author of the novels "Beneath the Trees," "North of Here," and "Henry and Rachel," the memoir "Unraveling Anne" and several other books, as well as numerous articles, essays, and short stories, which have appeared in The Bark, The Bennington Review, Elle.com, House Beautiful, the LA Times Magazine, NYTimes.com, Room and many other publications. Laurel has an MFA from the Writing Seminars at Bennington College.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 21, 2013
Lovely writing and keen characterizations make this book well worth reading. It is a quiet tale of two people living in a modest shack in Jamaica, together for years, raising children, living life. Henry loved Rachel, but was never able to capture her approval or regard. She had given him everything from her that she was able to give, but it did not include loving him, or even caring for their children except in the most rudimentary way. Rachel was an odd bird, nothing really seemed to penetrate her steely shell. Nothing seemed to give her joy.
Sadly, neither was able to achieve what he/she wanted from life. Henry's fondest dream was to build a flying machine, or a steam engine. The ideas were there, he was brilliant in that way, but there was no money for him to pursue his passion. The flying machine never got off the ground, the engine did not produce power. Exporting Panama hats, a distant third choice, did not bear fruit. It was more difficult to gauge what Rachel wanted. I'm not entirely sure that she even knew, but it was not what she had at hand. Rachel seemed out of sync with life, solitude appealed more than anything else, and 'days filled with pleasant emptiness'.
This is a story to read for the beauty of the lines. 'Seems to me that the important thing about a lie is not the content, but the way it is told, the spirit of it. That's what makes people believe it.' 'No one tells you of the indignities of old age. They speak instead of the wisdom that comes with it.'
A first-reads giveaway, thank you. Not a happy story, but one told from the heart. The author's note at the end of the book speaks volumes.
Sadly, neither was able to achieve what he/she wanted from life. Henry's fondest dream was to build a flying machine, or a steam engine. The ideas were there, he was brilliant in that way, but there was no money for him to pursue his passion. The flying machine never got off the ground, the engine did not produce power. Exporting Panama hats, a distant third choice, did not bear fruit. It was more difficult to gauge what Rachel wanted. I'm not entirely sure that she even knew, but it was not what she had at hand. Rachel seemed out of sync with life, solitude appealed more than anything else, and 'days filled with pleasant emptiness'.
This is a story to read for the beauty of the lines. 'Seems to me that the important thing about a lie is not the content, but the way it is told, the spirit of it. That's what makes people believe it.' 'No one tells you of the indignities of old age. They speak instead of the wisdom that comes with it.'
A first-reads giveaway, thank you. Not a happy story, but one told from the heart. The author's note at the end of the book speaks volumes.
October 14, 2013
"Henry and Rachel" is the story of the title characters, Henry, a dreamer, and Rachel, a woman who has already seen too much in her short life. They live in the West Indies. Henry seems to really love Rachel but Rachel often seems to look at Henry as a means to convenience and comfort. They are a badly matched pair. Based on family letters from author Laurel Saville's own family, this is the story of a difficult relationship.
The book is told from the perspective of both Henry and Rachel as well as some of the other people that knew them. I really found myself wishing that there were more time markers as to when various things were happening. Some of the chapters didn't seem to be in chronological order so it was sort of hard to follow.
I wanted to connect with the characters but I felt like we the readers, were sort of being held at arms length from the characters. I wanted a little more detail about them and their motivations.
Although the story wasn't my cup of tea, I loved the writing. There were some really lyrical bits of writing that I really enjoyed.
The book is told from the perspective of both Henry and Rachel as well as some of the other people that knew them. I really found myself wishing that there were more time markers as to when various things were happening. Some of the chapters didn't seem to be in chronological order so it was sort of hard to follow.
I wanted to connect with the characters but I felt like we the readers, were sort of being held at arms length from the characters. I wanted a little more detail about them and their motivations.
Although the story wasn't my cup of tea, I loved the writing. There were some really lyrical bits of writing that I really enjoyed.
July 8, 2019
What a strange, marvelous novel. It's told as a series of monologues in the voices of several characters. Some are letters, and in others the narrator seems to be confiding secrets to a friend in person. This made the story line difficult to follow sometimes, but Laurel Saville possesses that je ne sais quoi that makes her a riveting writer: her details are so vivid and utterly convincing. That this novel is based on Saville's own family history makes it even more remarkable.
I discovered it on Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audiobook. I still can't believe this was read aloud by only two narrators, one male and one female. Jeff Cummings and Joyce Bean alter their voices so much, and Saville's diction is so distinct for each character, that I feel as if I experienced an audio drama with a full cast.
I discovered it on Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audiobook. I still can't believe this was read aloud by only two narrators, one male and one female. Jeff Cummings and Joyce Bean alter their voices so much, and Saville's diction is so distinct for each character, that I feel as if I experienced an audio drama with a full cast.
September 13, 2013
If the entire book were as beautifully written and engaging as the first few chapters, this would have rated among the best books I have ever read; but, the story did not hold up for me. And ultimately, I ended up flipping through the pages of the second half of the book just to get through it.
This historical novel is based in part upon the stories Laurel Saville heard about her maternal great-grand parents and some family letters. The primary setting is Jamaica in the years just prior to and after WWI, the Jamaica in the waning years of English colonization dominated by class distinction and race discrimination.
The saga of Henry and Rachel is told through the eyes and narratives of those closest to them. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like any of the characters. I believe the author wanted the reader to feel compassion or empathy for Rachel. But I found her a distant, bitter woman who made decisions that were unhealthy for her children, which resulted in their being completely dysfunctional.
Laurel Saville’s style of writing flows as if written by the loveliest fountain pen of old. In the first chapter in which Henry remarks upon “the inexorable passing of the years that has turned me inexplicably into an old man” touched me in the depths of my soul. I wish I could say I loved the book; but I didn’t. It was okay; but it didn’t make my heart sing after the 5th chapter.
This historical novel is based in part upon the stories Laurel Saville heard about her maternal great-grand parents and some family letters. The primary setting is Jamaica in the years just prior to and after WWI, the Jamaica in the waning years of English colonization dominated by class distinction and race discrimination.
The saga of Henry and Rachel is told through the eyes and narratives of those closest to them. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like any of the characters. I believe the author wanted the reader to feel compassion or empathy for Rachel. But I found her a distant, bitter woman who made decisions that were unhealthy for her children, which resulted in their being completely dysfunctional.
Laurel Saville’s style of writing flows as if written by the loveliest fountain pen of old. In the first chapter in which Henry remarks upon “the inexorable passing of the years that has turned me inexplicably into an old man” touched me in the depths of my soul. I wish I could say I loved the book; but I didn’t. It was okay; but it didn’t make my heart sing after the 5th chapter.
September 20, 2013
I feel that books that are written based on an actual person, in this case the author's family members, are more appealing to me because they are based on reality. In this case I felt the strongest character was the island of Jamaica, the history and the descriptions were wonderful. When I first started reading this book, I enjoyed reading about their lives, together or not, and the children of course. A book told in alternating chapters, Henry's and than Rachel's because a bit tedious so in the second half of the book when additional character's viewpoints were told, it was a very welcome relief. I can't say that I particularly liked any of these characters, though at times I felt sorry and did perhaps understand Rachel and the way she acted much better, than the others.
While I was reading this book, I liked it but when I put it down it never compelled me to pick it back up. So this was a good story, not a very exciting one, though with all the discoveries made about their characters it could have been. Maybe it was meant to follow the languid day to day existence in the Jamaican heat.
ARC from publisher.
While I was reading this book, I liked it but when I put it down it never compelled me to pick it back up. So this was a good story, not a very exciting one, though with all the discoveries made about their characters it could have been. Maybe it was meant to follow the languid day to day existence in the Jamaican heat.
ARC from publisher.
July 23, 2018
Brought to live with the George family as a child, all anyone knew about enigmatic Rachel was that she worked hard, making herself indispensable to the plantation. And she remained a mystery until the day she disappeared…even to her husband. Especially to her husband.
Henry was Rachel’s opposite—gregarious where she was quiet, fanciful where she was pragmatic. After years of marriage, Rachel left Henry and their oldest son without explanation and set off on a steamer for New York City with their other four children. Was her flight the ultimate act of betrayal or one of extraordinary courage? Eight characters connected by blood and circumstance reconstruct Rachel’s inexplicable vanishing act.
Weaving real family letters into this narrative of her own great-grandparents, Laurel Saville creates a historical novel of incredible depth and beauty.
Henry was Rachel’s opposite—gregarious where she was quiet, fanciful where she was pragmatic. After years of marriage, Rachel left Henry and their oldest son without explanation and set off on a steamer for New York City with their other four children. Was her flight the ultimate act of betrayal or one of extraordinary courage? Eight characters connected by blood and circumstance reconstruct Rachel’s inexplicable vanishing act.
Weaving real family letters into this narrative of her own great-grandparents, Laurel Saville creates a historical novel of incredible depth and beauty.
November 17, 2013
Saville writes beautiful passages that stand alone quite nicely. However, her story telling leaves much to be desired. By organizing her novel with eight different narrators, the same ‘story’ gets told over and over again, albeit from different perspectives. The result is a book with no tension—it just didn’t keep me interested—too rambling and repetitive.
December 3, 2013
I found this book a bit odd. I made the effort to finish it because I understood that it was based on family letters and was the Author's story.
I think the Author did a nice job with the writing and bringing the characters to life. I would read her again.
I think the Author did a nice job with the writing and bringing the characters to life. I would read her again.
October 26, 2014
So far tiresome and depressing.
June 8, 2013
Wie hatte Rachel es ihrem Mann Henry so lange verheimlichen können, dass sie mit dem Verkauf von Eiern und Gemüse in winzigen Beträgen die Schiffspassagen für sich und die Kinder zusammensparte, um sich dann völlig unerwartet von der Insel Jamaica nach New York abzusetzen? Ihrer Tochter und den Söhnen gegenüber begründet sie ihren einsamen Eintschluss damit, dass in New York alle Kinder kostenfrei zur Schule gehen könnten. Doch im Rückblick kann das nur ein Vorwand gewesen sein, handhabte Rachel Bildung und Erziehung in New York doch ebenso lässig wie schon früher auf der Westindischen Insel. Henry tritt als einer der vielen Icherzähler dieses biografischen Familienromans als alter Mann mit schmerzenden Knochen auf, der damit hadert, seine Frau hätte den Kontakt zu seinen Kindern unterbunden. Doch selbst zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts, als Henry auf sein Leben zurückblickt, waren Männer nicht derart unbedarft in ihrem Urteil über ihre Ehefrauen. Henry war damals vermutlich nur so leicht an der Nase herumzuführen, weil ihm die Gefühle seiner Frau seine Ehe hindurch stets fremd geblieben sind und weil er keinen blassen Schimmer davon hatte, wie viel Geld und Nahrungsmittel seine Familie zum Leben brauchte. Rachel dagegen hatte ihrem Mann niemals sagen können, dass sie ihn "liebt", so wie Henry es sich gewünscht hätte, weil sie zuvor erlebt hat, dass Männer von Liebe sprechen und damit sexuelle Gewalt meinen. Rachel konnte bis zu ihrer Begegnung mit Henry ihre Zuneigung nur dadurch ausdrücken, dass sie den Haushalt der Georges in Ordnung hielt - und das tat sie später auf ähnliche Weise für Henry und die Kinder.
Rachel war aufgrund ihrer Herkunft als Kind versteckt, in eine andere Familie gegeben und schließlich zweimal mit Gewalt geschwängert worden, noch ehe sie volljährig war. Einer der beiden Kindsväter war Henry, der zum Tatzeitpunkt verheiratet und fast doppelt so alt wie Rachel war. Das Mädchen mit dem auffälligen Teint einer Rothaarigen lebte nach außen beschützt bei den Georges und versorgte das Kind, das nach ihrer ersten Vergewaltigung zur Welt gekommen war. Henrys Annahme, Rachel wäre Margarets Kindermädchen gewesen, wirkt reichlich lebensfremd. Henry hat die kleine Margaret später immer wie ein eigenes Kind geliebt und sich nicht darum geschert, wer ihre leiblichen Eltern sind. Henry zeugt in der eigenwilligen Beziehung mit Rachel in kürzester Zeit vier Kinder, ist jedoch viel zu sehr in sein Wolkenkuckucksheim von Flugmaschinen und Patenten verstrickt, um sich um die Ernährung seiner wachsenden Familie zu kümmern. Der Zuckerrohranbau steckt damals schon in der Krise, doch selbst als Zahnarzt verdient Henry zu wenig und die Patenteinkünfte aus seinen Erfindungen fließen aus ihm unerklärlichen Gründen noch immer nicht. Relativ bald, als Rachel klar wird, dass Henry seine Familie nicht ernähren kann, bereitet sie planvoll ihren Abgang von der Insel vor. Nach dem Tod von Henrys Lieblingssohn James erhält Margaret als letzte Überlebende der Familie aus James Nachlass Briefe, von denen einige nie abgeschickt wurden. Sie lassen sie ihre in alle Winde zerstreute Familie aus einem völlig neuen Blickwinkel sehen. Auch wenn James es Rachel gegenüber nicht auszusprechen wagte, geht es in seiner Weltsicht auch darum, wie Weiße und Farbige sich damals zu benehmen und wie sie zu sprechen hatten. Dass die sanfte Rachel diesem Schwarz-Weiß-Schema entschlossen Widerstand leisten würde, hat Henry offenbar unterschätzt.
Henry in all seiner Ichbezogenheit hat mich in diesem farbenprächtigen Roman aus dem Milieu der Zuckerrohrfarmer bald genervt. Würde er wirklich bis zum Ende der Handlung die Rolle des alternden Jammerers einnehmen, ohne auf die Idee zu kommen, dass Rachels für ihn unerklärliches Verhalten auf die Gewalterfahrungen ihrer Jugend zurückzuführen sein könnte? Zum Glück für mich als Leser tauchten außer Henry weitere Icherzähler auf: Rachel selbst, ihr Pflegevater Mr George, Rachels leibliche Mutter, Henrys Lieblingssohn James, die älteste Tochter Margaret und Vea, die treue Haushälterin der Familie George. So ergibt sich aus einander überlappenden Aussagen und Meinungen ein sehr vielfältiges Bild der Ereignisse. Um - reale - Briefe ihrer Vorfahren herum hat Laurel Saville wie einen Flickenteppich die Geschichte ihrer eigenen Urgroßeltern zu einem faszinierenden Roman gefügt.
Rachel war aufgrund ihrer Herkunft als Kind versteckt, in eine andere Familie gegeben und schließlich zweimal mit Gewalt geschwängert worden, noch ehe sie volljährig war. Einer der beiden Kindsväter war Henry, der zum Tatzeitpunkt verheiratet und fast doppelt so alt wie Rachel war. Das Mädchen mit dem auffälligen Teint einer Rothaarigen lebte nach außen beschützt bei den Georges und versorgte das Kind, das nach ihrer ersten Vergewaltigung zur Welt gekommen war. Henrys Annahme, Rachel wäre Margarets Kindermädchen gewesen, wirkt reichlich lebensfremd. Henry hat die kleine Margaret später immer wie ein eigenes Kind geliebt und sich nicht darum geschert, wer ihre leiblichen Eltern sind. Henry zeugt in der eigenwilligen Beziehung mit Rachel in kürzester Zeit vier Kinder, ist jedoch viel zu sehr in sein Wolkenkuckucksheim von Flugmaschinen und Patenten verstrickt, um sich um die Ernährung seiner wachsenden Familie zu kümmern. Der Zuckerrohranbau steckt damals schon in der Krise, doch selbst als Zahnarzt verdient Henry zu wenig und die Patenteinkünfte aus seinen Erfindungen fließen aus ihm unerklärlichen Gründen noch immer nicht. Relativ bald, als Rachel klar wird, dass Henry seine Familie nicht ernähren kann, bereitet sie planvoll ihren Abgang von der Insel vor. Nach dem Tod von Henrys Lieblingssohn James erhält Margaret als letzte Überlebende der Familie aus James Nachlass Briefe, von denen einige nie abgeschickt wurden. Sie lassen sie ihre in alle Winde zerstreute Familie aus einem völlig neuen Blickwinkel sehen. Auch wenn James es Rachel gegenüber nicht auszusprechen wagte, geht es in seiner Weltsicht auch darum, wie Weiße und Farbige sich damals zu benehmen und wie sie zu sprechen hatten. Dass die sanfte Rachel diesem Schwarz-Weiß-Schema entschlossen Widerstand leisten würde, hat Henry offenbar unterschätzt.
Henry in all seiner Ichbezogenheit hat mich in diesem farbenprächtigen Roman aus dem Milieu der Zuckerrohrfarmer bald genervt. Würde er wirklich bis zum Ende der Handlung die Rolle des alternden Jammerers einnehmen, ohne auf die Idee zu kommen, dass Rachels für ihn unerklärliches Verhalten auf die Gewalterfahrungen ihrer Jugend zurückzuführen sein könnte? Zum Glück für mich als Leser tauchten außer Henry weitere Icherzähler auf: Rachel selbst, ihr Pflegevater Mr George, Rachels leibliche Mutter, Henrys Lieblingssohn James, die älteste Tochter Margaret und Vea, die treue Haushälterin der Familie George. So ergibt sich aus einander überlappenden Aussagen und Meinungen ein sehr vielfältiges Bild der Ereignisse. Um - reale - Briefe ihrer Vorfahren herum hat Laurel Saville wie einen Flickenteppich die Geschichte ihrer eigenen Urgroßeltern zu einem faszinierenden Roman gefügt.
October 18, 2016
The plot is fairly simple: Henry and Rachel shack up. Henry and Rachel have lots of kids. Rachel runs away to New York with the kids, leaving Henry alone and miserable.
The first few chapters were beautifully written, and the last few chapters were interesting, but everything in between was pretty dry. The basic gist of the story is revealed early on, and then for the remainder of the book you just get to reread that same story over and over again from the perspectives of different characters. As you can imagine, this method of storytelling doesn't exactly keep you on the edge of your seat. There were times when I felt like I was rereading the exact same passages. For example, here's an excerpt from page 241, comparing Jamaica to New York:
"The island was all soft. The dusty roads that cushioned every footfall. The fullness of the local women's figures. The greenery that parted at your touch and then took you in a moist embrace. Here, everything was in shades of gray and charcoal, there, all the bright colors of flowers and fabric."
And now an excerpt from page 253:
"On the island it was plants layered upon each other; here it is sidewalks, asphalt, buildings. Both places are crawling with life that is only minimally visible through the windows or from behind leaves, but here it is all grays and charcoals and soot and there was all greens and blues and dust. here it is concrete underfoot, there, soft dirt."
I honestly feel like Saville could have cut out about 100 pages and the book would have been much better.
As for the characters, the only ones I liked were Henry and Vea. All the other characters seemed cold and whiny. Rachel started out OK, but as the book went on it became more and more difficult for me to sympathize with her.
The first few chapters were beautifully written, and the last few chapters were interesting, but everything in between was pretty dry. The basic gist of the story is revealed early on, and then for the remainder of the book you just get to reread that same story over and over again from the perspectives of different characters. As you can imagine, this method of storytelling doesn't exactly keep you on the edge of your seat. There were times when I felt like I was rereading the exact same passages. For example, here's an excerpt from page 241, comparing Jamaica to New York:
"The island was all soft. The dusty roads that cushioned every footfall. The fullness of the local women's figures. The greenery that parted at your touch and then took you in a moist embrace. Here, everything was in shades of gray and charcoal, there, all the bright colors of flowers and fabric."
And now an excerpt from page 253:
"On the island it was plants layered upon each other; here it is sidewalks, asphalt, buildings. Both places are crawling with life that is only minimally visible through the windows or from behind leaves, but here it is all grays and charcoals and soot and there was all greens and blues and dust. here it is concrete underfoot, there, soft dirt."
I honestly feel like Saville could have cut out about 100 pages and the book would have been much better.
As for the characters, the only ones I liked were Henry and Vea. All the other characters seemed cold and whiny. Rachel started out OK, but as the book went on it became more and more difficult for me to sympathize with her.
January 16, 2016
REVIEW
Setting: Jamaica prior to and after WWI.
This Historic novel is written about from stories The author heard about her maternal great grandparents and letters from other family members. I started having problems with the book keeping my interest. I was looking for the excitement. I didn't even know if I wanted to finish it or not, but I did. It was a good book being based on reality, it just didn't connect with it. The book was written with one chapter from Rachel and then one from Henry. Henry was a continual dreamer and Rachel, well Rachel had seen thing well beyond her years. I felt sad for Rachel, an unhappy women who made unwise decisions that were not in her children's best interest. Henry really loves Rachel but Rachel finds Harry a source of convenience and comfort.I thought it might have been better if their lives were somehow combined., instead of alternating chapters. A match made in heaven they aren't. About half way through the author started writing of additional viewpoints from different characters. The characters were hard for me to relate to. The book was well written. From the title I thought perhaps this would be a lovely romance. Romance it wasn't. Everyone has different tastes so another reader may find this book a very good read. It just didn't do it for me.
I would give this book 3 QUESTION MARKS.
I was given a complimentary copy of HENRY and RACHEL by Laurel Saville from NightOwlReviews for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.
Setting: Jamaica prior to and after WWI.
This Historic novel is written about from stories The author heard about her maternal great grandparents and letters from other family members. I started having problems with the book keeping my interest. I was looking for the excitement. I didn't even know if I wanted to finish it or not, but I did. It was a good book being based on reality, it just didn't connect with it. The book was written with one chapter from Rachel and then one from Henry. Henry was a continual dreamer and Rachel, well Rachel had seen thing well beyond her years. I felt sad for Rachel, an unhappy women who made unwise decisions that were not in her children's best interest. Henry really loves Rachel but Rachel finds Harry a source of convenience and comfort.I thought it might have been better if their lives were somehow combined., instead of alternating chapters. A match made in heaven they aren't. About half way through the author started writing of additional viewpoints from different characters. The characters were hard for me to relate to. The book was well written. From the title I thought perhaps this would be a lovely romance. Romance it wasn't. Everyone has different tastes so another reader may find this book a very good read. It just didn't do it for me.
I would give this book 3 QUESTION MARKS.
I was given a complimentary copy of HENRY and RACHEL by Laurel Saville from NightOwlReviews for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.
February 10, 2014
Categorized as a "romance," it is the furthest thing from a romance. There is little love between Henry and Rachel. Rachel is a quiet self-possessed, some would even say cold woman; whereas Henry is a dreamer, a conversationalist, a man ready to love again, to live big.
Henry, at 33 years old, is a widower, having lost his first born at the same time as his wife, he is a doubly tragic figure. Rachel, a mature 17 years,has come to the island to live with the Georges, who have agreed to take her in and eventually take in a baby left in her charge, Margaret.
A single loveless encounter between Henry and Rachel leaves her pregnant and Henry more than ready to be in love with Rachel asks her to marry him. She refuses. She eventually agrees to move in with him, but marriage, no, there's no need for that. Four children later and another soon to follow- six years after moving in with Henry, Rachel agrees to marry him. He is elated. She is lukewarm.
This is the story of Henry and Rachel told through six people- all part of Henry and Rachel's lives- the same events seen through different eyes told through six voices. It is told through memories and through letters- "I am sorry you have learnt all the evil things about your mother and her people..."
The introspection and the dissecting of Henry and Rachel's lives as told by them and others is beautifully done and a fascinating story.
Henry, at 33 years old, is a widower, having lost his first born at the same time as his wife, he is a doubly tragic figure. Rachel, a mature 17 years,has come to the island to live with the Georges, who have agreed to take her in and eventually take in a baby left in her charge, Margaret.
A single loveless encounter between Henry and Rachel leaves her pregnant and Henry more than ready to be in love with Rachel asks her to marry him. She refuses. She eventually agrees to move in with him, but marriage, no, there's no need for that. Four children later and another soon to follow- six years after moving in with Henry, Rachel agrees to marry him. He is elated. She is lukewarm.
This is the story of Henry and Rachel told through six people- all part of Henry and Rachel's lives- the same events seen through different eyes told through six voices. It is told through memories and through letters- "I am sorry you have learnt all the evil things about your mother and her people..."
The introspection and the dissecting of Henry and Rachel's lives as told by them and others is beautifully done and a fascinating story.
November 8, 2014
I loved this book! Author Saville found a stack of letters which had been written by her grandfather, Henry, to her father, James. From these actual documents and an amazing imagination, she has constructed the 'life' of her grandfather and grandmother (Rachel). The construction of the book was interesting, with each chapter being 'told' first-person by one of the characters. Due to this, the reader is able to get inside the mind of the character, and is able to see events and circumstances from each perspective. The story is not always what we think it is. There are a few twists and turns, making for a compelling read. Basically, Henry and Rachel meet in Jamaica, where he is a dentist recently widowed, and she is a servant girl with a mysterious past. He is outgoing and ambitious, she is aloof and introverted. They live together and have several children before she finally agrees to marry him. Then, without warning, she leaves him and James, taking the other 4 children and going to New York. Saville's novel is centered around some actual people and some actual events, and she fills in the blanks with her very well-written imaginative prose. I read her memoir "Unravelling Anne", and then immediately read "Henry and Rachel". Saville is an excellent writer, whether recounting actual events in her memoir or weaving a beautiful story around a few bare facts. I highly recommend both books!
April 4, 2013
"It is not just that I fell for this confounding, totally inappropriate young woman named Rachel; it is more as if I actually fell into her," says Henry, early in the book. Laurel Saville's vivid story of a clearly doomed romance - if it can even be called that - is spellbinding. Told from the standpoint of different characters, each adds a layer of understanding to the mysteries behind Rachel's upbringing on a West Indies plantation, and how it led her to flee with four of her children to New York City. Left behind to wonder, her husband and oldest son struggle to live with the consequences. Those consequences, which echo through the decades, show just how far-reaching the tragic results of secrets can be.
This historic novel is based on documents, stories and anecdotes about Saville's own great-grandparents, which is reflected in the wonderful descriptions of the time and place. I was blown away by "Unraveling Anne", her intensely moving memoir of her mother. "Henry and Rachel"is every bit as intense and moving.
This historic novel is based on documents, stories and anecdotes about Saville's own great-grandparents, which is reflected in the wonderful descriptions of the time and place. I was blown away by "Unraveling Anne", her intensely moving memoir of her mother. "Henry and Rachel"is every bit as intense and moving.
October 27, 2014
I would give this book a 3.5 if I could, but because I can't I am rounding up to a 4. It was kind of boring at times, but I thought the concept of the book is really interesting, and it must have been cool for the author to both explore and imagine her family history while writing it. I liked how this book really showed how perception is reality - the different characters describe the same events and their consequences totally differently depending on how they understood those events. I found myself both very sympathetic to and exasperated with both Henry and Rachel - especially Henry. Henry was such a dreamer, which is a great characteristic, except when it takes a toll on other people the way that it did in this story. One thing that really stuck with me too was how the author said at one point that we see our parents through a funhouse mirror - not really as people the way we see others, because our primiary view of them is as our parents. That's something I think about often.
August 29, 2013
I was initially skeptical that a book could hold together that was, for the most part, exploring the person of Rachel as seen from the points of view of many others in her life, but I walked away feeling the author did an excellent job of creating a rich, yet imperfect and enigmatic Rachel. She seemed far more real than many other characters in books by prolific, highly regarded authors. I never fell in love with, or ever fully understood Rachel, but developed an understanding and appreciation of how events in her life shaped her the way they did. The book was not heavy in plot, but there was enough to keep me engaged.
I also enjoyed knowing that the author used what information she had on her own ancestors as a basic framework for this book. I expected a more amateur effort from this new author, and instead found myself reading a book hard to put down that was giving me food for thought. Well done, Laurel Saville!
I also enjoyed knowing that the author used what information she had on her own ancestors as a basic framework for this book. I expected a more amateur effort from this new author, and instead found myself reading a book hard to put down that was giving me food for thought. Well done, Laurel Saville!
November 1, 2013
I received this book through GoodReads First Reads. I really enjoyed the story of Henry and Rachel, and thought that the style of writing was very interesting. The author was able to reveal a lot of background information and pull the timeline together by jumping from one character's perspective to anothers. My only gripe with this was my conflicted personal feelings towards the character of Rachel. I went back and forth on what I thought of her. At first, I liked her as a quiet observer of everything going on around her, a young woman on the verge of a great new life. Then, I was so frustrated by her inability to love her husband and even her kids. I was doubly frustrated upon reading of her lack of success and happiness even when she moved to America. In the end, I was a little better able to accept her. Her views on "love" made sense when I considered all of the "love" she'd been exposed to, and really she was just doing the best she could.
November 25, 2013
This novel was written with the help of actual letters from the authors great grandfather, Henry to his son, James, and other written artifacts from the family,
Rachel, of a mysterious background is living with a prestigious family on a Caribbean island, not exactly as a daughter, not exactly as hired help. Henry, a frequent guest to the family home, marries Rachel and they have bout her own mother4 children together and live in a ramshackle situation on the island. Henry fritters their money away on his "inventions" and Rachel eventually leaves for New York, taking the children with her, seeking a better education for the children.
It's a meld of family history and gaps filled in by the authors imagination.
I do plan to read her other novel, Unraveling Anne, about her own mother.
Rachel, of a mysterious background is living with a prestigious family on a Caribbean island, not exactly as a daughter, not exactly as hired help. Henry, a frequent guest to the family home, marries Rachel and they have bout her own mother4 children together and live in a ramshackle situation on the island. Henry fritters their money away on his "inventions" and Rachel eventually leaves for New York, taking the children with her, seeking a better education for the children.
It's a meld of family history and gaps filled in by the authors imagination.
I do plan to read her other novel, Unraveling Anne, about her own mother.
December 3, 2013
This was one of my 'sauna'-Kindle reads. (I enjoy reading in my home sauna: and have a Kindle --'just' for sauna-reading-relaxtion before my daily shower).
When I first began this book --I had no idea it was the authors 'notes/memories' of her grandparents. (how cool is that?).
I enjoyed the writing: Henry's male voice --Rachel's 'female' personality --
The entire context of this story is 'beautiful.
Henry and Rachel are such different type of human beings (each have their own ideas about happiness),
--that while reading this tender-intimate story --I'd often ask 'myself' "who am 'I' and how do I want others to see me"?
It had a meditative-'feel' to its reading....
but then again....I 'did' read it --'quiet-in-a sauna'.
When I first began this book --I had no idea it was the authors 'notes/memories' of her grandparents. (how cool is that?).
I enjoyed the writing: Henry's male voice --Rachel's 'female' personality --
The entire context of this story is 'beautiful.
Henry and Rachel are such different type of human beings (each have their own ideas about happiness),
--that while reading this tender-intimate story --I'd often ask 'myself' "who am 'I' and how do I want others to see me"?
It had a meditative-'feel' to its reading....
but then again....I 'did' read it --'quiet-in-a sauna'.
August 19, 2014
I think this novel was categorized as a Romance but there was no such romance anywhere. I found the character Rachel to be very fascinating and somewhat of an enigma. Her thought process about how she viewed love, life and the people around her was very interesting and true to life at times. I struggled with her wanting to love and marry Henry but she's as cold and dour as they come. Then I switched from admiration to despise when I realized she never mailed those letters from the children to their father and I wasn't buying any of her lame excuses for not doing it. Henry was a great dad and she deprived him of his children's love for all those years.
November 7, 2014
What a well written book! For truth based fiction, it was fantastic. I enjoyed the characters and considering that Laurel had to make up much of her characters, they seemed very real to me. And the style of writing, multiple folks telling the story first person, made for a very interesting read. The only reason I didn't get the book five stars is because to me, that's saved for those books that are life changing. This book didn't change my life, but it let me enter into the lives of Henry and Rachel and many other family members. I, too, am trying to track down past stories of my great grandparents and I love how this book was written. It really is amazing!
February 5, 2015
Thought provoking.
Henry annoyed me. Rachel at times I wanted to shake and scream at her to open her heart. It was interesting reading the narrations of each clearly defined character, their perspective of the past events and what became of this somewhat mismatched couple and their children. Gradually you are able to piece together the true events of their lives and gain insight on how things came to be including the emotions or lack of. The chapter on daughter Margaret interested me most....her discoveries about her parents and herself. Thus leaving me to wonder what do I really know about my own parents or even siblings, and how did we get from there to here.
Henry annoyed me. Rachel at times I wanted to shake and scream at her to open her heart. It was interesting reading the narrations of each clearly defined character, their perspective of the past events and what became of this somewhat mismatched couple and their children. Gradually you are able to piece together the true events of their lives and gain insight on how things came to be including the emotions or lack of. The chapter on daughter Margaret interested me most....her discoveries about her parents and herself. Thus leaving me to wonder what do I really know about my own parents or even siblings, and how did we get from there to here.
July 14, 2015
I thought the book was well-written and the characters were unique and interesting. The low rating comes from my essential problem with the book: spoiler alert I just felt that if the order of a few chapters had been re-arranged, the book would hold a little more of its page-turner qualities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 29, 2016
I received this book as part of Goodreads First Reads.
I was really surprised about this book. The description itself had me hooked, but when I first perused through it I saw that it was written from individual character's perspectives which is fine, but sometimes I just find them not interesting. However the author had me pleasantly surprised! I loved the twists in the stories and the development of the characters Rachel and Henry. It was a great book with a great story about a couple and what they both want out of life.
I was really surprised about this book. The description itself had me hooked, but when I first perused through it I saw that it was written from individual character's perspectives which is fine, but sometimes I just find them not interesting. However the author had me pleasantly surprised! I loved the twists in the stories and the development of the characters Rachel and Henry. It was a great book with a great story about a couple and what they both want out of life.
November 9, 2013
To me, the main theme of this book is how different people deal with the cards of life that they're dealt with. I found it interesting how Saville portrayed all of her characters as having such different personalities, yet underneath they all acted out the same -- all made decisions for their own self-interests without really considering how their actions would affect those around them. I enjoyed this book. While I wouldn't call it a favorite, I did find the characters and their dramas very memorable.
November 5, 2013
Slow starter but it picked up about a third of the way through. This book was about the author's great grandparents, Henry and Rachel. She had heard a few stories about them growing up, and later came across some letters they had written, and from there she kind of created a fictional history for them. Kind of a neat idea. I believe all the letters she used in the book were acutal excerpts. I think it would be fun to go back and read only those letters and see whether I would come to the same conclusions she did.
February 19, 2016
This book tells the reader the story from several perspectives. Henry and Rachel both speak as do daughter Margaret, son James, friend Vea and others giving insight from each "side" of the story. My one problem with the story is sometimes the timelines in different narratives seemed off, such as early on James was older when his mother left than he was later in the story. The story itself is an imagining of author based on letters and handed down stories of her great grandmother, Rachel.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
November 2, 2013
There should be something special about a story that gets told time and time again. This tale repeated over and over, each time from the perspective of a different character is unfortunately nothing special. It is a sad tale that combines dissatisfaction with life, illegitimate children, false entitlement, lack of commitment and hidden origins. Ms. Saville is a skilled writer, but the story she chooses to tell is not worth a book of this length.
January 15, 2014
Beautiful writing. Fascinating technique for telling a story of family secrets via multiple points of view and over periods of time. As a result, the reader is reconstructing via these fragmentary narratives the history, gaining a deeper understanding of the colonial context, the enigmatic personality of Rachel, the class consciousness of Henry, and the effect of their mysterious island past on the children who become adults in 1920s New York.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews