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Wild at Heart
They called him "the lost man." He was beautiful, wild. Raised by wolves, without speech, without civilization. And when he was captured and locked in a room to be studied by scientists, he was treated more like an animal than a human being.
Only Sydney, daughter of a renowned anthropologist, saw beyond the wildness to the man. Something in his fierce loneliness called to her, imploring her to help him—to save him. Fascinated, drawn by compassion and then desire, Sydney used gentleness to tame him, patience to educate him, kindness to make him her friend. And he would need a friend, for the world was not nearly so understanding, and his new life was still haunted by the mysterious tragedy of his past.
But now he wanted more from her than friendship. He wanted all of her—her love, her heart, and her soul.
Only Sydney, daughter of a renowned anthropologist, saw beyond the wildness to the man. Something in his fierce loneliness called to her, imploring her to help him—to save him. Fascinated, drawn by compassion and then desire, Sydney used gentleness to tame him, patience to educate him, kindness to make him her friend. And he would need a friend, for the world was not nearly so understanding, and his new life was still haunted by the mysterious tragedy of his past.
But now he wanted more from her than friendship. He wanted all of her—her love, her heart, and her soul.
362 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
45 people are currently reading
1487 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Gaffney
40 books319 followersPatricia Gaffney was born in Tampa, Florida, and grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, and also studied literature at Royal Holloway College of the University of London, at George Washington University, and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
After college, Gaffney taught 12th grade English for a year before becoming a freelance court reporter, a job she pursued in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., for the next fifteen years.
Her first book, a historical romance, was published by Dorchester in 1989. Between then and 1997, she wrote 11 more romance novels (Dorchester; Penguin USA), for which she was nominated for or won many awards. Many of these previously out of print classics are available again today as digitally reissued classics, including the author's most recently re-released and much beloved novels in The Wyckerley Trilogy.
In 1999, she went in a new direction with her hardcover fiction debut, The Saving Graces (HarperCollins). A contemporary story about four women friends, the novel explored issues of love, friendship, trust, and commitment among women. The Saving Graces enjoyed bestseller status on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and other lists.
Circle of Three (2000), Flight Lessons (2002), and The Goodbye Summer (2004) followed, all national bestsellers. Gaffney’s most recent novel was Mad Dash (2007), a humorous but insightful look at a 20-year marriage, told from the viewpoints of both longsuffering spouses.
More recently, Pat's been indulging her purely creative side in a brand new format for her -- novellas. With friends including J. D. Robb, she has contributed stories to three anthologies, all New York Times bestsellers. In "The Dog Days of Laurie Summer" (The Lost, 2009), a woman in a troubled marriage "dies" and comes back as the family dog. "The Dancing Ghost" (The Other Side, 2010) brings together a pretty spinster and a shady ghost buster in 1895 New England. And in "Dear One" (The Unquiet, 2011), a fake phone psychic (or IS she?) meets her match in a stuffy Capitol Hill lobbyist -- who couldn't possibly be that sexy-voiced cowboy from Medicine Bend who keeps calling the psychic line.
Patricia Gaffney lives in southern Pennsylvania with her husband.
After college, Gaffney taught 12th grade English for a year before becoming a freelance court reporter, a job she pursued in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., for the next fifteen years.
Her first book, a historical romance, was published by Dorchester in 1989. Between then and 1997, she wrote 11 more romance novels (Dorchester; Penguin USA), for which she was nominated for or won many awards. Many of these previously out of print classics are available again today as digitally reissued classics, including the author's most recently re-released and much beloved novels in The Wyckerley Trilogy.
In 1999, she went in a new direction with her hardcover fiction debut, The Saving Graces (HarperCollins). A contemporary story about four women friends, the novel explored issues of love, friendship, trust, and commitment among women. The Saving Graces enjoyed bestseller status on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and other lists.
Circle of Three (2000), Flight Lessons (2002), and The Goodbye Summer (2004) followed, all national bestsellers. Gaffney’s most recent novel was Mad Dash (2007), a humorous but insightful look at a 20-year marriage, told from the viewpoints of both longsuffering spouses.
More recently, Pat's been indulging her purely creative side in a brand new format for her -- novellas. With friends including J. D. Robb, she has contributed stories to three anthologies, all New York Times bestsellers. In "The Dog Days of Laurie Summer" (The Lost, 2009), a woman in a troubled marriage "dies" and comes back as the family dog. "The Dancing Ghost" (The Other Side, 2010) brings together a pretty spinster and a shady ghost buster in 1895 New England. And in "Dear One" (The Unquiet, 2011), a fake phone psychic (or IS she?) meets her match in a stuffy Capitol Hill lobbyist -- who couldn't possibly be that sexy-voiced cowboy from Medicine Bend who keeps calling the psychic line.
Patricia Gaffney lives in southern Pennsylvania with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
September 24, 2015
I was hoping for more "wild man" than we got here, since I am always on the lookout for Tarzan/Jungle Book/Raised by Wolves/Unused to Society types of stories.
The first part of Wild at Heart sort of touched on Michael's transition from the wild, but it was less about Michael and more about how everyone else reacted to him. I would have liked to delved further into Michael's head for this (very brief) amount of time when he was not quite yet civilized.
But then, it was over way too soon and the story moved on to other adventures. Time spent in a learning environment must have been deemed too tedious for readers or something because instead, the characters were exploring Chicago and checking out Whorehouses. Okayyyy.
But the book was named Wild at Heart. I wanted more wild, and less other stuff...
...and then the last part of the book was off and running in yet another direction.
I will say that I did warm to the sweetness of Sydney and Michael as a blossoming couple. Their time together tugged at the heartstrings. Innocent men are so darn adorable.
As a romance, the story succeeded, and succeeded quite well. As a wild man story, it all sort of floundered and fizzled out. If you do read this, I would suggest going into this book for the sole purpose of reading a darling romance (points for the woman being far more experienced than the man) set near the turn of the century - and not the turn of this century. ;)
The first part of Wild at Heart sort of touched on Michael's transition from the wild, but it was less about Michael and more about how everyone else reacted to him. I would have liked to delved further into Michael's head for this (very brief) amount of time when he was not quite yet civilized.
But then, it was over way too soon and the story moved on to other adventures. Time spent in a learning environment must have been deemed too tedious for readers or something because instead, the characters were exploring Chicago and checking out Whorehouses. Okayyyy.
But the book was named Wild at Heart. I wanted more wild, and less other stuff...
...and then the last part of the book was off and running in yet another direction.
I will say that I did warm to the sweetness of Sydney and Michael as a blossoming couple. Their time together tugged at the heartstrings. Innocent men are so darn adorable.
As a romance, the story succeeded, and succeeded quite well. As a wild man story, it all sort of floundered and fizzled out. If you do read this, I would suggest going into this book for the sole purpose of reading a darling romance (points for the woman being far more experienced than the man) set near the turn of the century - and not the turn of this century. ;)
May 23, 2021
4.5 stars
The book starts off a little slow, and it took me a little while to get used to the authors writing style, but hang in there it gets good.
I wont re tell the story since the summary does a pretty good job, so I will stick to only important things.
I found this to really got my emotions going, especially the beginning. The first half of the book I found myself so sympathetic to the hero. I hated that they were But what I hated most of all was how spineless the heroine was (up to about 70%). She was spineless because the author wrote her suitably for the time period. As a woman of propriety was would act. I did like that she was battling herself inside and in her own way she did try to help when she saw these injustices. She knew she was weak and had a hard time rebelling. Eventually she does.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't HATE the heroine, I was just frustrated with
The hero I TOTALLY loved. He was just so sweet and innocent. I loved how he loved animals, especially wolves. I can relate because I hate zoos, circuses and aquariums for the cruelty of keeping wild animals contained.
The heroine's older brother (Phillip) was at first likable, but then I got angry when
Sam, the little brother was just darling and adorable, while the father was soooooo irritating. A complete and stereotypical absent minded professor. It got on my nerves.
The courtroom drama in the end was excellent. And ended well with a nice surprise.
In short I really liked the book, but I didn't love it until about 70%, that's when the H & h really come together and angst and tension pretty much go away. There is a HEA and ILY's and it is all very beautiful.
To sum it up- decent pace (although a bit slow at times) well developed characters, good conflict, unique story, perfect hero, and sweet romance.
Content concerns:
Would I recommend it to friends? yes.
The book starts off a little slow, and it took me a little while to get used to the authors writing style, but hang in there it gets good.
I wont re tell the story since the summary does a pretty good job, so I will stick to only important things.
I found this to really got my emotions going, especially the beginning. The first half of the book I found myself so sympathetic to the hero. I hated that they were But what I hated most of all was how spineless the heroine was (up to about 70%). She was spineless because the author wrote her suitably for the time period. As a woman of propriety was would act. I did like that she was battling herself inside and in her own way she did try to help when she saw these injustices. She knew she was weak and had a hard time rebelling. Eventually she does.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't HATE the heroine, I was just frustrated with
The hero I TOTALLY loved. He was just so sweet and innocent. I loved how he loved animals, especially wolves. I can relate because I hate zoos, circuses and aquariums for the cruelty of keeping wild animals contained.
The heroine's older brother (Phillip) was at first likable, but then I got angry when
Sam, the little brother was just darling and adorable, while the father was soooooo irritating. A complete and stereotypical absent minded professor. It got on my nerves.
The courtroom drama in the end was excellent. And ended well with a nice surprise.
In short I really liked the book, but I didn't love it until about 70%, that's when the H & h really come together and angst and tension pretty much go away. There is a HEA and ILY's and it is all very beautiful.
To sum it up- decent pace (although a bit slow at times) well developed characters, good conflict, unique story, perfect hero, and sweet romance.
Content concerns:
Would I recommend it to friends? yes.
October 14, 2010
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" Wild at Heart is a beautiful and unique book, perhaps not to literature in general, since it's overarching plot of a “lost man” being found in the wilderness apparently unable to speak is reminiscent of stories such as Tarzan or The Jungle Book. However, for the romance genre, it is definitely an unusual tale. Patricia Gaffney certainly appears to have done her homework, giving the reader authentic historical and scientific tidbits throughout the novel. The heroine's father is an anthropologist, and the experiments he tries with Michael as well as some of the terminology in general seemed scientifically sound. She also depicted in detail the often inhumane conditions in which zoo animals were kept in the late 1800s. Most enjoyable of all to me though, were Ms. Gaffney's descriptions of the exhibits and attractions at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. I had never read any stories that incorporated a World's Fair, so this was quite fascinating, driving me to do a bit of research on my own. Last but not least, I felt that the author managed to keep her characters within the stricter social mores of the era, which is something that many historical romance authors tend to overlook.
Wild at Heart primarily focuses on Michael, “the lost man,” and his journey from being found, to being used as a science experiment, to re-learning all the things he had “forgotten” while surviving in the wilderness and then learning anew how to navigate through the social structure of a large city, while also becoming a valued member of the family of the anthropologist who was studying him. It was a joy watching him grow and change from a boy in a man's body to a more mature individual. Michael was incredibly intelligent, soaking up information like a sponge as Sydney and her brothers taught him about everything from reading and writing to playing games. He had an innate curiosity and an insatiable desire to learn, devouring all the books Sydney would bring him and still wanting more. It was so cute how when they took him to the World's Fair he was virtually inexhaustible and could barely be pried away. Michael is almost too sweet for words, especially in the beginning. He also can be funny, and quite thoughtful, often taking the time to ponder things very deeply. Having grown up around wild animals and counted them as his only friends, he has an intense love of all living creatures. I think the thing I loved most about Michael is his honesty. Since he hasn't been around other human beings enough to become cynical, he is totally guileless, which makes everything he says, especially to Sydney thoroughly beautiful and sincere. He just doesn't know how not to be honest. Michael also has an instinctive sense of morality, which makes him understand the difference between “having sex” and “making love,” even though Sydney's brother, Phillip, nearly leads him wrong, and he just knows in his heart, right from the beginning, that the only woman he wants is Sydney. Michael is quite possibly the most gentle, sensitive, loving and passionate romance hero I've ever read, and I absolutely loved him.
Sydney is a widow who is still grieving for her husband eighteen months after his death. They were only married a year, and had a loving relationship, although Sydney always felt that their marriage lacked true passion. She has also spent most of her life trying to please her family, and was particularly looking for the approval of her father who always seems to be too caught up in his science experiments to take notice of his children. As such, she has a “don't rock the boat” mentality, while Phillip is the more rebellious one, trying to get her to break free. Sydney slowly begins to come to Michael's defense, and eventually becomes his most ardent supporter. I did find myself wishing during the early parts of the book that she would stand up for herself a little more, particularly with her father, aunt and almost-fiancée. She tended to take a more passive-aggressive approach, but when she finally decided to take her brother's advice, she did it in a big way. Her actions made a lot of people angry at first, but I think that in the end, it was what also made them finally give her the respect she deserved. What I liked most about Sydney was her patience and tenderness with Michael, never truly fearing him, giving him the gift of her trust, teaching him, and loving him when he couldn't remember ever having felt the love of another human being in his life.
Wild at Heart had a very colorful cast of secondary characters who really enhanced the story rather than bogging it down. Sydney's little brother, Sam, is such a cute kid, and I was thrilled to finally read a child character who actually acts like a child instead of a miniature adult. He is fascinated with Michael from their first meeting, and views him as a second big brother. He's always excited to spend time with Michael and teach him things, in an exuberant way that only a kid could possess. Having been pushed into studying science when he really wanted to be a writer, Phillip is rather cynical and rebellious. It's obvious that he adores his siblings though, and it was great to see him grow throughout the story and have a hint of an HEA of his own by the end. Dr. Harley Winter is a brilliant scientist, but not a particularly interactive father. He tends to get completely lost in his work and intellectual pondering, rarely making an actual decision unless forced to do so. When Harley's wife died, his spinster sister, Estelle, became the matron of the house. She is a stern lady who is essentially feared, or at the very least, not well-liked by anyone. I was really thrilled to see Sydney make peace with both her father and Aunt Estelle before the end of the book, because I thought it showed how vitally important family is even when they don't always agree or get along.
The main thing that kept Wild at Heart from being a perfect read for me is that the pace was rather slow, especially in the beginning, and sometimes the voice was a little too passive to be able to fully engage my emotions. Things did pick up later in the story though, and there were a few times I had a very difficult time putting it down. I also admit that the languid pace was in some ways necessary. For example, the fast and frequent sexual encounters that are found in some romances would not have been appropriate here with Michael being so childlike at the start. Instead, the author keeps his and Sydney's romantic interactions very proper with sexual tension being created through small shared intimacies that slowly build on one another, with things going just a little further each time they come together. One of my favorites scenes in the entire book is when Sydney tells Michael they aren't kissing enough and asks for “just kisses.” A more measured scene like this can be quite sensual, because it's all about holding back and letting the passion build. There are only a handful of love scenes in the book all of which are only moderately descriptive, but when they happened, I thought they were utterly beautiful. Once again, I was floored by how powerful it can be to use a virginal hero, because if written well, their enthusiasm for the act alone can be quite intoxicating.
In spite of some occasional predictability, Wild at Heart was an incredibly memorable book with lots to set it apart from other romances. Heroes as sweet and perfect as Michael are hard to come by and after a less than stellar male lead in my last book, he was just what the doctor ordered. I borrowed Wild at Heart from the library, but have every intention of seeking out a copy for my keeper shelf as I can't even fathom not wanting to re-read it at some point. This was my first book by Patricia Gaffney, but after a lovely read like this, I'll definitely be checking out her backlist.
"4.5 stars" Wild at Heart is a beautiful and unique book, perhaps not to literature in general, since it's overarching plot of a “lost man” being found in the wilderness apparently unable to speak is reminiscent of stories such as Tarzan or The Jungle Book. However, for the romance genre, it is definitely an unusual tale. Patricia Gaffney certainly appears to have done her homework, giving the reader authentic historical and scientific tidbits throughout the novel. The heroine's father is an anthropologist, and the experiments he tries with Michael as well as some of the terminology in general seemed scientifically sound. She also depicted in detail the often inhumane conditions in which zoo animals were kept in the late 1800s. Most enjoyable of all to me though, were Ms. Gaffney's descriptions of the exhibits and attractions at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. I had never read any stories that incorporated a World's Fair, so this was quite fascinating, driving me to do a bit of research on my own. Last but not least, I felt that the author managed to keep her characters within the stricter social mores of the era, which is something that many historical romance authors tend to overlook.
Wild at Heart primarily focuses on Michael, “the lost man,” and his journey from being found, to being used as a science experiment, to re-learning all the things he had “forgotten” while surviving in the wilderness and then learning anew how to navigate through the social structure of a large city, while also becoming a valued member of the family of the anthropologist who was studying him. It was a joy watching him grow and change from a boy in a man's body to a more mature individual. Michael was incredibly intelligent, soaking up information like a sponge as Sydney and her brothers taught him about everything from reading and writing to playing games. He had an innate curiosity and an insatiable desire to learn, devouring all the books Sydney would bring him and still wanting more. It was so cute how when they took him to the World's Fair he was virtually inexhaustible and could barely be pried away. Michael is almost too sweet for words, especially in the beginning. He also can be funny, and quite thoughtful, often taking the time to ponder things very deeply. Having grown up around wild animals and counted them as his only friends, he has an intense love of all living creatures. I think the thing I loved most about Michael is his honesty. Since he hasn't been around other human beings enough to become cynical, he is totally guileless, which makes everything he says, especially to Sydney thoroughly beautiful and sincere. He just doesn't know how not to be honest. Michael also has an instinctive sense of morality, which makes him understand the difference between “having sex” and “making love,” even though Sydney's brother, Phillip, nearly leads him wrong, and he just knows in his heart, right from the beginning, that the only woman he wants is Sydney. Michael is quite possibly the most gentle, sensitive, loving and passionate romance hero I've ever read, and I absolutely loved him.
Sydney is a widow who is still grieving for her husband eighteen months after his death. They were only married a year, and had a loving relationship, although Sydney always felt that their marriage lacked true passion. She has also spent most of her life trying to please her family, and was particularly looking for the approval of her father who always seems to be too caught up in his science experiments to take notice of his children. As such, she has a “don't rock the boat” mentality, while Phillip is the more rebellious one, trying to get her to break free. Sydney slowly begins to come to Michael's defense, and eventually becomes his most ardent supporter. I did find myself wishing during the early parts of the book that she would stand up for herself a little more, particularly with her father, aunt and almost-fiancée. She tended to take a more passive-aggressive approach, but when she finally decided to take her brother's advice, she did it in a big way. Her actions made a lot of people angry at first, but I think that in the end, it was what also made them finally give her the respect she deserved. What I liked most about Sydney was her patience and tenderness with Michael, never truly fearing him, giving him the gift of her trust, teaching him, and loving him when he couldn't remember ever having felt the love of another human being in his life.
Wild at Heart had a very colorful cast of secondary characters who really enhanced the story rather than bogging it down. Sydney's little brother, Sam, is such a cute kid, and I was thrilled to finally read a child character who actually acts like a child instead of a miniature adult. He is fascinated with Michael from their first meeting, and views him as a second big brother. He's always excited to spend time with Michael and teach him things, in an exuberant way that only a kid could possess. Having been pushed into studying science when he really wanted to be a writer, Phillip is rather cynical and rebellious. It's obvious that he adores his siblings though, and it was great to see him grow throughout the story and have a hint of an HEA of his own by the end. Dr. Harley Winter is a brilliant scientist, but not a particularly interactive father. He tends to get completely lost in his work and intellectual pondering, rarely making an actual decision unless forced to do so. When Harley's wife died, his spinster sister, Estelle, became the matron of the house. She is a stern lady who is essentially feared, or at the very least, not well-liked by anyone. I was really thrilled to see Sydney make peace with both her father and Aunt Estelle before the end of the book, because I thought it showed how vitally important family is even when they don't always agree or get along.
The main thing that kept Wild at Heart from being a perfect read for me is that the pace was rather slow, especially in the beginning, and sometimes the voice was a little too passive to be able to fully engage my emotions. Things did pick up later in the story though, and there were a few times I had a very difficult time putting it down. I also admit that the languid pace was in some ways necessary. For example, the fast and frequent sexual encounters that are found in some romances would not have been appropriate here with Michael being so childlike at the start. Instead, the author keeps his and Sydney's romantic interactions very proper with sexual tension being created through small shared intimacies that slowly build on one another, with things going just a little further each time they come together. One of my favorites scenes in the entire book is when Sydney tells Michael they aren't kissing enough and asks for “just kisses.” A more measured scene like this can be quite sensual, because it's all about holding back and letting the passion build. There are only a handful of love scenes in the book all of which are only moderately descriptive, but when they happened, I thought they were utterly beautiful. Once again, I was floored by how powerful it can be to use a virginal hero, because if written well, their enthusiasm for the act alone can be quite intoxicating.
In spite of some occasional predictability, Wild at Heart was an incredibly memorable book with lots to set it apart from other romances. Heroes as sweet and perfect as Michael are hard to come by and after a less than stellar male lead in my last book, he was just what the doctor ordered. I borrowed Wild at Heart from the library, but have every intention of seeking out a copy for my keeper shelf as I can't even fathom not wanting to re-read it at some point. This was my first book by Patricia Gaffney, but after a lovely read like this, I'll definitely be checking out her backlist.
January 13, 2015
Overall rating: 4 stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
HEA: yes, but an epilogue would have been nice
My review:
Sydney has been a widow for about a year in a half now. She recently has moved back home after the tragic death of her husband and is trying to get her social life back on track. Her father, a scientist, has a new project that he is working on along with his assistant, Charles, who is actively trying to get Sydney to marry him. Their new project is a man they found in the wild. They are thinking they can run experiments on him to study certain traits, etc. Once Sydney meets him, Michael, she slowly realizes that he is not a "wild man" at all, but someone who was lost a long time ago. This is the journey of Sydney and Michael, how they grow to love one another. It is a beautiful, although, extremely SLOW paced love story. That's part of the reason I couldn't give it 5 stars. Also, because I am selfish and I wanted a bit more at the end. I was SO happy when they finally got together, I could just SCREAM!
Now for my friends out there that need the details regarding our hero and any possible sexual interactions please read ahead for major spoilers:
This was an enjoyable read!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
HEA: yes, but an epilogue would have been nice
My review:
Sydney has been a widow for about a year in a half now. She recently has moved back home after the tragic death of her husband and is trying to get her social life back on track. Her father, a scientist, has a new project that he is working on along with his assistant, Charles, who is actively trying to get Sydney to marry him. Their new project is a man they found in the wild. They are thinking they can run experiments on him to study certain traits, etc. Once Sydney meets him, Michael, she slowly realizes that he is not a "wild man" at all, but someone who was lost a long time ago. This is the journey of Sydney and Michael, how they grow to love one another. It is a beautiful, although, extremely SLOW paced love story. That's part of the reason I couldn't give it 5 stars. Also, because I am selfish and I wanted a bit more at the end. I was SO happy when they finally got together, I could just SCREAM!
Now for my friends out there that need the details regarding our hero and any possible sexual interactions please read ahead for major spoilers:
This was an enjoyable read!
June 20, 2021
The premise was very interesting and original, a hero who had been lost to civilisation when he was still a child and raised by wolves only to be found again as a grown man in late 19th Century Ontario, and Ms Gaffney surely knows how to write a good story, but as a whole it was an average read for me. It didn’t grab me as I thought it would going by the first half, the hero’s transition back to the human world felt too smooth to be fully believable and the heroine was kind of bland along the way.
All in all a worthwhile read though, especially if you’re looking for something standing quite outside of the box as far as historical romance tropes go.
August 24, 2024
I wasn't expecting to like this based on the plot but Gaffney is Gaffney so here we all are!
Michael is known as "the lost man," due to having survived his entire adult life isolated in the Canadian wilderness. After he's captured by a university for study, he's transferred to a nearby scientist who wants to use him to write his paper on nature vs nurture. Michael and the scientist's daughter, Sydney, hit it off right away, and she's able to coax enough information out of him to make the paper a moot point: Michael remembers his old life with his family.
Now that Michael is not of scientific use, Sydney works to help him regain his memory and expand upon what he once knew. It's an entirely unique, less patronizing version of what you would normally see in a book with a similar plot point -- Michael and Sydney's mutual devotion is Capital R Romance.
Michael is known as "the lost man," due to having survived his entire adult life isolated in the Canadian wilderness. After he's captured by a university for study, he's transferred to a nearby scientist who wants to use him to write his paper on nature vs nurture. Michael and the scientist's daughter, Sydney, hit it off right away, and she's able to coax enough information out of him to make the paper a moot point: Michael remembers his old life with his family.
Now that Michael is not of scientific use, Sydney works to help him regain his memory and expand upon what he once knew. It's an entirely unique, less patronizing version of what you would normally see in a book with a similar plot point -- Michael and Sydney's mutual devotion is Capital R Romance.
November 27, 2023
The passages where Michael recalls his life with his wolf friend were so beautiful I'm not sure how to write about them and how much they mean to me. I was not expecting this book by Patricia Gaffney to be as tender as it was. The romance slowly builds from friendship, but it was so so lovely.
January 15, 2010
I loved this book. Absolutely loved it. I stayed up way too late reading it and was tired at work today, but it was worth it. The premise is pretty out there but it was executed and written really well and you just go with it.
Michael is one of my favorite romantic heroes now. He was lost in the Canadian wilderness as a child and raised at first by Indians for a year and he lived among wolves. All this happens before the book starts.
He is found in his 20's and taken for some sociological experiments outside of Chicago. These are stopped soon enough when it's discovered that he was socialized as a child and can talk, he just hadn't in so long it was hard for him at first.
He meets Sydney, an anthologist's daughter and he falls in love for the first time. He has to adjust to living in society and learn all the rules we take for granted. Lying and sarcasm are especially hard for him at first. It would be really easy in his innocence for him to seem child-like or weak but that isn't the case at all. He's actually very intelligent. I loved it!
Michael is one of my favorite romantic heroes now. He was lost in the Canadian wilderness as a child and raised at first by Indians for a year and he lived among wolves. All this happens before the book starts.
He is found in his 20's and taken for some sociological experiments outside of Chicago. These are stopped soon enough when it's discovered that he was socialized as a child and can talk, he just hadn't in so long it was hard for him at first.
He meets Sydney, an anthologist's daughter and he falls in love for the first time. He has to adjust to living in society and learn all the rules we take for granted. Lying and sarcasm are especially hard for him at first. It would be really easy in his innocence for him to seem child-like or weak but that isn't the case at all. He's actually very intelligent. I loved it!
May 8, 2017
3 All for Michael Stars
I loved the hero Michael. He was the best part of this book. For 75% of the book I wanting to throat punch the heroine Sydney. I felt she was spineless and cowardly. She let everyone walk on her and bully her into doing what they wanted like a doormat. She almost said yes to West's marriage proposal just because she was sick of him asking over and over. She didn't stand up for the hero when her aunt would treat him like shit. I felt she didn't deserve Michael. Towards the end she finally sees the light but I loved Michael so much it just pissed me off. Michael had no one he was scared, alone and felt like he didn't fit in. He was depressed too and I felt like she should have been there for him. Don't get me wrong she helps him some teaches him to read and write ect., but he always felt like a outsider and it bothered me! Still even with Sydney's shortcomings I liked this book.
I loved the hero Michael. He was the best part of this book. For 75% of the book I wanting to throat punch the heroine Sydney. I felt she was spineless and cowardly. She let everyone walk on her and bully her into doing what they wanted like a doormat. She almost said yes to West's marriage proposal just because she was sick of him asking over and over. She didn't stand up for the hero when her aunt would treat him like shit. I felt she didn't deserve Michael. Towards the end she finally sees the light but I loved Michael so much it just pissed me off. Michael had no one he was scared, alone and felt like he didn't fit in. He was depressed too and I felt like she should have been there for him. Don't get me wrong she helps him some teaches him to read and write ect., but he always felt like a outsider and it bothered me! Still even with Sydney's shortcomings I liked this book.
May 15, 2009
I thought this story was darned near as good as it gets. It's very touching and funny, and has a unique storyline - my #1 criteria for an exceptional romance. The secondary characters were very lively and well written, the story vivid and highly evocative. Michael is the quintessential perfect hero; I loved everything about him, and will probably always regard him as one of my favorite romance heroes of all time. He's a man of strong character, convictions & courage, and even though he is considered wild & uncivilized, he shows time & again that in spite of his his ignorance of the laws and polite rules of society, he is a true gentleman in every sense of the word. This is a wonderful story and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Sensuality Rating: R
Sensuality Rating: R
December 16, 2018
4,5 - Gli introvabili di dicembre 2018 sono stati davvero una scelta azzeccata, perché erano libri che meritavano d'essere ristampati e riscoperti.
Anche di questo romanzo della Gaffney avevo sentito parlare molto, ma non avevo mai avuto occasione di leggerlo.
L'inizio mi ha ricordato, a tratti, il tema della "Figlia del matematico" (Flowers from the storm) di Laura Kinsale, visto che il protagonista è ritenuto malato e demente, e perciò relegato in prigionia, considerato pericoloso, studiato e sbeffeggiato.
Soltanto Sydney e il fratellino Sam comprendono come l'Uomo perduto sia in realtà un ragazzo spaventato, che ha perso la capacità di comunicare a parole e che nasconde un passato normale, pure con una certa istruzione.
Da qui l'intera famiglia passa ad adottare Michael e a insegnarli ciò che può (pure il fratello maggiore Philip ci mette del suo...), finché il ragazzo-lupo reagisce a certi aspetti del progresso umano che gli sembrano inaccettabili.
Poi la storia assume i contorni della fiaba, anche troppo rosei e con il sapore di un figlio perduto e ritrovato, però nel complesso è senza dubbio un romanzo dolce, a tratti intenso, e scritto bene.
Un protagonista incontaminato e gentile, una storia d'amore che nasce tra lui e la giovanissima vedova che ha smesso di sognare.
Inoltre l'autrice è stata abile a non tralasciare nessun aspetto e ad approfondire l'ambientazione dell'epoca, gli studi di antropologia del tempo, la personalità di Michael prima e dopo il suo ritrovamento/ritorno alla civiltà.
Una piccola perla, che resterà uno dei romance più particolari letti nel 2018.
Anche di questo romanzo della Gaffney avevo sentito parlare molto, ma non avevo mai avuto occasione di leggerlo.
L'inizio mi ha ricordato, a tratti, il tema della "Figlia del matematico" (Flowers from the storm) di Laura Kinsale, visto che il protagonista è ritenuto malato e demente, e perciò relegato in prigionia, considerato pericoloso, studiato e sbeffeggiato.
Soltanto Sydney e il fratellino Sam comprendono come l'Uomo perduto sia in realtà un ragazzo spaventato, che ha perso la capacità di comunicare a parole e che nasconde un passato normale, pure con una certa istruzione.
Da qui l'intera famiglia passa ad adottare Michael e a insegnarli ciò che può (pure il fratello maggiore Philip ci mette del suo...), finché il ragazzo-lupo reagisce a certi aspetti del progresso umano che gli sembrano inaccettabili.
Poi la storia assume i contorni della fiaba, anche troppo rosei e con il sapore di un figlio perduto e ritrovato, però nel complesso è senza dubbio un romanzo dolce, a tratti intenso, e scritto bene.
Un protagonista incontaminato e gentile, una storia d'amore che nasce tra lui e la giovanissima vedova che ha smesso di sognare.
Inoltre l'autrice è stata abile a non tralasciare nessun aspetto e ad approfondire l'ambientazione dell'epoca, gli studi di antropologia del tempo, la personalità di Michael prima e dopo il suo ritrovamento/ritorno alla civiltà.
Una piccola perla, che resterà uno dei romance più particolari letti nel 2018.
May 24, 2015
I absolutely love the Tarzan storyline, so I was excited to find this book! Unfortunately though, some things really bothered me. The good points were that the hero Micheal's personality was perfect. He was a patient sweetheart. But because of his sweetness... the rest of the book made me uncomfortable and embarrassed for him. I was constantly feeling his shame when the heroine's aunt, or family in general, would ridicule him, exclude him, laugh at him when he would take everything to heart. I think this book would have been a 5-star rating had the heroine been a sweet non-widow, and come from a common family instead of such a snooty society-climbing family.
November 27, 2014
*1.5 stars* I'm going to keep this review short because this book was a complete let down. This book was actually REALLY boring. You would think that a story about a man found in the woods who tried to fit back into society would be super interesting but it was not. The only exciting thing was when his family showed up but I had to read over 250 pages of nonsense before I got to that point. My main problem with the book was Sydney's character. Wow, she had no redeeming qualities whatsoever ("Oh Charles", "Oh Michael"...omg stfu already!). She was a selfish cry baby! How convenient was it for her to finally succumb to her feelings for Michael right AFTER her aunt approved of her relationship because of his status! This romance was whack. The only reason the book got a positive .5 star from me was because Sam was adorable and Michael's parents were so sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2014
This is one of my most comforting of comfort reads. I adore this story of Michael MacNeil and his poignant return to civilization. I love the slow realization that Michael is an intelligent young man who was just lost in the wilderness for years. The growing love between Michael and the young widow Sydney Barrow is tender, funny, touching and all things that are good. I want to cry every time I read about Michael's loneliness. This book is easily one of my top 10 of all time reading. I wish they had 6 or higher stars 'cause that's what I would give this one.
August 14, 2016
I really loved this. The characters are wonderful, especially the kind, lovely heroine and the sweetheart of a hero. I feel like one could nitpick the likelihood of the premise and of the story's resolution in particular, but I don't feel like it. The book was heartwarming and hopeful, and I want to hug almost everyone in it. Or roll around on the floor with them, like they were part of my wolf pack. ;)
Patricia Gaffney's writing is so much my cup of tea, it's like she wrote her novels just for me. 4.5 stars
Patricia Gaffney's writing is so much my cup of tea, it's like she wrote her novels just for me. 4.5 stars
August 11, 2010
This turned out pretty good. I liked the plot although I had wondered earlier where the story was going after they discovered he wasn't really feral but could talk and read etc. A nice little book not deep but well written. Enough that I could give this author another try. She might never be a favorite but not one I never want to see again. The historical aspect seemed well done and there were no blatant anachronisms.
just-not-for-me-stay-away-hell-no
June 17, 2016self note: nothing bad about this. just my personal triggers.
June 10, 2025
Rating: 1.5 / 5
So...here's the thing.
In a romance in which one of the characters is "wild" or uncivilized, the general "Tarzan and Jane" setup, the character in the Tarzan role--whether the hero or heroine--is very easy to write and make likeable. Seriously. Part of the reason behind this, of course, is that they're innocent and uncomplicated, unconcerned with the ridiculous things humans are usually concerned with when it comes to overcomplicating romance.
So...Michael, of course, is perfection, and the author didn't really have to put forth a lot of effort towards him.
Unfortunately though, she DOES, and I feel like all the effort she should've put in with making the civilized heroine likeable was just diverted the hero's way, making the heroine, Sydney, a complete personality-less bitch who's undecisive and just plain contradictory...
...and whom I hated, and definitely DIDN'T want to see end up with Michael.
Cue me DNFing this shit and moving on with my life.
Seriously, I won't even waste my time mentioning why specifically, because I'm pissed off enough at this book already.
Suffice to say that if you're looking for this type of premise, just check out The Jungle Book from 1994 starring Jason Scott Lee and Lena Headey. 1000000000000% times better, and with both a hero AND heroine that are actually likeable.
So...here's the thing.
In a romance in which one of the characters is "wild" or uncivilized, the general "Tarzan and Jane" setup, the character in the Tarzan role--whether the hero or heroine--is very easy to write and make likeable. Seriously. Part of the reason behind this, of course, is that they're innocent and uncomplicated, unconcerned with the ridiculous things humans are usually concerned with when it comes to overcomplicating romance.
So...Michael, of course, is perfection, and the author didn't really have to put forth a lot of effort towards him.
Unfortunately though, she DOES, and I feel like all the effort she should've put in with making the civilized heroine likeable was just diverted the hero's way, making the heroine, Sydney, a complete personality-less bitch who's undecisive and just plain contradictory...
...and whom I hated, and definitely DIDN'T want to see end up with Michael.
Cue me DNFing this shit and moving on with my life.
Seriously, I won't even waste my time mentioning why specifically, because I'm pissed off enough at this book already.
Suffice to say that if you're looking for this type of premise, just check out The Jungle Book from 1994 starring Jason Scott Lee and Lena Headey. 1000000000000% times better, and with both a hero AND heroine that are actually likeable.
February 3, 2020
This was falsely labeled as a World War I book, but I quite enjoyed the story and was happy to be misled into reading it.
Story is set in Chicago during the World Fair.
Story is set in Chicago during the World Fair.
August 22, 2025
A truly fantastic read! One of my favorites of the year!
July 9, 2025
Uma versão entre o menino Mogli e Tarzan, recontado de uma forma que apreciei muito.
Um homem é encontrado na selva e é trazido para a Universidade para ser objeto de estudos. como as pesquisas nesta não deram certo, o pai de Sydney, a mocinha, o leva pra casa para fazer um experimento com ele (Michel, o mocinho) que é vigiado porque eles temem suas reações violentas.
Mas, como Michael, não fala, pouco se sabe sobre ele.
Aos poucos, ocorre uma aproximação entre o garotinho (Sam, o irmão mais novo dela) e Sydney. E descobrem que ele teria uns oito anos quando a embarcação que ele viajava afundou com os tios e só ele sobreviveu, primeiramente com uma matriarca e dois filhos, e após sua morte, o filhos dela o abandonaram, ele se juntou a um bando de lobos e conviveu com eles bastante tempo. Alimentava-se como um animal e era completamente selvagem. Eram seus instintos que comandava...
No convívio dele com os familiares dela, aos poucos, vem `sua mente pequenos rasgos de lembranças: do nome, do acidente e que ele tinha noção de leitura, visto que, carregava sempre com ele um livro, que perdera a escrita no naufrágio. Ele, pela perda de contato com os humanos, perdeu a noção de como falar.
Embora tivesse uma aparência selvagem, era muito bonito e era capaz de aprender com rapidez; algumas coisas básicas tiveram que ser ensinadas...
Sydney era uma viúva jovem que não tinha muita força de vontade, era dominada pela tia e pelo pai. Mas, com o amor crescendo por ele, ela reage e vai à luta, crescendo muito no meu ponto de vista.
A história é surpreendente, a escrita da autora impecável, provando que existiu e exigiu muita pesquisa sobre a época.
Não me agradou muito a extensa explicação sobre a visita ao parque e sobre a fuga dos animais, embora saiba que esta última tinha que ser assim por conta dos acontecimentos futuros.
Os pontos positivos foram: a empatia entre Sam e Michael, a primeira noite dele, a delicadeza com que ela, Sydney, mostra o que desejava dele, a sensibilidade dele de só querer fazer amor a primeira vez com ela, a surpresa sobre a vida anterior dele, o julgamento foi perfeito e o epilogo que fechou bem, me agradando bastante.
Um homem é encontrado na selva e é trazido para a Universidade para ser objeto de estudos. como as pesquisas nesta não deram certo, o pai de Sydney, a mocinha, o leva pra casa para fazer um experimento com ele (Michel, o mocinho) que é vigiado porque eles temem suas reações violentas.
Mas, como Michael, não fala, pouco se sabe sobre ele.
Aos poucos, ocorre uma aproximação entre o garotinho (Sam, o irmão mais novo dela) e Sydney. E descobrem que ele teria uns oito anos quando a embarcação que ele viajava afundou com os tios e só ele sobreviveu, primeiramente com uma matriarca e dois filhos, e após sua morte, o filhos dela o abandonaram, ele se juntou a um bando de lobos e conviveu com eles bastante tempo. Alimentava-se como um animal e era completamente selvagem. Eram seus instintos que comandava...
No convívio dele com os familiares dela, aos poucos, vem `sua mente pequenos rasgos de lembranças: do nome, do acidente e que ele tinha noção de leitura, visto que, carregava sempre com ele um livro, que perdera a escrita no naufrágio. Ele, pela perda de contato com os humanos, perdeu a noção de como falar.
Embora tivesse uma aparência selvagem, era muito bonito e era capaz de aprender com rapidez; algumas coisas básicas tiveram que ser ensinadas...
Sydney era uma viúva jovem que não tinha muita força de vontade, era dominada pela tia e pelo pai. Mas, com o amor crescendo por ele, ela reage e vai à luta, crescendo muito no meu ponto de vista.
A história é surpreendente, a escrita da autora impecável, provando que existiu e exigiu muita pesquisa sobre a época.
Não me agradou muito a extensa explicação sobre a visita ao parque e sobre a fuga dos animais, embora saiba que esta última tinha que ser assim por conta dos acontecimentos futuros.
Os pontos positivos foram: a empatia entre Sam e Michael, a primeira noite dele, a delicadeza com que ela, Sydney, mostra o que desejava dele, a sensibilidade dele de só querer fazer amor a primeira vez com ela, a surpresa sobre a vida anterior dele, o julgamento foi perfeito e o epilogo que fechou bem, me agradando bastante.
December 6, 2018
4.5 - Voto
«Certamente dovremo rivalutare la situazione», rispose Charles al suo posto. «È vero che per l’antropologia potrebbe aver perso ogni valore in quanto non è più una “nullità”, come dici tu, qualcuno sul quale avremmo potuto osservare i diversi stadi della civilizzazione in un contesto empirico. Ma il suo valore per noi, come studiosi di biologia etica, non si è certo esaurito. Possiamo continuare a osservarlo come un esemplare di uomo puro, che parla appena, ma che, tuttavia, è ancora relativamente incontaminato dalla società umana: è così che lo dobbiamo considerare; un altro conto è il fatto che si tratti di un selvaggio al quale sono stati negati tutti i benefici della società umana. Dipende tutto dal particolare punto di vista di ognuno.»
«Charles!»
«E su un’altra cosa hai ragione, il suo valore può non essere più di pertinenza della scienza ma della filosofia, o della zoologia. Nel qual caso…»
«E come uomo, quanto vale? Non è una materia da studiare, Charles, è un essere umano. Non è una vostra proprietà e neanche dell’università. Non ha anche lui dei diritti? Che cosa ti impedisce di pensare che da qualche parte ci siano i suoi genitori? “Perduto” è l’unica parola che ha pronunciato prima d’oggi. Perché nessuno sta cercando di scoprire chi sia? Non capisco come possiate ancora tenerlo chiuso a chiave, o spiarlo da un buco, o giocargli quei brutti tiri in nome di alcuni esperimenti che potrebbero rivelarsi, che…»
.
Avevo letto questo libro molti anni fa, e non mi era rimasto particolarmente impresso, ma ora rileggendolo, l’ho trovato molto originale, anche se la prima parte molto lenta lo penalizza. Un giovane uomo è stato catturato da una spedizione di ornitologi, non c’è altra parola da poter usare, dato che gli hanno persino sparato, e alcuni studiosi hanno cominciato a osservarlo. Scopriremo poi che, almeno nel primo periodo, lo hanno trattato né più né meno che come un vero e proprio animale. Ma fortunatamente per lui, il professore Winter ha richiesto la sua custodia per l’intera estate per studiarlo meglio. Se in un primo tempo non sembrano fare progressi, l’incontro con il figlio più giovane del professore cambia le cose, Sam con la sua dolcezza di bambino sembra riuscire a far breccia in quell’uomo che non si fida di nessuno, e che osserva le persone attorno a lui non capendole.
Tutti e tre i fratelli Winter si ritroveranno coinvolti nello studio del padre, in special modo Sydney che scopre di avere un grande ascendente sull’uomo perduto. Rimasta vedova da poco più di un anno, viene continuamente pungolata dalla zia Estelle, che si è sempre occupata dei figli del professore, affinché si risposi ora che è tornata a vivere nella casa paterna e viene assiduamente corteggiata da Charles, l’assistente del padre. Al giovane la lega una lunga amicizia, ma Sydney non si fa grandi illusioni, sa bene che l’uomo la ritiene la strada migliore per arrivare al professor Winter e alla fama.
Non è felice di essere coinvolta nei continui esperimenti etici che il padre mette in atto per scoprire sempre di più sul suo soggetto di studio e, gradualmente arriva ad affezionarsi davvero a quest’uomo candido, incapace di menzogna. Tanto, che quando la ricerca ufficiale viene interrotta, tutti i fratelli decidono di continuare a lavorare sull’uomo per permettergli di inserirsi nella società. Fra lui e Sydney comincia a sbocciare un’attrazione dolcissima a cui la giovane donna non intende cedere: nonostante i progressi compiuti, infatti, una relazione con il giovane sarebbe assolutamente scandalosa. Anche se ora ha ricordato il suo nome, molti lo ritengono ancora un selvaggio. Eppure, quando il suo grande senso di giustizia metterà il giovane in grave pericolo, e a rischio della libertà, Sydney capirà che niente è più importante dei sentimenti che provano.
Nonostante Sydney sia un personaggio positivo, inizialmente sembra priva di spina dorsale, si fa corteggiare da un uomo che non ama, perché lo conosce da sempre e potrebbe avere con lui un matrimonio tranquillo, pur sapendo che probabilmente desidera sposarla per arrivare a suo padre. Il suo primo matrimonio è stato felice, anche se senza passione, più amici che amanti. Prova affetto per quest’uomo incapace di mentire, che non nasconde i suoi sentimenti, che vede un corteggiatore regalarle dei fiori e, per emularlo, le regala un pesce. Sente attrazione per lui, e pur consentendogli di farsi toccare e baciare, poi pretende di tornare ad avere un rapporto di pura amicizia. Sarà solo verso la fine che tirerà fuori un po’ di grinta, e sarà sincera con sé stessa.
Il piccolo Sam, invece è dolcissimo, parla a quest’uomo come se fosse un suo amico, e per questo riesce da subito a comunicare con lui come eserciti di studiosi non sono riusciti a fare in mesi.
L’uomo perduto, scoprirete poi il suo nome, è un personaggio davvero originale, ha vissuto in mezzo ai lupi imparando a comprenderli e a rispettarli, odia sentire parlare di loro come di creature sanguinarie. Non capisce perché le persone siano diverse da come appaiano, e riesce a intuire come sia fatto l’animo di un uomo sotto le apparenze. Pian piano lo vediamo acquistare sicurezza, mentre riemergono capacità come leggere e parlare che aveva solo dimenticato, sostenuto da una dirittura morale cristallina. Quando Philip, il fratello più grande di Sydney, pensa di aiutarlo a diventare un uomo e conoscere il sesso portandolo in un bordello, lui scappa. Rifiuta di concepire una doppia morale, dove a un uomo è permesso avere rapporti sessuali senza subire biasimo, mentre una donna deve rimanere casta, perché è innamorato di Sydney e pensa che non sia giusto nei suoi riguardi.
"Lily continuava a ridere senza freno, eppure lui non avrebbe mai potuto dirle la verità: che tutto in lei era sbagliato. Il suo odore, la sua voce, la sua pretesa benevolenza. Il vuoto che si celava dietro i suoi avidi occhi truccati. Lily era falsa. Ma la cosa più importante era che lei non era Sydney. Accoppiarsi con Lily? No, non poteva. Sarebbe stato… come un lupo che si accoppia con un orso. Una cosa contro natura."
La trama risulta originale, i personaggi sono ben definiti, e la scrittura della Gaffney convincente e piacevole. Il fatto poi che i protagonisti siano un uomo vergine ed una donna esperta perché vedova, risulta inusuale e regala scene passionali davvero belle e dolcissime.
L’unica pecca a mio avviso è la lentezza con cui procede la storia nella prima parte, e la scoperta dell’identità di Michel che appare fin troppo straordinaria, e purtroppo, per quanto mi riguarda, anche abbastanza prevedibile.
È un libro piacevole, ma nonostante la sua originalità e il bel personaggio maschile non è mai riuscito ad entrare fra la mia lista di preferiti anche se l’ho rivalutato molto, ma in ogni caso merita davvero di essere letto.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
«Certamente dovremo rivalutare la situazione», rispose Charles al suo posto. «È vero che per l’antropologia potrebbe aver perso ogni valore in quanto non è più una “nullità”, come dici tu, qualcuno sul quale avremmo potuto osservare i diversi stadi della civilizzazione in un contesto empirico. Ma il suo valore per noi, come studiosi di biologia etica, non si è certo esaurito. Possiamo continuare a osservarlo come un esemplare di uomo puro, che parla appena, ma che, tuttavia, è ancora relativamente incontaminato dalla società umana: è così che lo dobbiamo considerare; un altro conto è il fatto che si tratti di un selvaggio al quale sono stati negati tutti i benefici della società umana. Dipende tutto dal particolare punto di vista di ognuno.»
«Charles!»
«E su un’altra cosa hai ragione, il suo valore può non essere più di pertinenza della scienza ma della filosofia, o della zoologia. Nel qual caso…»
«E come uomo, quanto vale? Non è una materia da studiare, Charles, è un essere umano. Non è una vostra proprietà e neanche dell’università. Non ha anche lui dei diritti? Che cosa ti impedisce di pensare che da qualche parte ci siano i suoi genitori? “Perduto” è l’unica parola che ha pronunciato prima d’oggi. Perché nessuno sta cercando di scoprire chi sia? Non capisco come possiate ancora tenerlo chiuso a chiave, o spiarlo da un buco, o giocargli quei brutti tiri in nome di alcuni esperimenti che potrebbero rivelarsi, che…»
.
Avevo letto questo libro molti anni fa, e non mi era rimasto particolarmente impresso, ma ora rileggendolo, l’ho trovato molto originale, anche se la prima parte molto lenta lo penalizza. Un giovane uomo è stato catturato da una spedizione di ornitologi, non c’è altra parola da poter usare, dato che gli hanno persino sparato, e alcuni studiosi hanno cominciato a osservarlo. Scopriremo poi che, almeno nel primo periodo, lo hanno trattato né più né meno che come un vero e proprio animale. Ma fortunatamente per lui, il professore Winter ha richiesto la sua custodia per l’intera estate per studiarlo meglio. Se in un primo tempo non sembrano fare progressi, l’incontro con il figlio più giovane del professore cambia le cose, Sam con la sua dolcezza di bambino sembra riuscire a far breccia in quell’uomo che non si fida di nessuno, e che osserva le persone attorno a lui non capendole.
Tutti e tre i fratelli Winter si ritroveranno coinvolti nello studio del padre, in special modo Sydney che scopre di avere un grande ascendente sull’uomo perduto. Rimasta vedova da poco più di un anno, viene continuamente pungolata dalla zia Estelle, che si è sempre occupata dei figli del professore, affinché si risposi ora che è tornata a vivere nella casa paterna e viene assiduamente corteggiata da Charles, l’assistente del padre. Al giovane la lega una lunga amicizia, ma Sydney non si fa grandi illusioni, sa bene che l’uomo la ritiene la strada migliore per arrivare al professor Winter e alla fama.
Non è felice di essere coinvolta nei continui esperimenti etici che il padre mette in atto per scoprire sempre di più sul suo soggetto di studio e, gradualmente arriva ad affezionarsi davvero a quest’uomo candido, incapace di menzogna. Tanto, che quando la ricerca ufficiale viene interrotta, tutti i fratelli decidono di continuare a lavorare sull’uomo per permettergli di inserirsi nella società. Fra lui e Sydney comincia a sbocciare un’attrazione dolcissima a cui la giovane donna non intende cedere: nonostante i progressi compiuti, infatti, una relazione con il giovane sarebbe assolutamente scandalosa. Anche se ora ha ricordato il suo nome, molti lo ritengono ancora un selvaggio. Eppure, quando il suo grande senso di giustizia metterà il giovane in grave pericolo, e a rischio della libertà, Sydney capirà che niente è più importante dei sentimenti che provano.
Nonostante Sydney sia un personaggio positivo, inizialmente sembra priva di spina dorsale, si fa corteggiare da un uomo che non ama, perché lo conosce da sempre e potrebbe avere con lui un matrimonio tranquillo, pur sapendo che probabilmente desidera sposarla per arrivare a suo padre. Il suo primo matrimonio è stato felice, anche se senza passione, più amici che amanti. Prova affetto per quest’uomo incapace di mentire, che non nasconde i suoi sentimenti, che vede un corteggiatore regalarle dei fiori e, per emularlo, le regala un pesce. Sente attrazione per lui, e pur consentendogli di farsi toccare e baciare, poi pretende di tornare ad avere un rapporto di pura amicizia. Sarà solo verso la fine che tirerà fuori un po’ di grinta, e sarà sincera con sé stessa.
Il piccolo Sam, invece è dolcissimo, parla a quest’uomo come se fosse un suo amico, e per questo riesce da subito a comunicare con lui come eserciti di studiosi non sono riusciti a fare in mesi.
L’uomo perduto, scoprirete poi il suo nome, è un personaggio davvero originale, ha vissuto in mezzo ai lupi imparando a comprenderli e a rispettarli, odia sentire parlare di loro come di creature sanguinarie. Non capisce perché le persone siano diverse da come appaiano, e riesce a intuire come sia fatto l’animo di un uomo sotto le apparenze. Pian piano lo vediamo acquistare sicurezza, mentre riemergono capacità come leggere e parlare che aveva solo dimenticato, sostenuto da una dirittura morale cristallina. Quando Philip, il fratello più grande di Sydney, pensa di aiutarlo a diventare un uomo e conoscere il sesso portandolo in un bordello, lui scappa. Rifiuta di concepire una doppia morale, dove a un uomo è permesso avere rapporti sessuali senza subire biasimo, mentre una donna deve rimanere casta, perché è innamorato di Sydney e pensa che non sia giusto nei suoi riguardi.
"Lily continuava a ridere senza freno, eppure lui non avrebbe mai potuto dirle la verità: che tutto in lei era sbagliato. Il suo odore, la sua voce, la sua pretesa benevolenza. Il vuoto che si celava dietro i suoi avidi occhi truccati. Lily era falsa. Ma la cosa più importante era che lei non era Sydney. Accoppiarsi con Lily? No, non poteva. Sarebbe stato… come un lupo che si accoppia con un orso. Una cosa contro natura."
La trama risulta originale, i personaggi sono ben definiti, e la scrittura della Gaffney convincente e piacevole. Il fatto poi che i protagonisti siano un uomo vergine ed una donna esperta perché vedova, risulta inusuale e regala scene passionali davvero belle e dolcissime.
L’unica pecca a mio avviso è la lentezza con cui procede la storia nella prima parte, e la scoperta dell’identità di Michel che appare fin troppo straordinaria, e purtroppo, per quanto mi riguarda, anche abbastanza prevedibile.
È un libro piacevole, ma nonostante la sua originalità e il bel personaggio maschile non è mai riuscito ad entrare fra la mia lista di preferiti anche se l’ho rivalutato molto, ma in ogni caso merita davvero di essere letto.
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Lucia63 - per RFS
June 24, 2015
Can you imagine what would happen if you were a child and civilization was lost to you? No one to take care of you. Teach you. Love you. WILD AT HEART is the story of a young boy who lost his parents. Add to his confusion and grief the fact that he now lives in a unknown land and comes upon both unsavory and well-meaning characters in the form of humans and animals. And for years, this is his life.
Time continues on until one day he is caught. Believed to be 'the lost man' he is poked and prodded, caged and confined all for the sake of a well-meaning society. Until one day he sees Sydney, the daughter of an anthropologist. He doesn't know what to make of her. She is different from all the men that have surrounded him. He has lost the ability to communicate until......you'll have to read the story.
Sometimes I'm just in the market for a good, solid comfort read. This is the gradual development of a special relationship. Friendship is earned. Trust is realized. Their story has some rough points but the book has a tender happy ending that I can believe in.
Time continues on until one day he is caught. Believed to be 'the lost man' he is poked and prodded, caged and confined all for the sake of a well-meaning society. Until one day he sees Sydney, the daughter of an anthropologist. He doesn't know what to make of her. She is different from all the men that have surrounded him. He has lost the ability to communicate until......you'll have to read the story.
Sometimes I'm just in the market for a good, solid comfort read. This is the gradual development of a special relationship. Friendship is earned. Trust is realized. Their story has some rough points but the book has a tender happy ending that I can believe in.
January 9, 2016
The only thing I could possibly complain about is that it wasn't available as an e-book and I had to go hunt down a physical copy. (found one on a used book website) That I even went through the effort to get a physical copy, tells you just how much I wanted to read it. It didn't disappoint. :)
April 20, 2014
This was lovely. Just a very nice feel-good story. I read it to get in the mood for the story I'm writing now about a werewolf who can't remember how to be a man, and I think it influenced me well in that regard. But beyond that, it was quite touching and nice. I really liked it.
June 11, 2023
Im discovering that I lean more towards stories with a sweet hero. They’re always a delight to read unlike the “alpha” hero ones where I get the urge to roll my eyes more often than not. Anyway loved the plot, different 4.5/5💗🙏
November 19, 2023
Big win for people who were looking to meld their childhood love for Tarzan/The Legend of Tarzan and current love for historical romance novels.
January 26, 2025
Classic (and by classic I mean put your 90s goggles on for some word choices) Tarzan Lost Man romance. Sydney's father is studying a man raised by wolves, who turns out to be Michael, who was lost in the Canadian Wilderness as a boy. Plot ensues, and naturally they fall in love.
Some things about this book were great, the general premise, and most of the Michael stuff. His POV switch as he got used to using language again after two decades of living with only animals was really well done, fading from imagery to words as adjusted. The book had a lot of overarching stuff to stay about who was "really" civilized in the end, both thematically, and also explicitly in the (extremely well done) trial scenes. I mean, the symbolism at the zoo did get a little heavy-handed, "They don't mind being here, [...] they like it. [...] Why wouldn't they, all they have to do is eat and sleep." It's interesting how much of Michael's civilization process is him mimicking others, and being aware of putting on the veneer of it, when the people around him are not. "He was learning to play this game people played: saying the opposite of what they knew was the truth. It wasn't lying, because everybody was in on it."
The thing I just got so tired of though was Sydney. She was so fickle and passive, and she didn't seem to grow or change at all. She went from her aunt telling her how to mourn her dead husband (apparently 15 months of mourning is excessive) to almost falling into marriage with someone she didn't even like just because he was pushy about it and she got a little dick drunk when they made out. Even after she's decided not to marry him "she let him go on kissing her and sliding his hands up and down her sides, pressing her body to his most intimately." He's definitely the cartoonish villain of the piece, but in his defense she was giving VERY mixed signals. Of course she also (and this is after she's decided she's in love with Michael) passively floats to the good catch her family steers her towards "He really was good-looking, with [...] an athlete's muscular body" and of course making out with Michael a LOT to the point where they are discovered. "She was in thrall to the fascinating novelty of his ardent, artless caresses." I am in no way saying a girl can't flit from man to man, especially a rich widow, but she's just completely passive. "What was it about the way Michael touched her sometimes that made it so much easier to give in than take a stand?" She lets others set her course, and the one man she wants she lets her aunt easily dissuade her from.
Of course clues are dropped all along about Michael's true identity (I called it at 44%), and it's predictable and disappointing that Sydney explicitly rejects Michael as unsuitable before then. I mean, Judith Ivory had her heroine want to marry a Ratcatcher in The Proposition written around the same time. Come on, you're a rich widow, take a risk! To her credit she does take one action (banging hot man in fancy hotel IS such a difficult action to take, after all) although it backfires to some extent.
The ending was expected but nonetheless dramatic and charming. No doubt there was another analogy about Lost Man is to Rich Americans as Rich Americans are to English Nobility as Sydney's family is suddenly the ones adjusting but the other analogies were so heavy handed I'm tired. I read this as part of the Ungovernables book group, and am looking forward to the discussions.
Some things about this book were great, the general premise, and most of the Michael stuff. His POV switch as he got used to using language again after two decades of living with only animals was really well done, fading from imagery to words as adjusted. The book had a lot of overarching stuff to stay about who was "really" civilized in the end, both thematically, and also explicitly in the (extremely well done) trial scenes. I mean, the symbolism at the zoo did get a little heavy-handed, "They don't mind being here, [...] they like it. [...] Why wouldn't they, all they have to do is eat and sleep." It's interesting how much of Michael's civilization process is him mimicking others, and being aware of putting on the veneer of it, when the people around him are not. "He was learning to play this game people played: saying the opposite of what they knew was the truth. It wasn't lying, because everybody was in on it."
The thing I just got so tired of though was Sydney. She was so fickle and passive, and she didn't seem to grow or change at all. She went from her aunt telling her how to mourn her dead husband (apparently 15 months of mourning is excessive) to almost falling into marriage with someone she didn't even like just because he was pushy about it and she got a little dick drunk when they made out. Even after she's decided not to marry him "she let him go on kissing her and sliding his hands up and down her sides, pressing her body to his most intimately." He's definitely the cartoonish villain of the piece, but in his defense she was giving VERY mixed signals. Of course she also (and this is after she's decided she's in love with Michael) passively floats to the good catch her family steers her towards "He really was good-looking, with [...] an athlete's muscular body" and of course making out with Michael a LOT to the point where they are discovered. "She was in thrall to the fascinating novelty of his ardent, artless caresses." I am in no way saying a girl can't flit from man to man, especially a rich widow, but she's just completely passive. "What was it about the way Michael touched her sometimes that made it so much easier to give in than take a stand?" She lets others set her course, and the one man she wants she lets her aunt easily dissuade her from.
Of course clues are dropped all along about Michael's true identity (I called it at 44%), and it's predictable and disappointing that Sydney explicitly rejects Michael as unsuitable before then. I mean, Judith Ivory had her heroine want to marry a Ratcatcher in The Proposition written around the same time. Come on, you're a rich widow, take a risk! To her credit she does take one action (banging hot man in fancy hotel IS such a difficult action to take, after all) although it backfires to some extent.
The ending was expected but nonetheless dramatic and charming. No doubt there was another analogy about Lost Man is to Rich Americans as Rich Americans are to English Nobility as Sydney's family is suddenly the ones adjusting but the other analogies were so heavy handed I'm tired. I read this as part of the Ungovernables book group, and am looking forward to the discussions.
May 26, 2021
FIVE STARS ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH FOR THIS BOOK!
What a beautifully written story. Review coming soon.
What a beautifully written story. Review coming soon.
August 20, 2009
Wild at Heart by Patricia Gaffney was an enjoyable read for me. It moved along at a steady pace and kept me interested in the characters and the outcome pretty much the whole way through. The majority of the characters were weaved into the storyline perfectly. I cared for the outcome of Sydney and Michael and was hoping they would achieve a happy ending. What made this story so enjoyable for me was the main character Michael MacNeil. He was so sensitive and true to his feelings and emotions, that you can't help but care for him and his fate.
However, there were a few flaws that distracted me a bit, but overall the storyline was unique and heartfelt, and I'm glad I read it.
Sydney is the daughter of an anthropologist who has recently returned home from a trip that was meant to help ease her pain from the loss of her deceased husband. Upon her return home, she discovers her father is experimenting on a man that was found to be raised in the Canadian wilderness. This "lost man" is supposedly lacking in speech, as well as social and cognitive abilities and is thrust into civilization to see how he reacts to his surroundings. Sydney and her brothers see beyond the unrefined qualities of this man, later known as Michael MacNeil, and discover a person that's filled with more kindness, respect and love for the world around him than those who regard themselves as "civilized."
I'm including the following to explain why I took two stars away. First of all, I enjoyed the story, so I want to make that clear. :) ... Spoilers ahead...There were a few things that I felt were a bit distracting and worthy of a mild head shake. The father was poorly developed in this storyline IMHO. His repetitive use of the vocalized filler "Hmmm" was annoying to read, and I felt the author overused it a bit. It distracted me enough at times from the dialog, where I found myself skimming over the father's responses. Also, the author's choice in a climactic event was a bit weak IMHO. I would have liked to have seen something more dramatic or impacting than a zoo incident. During this event in the court hearing, we finally learn what the father was hoping to discover about Michael in his studies, which was a bit too late IMO. Finally, for the most part, I really liked the main character Sydney, but in the final pages, the author slightly destroyed her character for me by having her write a letter to the sister of her dead husband, which I felt was extremely selfish and heartless. I couldn't understand why Sydney felt it was right to let her sister in law know how well she was doing now that she was so in love. She was talking to the sister of her dead husband. Did she not think that maybe her SIL would still be mourning her dead brother and not want to hear that bit of information? If the last fifty pages would have been tightened up a bit, the novel would be perfect. However, these flaws weren't enough to dislike the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought the author had a unique concept that kept me engaged in the storyline despite the few flaws toward the end.
However, there were a few flaws that distracted me a bit, but overall the storyline was unique and heartfelt, and I'm glad I read it.
Sydney is the daughter of an anthropologist who has recently returned home from a trip that was meant to help ease her pain from the loss of her deceased husband. Upon her return home, she discovers her father is experimenting on a man that was found to be raised in the Canadian wilderness. This "lost man" is supposedly lacking in speech, as well as social and cognitive abilities and is thrust into civilization to see how he reacts to his surroundings. Sydney and her brothers see beyond the unrefined qualities of this man, later known as Michael MacNeil, and discover a person that's filled with more kindness, respect and love for the world around him than those who regard themselves as "civilized."
I'm including the following to explain why I took two stars away. First of all, I enjoyed the story, so I want to make that clear. :) ... Spoilers ahead...There were a few things that I felt were a bit distracting and worthy of a mild head shake. The father was poorly developed in this storyline IMHO. His repetitive use of the vocalized filler "Hmmm" was annoying to read, and I felt the author overused it a bit. It distracted me enough at times from the dialog, where I found myself skimming over the father's responses. Also, the author's choice in a climactic event was a bit weak IMHO. I would have liked to have seen something more dramatic or impacting than a zoo incident. During this event in the court hearing, we finally learn what the father was hoping to discover about Michael in his studies, which was a bit too late IMO. Finally, for the most part, I really liked the main character Sydney, but in the final pages, the author slightly destroyed her character for me by having her write a letter to the sister of her dead husband, which I felt was extremely selfish and heartless. I couldn't understand why Sydney felt it was right to let her sister in law know how well she was doing now that she was so in love. She was talking to the sister of her dead husband. Did she not think that maybe her SIL would still be mourning her dead brother and not want to hear that bit of information? If the last fifty pages would have been tightened up a bit, the novel would be perfect. However, these flaws weren't enough to dislike the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought the author had a unique concept that kept me engaged in the storyline despite the few flaws toward the end.
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