The Mirage

Morland Dynasty #22

by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

George Morland, newly master of Morland Place, embarks on a grand improvement and expansion of the estate. His sister Henrietta, eager to be both good and useful, marries the scholarly rector, Mr Fortescue. And in London, their cousin Lady Venetia Fleetwood, moved by the medical horrors of the Franco-Prussian war, sets out to become a doctor. But the agricultural slump threatens Morland Place with ruin; the medical world rejects Venetia with contempt; and Mr Fortescue proves to be not what he seems. The Morlands have to come to terms with hard reality, and find their happiness in other, unexpected places.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Family Saga, Romance, Fiction

509 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)

Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.

She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.

She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.

In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.

Reviews

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found my new guilty read! Lovely combination of Maeve Binchy and Penny Vincenzi. Will endeavor to read all 22+ books following the Morland dynasty. I just gobble this stuff up :D

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I highly recommend starting this series at the beginning, in order to understand the various interrelationships between the characters. Therefore my review/synopsis is hidden.


It is 1870, and a new, younger generation of Morlands takes center stage in this book. After his father's death, George assumes the role as lord of the manor and quickly marry. His new bride is quick to take over management of the house, with many changes — especially to the lives of the younger children.

In London, Charlotte's daughters Venetia and Olivia have very different ambitions: despite all the obstacles in her way, Venetia wishes desperately to become a doctor; while Olivia happily settles for an appointment at court, serving the Queen for four months at a time.


Set against the backdrop of high Victorian era, this is another fascinating story full of interesting, well-drawn characters. Highly recommended.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoy this series, but one thing I hate about it is when a character suddenly starts acting in a way that's completely opposite of how they were depicted previously. Charlotte's husband (and Venetia's father) After supporting Charlotte's hospital work and nursing in the Crimea, Oliver suddenly becomes a domestic tyrant in this book. What the actual F?

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mirage is another excellent instalment of the Morland family fortunes, this time focused mostly around two women, Henrietta and Venetia. Henrietta finds herself in a somewhat dubious marriage to rector, Mr Fortescue, while Venetia ploughs on with her plan to be a doctor, against all that is expected of a young lady in the 1870s. Splendid!

[Sylvie Gallimore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so interesting

The first few books were gripping but I found this one too far fetched and predictable. It is the first one I have not enjoyed.

[TONI HARRIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another chapter in the series that gives me a hit of historical fiction every month.
Just about to start book number 23!

[Winifred · Rating 4 out of 5]

the continuing saga of the moorland family. Benedict dies in Egypt and George inherits moorland. he marries Alfreda Turlingham whose brother kit runs up a lot of debts. Venetia would like to become a doctor but is unable to find a place as she is a woman. Venetia gets a place at st agthas but she does not use her proper name. Henerietta George's sister marries a mr fortescue. Kit dies in terrible circumstances.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the Franco-Prussian War, one of the young Morland women resolves to become a doctor. Not an impossible task in Victorian England, but a difficult one. Meanwhile, other family members have their own troubles.

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this had been the first book of the series I would have never read any more of them. The characters were not likeable and boring. One wonders who her role models are for so many unattractive, dysfunctional and insensitive human beings for her characters.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this point, things are getting very complicated in the Morland family line. I'm missing the order of the manor itself. The storyline in this episode seems very similar to one set earlier. The wife doesn't like the Morlands, has married for unaltruistic reasons, etc.

[Sam Still Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started off a bit slowly, but improved with Venetia's story. The last 100 or so pages was very dramatic!

[Julie VanderLaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the reviews and summary made it sound!!