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Waltzing in Ragtime
Award-winning young-adult novelist Eileen Charbonneau now turns her storytelling powers and lauded historical research to her first adult the epic story of two people drawn together from dramatically different spheres of society.
As the turn of the century, San Francisco is a far cry from its gold rush days. The railroads have ushered in an era of rapid change and industrialization in California. In the mansions on Russian Hill, powerful men build financial empires by pillaging a landscape rich in natural resources.
The daughter of a lumber baron, Olana Whittaker is struggling to make it on her own as a journalist for the Gold Coast Chronicle. She resents having to use a male pseudonym to be read seriously.
Covering the grand opening from Sequoia National Parks, Olana meets forest ranger Matthew Hart, who speaks with passion on the need for protecting nature. Hart has little time for people, especially those who destroy forests. But when the pair are trapped in an early blizzard, Olana learns to appreciate both Hart and the land he is fighting to protect from men like her father.
Over the years that follow, Olana and Matt will part - and come together again - as they live through the turbulent early years of the new century and learn the heartbreaks and joys that come with living, loving, and pursuing their destinies.
As the turn of the century, San Francisco is a far cry from its gold rush days. The railroads have ushered in an era of rapid change and industrialization in California. In the mansions on Russian Hill, powerful men build financial empires by pillaging a landscape rich in natural resources.
The daughter of a lumber baron, Olana Whittaker is struggling to make it on her own as a journalist for the Gold Coast Chronicle. She resents having to use a male pseudonym to be read seriously.
Covering the grand opening from Sequoia National Parks, Olana meets forest ranger Matthew Hart, who speaks with passion on the need for protecting nature. Hart has little time for people, especially those who destroy forests. But when the pair are trapped in an early blizzard, Olana learns to appreciate both Hart and the land he is fighting to protect from men like her father.
Over the years that follow, Olana and Matt will part - and come together again - as they live through the turbulent early years of the new century and learn the heartbreaks and joys that come with living, loving, and pursuing their destinies.
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First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
Eileen Charbonneau
32 books57 followersEileen Charbonneau is the author of award-winning historical novels for adults and young people. Her stories explore America through eyes of her immigrants, her native peoples, her women. Eileen’s books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and many others. She runs a small bed and breakfast inn with her husband in the brave little state of Vermont, where the world appears on their doorstep to see the leaves go glorious evey autumn. Eileen is addicted to maple creemies, period dramas and American roots music.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 9, 2014
Evocative and beautifully written, this story features a somewhat neglected (though no less magical) historical setting, a tough yet tender heroine, and a wounded hero who'll melt your heart. A modern woman's historical heroine, budding journalist and wealthy heiress Olana Whittaker is the perfect match for grizzled, damaged hero and proto-conservationist, Matthew Hart. Reminiscent of 'Legends of the Fall' with a west coast setting, elements of magical realism, and a delightful blend of sweeping epic and intimate romance, this story will stay with you long after you reach the end.
November 10, 2015
This may possibly be the WORST book that I have ever read. The writing is extremely choppy, I had to reread several passages three or more times to try to make sense of what was going on, the characters feel very inauthentic, and especially in Matthew's case, silly and largely irrelevant. Furthermore, the plot jumps all over the place, with secondary and tertiary characters randomly popping back into the story with no legitimate reason for being there.
Bought it in a thrift store for $0.50 and I feel like I was ripped off.
Bought it in a thrift store for $0.50 and I feel like I was ripped off.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
May 21, 2023Not sure why I tried to read this. An LFL find that somehow looked interesting at the time? In any case, I quickly found that it's not for me. May 2023
June 9, 2013
This was an excellent story about the lives of Matt and Olana in and around San Francisco leading up to and during the great earthquake of 1906. Matt is a ranger in the newly formed Sequoia national park and Olana is the privileged daughter of a lumber baron. Their lives wind together through adventure, dark history, heartache to triumph.
August 14, 2007
I am re-reading this western adventure as I prepare my own journey to the modern day west. San Francisco here I come!
May 3, 2021
From a prolific, award-winning author of historical fiction and historical romance, this novel is one of her earlier works and still among my favorites from her celebrated career. A marvelous, passionate and engaging love story that deals intelligently and seriously with the always related issues of nature's spiritual essence and the problems of urban development.
November 11, 2024
Loved the San Francisco & Red Wood background info.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews