Night Jasmine

by Mary Lou Widmer

TWO MEN...ONE LOVE... Brutally exposed to the naked facts of life, Katie Raspanti fled the dingy hovels of the slums to become a kitchen maid in New Orleans's most elegant household. She was no more than a child, but all too soon she became the tantalizing beauty who commanded the hearts of two brothers, both willing to abandon family and fortune to be at her side. Never, ever, did Katie dream that she would be the one to ignite the passions that would divide the legendary Eagan family, that would drive the Eagan boys to greatness, that would propel her to the top of New Orleans society and beyond... NIGHT JASMINE

Genres: Fiction, Book Club

479 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

I am a native of New Orleans, graduate of Loyola University,author of 12 published books, fiction & non-fiction, historian, former teacher, mother of two, grandmother of four.

Reviews

[Babette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book went from a 5 to a 4 a quarter of the way through the book.... 1/2 way through, to a 3.... 3/4, it went down to a 2. I couldn't wait to be done with this book. SO disappointing to see such a beautiful, descriptive, old fashioned love story with beautiful writing turn to an early 1900's Jerry Springer show that meets some teen Nickelodeon show. Wow, I think this is my first really bad book review- probably because it pisses me off that such great writing eventually trickles to crap! And, because I love an old fashioned love story, though it started out as one, it didn't end as one! It makes me mad! LOL 2 stars only because the author can write, up until the end!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting because it's set in NOLA in the early 1900s, but somewhat cheesy.

[Kate Kraus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Night Jasmine, while I was not expecting to really enjoy it due to a few factors, was better than I had expected, and I did finish it relatively quickly. This book; however, surpassed some expectations and the author developed an intriguing storyline for the majority of the book whilst then destroying some of that storyline in that last -approximately- 100 pages. Throughout this story Katie develops from an obedient, yet still independent and strong, teenaged girl helping her mother to raise her siblings to a mother of two, who hast faced discrimination due to being poor, hast battled depression, and hast dealt with the grievances of many close to her heart. When Katie seems to have built her perfect life, after the loss of her mother and brother, she receives the heartbreaking news that her husband, whom she had a classic forbidden romance story with in the beginning, has died in action. Katie enters a depression following this news, and her brother, whom she had a broken relationship with when he chose to enter seminary, helps to bring her out of this and remind her of her reason to keep going, her two sons. Later in the story Charlotte comes to the realization that her life will amount to no true value if she does not get out of her mother's cruel watchful eye, this then leads to Charlotte running to be with her fiancé who then leaves her to find out she is pregnant, thus leading her to be kicked out of her mother's home and leading to her tragically committing suicide. The book could have easily ended with Katie coming out of depression or even with Charlotte's death for a deeper and more abrupt ending; however, Warren returns and marries Katie after his brother's death and the flower Katie found as a teenager is then revealed to have been left by him. Whilst this was intended to be a plot twist and supposedly sweet gesture from Warren due to his confession to loving her his whole life it had been formally assumed by Katie that it was left by Stephen, her first husband, as they had a forbidden romance, and the flower had added to this mysterious and true love story between the two. Many characters throughout this book taught very meaningful life lessons and it was a book truly written well, but sadly ended rather disappointingly. Overall, had Warren not married Katie, or come rushing home to be with her, and had that flower detail not been changed this book would have kept the 5 stars I intended to give it up to the last 100 pages as some of the beloved storyline was thus changed with no benefit or conclusions amongst those pages. I thoroughly apologize for how long this review got to be, and do overall recommend this book should you be old enough, and mature enough, to understand some more serious topics.

[Kristi Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the umpteenth time I've re-read this book and while teenage me would have given it a five, adult me can't put my finger on why but it just wasn't the same this time around.

[Aimee Naquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down! 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was in the middle of the book. Katie and Stephen were happily married with 2 boys. They had a nice house. They were caring for Katie's sisters. Katie had a limited reconiliation with her father before his death. Stephen got a promotion and held several pattents. Life was good. And I stopped because this was the middle of the book. I asked Stacy to tell me the rest of the story for book club.

I need to bring the book back to the library so i think i am going to quit with my happy ending.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it was amazing. It was just soooooo good and I loved that it was in New Orleans. Like all my friends read it and it's just awesome. I think people who like romantic, historical fictions would love it. It reminded me of the Titanic but it was much less dramatic but it was full of drama!

[Rachel Douglass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I remember falling in love with so I thought I’d give it a reread 10 years later. It’s not as earth shattering as I remember but it’s still beautiful. I didn’t remember much of the plot so it was entertaining. It’s very niche New Orleans but I loved seeing my home in the turn of the century era.

[Nikki Duplantier]

This is my all time favorite book. I've read many books before this, but this book I have fallen in love with. Matter of fact, all of Mary Lou Widmer's books are amazing and I recommend this to everyone.

[Christine Durant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in New Orleans this is a book of a girl who you can really cheer for. She pulls through time after time when life hands her lemons and does so with a cheerful but realistic perspective. It's refreshing and enjoyable the whole way through.

[Frances Boos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting

I am from New Orleans and I loved reading about all of the places I am familiar with. The story was told wonderfully. It held my attention throughout. I would recommend it too my friend Diane.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read! I highly recommend it.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so....AWESOME!!! I'm not done yet but it is the best summer reading book EVER!!!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite!

[Tcouret · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

[Leslie Faucheux · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite books ever!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most favorite book of all time!!

[annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I read this was in high school and I’ve never forgotten this story. I have such a high regard for this book even though I do NOT like the ending!!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Book Ever!!! A Must Read!!

[LRF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah, I bet you would like this one.

[Claire Borges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Changes how I see life! Alot of adult content.