What do you think?
Rate this book
Tempest and Sunshine
It was the afternoon of a bright October day. The old town clock had just tolled the hour of four when the Lexington and Frankfort daily stage was heard rattling over the stony pavement in the small town of V— Kentucky.' (Excerpt from Chapter 1)
- GenresClassicsHistorical
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1854
11 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jane Holmes
237 books44 followersMary Jane Holmes (a.k.a. Mary J. Holmes) was a bestselling and prolific American author who wrote 39 popular novels, as well as short stories. Her first novel sold 250,000 copies; and she had total sales of 2 million books in her lifetime, second only to Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Mary Jane Holmes, nee Hawes (1825-1907) was an American author who wrote many popular novels. Holmes was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts. At age 13 she taught in a school. She married Daniel Holmes and they settled in Versailles, Kentucky. In 1854 she wrote her first novel, Tempest and Sunshine. The theme for most of her novels was domestic life. Other works include: The English Orphans; or, A Home in the New World (1855), 'Lena Rivers (1856), Homestead on the Hillside (1856), Meadow Brook (1857), Dora Deane; or, The East India Uncle (1859), Cousin Maude (1860), Rosamond Maude (1860), Darkness and Daylight (1864), Hugh Worthington (1865), Family Pride; or, Purified by Suffering (1867), Ethelyn's Mistake (1869), Edna Browning; or, The Leighton Homestead (1872), West Lawn (1874), Edith Lyle's Secret (1876), Forrest House (1879), Christmas Stories (1885), Bessie's Fortune (1885), Tracy Park (1886), Gretchen (1887), Paul Ralston (1897), The Cromptons (1899) and Bad Hugh (1900).
Portraying domestic life in small town and rural settings, she examined gender relationships, as well as those of class and race. She also dealt with slavery and the American Civil War, with a strong sense of moral justice. Her popular work was excluded from most 19th-century literary histories, but she has received recognition and reappraisal since the late 20th century.
Mary Jane Holmes, nee Hawes (1825-1907) was an American author who wrote many popular novels. Holmes was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts. At age 13 she taught in a school. She married Daniel Holmes and they settled in Versailles, Kentucky. In 1854 she wrote her first novel, Tempest and Sunshine. The theme for most of her novels was domestic life. Other works include: The English Orphans; or, A Home in the New World (1855), 'Lena Rivers (1856), Homestead on the Hillside (1856), Meadow Brook (1857), Dora Deane; or, The East India Uncle (1859), Cousin Maude (1860), Rosamond Maude (1860), Darkness and Daylight (1864), Hugh Worthington (1865), Family Pride; or, Purified by Suffering (1867), Ethelyn's Mistake (1869), Edna Browning; or, The Leighton Homestead (1872), West Lawn (1874), Edith Lyle's Secret (1876), Forrest House (1879), Christmas Stories (1885), Bessie's Fortune (1885), Tracy Park (1886), Gretchen (1887), Paul Ralston (1897), The Cromptons (1899) and Bad Hugh (1900).
Portraying domestic life in small town and rural settings, she examined gender relationships, as well as those of class and race. She also dealt with slavery and the American Civil War, with a strong sense of moral justice. Her popular work was excluded from most 19th-century literary histories, but she has received recognition and reappraisal since the late 20th century.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 17, 2012
I was shocked that I had never heard of Mary Jane Holmes, considering all accounts indicate that she was one of the most widely read authors, and that in her time she outsold all other authors second only to Harriet Beecher Stowe. I always feel a little sorry that some beloved authors don’t seem to stand the test of time, and, in this case, I don’t know why.
I was enthralled by “Tempest and Sunshine.” Never in a classic novel have I wanted a character to get their comeuppance so badly. In your average classic drama there is very little drama, the bad guys just aren’t that bad. Tempest, aka Julia, really is though. She is devious, unrepentant, and knows no bounds- she is even willing to sacrifice her own sister. I loved actively despising her character, and that’s when you know it’s a good creation. Fanny just makes you smile, even when you should be frustrated with her continual easy nature. You want her to wake up, but if she did, then she wouldn’t be the good person she is.
The work is a great lesson both in pride and idle gossip. I loved the portrayal of the women, some of them so scheming and flippant. The Holmes didn’t present them as thoughtless, as so many authors did, instead they were purposefully cruel, for their own enjoyment. Some were truly kind, loving and caring.
All in all the action moved along at a brisk pace for a novel from this era. It was thoroughly enjoyable, though I did sometimes cringe at the portrayal of the African Americans. Not that Holmes portrayed them negatively; it’s more cringing at the whole situation in American history that put them there. Such a shame that it exists as a blot, but it’s important to be forced to remember antiquated views by reading classic novels, all the same.
My only non-temporal complaint with the novel is that at times it was encumbered by too many characters. Everyone had to have a happy ending, which meant that an unnecessary amount of people, each with their own backstory, were paraded in front of the reader. It became too much, and could have been paired down to the benefit of the book.
I was enthralled by “Tempest and Sunshine.” Never in a classic novel have I wanted a character to get their comeuppance so badly. In your average classic drama there is very little drama, the bad guys just aren’t that bad. Tempest, aka Julia, really is though. She is devious, unrepentant, and knows no bounds- she is even willing to sacrifice her own sister. I loved actively despising her character, and that’s when you know it’s a good creation. Fanny just makes you smile, even when you should be frustrated with her continual easy nature. You want her to wake up, but if she did, then she wouldn’t be the good person she is.
The work is a great lesson both in pride and idle gossip. I loved the portrayal of the women, some of them so scheming and flippant. The Holmes didn’t present them as thoughtless, as so many authors did, instead they were purposefully cruel, for their own enjoyment. Some were truly kind, loving and caring.
All in all the action moved along at a brisk pace for a novel from this era. It was thoroughly enjoyable, though I did sometimes cringe at the portrayal of the African Americans. Not that Holmes portrayed them negatively; it’s more cringing at the whole situation in American history that put them there. Such a shame that it exists as a blot, but it’s important to be forced to remember antiquated views by reading classic novels, all the same.
My only non-temporal complaint with the novel is that at times it was encumbered by too many characters. Everyone had to have a happy ending, which meant that an unnecessary amount of people, each with their own backstory, were paraded in front of the reader. It became too much, and could have been paired down to the benefit of the book.
January 15, 2011
I cannot put it down and it was free on kindle.
Read
January 24, 2013Interesting as a period piece.
February 13, 2014
A cute piece of nineteenth century fluff. I suppose this would have been the closest thing to a soap opera back in the day.
March 31, 2021
A story taking us back in time, interesting family dynamics with stark contrast of right and wrong; forgiveness being the ultimate key. I did have to put the book down every now and then to take a break from the never ending deceit.
Although the story mainly revolves around the two sisters, the father does play a big role and I find his unpolished character quite refreshing.
Many people were involved in this story; sometimes I felt like I was caught in a labyrinth trying to figure out who was who and what their purpose was. Due to the nature of this story, the book seems to have a series of endings tying off each person's story.
This book was well worth reading.
Although the story mainly revolves around the two sisters, the father does play a big role and I find his unpolished character quite refreshing.
Many people were involved in this story; sometimes I felt like I was caught in a labyrinth trying to figure out who was who and what their purpose was. Due to the nature of this story, the book seems to have a series of endings tying off each person's story.
This book was well worth reading.
January 19, 2011
EXCELLENT read!
February 12, 2012
Great book. A must read.
August 21, 2019
I've been living in the 19th century, at least as far as my reading, and generally reading books for boys. I took a break from my boy adventure reads and stumbled upon this author. She has not stood the test of time but she was apparently the United State's version of Jane Austen and her books for girls sold nearly as well.
Sunshine is the younger sister; Tempest is the older one. Their father has nicknamed them by their personalities. Sunshine is friendly, honest, and delightful to be around. Tempest is beautiful but very ambitious and does not stop to worry about who she hurts while she gets what she wants. And what she wants is the young Doctor who has moved to town and falls in love with Sunshine.
Spoiler ahead... Tempest, through a series of evil deeds, does succeed in getting the doctor for herself but will it last? Another spoiler alert - the story does have a happy ending.
Love chick lit? You've got to try the wholesome 19th century version of chick lit.
Sunshine is the younger sister; Tempest is the older one. Their father has nicknamed them by their personalities. Sunshine is friendly, honest, and delightful to be around. Tempest is beautiful but very ambitious and does not stop to worry about who she hurts while she gets what she wants. And what she wants is the young Doctor who has moved to town and falls in love with Sunshine.
Spoiler ahead... Tempest, through a series of evil deeds, does succeed in getting the doctor for herself but will it last? Another spoiler alert - the story does have a happy ending.
Love chick lit? You've got to try the wholesome 19th century version of chick lit.
March 16, 2019
Very fun romance set in Kentucky, written in 1854. One sister is sweet and gentle, the other is conniving and awful. I don't read "fluff" books ("brain candy") very often, but when I do they are like this one (from a different era). I enjoyed reading about this time period.
I looked up this author because she wrote the only work of fiction found in Laura Ingalls Wilder's home when Laura was growing up. Mary Holmes was a popular novelist in the 1800's, second only to Harriett Beecher Stowe.
Warning: Their slaves are treated kindly but the book is NOT "politically-correct" when talking about the slaves.
Audio book: https://librivox.org/tempest-and-suns...
Full book: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17260/...
I looked up this author because she wrote the only work of fiction found in Laura Ingalls Wilder's home when Laura was growing up. Mary Holmes was a popular novelist in the 1800's, second only to Harriett Beecher Stowe.
Warning: Their slaves are treated kindly but the book is NOT "politically-correct" when talking about the slaves.
Audio book: https://librivox.org/tempest-and-suns...
Full book: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17260/...
December 13, 2023
Super cheesy plot - practically dripping with cheese. This is my first time reading a book written in 19th century that is so poorly written with a predictable plot and soap opera cheesy drama. It was also difficult to follow all the different characters because she kept introducing new ones who would conveniently pop up already 3/4 into the book and be used to further the plot. There are many other flaws too numerous to mention here.
Don’t waste your time- the reason I kept reading because I was intrigued to see how come this book was a bestseller in its day. But it’s understandable why it is practically unheard of today unless it’s someone like me who likes to dig up little known musty books from antique shops.
Don’t waste your time- the reason I kept reading because I was intrigued to see how come this book was a bestseller in its day. But it’s understandable why it is practically unheard of today unless it’s someone like me who likes to dig up little known musty books from antique shops.
July 3, 2021
Very Entertaining
This story is very enjoyable if I suspend my modern views and remember that things were different in the 1860s. I really like the character development and the twists at the end. The father is my favorite character, he's so colorful. Holmes writes descriptions of the surroundings and of the weather very well. This is a fast, clean read. I only found a couple of minor editing errors; I was impressed.
This story is very enjoyable if I suspend my modern views and remember that things were different in the 1860s. I really like the character development and the twists at the end. The father is my favorite character, he's so colorful. Holmes writes descriptions of the surroundings and of the weather very well. This is a fast, clean read. I only found a couple of minor editing errors; I was impressed.
May 15, 2022
I read this because I heard that Mary Jane Holmes was the American Jane Austen of her time, but her works didn't remain popular. So I was curious. However, I see why her work didn't stand the test of time....horrifying racial views even for the time in which it was written, characters are too one-dimensional, it's very preachy, the amount of coincidences that needed to happen for the plot to play out was not believable.
March 17, 2021
Two sisters. Both so very different. The shenanigans that play out are like a soap opera. Lies, deceit, betrayal, and maliciousness by one. Interesting take on how awareness blossoms.
Warning: use of racial stereotypes and slurs
Warning: use of racial stereotypes and slurs
October 5, 2022
Too much drama and angst. I am surprised that readers on Librivox have compared Julia with Scarlett. Scarlett had plenty of redeemable qualities whereas Julia had none. Julia was a vile and detestable character. I don't think I'll be recommending this book to anyone soon.
June 11, 2018
Talk about a soap! You name it? It happened. (Okay-- not quite.) I was exhausted emotionally and didn't care at the end because I didn't have any emotions left.
January 24, 2022
It wasn't my cup of tea
It was fine during the beginning, but after day through it got stupid. I felt at the end it dried up
It was fine during the beginning, but after day through it got stupid. I felt at the end it dried up
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews