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Pride's Children #1
Pride's Children: Purgatory
WHAT YOU DO WITH AN OBSESSION COUNTS
"I, KARENNA ELIZABETH Ashe, being of sound mind, do… But that’s it, isn’t it? Being here proves I am not of sound mind…”
So begins Book 1 of the Pride’s Children trilogy: Kary immediately regrets the misplaced sense of noblesse oblige which compels her to appear, live on national television—at exorbitant personal cost.
What she cannot anticipate is an entanglement with Hollywood that may destroy her carefully-constructed solitudinarian life.
A contemporary mainstream love story, in the epic tradition of Jane Eyre, and Dorothy L. Sayers’ four-novel bond between Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane, Pride’s Children starts with a very public chance encounter, and will eventually stretch over three separate continents.
Colm Herron, Irish author of The Wake (And What Jeremiah Did Next), The Fabricator, and Further Adventures of James Joyce: “I was there, Alicia. THERE, in that sweaty studio, aware of the audience, rooting for Kary, contemptuous of Dana until, well, until I saw for sure that she was more than a plastic chat-show hostess. I wondered what Andrew was thinking. I could guess. I think his snort was involuntary and then thought better of. No better tribute can I pay than all that I’ve written above. I don’t make this comment idly. This to me is top gear.”
Herbert Collins (Saskatchewan), reader: “It definitely works for me. I feel Andrew’s emotions, and feel for him. You have successfully given your readers a story that appeals to men and women. It is wonderfully written.”
“Pride’s Children has helped me to look inside myself and see many things I need to see and deal with. I have never read a work of fiction that has touched me so powerfully! I love it and will be rereading many times.”
J. E. Hallows, author of Rebellious Rogue: “I’ve just finished reading Pride’s Children [Book 1]. That last chapter was beautiful. Probably the most moving chapter of all, which is a great way to end the story.”
Kevin Gebhard, American actor, screenwriter, and author of The Steeps: “You’re right-on. It’s hard to believe you’re not writing this from [a movie] set.”
“Oh, to be in a writer’s head. Living amongst imaginary people. What could be better? But then comes the actual writing part. You caught it all.”
“You really know how to write this stuff—like you were tucked in a coffee shop on Rodeo Drive (I lived in L.A. for five years).”
RATING: Sexual innuendo, mild swearing, occasional non-graphic violence (PG-13).
- GenresRomanceContemporary
490 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
8 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt
2 books62 followersAlicia Butcher Ehrhardt is hard at work on finishing and publishing the next novel in the Pride's Children trilogy, LIMBO. She moved to Davis, California, in 2018.
Follow her on Amazon or at https://PridesChildren.com to be informed when her next story is available.
She is always open to ARC requests - leave a comment at the books' site.
As a writer, she’s published traditionally in short story. She's been featured on Wattpad, where her story Too Late received 66K reads (Prequel to PURGATORY, the story is available at https://prideschildren.com/too-late-p...).
Her debut novel Pride's Children: PURGATORY was named 2021 Best Contemporary novel by Indies Today. A sample is available on GR, and Amazon, and you can read the first chapter on the Pride's Children site.
A voracious reader since beginning to read at three, she had always intended to write fiction, and, now retired, dedicates her whole life - when not spending time with her husband, family, and new retirement community - to exploring the concepts of integrity in relationships, and the psychological questions of why people do what they do and make the choices they make, including their life partners.
She has devoted the past twenty-some years to learning to write to the standards of the early classics she was steeped in, as she believes that messages in fiction must be surrounded by the utmost in quality entertainment, and that fiction is the most powerful tool we have for slipping through the barriers we put up around our hearts and our minds.
A homeschooler by accident when illness derailed her working life’s plan, her career-long commitment to the sciences aided in the development of three tech-oriented children with a love of language.
She is a former researcher and computational physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and the Johns Hopkins U. Applied Physics Laboratory. She holds a BS in physics from Seattle U., and an MS and PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the U. Wisconsin-Madison. A minor problem with her right eye kept her from fulfilling her ambition as an astronaut.
When she's not writing, you can find her enjoying the community's gardens and pools, or singing.
Discover more about her opinionated opinions and quirky writing methods on her writing blog, at https://liebjabberings.wordpress.com.
Follow her on Amazon or at https://PridesChildren.com to be informed when her next story is available.
She is always open to ARC requests - leave a comment at the books' site.
As a writer, she’s published traditionally in short story. She's been featured on Wattpad, where her story Too Late received 66K reads (Prequel to PURGATORY, the story is available at https://prideschildren.com/too-late-p...).
Her debut novel Pride's Children: PURGATORY was named 2021 Best Contemporary novel by Indies Today. A sample is available on GR, and Amazon, and you can read the first chapter on the Pride's Children site.
A voracious reader since beginning to read at three, she had always intended to write fiction, and, now retired, dedicates her whole life - when not spending time with her husband, family, and new retirement community - to exploring the concepts of integrity in relationships, and the psychological questions of why people do what they do and make the choices they make, including their life partners.
She has devoted the past twenty-some years to learning to write to the standards of the early classics she was steeped in, as she believes that messages in fiction must be surrounded by the utmost in quality entertainment, and that fiction is the most powerful tool we have for slipping through the barriers we put up around our hearts and our minds.
A homeschooler by accident when illness derailed her working life’s plan, her career-long commitment to the sciences aided in the development of three tech-oriented children with a love of language.
She is a former researcher and computational physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and the Johns Hopkins U. Applied Physics Laboratory. She holds a BS in physics from Seattle U., and an MS and PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the U. Wisconsin-Madison. A minor problem with her right eye kept her from fulfilling her ambition as an astronaut.
When she's not writing, you can find her enjoying the community's gardens and pools, or singing.
Discover more about her opinionated opinions and quirky writing methods on her writing blog, at https://liebjabberings.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 23, 2018
Occasionally, I have the experience of reading something that wasn't really on my radar and that I wasn't even particularly sure I'd like, but which then proceeds to reveal itself as awesomely good. That was the case with this exceptionally deft and assured debut novel, the opener for a projected trilogy. The author (who's a Goodreads friend) was kind enough to donate a copy to the library where I work, and I felt she deserved a fair review in return; but the thickness of the book was daunting (that's actually a false impression, though --it's a large trade paperback, but only has 476 pages, with fair-sized, easily read text), and a short, superficial first attempt to read it earlier this year lead to my temporarily putting it aside. That was my problem, however, not the book's. When I started on it the second time, in a more receptive frame of mind, I quickly got totally immersed in it.
Our three major, and viewpoint, characters (Kary, Andrew and Bianca) are, respectively, a best-selling author and two movie superstars, and we come into the book en medias res, on the set of a high-powered New York talk show. It will probably take you several pages of reading to get a complete handle on what's going on; and Kary's viewpoint (which you experience first) takes some getting used to --her comments and mental observations can be wry, seemingly off-sides, and requiring a moment of reflection to grasp her train of thought. I initially assumed that I could never relate to these super-well-heeled people in this glitzy milieu, and I was expecting (and dreading) a literary exercise sort of equivalent to an episode of the old TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. And we learn in the first paragraph of the book (so it's no spoiler!) that in Oct. 2006, Andrew will marry Kary, at a time when he's engaged to Bianca, who's in the hospital pregnant with his twins. (We then flash back to Feb. 2005, when Andrew and Kary meet, and proceed from there.) That initially prepared me to really dislike the latter two. But suffice it to say that my judgment was premature, my expectations/assumptions were 100% wrong, and the effort to find your footing with the plot and get used to Kary's style of thinking and speaking is very quickly and abundantly repaid.
This is solid general fiction of a very high order, in the best Realist tradition, exploring human interactions and relationships between enormously well-drawn characters who come fully alive, as real, intensely human people. These relationships do include romantic attraction and love (and even have it as a central focus), but it's not the sole focus; family relationships, friendships, working relationships, etc. -some healthy and some not-- come under the lens as well. And the development of the central attraction isn't a "romance," except in the sense that a Jane Austen novel could be called one (and allowing for differences in setting and literary conventions between the early 19th and early 21st centuries, a comparison to Austen isn't entirely inapt!), nor is it predictable or syrupy. Settings in New York, New Hampshire and Princeton, New Jersey are brought to life with great vividness (Ehrhardt worked in Princeton at one time, and it shows). The novel is character-driven and immersive, and the story-telling engrossing (even enthralling). While it isn't the focus of the novel, the author also deserves kudos for a realistic and sensitive portrayal of a main character with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), an often misunderstood illness.
Ehrhardt herself has suggested that the novel should be rated PG-13 for "Sexual innuendo, mild swearing, occasional non-graphic violence." But there's no explicit sex and not much reference to sex at all; what there is really isn't any more than what's inherent in normal modern life and social interactions, and the "violence" doesn't amount to more than a punch in the nose. I'd call the occasional swearing worse than "mild" in some cases, but there's only one f-word, and in general the bad language is significantly restrained and not at all pervasive. More importantly, the author's perspective is fundamentally a moral one; she's also stated that she's dedicated to exploring "the concepts of integrity in relationships." (While this isn't ECPA-style "Christian fiction," the author is a practicing Roman Catholic; and Kary's respectfully-treated Catholic faith isn't accidental.) Finally, one reviewer deducted a star for the discovery that this volume of the trilogy doesn't carry the story all the way up to October 2006, though it comes to a logical breaking point of a sort in the story arc. (That's also not a spoiler; I deduced it well before the last chapter.) But I don't consider that a flaw; this is just a trilogy with a very closely-knit story arc that takes three books to tell. (And I fully intend to read all three of them!)
Our three major, and viewpoint, characters (Kary, Andrew and Bianca) are, respectively, a best-selling author and two movie superstars, and we come into the book en medias res, on the set of a high-powered New York talk show. It will probably take you several pages of reading to get a complete handle on what's going on; and Kary's viewpoint (which you experience first) takes some getting used to --her comments and mental observations can be wry, seemingly off-sides, and requiring a moment of reflection to grasp her train of thought. I initially assumed that I could never relate to these super-well-heeled people in this glitzy milieu, and I was expecting (and dreading) a literary exercise sort of equivalent to an episode of the old TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. And we learn in the first paragraph of the book (so it's no spoiler!) that in Oct. 2006, Andrew will marry Kary, at a time when he's engaged to Bianca, who's in the hospital pregnant with his twins. (We then flash back to Feb. 2005, when Andrew and Kary meet, and proceed from there.) That initially prepared me to really dislike the latter two. But suffice it to say that my judgment was premature, my expectations/assumptions were 100% wrong, and the effort to find your footing with the plot and get used to Kary's style of thinking and speaking is very quickly and abundantly repaid.
This is solid general fiction of a very high order, in the best Realist tradition, exploring human interactions and relationships between enormously well-drawn characters who come fully alive, as real, intensely human people. These relationships do include romantic attraction and love (and even have it as a central focus), but it's not the sole focus; family relationships, friendships, working relationships, etc. -some healthy and some not-- come under the lens as well. And the development of the central attraction isn't a "romance," except in the sense that a Jane Austen novel could be called one (and allowing for differences in setting and literary conventions between the early 19th and early 21st centuries, a comparison to Austen isn't entirely inapt!), nor is it predictable or syrupy. Settings in New York, New Hampshire and Princeton, New Jersey are brought to life with great vividness (Ehrhardt worked in Princeton at one time, and it shows). The novel is character-driven and immersive, and the story-telling engrossing (even enthralling). While it isn't the focus of the novel, the author also deserves kudos for a realistic and sensitive portrayal of a main character with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), an often misunderstood illness.
Ehrhardt herself has suggested that the novel should be rated PG-13 for "Sexual innuendo, mild swearing, occasional non-graphic violence." But there's no explicit sex and not much reference to sex at all; what there is really isn't any more than what's inherent in normal modern life and social interactions, and the "violence" doesn't amount to more than a punch in the nose. I'd call the occasional swearing worse than "mild" in some cases, but there's only one f-word, and in general the bad language is significantly restrained and not at all pervasive. More importantly, the author's perspective is fundamentally a moral one; she's also stated that she's dedicated to exploring "the concepts of integrity in relationships." (While this isn't ECPA-style "Christian fiction," the author is a practicing Roman Catholic; and Kary's respectfully-treated Catholic faith isn't accidental.) Finally, one reviewer deducted a star for the discovery that this volume of the trilogy doesn't carry the story all the way up to October 2006, though it comes to a logical breaking point of a sort in the story arc. (That's also not a spoiler; I deduced it well before the last chapter.) But I don't consider that a flaw; this is just a trilogy with a very closely-knit story arc that takes three books to tell. (And I fully intend to read all three of them!)
January 29, 2018
How highly can I praise this book without looking like a sycophant?
And, why are we having to wait for the next part of the story???
Elegant literary fiction which is also literate, modern, gripping, and extraordinarily entertaining, to label the subject matter a 'love triangle' would be like daubing the Taj Mahal with graffiti.
Alicia Ehrhardt takes the reader into the persons of Kary, Andrew and Bianca by turns, and uses this approach with consummate skill to construct characters whom one comes to know, dare I say this? rather better than one knows one's spouse, or significant other. She does this better than any other author I have yet read. The plot is more than character-driven; there is a sense in which the plot is the characters.
The pace is unhurried, almost meditative at times. By contrast, the tension is considerable, and the reader is kept in suspense all the way to the disappointing end. I have to call it disappointing because Ms. Ehrhardt has clearly planned the whole story across a trilogy, and this is therefore only the first part. Disappointing, because by the time one reaches the end of this first book, one is aching for resolution. Well, I was, at least.
The writing itself is beautiful, witty, and considered. I felt at times that every word had been weighed. Ms. Ehrhardt has created characters of rare power and beauty, whose natures result in relationships of living, breathing complexity. Beside the central three, other characters look quite flat - and yet, they are as developed as most good authors' central protagonists. The settings and situations are fully realised, being founded upon either the author's own experience or diligent, exhaustive research. I can't tell which. Ha!
I cannot recommend this book, this trilogy, highly enough - but not to everyone. This is a book for readers who appreciate literary fiction and a very deeply developed romance with a thoughtful debate on ethics. I believe the pace and the delayed gratification will frustrate many modern romance readers who look for fast-burning romance, titillation, and simple love stories. However, if you are a reader who will appreciate a modern 'Jane Eyre', this trilogy is for you.
And, why are we having to wait for the next part of the story???
Elegant literary fiction which is also literate, modern, gripping, and extraordinarily entertaining, to label the subject matter a 'love triangle' would be like daubing the Taj Mahal with graffiti.
Alicia Ehrhardt takes the reader into the persons of Kary, Andrew and Bianca by turns, and uses this approach with consummate skill to construct characters whom one comes to know, dare I say this? rather better than one knows one's spouse, or significant other. She does this better than any other author I have yet read. The plot is more than character-driven; there is a sense in which the plot is the characters.
The pace is unhurried, almost meditative at times. By contrast, the tension is considerable, and the reader is kept in suspense all the way to the disappointing end. I have to call it disappointing because Ms. Ehrhardt has clearly planned the whole story across a trilogy, and this is therefore only the first part. Disappointing, because by the time one reaches the end of this first book, one is aching for resolution. Well, I was, at least.
The writing itself is beautiful, witty, and considered. I felt at times that every word had been weighed. Ms. Ehrhardt has created characters of rare power and beauty, whose natures result in relationships of living, breathing complexity. Beside the central three, other characters look quite flat - and yet, they are as developed as most good authors' central protagonists. The settings and situations are fully realised, being founded upon either the author's own experience or diligent, exhaustive research. I can't tell which. Ha!
I cannot recommend this book, this trilogy, highly enough - but not to everyone. This is a book for readers who appreciate literary fiction and a very deeply developed romance with a thoughtful debate on ethics. I believe the pace and the delayed gratification will frustrate many modern romance readers who look for fast-burning romance, titillation, and simple love stories. However, if you are a reader who will appreciate a modern 'Jane Eyre', this trilogy is for you.
March 20, 2018
How to write a review about such an accomplishment? Ms. Ehrhardt has given us a wonderful gift--a literary novel replete with fully developed characters, rich landscapes, insightful journeys into conscience, morality, and ethics. There are no gimmicks here, no plot twists to distract us from the humanity of the people she has created.
Kary had been a physician, until her struggles with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome made that profession and its demands impossible. Now she is an award-winning novelist, channeling her suffering into her art. She is living a secluded life in New Hampshire, on an estate she calls Sanctuary. Against her better judgment, she lets her agent persuade her to be interviewed on a late night talk show, where she meets the other guest, Andrew O'Connell.
Andrew O'Connell, Irish to his core, is a famous actor, renowned for his leading role in the movie Roland, and the target of gossip columnists from L.A. to New York City. Months after the talk show, he winds up in New Hampshire to complete the final scenes of his latest film, Incident at Bunker Hill. He and Kary will now meet again, and all her efforts to manage her life will be challenged as never before.
The last character in the triangle is Bianca Doyle, Hollywood star, playing opposite Andrew, determined to get the fame she feels she deserves and to get Andrew into her bed.
The writing is rich and nuanced; the characters, living and breathing. The pace is leisurely, like an afternoon tea in an English garden.The author examines what makes us human--our generosity and pettiness, our passions and rationality, our sin and integrity. It's a journey into heart and soul.
Kary had been a physician, until her struggles with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome made that profession and its demands impossible. Now she is an award-winning novelist, channeling her suffering into her art. She is living a secluded life in New Hampshire, on an estate she calls Sanctuary. Against her better judgment, she lets her agent persuade her to be interviewed on a late night talk show, where she meets the other guest, Andrew O'Connell.
Andrew O'Connell, Irish to his core, is a famous actor, renowned for his leading role in the movie Roland, and the target of gossip columnists from L.A. to New York City. Months after the talk show, he winds up in New Hampshire to complete the final scenes of his latest film, Incident at Bunker Hill. He and Kary will now meet again, and all her efforts to manage her life will be challenged as never before.
The last character in the triangle is Bianca Doyle, Hollywood star, playing opposite Andrew, determined to get the fame she feels she deserves and to get Andrew into her bed.
The writing is rich and nuanced; the characters, living and breathing. The pace is leisurely, like an afternoon tea in an English garden.The author examines what makes us human--our generosity and pettiness, our passions and rationality, our sin and integrity. It's a journey into heart and soul.
December 31, 2016
This is a difficult book to review, because it seems to me to operate on a lot of levels and to deal with a lot of issues.
There are three main protagonists.
We have Kary, with her illness and her obsessions.
Andrew with his own demons.
And Bianca who is determination personified.
To speak too much about their interaction would be to spoil the story, but I can say I kept wanting them to just talk to each other and sort things out..
The writing is clean and literary in style. I sometimes found three points of view to be one too many, but that's probably my own problem.
Finally, this is a book worth reading, but maybe not my favourite.
There are three main protagonists.
We have Kary, with her illness and her obsessions.
Andrew with his own demons.
And Bianca who is determination personified.
To speak too much about their interaction would be to spoil the story, but I can say I kept wanting them to just talk to each other and sort things out..
The writing is clean and literary in style. I sometimes found three points of view to be one too many, but that's probably my own problem.
Finally, this is a book worth reading, but maybe not my favourite.
August 18, 2018
It took me four false starts, but I ended up liking this book—a lot. Two Goodreads friends recommended Pride’s Children. They told me that it was literary, original, and beautifully written, and all those things are true. In the beginning, though, I had trouble mustering any interest in movie stars and famous authors, and the prose took a little getting used to (one character speaks with an Irish accent), a good deal of the story is told in fast (very fast) moving dialogue peppered with characters’ unspoken thoughts in italics—nothing wrong with that, it just took awhile for me to get into the rhythm of the language. But along about page 120, I began to care about the characters, especially Kari and Andrew, and that made all the difference. Kudos to Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt!
November 13, 2022
‘I, Karenna Elizabeth Ashe, being of sound mind, do …’
Chance meetings can change lives. Karenna (Kary) Ashe is a novelist and Andrew O’Connell is an actor. They meet while being interviewed on television. Bianca Doyle is an actress. She and Andrew will be working on a movie in New Hampshire. Bianca has plans for Andrew.
Thus begins a complex and layered novel about three very different people, their lives and values, their relationships with each other, and with others. Ms Ehrhardt has developed three very different characters. While, for me, two of the characters are much more likeable than the third, it’s the depth of each character which makes this novel such an enjoyable read. Each character seems real: each is multi-dimensionally human. Kary, Andrew and Bianca each react to the world in accordance with their values. Additionally, Kary lives with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which requires her to carefully manage her energy. She usually does this with grace and good self-knowledge. It is Kary’s self-awareness that enables her to see Andrew’s need for refuge. We learn more about Andrew, Bianca and Kary as the novel unfolds. Bianca’s motivation seems more straightforward than either Kary’s or Andrew’s, but her actions can have more immediate consequences.
I enjoyed this novel. Ms Ehrhardt’s writing took me into the New Hampshire country where Kary lives, into her home and into the complexity of her life. I want to know more about Andrew and I want to see Bianca thwarted. I want quite a lot! And having invested so much time in reading this novel (the Kindle edition has just over 500 pages), I really don’t want to have to wait too long for the rest of the trilogy. But I will, with some degree of patience, because I really want to know where the novel will head and what will happen in the lives of these three characters.
An online friend drew this novel to my attention, and I am grateful to him for doing so.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Chance meetings can change lives. Karenna (Kary) Ashe is a novelist and Andrew O’Connell is an actor. They meet while being interviewed on television. Bianca Doyle is an actress. She and Andrew will be working on a movie in New Hampshire. Bianca has plans for Andrew.
Thus begins a complex and layered novel about three very different people, their lives and values, their relationships with each other, and with others. Ms Ehrhardt has developed three very different characters. While, for me, two of the characters are much more likeable than the third, it’s the depth of each character which makes this novel such an enjoyable read. Each character seems real: each is multi-dimensionally human. Kary, Andrew and Bianca each react to the world in accordance with their values. Additionally, Kary lives with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which requires her to carefully manage her energy. She usually does this with grace and good self-knowledge. It is Kary’s self-awareness that enables her to see Andrew’s need for refuge. We learn more about Andrew, Bianca and Kary as the novel unfolds. Bianca’s motivation seems more straightforward than either Kary’s or Andrew’s, but her actions can have more immediate consequences.
I enjoyed this novel. Ms Ehrhardt’s writing took me into the New Hampshire country where Kary lives, into her home and into the complexity of her life. I want to know more about Andrew and I want to see Bianca thwarted. I want quite a lot! And having invested so much time in reading this novel (the Kindle edition has just over 500 pages), I really don’t want to have to wait too long for the rest of the trilogy. But I will, with some degree of patience, because I really want to know where the novel will head and what will happen in the lives of these three characters.
An online friend drew this novel to my attention, and I am grateful to him for doing so.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 3, 2016
How to characterize Purgatory: Book One of the Pride's Children trilogy?
It's centrally concerned with the interior lives of the main characters rather than with the activities going on around them, except as those activities impact their interior lives. (Things happen, it's just that how those happenings affect the people is more important than the happenings themselves.)
So it's Literary?
Specifically, the interior interplay between the characters focuses on various forms, abuses, amounts or lack of amounts, surrender to or denial of love and the power of love.
So it's Romance?
The main character copes with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, one of those "invisible" illnesses that get people vilified by mouthy and judgmental people for using handicapped parking spaces when they don't have an obvious limp.
But it isn't Disability Porn.
What it is, is exactly what I want in a book, whether it's genre (science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance) or not: It's immersion in other lives, other personalities, other realities. At 474 pages, I had plenty of time to indulge myself – except that I stayed up late and ignored my work and read and read and read.
Sometimes – rarely – I have no earthly idea why one of Ehrhardt's characters has a particular reaction or says a particular thing. Sometimes I catch on later, sometimes I don't. Either way, I read on. Because I don't have to "get" everything every time. Because I'm trespassing and eavesdropping on another psyche, and it feels natural that I wouldn't invariably understand.
These characters, you see, aren't one-dimensional, they're four-dimensional: They're full-bodied and they exist in time. Like real people you meet in real life, they have histories, and they're made up of all the people they've ever been and all the people they could possibly become. They're the people they seem to be to others, the people they seem to be to themselves, the people they wish they were, the people they're afraid they are, and the simmering stew of people-stuff that they actually are.
What happens in the book?
A movie gets made on location in New Hampshire. The life of a best-selling writer with CFS and a retreat near the location intersects with the lives of the film folk. There are various family and professional crises or near-crises. Nothing is overheated; it's a sous vide book: everything is held at the optimum temperature, with the heat of the living heart being that temperature.
I honestly don't know how to explain the grip this book had on me from the first. I couldn't stop reading it, and I wanted it never to end. I've read other books that affected me this way, but the authors always hurt the spell by tossing a plot bomb in through the window. Ehrhardt may do that before the trilogy is over, I can't see the future, but she doesn't do it in this book. The climax and ending are just as they should be: strong, natural, and satisfactory.
It's centrally concerned with the interior lives of the main characters rather than with the activities going on around them, except as those activities impact their interior lives. (Things happen, it's just that how those happenings affect the people is more important than the happenings themselves.)
So it's Literary?
Specifically, the interior interplay between the characters focuses on various forms, abuses, amounts or lack of amounts, surrender to or denial of love and the power of love.
So it's Romance?
The main character copes with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, one of those "invisible" illnesses that get people vilified by mouthy and judgmental people for using handicapped parking spaces when they don't have an obvious limp.
But it isn't Disability Porn.
What it is, is exactly what I want in a book, whether it's genre (science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance) or not: It's immersion in other lives, other personalities, other realities. At 474 pages, I had plenty of time to indulge myself – except that I stayed up late and ignored my work and read and read and read.
Sometimes – rarely – I have no earthly idea why one of Ehrhardt's characters has a particular reaction or says a particular thing. Sometimes I catch on later, sometimes I don't. Either way, I read on. Because I don't have to "get" everything every time. Because I'm trespassing and eavesdropping on another psyche, and it feels natural that I wouldn't invariably understand.
These characters, you see, aren't one-dimensional, they're four-dimensional: They're full-bodied and they exist in time. Like real people you meet in real life, they have histories, and they're made up of all the people they've ever been and all the people they could possibly become. They're the people they seem to be to others, the people they seem to be to themselves, the people they wish they were, the people they're afraid they are, and the simmering stew of people-stuff that they actually are.
What happens in the book?
A movie gets made on location in New Hampshire. The life of a best-selling writer with CFS and a retreat near the location intersects with the lives of the film folk. There are various family and professional crises or near-crises. Nothing is overheated; it's a sous vide book: everything is held at the optimum temperature, with the heat of the living heart being that temperature.
I honestly don't know how to explain the grip this book had on me from the first. I couldn't stop reading it, and I wanted it never to end. I've read other books that affected me this way, but the authors always hurt the spell by tossing a plot bomb in through the window. Ehrhardt may do that before the trilogy is over, I can't see the future, but she doesn't do it in this book. The climax and ending are just as they should be: strong, natural, and satisfactory.
November 20, 2015
A story of three complex people and their relationships with each other, Pride's Children: Purgatory is even better for me on the second read.
Every time I think of the book, I think of the people, because PC's plot is quite literally, "what happens when a writer touches the world of acting?" (okay, that's maybe a dramatic summary.) But the driving force of the novel is about how Kary interacts with Andrew, how Andrew continually returns to Kary for peace and companionship, about Bianca's fight to stay on top in Hollywood (a fight to which Andrew is key).
Kary exudes both serenity and vulnerability. Ehrhardt's descriptions of her mountain house make me want to visit New Hampshire, and her characterization of Kary makes me want to hang out with Kary.
Andrew, leonine, artistic Andrew, charms and frustrates and honestly makes me wish his movies were real. (Roland? I'd go see Roland in a heartbeat.)
And Bianca, whose thoughts never match her face, whose acting isn't confined to the screen, is the perfect antagonist. Do I want her to get Andrew? NO. N. O. But are they both extremely human and would it make total sense for her to get Andrew? It would.
Therein lies the real magic of Pride's Children: they all seem real, and they're all comfortably human.
Every time I think of the book, I think of the people, because PC's plot is quite literally, "what happens when a writer touches the world of acting?" (okay, that's maybe a dramatic summary.) But the driving force of the novel is about how Kary interacts with Andrew, how Andrew continually returns to Kary for peace and companionship, about Bianca's fight to stay on top in Hollywood (a fight to which Andrew is key).
Kary exudes both serenity and vulnerability. Ehrhardt's descriptions of her mountain house make me want to visit New Hampshire, and her characterization of Kary makes me want to hang out with Kary.
Andrew, leonine, artistic Andrew, charms and frustrates and honestly makes me wish his movies were real. (Roland? I'd go see Roland in a heartbeat.)
And Bianca, whose thoughts never match her face, whose acting isn't confined to the screen, is the perfect antagonist. Do I want her to get Andrew? NO. N. O. But are they both extremely human and would it make total sense for her to get Andrew? It would.
Therein lies the real magic of Pride's Children: they all seem real, and they're all comfortably human.
August 21, 2018
Beautifully written, with characters that engage the reader.
For the most part.
The three major characters are very self-absorbed. Understandably so, since one is a singer, another an actress, and the third is coping with a debilitating disease. Like the chronic invalid at the center of the tale, the story moves very slowly. And while I was initially engaged by the storytelling and the characters, eventually the glacial pace and the self-engagement of the characters caused me to set this story aside for quite a while. Eventually the characters and curiosity called to me and I picked it up again in order to satisfy them and me. Sadly, that was not to be. For me, the ending was a disappointment.
However, my preferences are suspect at best. As stated at the outset of this review, the characters are beautifully realized and the prose is wonderful. Personally, I think that like a beautiful gem, this story would sparkle with some judicious cutting.
Three and 1/2 stars rounded up to four.
For the most part.
The three major characters are very self-absorbed. Understandably so, since one is a singer, another an actress, and the third is coping with a debilitating disease. Like the chronic invalid at the center of the tale, the story moves very slowly. And while I was initially engaged by the storytelling and the characters, eventually the glacial pace and the self-engagement of the characters caused me to set this story aside for quite a while. Eventually the characters and curiosity called to me and I picked it up again in order to satisfy them and me. Sadly, that was not to be. For me, the ending was a disappointment.
However, my preferences are suspect at best. As stated at the outset of this review, the characters are beautifully realized and the prose is wonderful. Personally, I think that like a beautiful gem, this story would sparkle with some judicious cutting.
Three and 1/2 stars rounded up to four.
March 9, 2016
Alicia is an amazing writer. I was transported into her pages, into her story. I fell in love with Kary, liked Andrew, and disliked Bianca. I felt as if I was right there, standing on the sidelines as Grant was directing the movie, Incident on Bunker Hill. Only the great works have ever made me feel this way. I hated that the story had to end. So much so that I can not wait for the next two books.
Congratulations Alicia for accomplishing what all of us strive for.
Congratulations Alicia for accomplishing what all of us strive for.
January 12, 2016
In the tradition of celebrity potboilers like Jackie Collins's novels, but much more gentle and cerebral. Pride's Children: Purgatory follows a novelist, Kary, living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, who is retiring and private almost to the point of being neurotic; Andrew, a charismatic Irish actor just hitting the big time; and Bianca, "America's Sweetheart", whose pretty face hides her ruthless ambition. In this book, the three characters, brought together through a TV interview show and then a movie filming on location near Kary's home, circle around each other, fighting and/or forcing growing attractions. A "news clip" at the beginning of the book describes the future complicated situation in which the three characters eventually end up, and this book, book 1 of a trilogy, shows the initial steps towards that situation.
The story is very emotional and the characters well-developed. The book is filled with fascinating looks at how Kary manages her illness (a condition which I share) and her writing process, and also how movies are made. The writing is clear and enjoyable, and there's a gentle, slightly old-fashioned feel to the prose and the story. The only thing that got in the way of my reading is that there's an awful lot of detail given about what every character is thinking and feeling, through both internal dialogue and gestures/actions. It's really more than is necessary, since the details are so well-chosen that only a few would accomplish the same thing, and slows down the pace and makes the flow less clear.
I found this a lovely, engaging book, and I really want to know what happens next and how everyone gets to the mess from that teaser at the beginning. I'm very much looking forward to the next book!
The story is very emotional and the characters well-developed. The book is filled with fascinating looks at how Kary manages her illness (a condition which I share) and her writing process, and also how movies are made. The writing is clear and enjoyable, and there's a gentle, slightly old-fashioned feel to the prose and the story. The only thing that got in the way of my reading is that there's an awful lot of detail given about what every character is thinking and feeling, through both internal dialogue and gestures/actions. It's really more than is necessary, since the details are so well-chosen that only a few would accomplish the same thing, and slows down the pace and makes the flow less clear.
I found this a lovely, engaging book, and I really want to know what happens next and how everyone gets to the mess from that teaser at the beginning. I'm very much looking forward to the next book!
June 5, 2022
Kary is a writer with more than her share of emotional baggage. Andrew is a charismatic leading man, while Hollywood princess Bianca fears that her star might be fading, and hopes to keep it shining alongside the presence of Andrew.
Kary suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and this novel certainly gives the reader an insight into what this debilitating illness involves, and the restrictions it imposes on the life of the sufferer; also, I felt it gave the story an unusual slant. Kary can't afford, emotionally, to fall in love, but she reckoned without meeting Andrew on a New York talk show - and then the New Hampshire town where she lives is chosen as the venue for Bianca's new film; here the three lives become emotionally entangled.
Ms Ehrhardt has such an entertaining writing style, easy and conversational. The narrative is presented in alternate points of view of Kary, Andrew and Bianca, enabling the reader to immediately connect with each of them - my favourite structure. Pride's Children: Purgatory is the first of a trilogy, but is complete in itself.
At times I felt the book could have used a tighter edit, to remove some of the detail that slowed the story down, and just to make the narrative more succinct, but it's still well-written and a jolly good story.
Kary suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and this novel certainly gives the reader an insight into what this debilitating illness involves, and the restrictions it imposes on the life of the sufferer; also, I felt it gave the story an unusual slant. Kary can't afford, emotionally, to fall in love, but she reckoned without meeting Andrew on a New York talk show - and then the New Hampshire town where she lives is chosen as the venue for Bianca's new film; here the three lives become emotionally entangled.
Ms Ehrhardt has such an entertaining writing style, easy and conversational. The narrative is presented in alternate points of view of Kary, Andrew and Bianca, enabling the reader to immediately connect with each of them - my favourite structure. Pride's Children: Purgatory is the first of a trilogy, but is complete in itself.
At times I felt the book could have used a tighter edit, to remove some of the detail that slowed the story down, and just to make the narrative more succinct, but it's still well-written and a jolly good story.
April 30, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book.
I found the characters to be very interesting and strange. Kary was an interesting mix of smart, self-conscious and frightened of most things in general.
Bianca wants to be beautiful and perfect on the outside but is ugly and broken on the inside.
Andrew seems to have it all. He can act, sing and seems to get along with most people without even trying.
Seeing how their lives intersected and intertwined was a trip I enjoyed taking.
I really enjoyed this book.
I found the characters to be very interesting and strange. Kary was an interesting mix of smart, self-conscious and frightened of most things in general.
Bianca wants to be beautiful and perfect on the outside but is ugly and broken on the inside.
Andrew seems to have it all. He can act, sing and seems to get along with most people without even trying.
Seeing how their lives intersected and intertwined was a trip I enjoyed taking.
June 5, 2018
“Make God laugh. Tell Him yer plans.”
Wow. This is really good. Regular readers know I warn against rating books in genres I avoid. I’m breaking that rule here because the author asked for my thoughts and the book is that good. Naïve readers pass over this as Chick Lit; it most assuredly is not. This is a deep and real dive into the lives of several people with wants and needs which sometimes coincide and sometimes conflict. Well-developed and well-told.
“I forgave him a long time ago.” “Why?” “Because it only hurts me not to? It took longer to forgive myself.”
It’s the characters who make the story work. Good inner focus and dialogue and self-depreciating humor. Feels real. The reader comes to care about even those whose motives and methods are base.
“She dissected the obsession with a writer’s objectivity, encased it in a Zen bubble exiled to the outermost limit of herself."
Kary needs professional help. Not only for her Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so intimately described that one suspects Ehrhardt is personally acquainted with a sufferer, but also her inner struggles. That she is damaged even she will admit. Her coping is heroic and slightly futile.
“Think carefully before you speak: you can be forgiven, maybe, for your words--but you can never unsay them.”
One jarring feature is the use, by a female character, of trigger words (some of which are being aired in 2018) in her inner dialogue about other women. It’s in character for this person, but it jars the reader and, like the person involved, pushes the PG-13 rating the author self-applied. It’s authentic, but a gentler approach is possible.
“A true man must own/even the unintended/consequences of choice.” Mizuki
Very literary. Many appropriate twentieth century literary allusions. Epigrams from the Bible, Tahiro Nizuki and Shakespeare. Several fictitious books and movies melded into the mix to enrich the literary feel.
“Reading. Reading. Reading.” said the director. “Such a terrible habit. You do that, the story’s in your head in a few hours … you went ahead and did a little movie in your head.”
In his essay “On Fairy Stories” J. R. R. Tolkien contrasts novels and drama saying, among other things, that reading a story brings the author and the reader into relationship while drama interposes the actors, directors, stage setters, etc. Throughout Purgatory Ehrhardt weaves the same discussion between novels and movies, even those--especially those based on novels.
“TO BE CONTINUED”
Why not five stars? I’m no authority on what’s permitted in a story. I assume pretty much everything. But to open with an explosive statement of consequence and then spend the entire book detailing background implies a contract with the reader: that the opening explosion will be addressed. It wasn’t; I felt cheated. I dislike books that just stop with no ending. This is one of those. Cost her a star. Yes, she told us it was part of a trilogy, but not that it was the first third of a single story. Still, worth reading.
“The shock of discovery was replaced by an intensity of yearning for the moment to last forever.”
(The reviewer received a free copy of the work in exchange for an honest review.)
Wow. This is really good. Regular readers know I warn against rating books in genres I avoid. I’m breaking that rule here because the author asked for my thoughts and the book is that good. Naïve readers pass over this as Chick Lit; it most assuredly is not. This is a deep and real dive into the lives of several people with wants and needs which sometimes coincide and sometimes conflict. Well-developed and well-told.
“I forgave him a long time ago.” “Why?” “Because it only hurts me not to? It took longer to forgive myself.”
It’s the characters who make the story work. Good inner focus and dialogue and self-depreciating humor. Feels real. The reader comes to care about even those whose motives and methods are base.
“She dissected the obsession with a writer’s objectivity, encased it in a Zen bubble exiled to the outermost limit of herself."
Kary needs professional help. Not only for her Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so intimately described that one suspects Ehrhardt is personally acquainted with a sufferer, but also her inner struggles. That she is damaged even she will admit. Her coping is heroic and slightly futile.
“Think carefully before you speak: you can be forgiven, maybe, for your words--but you can never unsay them.”
One jarring feature is the use, by a female character, of trigger words (some of which are being aired in 2018) in her inner dialogue about other women. It’s in character for this person, but it jars the reader and, like the person involved, pushes the PG-13 rating the author self-applied. It’s authentic, but a gentler approach is possible.
“A true man must own/even the unintended/consequences of choice.” Mizuki
Very literary. Many appropriate twentieth century literary allusions. Epigrams from the Bible, Tahiro Nizuki and Shakespeare. Several fictitious books and movies melded into the mix to enrich the literary feel.
“Reading. Reading. Reading.” said the director. “Such a terrible habit. You do that, the story’s in your head in a few hours … you went ahead and did a little movie in your head.”
In his essay “On Fairy Stories” J. R. R. Tolkien contrasts novels and drama saying, among other things, that reading a story brings the author and the reader into relationship while drama interposes the actors, directors, stage setters, etc. Throughout Purgatory Ehrhardt weaves the same discussion between novels and movies, even those--especially those based on novels.
“TO BE CONTINUED”
Why not five stars? I’m no authority on what’s permitted in a story. I assume pretty much everything. But to open with an explosive statement of consequence and then spend the entire book detailing background implies a contract with the reader: that the opening explosion will be addressed. It wasn’t; I felt cheated. I dislike books that just stop with no ending. This is one of those. Cost her a star. Yes, she told us it was part of a trilogy, but not that it was the first third of a single story. Still, worth reading.
“The shock of discovery was replaced by an intensity of yearning for the moment to last forever.”
(The reviewer received a free copy of the work in exchange for an honest review.)
August 15, 2017
Pride's Children was a completely enjoyable read for me. It had just the right balance of internal narrative and interesting events driving the story along. It truly is in the vein of old-school bestsellers; expansive story, larger-than-life characters, and a realistically detailed, interesting world. Once I settled in to the story I was right there with Kary and Andrew. The pace is deliberate, but I was never bored, and in fact, often found myself reading longer than I'd intended. If I'd had the time, I might have read it in one sitting.
I love that Kary is such an unconventional heroine and also enjoyed the slow burn of her relationship with Andrew. I might have liked a little more hope for a romance, but with two more books in the works, something is bound to happen eventually. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the journey!
I love that Kary is such an unconventional heroine and also enjoyed the slow burn of her relationship with Andrew. I might have liked a little more hope for a romance, but with two more books in the works, something is bound to happen eventually. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the journey!
November 22, 2015
A compelling, intelligent, nuanced story that immerses the reader in the lives of the three main characters: serene, but disabled Kary; restless Andrew, newly come to the level of celebrity that requires precautions; and ambitious Bianca, scheming and ready to do almost anything to stay on top of the heap that is Hollywood.
I came to care about each of them - even antagonist Bianca - and can't wait to read more by this author.
The book is beautifully written; the characters, deftly drawn; and the development of the story, addictive.
I loved the book and plan to give copies to several of my friends this holiday season. It's that good.
I came to care about each of them - even antagonist Bianca - and can't wait to read more by this author.
The book is beautifully written; the characters, deftly drawn; and the development of the story, addictive.
I loved the book and plan to give copies to several of my friends this holiday season. It's that good.
Read
July 13, 2016I don't normally read romance novels, but then I saw that while much of the plot centers on the cautious romance, Pride's Children is also about a writer's way of interacting with the world, living with a chronic condition (CFS – when I saw another review mention this, I realized that I couldn't think of any book I'd read, recently, involving a character with a disability or chronic illness – a significant hole in terms of diversity), and the struggle to remain balanced and kind when new people and routines enter one's carefully-ordered sanctuary. I wasn't expecting to care for Andrew or Bianca, but seeing them through Kary's gentle, merciful eyes helped their characters grow on me.
January 23, 2016
A very interesting novel. The style is unique and inviting. The character's are fascinating and their interactions are well thought out and planned. However at times the story would drag due to the intense amount of inner dialog and character exploration. It still held my interest and I became very invested in the characters and the outcome of their interactions. The process of making a film and how it affected the characters and who they became was a fun storyline to follow. I look forward to seeing what happens next to these characters and how they grow from this experience.
July 27, 2019
The first thing you notice about this book is its length. In one sense this is good because you are given the time for a relationship to develop naturally. The problem is you have to develop significantly more memorable and distinguishable scenes or they all merge together and your reader loses interest. I think this book is a bit of a mixture in that sense.
The opening scene is very direct, showing the contrasting personalities of Andrew and Kary being interviewed for a talk show. Andrew O’Connell is the extravagant, showy film star turned musician, there to promote his film and flirt with the presenter. Kary is the writer, nervous and unsure she has shunned the limelight for years. The presenter is interested in her critical acclaim and her tenacity in dealing with a physically debilitating condition. This contrast further emphasizes the shallowness of Andrew’s fame and the value of true achievement.
Both Andrew and Kary undergo a crisis which brings them together. For Kary, it is an intruder in her house and for Andrew, a young fan getting into his trailer. Kary’s almost obsessional interest in Andrew’s career after the interview prompts her to offer him sanctuary when he contacts her. Although she is astute enough to keep her feelings guarded and under control when in his presence.
Bianca is in her late twenties and is Andrew’s co-star. Her goals, motivation, drive, and ambition will not change throughout the novel and in this, she provides a contrast to Andrew’s journey. Events for him bring change, for her they are obstacles to overcome in the pursuit of her career.
When Kary goes to see Andrew’s film Roland there is a lengthy description of the action which appears to do nothing to move the plot forward. The passages from Kary’s book shows that she is writing, but do we need to know the detail? There could be an argument that what Kary is writing mirrors what she is feeling, but I’m not sure. This level of detail can slow down the action for the reader and may become a reason for not finishing a long book.
The ending is complete yet still leaves room for another book, should the author wish to continue Kary and Andrew’s journey. A movie making background gives it a little more distinction compared to an ordinary romance and the lead characters are warm, vulnerable and easy to relate to. Overall this is not a bad work of general fiction.
The opening scene is very direct, showing the contrasting personalities of Andrew and Kary being interviewed for a talk show. Andrew O’Connell is the extravagant, showy film star turned musician, there to promote his film and flirt with the presenter. Kary is the writer, nervous and unsure she has shunned the limelight for years. The presenter is interested in her critical acclaim and her tenacity in dealing with a physically debilitating condition. This contrast further emphasizes the shallowness of Andrew’s fame and the value of true achievement.
Both Andrew and Kary undergo a crisis which brings them together. For Kary, it is an intruder in her house and for Andrew, a young fan getting into his trailer. Kary’s almost obsessional interest in Andrew’s career after the interview prompts her to offer him sanctuary when he contacts her. Although she is astute enough to keep her feelings guarded and under control when in his presence.
Bianca is in her late twenties and is Andrew’s co-star. Her goals, motivation, drive, and ambition will not change throughout the novel and in this, she provides a contrast to Andrew’s journey. Events for him bring change, for her they are obstacles to overcome in the pursuit of her career.
When Kary goes to see Andrew’s film Roland there is a lengthy description of the action which appears to do nothing to move the plot forward. The passages from Kary’s book shows that she is writing, but do we need to know the detail? There could be an argument that what Kary is writing mirrors what she is feeling, but I’m not sure. This level of detail can slow down the action for the reader and may become a reason for not finishing a long book.
The ending is complete yet still leaves room for another book, should the author wish to continue Kary and Andrew’s journey. A movie making background gives it a little more distinction compared to an ordinary romance and the lead characters are warm, vulnerable and easy to relate to. Overall this is not a bad work of general fiction.
April 24, 2024
***Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. Thank you Alicia and I'm sorry it took me so long. ***
This book and I had an interesting journey. At first I struggled with the writing style. It's a combination of literary fiction and stream of consciousness writing. I found myself putting the book down and wondering if, perhaps, it just wasn't my style. And then I would pick it up again. And again. And again. It became my comfort book.
The characters are what make this a great book. Andrew is delightfully witty and smarmy. He's very likeable, I instantly knew why Kary was so drawn to him. I was drawn to him! Kary was a thoughtful character. I understood her reluctance to engage with Andrew but was frustrated by it at the same time. More than once, I announced, "Kary, let the man do something nice for you! He likes you, I know you haven't noticed!" Bianca was probably my least favorite character. I found her one dimensional. She is there to provide a stumbling block to the romance, but since no one paid attention to her, she was rather inconsequential. Perhaps she will play a more active role in the next book.
The plot was delightful. It was clear, concise, and the perfect vehicle to take our characters from one place to another. I found the level of detail about film sets and the writing process quite refreshing. It felt authentic. The only place that the plot lagged was in the middle. I got the sense that I was waiting for the "big moment" to happen. That moment eventually happened, but it took a while to get there.
Overall, this book was a fun and emotional journey. I recommend it if you're a fan of literary fiction and character driven plots.
This book and I had an interesting journey. At first I struggled with the writing style. It's a combination of literary fiction and stream of consciousness writing. I found myself putting the book down and wondering if, perhaps, it just wasn't my style. And then I would pick it up again. And again. And again. It became my comfort book.
The characters are what make this a great book. Andrew is delightfully witty and smarmy. He's very likeable, I instantly knew why Kary was so drawn to him. I was drawn to him! Kary was a thoughtful character. I understood her reluctance to engage with Andrew but was frustrated by it at the same time. More than once, I announced, "Kary, let the man do something nice for you! He likes you, I know you haven't noticed!" Bianca was probably my least favorite character. I found her one dimensional. She is there to provide a stumbling block to the romance, but since no one paid attention to her, she was rather inconsequential. Perhaps she will play a more active role in the next book.
The plot was delightful. It was clear, concise, and the perfect vehicle to take our characters from one place to another. I found the level of detail about film sets and the writing process quite refreshing. It felt authentic. The only place that the plot lagged was in the middle. I got the sense that I was waiting for the "big moment" to happen. That moment eventually happened, but it took a while to get there.
Overall, this book was a fun and emotional journey. I recommend it if you're a fan of literary fiction and character driven plots.
August 22, 2022
I just finished (Aug 14, 2022) reading Pride’s Children: Purgatory, by Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt, and am eagerly awaiting book 2. The characters are brilliantly portrayed, as is the author’s depiction/description/explanation of CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). I learned a LOT from this book, as well as enjoyed the great story. It didn’t hurt that she began her series with an incredible hook! Once I started I was in for the ride.
August 12, 2024
Deeply well-written
An amazing book, three different characters and their adventures together.
Ehrhardt has outdone herself with writing a world-class character study, a love triangle with deeply authentic, well-written characters.
Highly recommended!
An amazing book, three different characters and their adventures together.
Ehrhardt has outdone herself with writing a world-class character study, a love triangle with deeply authentic, well-written characters.
Highly recommended!
September 21, 2023
First, a confession. I did not read every word. I skipped through it and skimmed often. I do believe this book has positives and would appeal to a certain reader who loves dialogue, who delights in knowing what is going on in each character's head while action is in play.
I am not that reader.
I am not that reader.
February 4, 2017
Dickensian Slowmo Romance
I first became acquainted with Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt’s lovely prose through our interchange on a literary fiction blog, and I was intrigued about her novel when she said she is strongly influenced by Dorothy Sayers, one of my own favorite novelists.
Just as Sayers has a strong intellectual woman and an appealing male character, so Ehrhardt has the physician-mom-turned-disabled-bestselling-novelist Kary and the rakishly charming Irish movie star Andrew who kept reminding me of Sean Connery. The unlikely romance and its culmination is trumpeted with a gossip “news” item on the first page (titled “Prothalamion,” the term for the celebration of an upcoming marriage), but after more than 500 pages, we still haven’t reached that time. Because Ms. Ehrhardt has drafted the next two books of the trilogy, I suppose we can expect more development in the romance line in Book 2, though perhaps the culmination won’t even come until Book 3.
And that’s a long time to wait. I understand Ehrhardt released this novel in serialized form (like Dickens) on WattPad over a couple of years but worked on the novel for fifteen years altogether. She is glacially patient.
And that’s the main trouble with this novel—it has a glacial pace. After an evening’s meeting in the winter of 2005, Kary and Andrew do not meet again until May, and the next several weeks take 500 pages to cover. Those pages revel in exquisite personal detail, carefully shown in subtle words and thoughts that reveal decades of suffering and conflict, deep human drama. But much of it comes in the last third of the book, so I found myself wondering why Kary wasn’t thinking about her religious commitments, for example, in the early passages, why her ex-husband was treated neutrally, really, until near the end. I depend on a rich novel of this sort to feed me little clues from early on that will come to fruition and satisfying maturity later. A tighter editing, perhaps to 400 pages or even 350, might have been a good idea. And even with a series like Sayers’s collection of Harriet Vane and Peter Wimsey novels, each story is complete in itself, with the romance in the background, in a way that this volume is not. So I left it feeling disappointed, especially because the next volume is not yet published.
But I wish Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt all the best with her writing—it is clear all through that it is a labor of love, and that she brings to it deep talent and a delicate touch.
I first became acquainted with Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt’s lovely prose through our interchange on a literary fiction blog, and I was intrigued about her novel when she said she is strongly influenced by Dorothy Sayers, one of my own favorite novelists.
Just as Sayers has a strong intellectual woman and an appealing male character, so Ehrhardt has the physician-mom-turned-disabled-bestselling-novelist Kary and the rakishly charming Irish movie star Andrew who kept reminding me of Sean Connery. The unlikely romance and its culmination is trumpeted with a gossip “news” item on the first page (titled “Prothalamion,” the term for the celebration of an upcoming marriage), but after more than 500 pages, we still haven’t reached that time. Because Ms. Ehrhardt has drafted the next two books of the trilogy, I suppose we can expect more development in the romance line in Book 2, though perhaps the culmination won’t even come until Book 3.
And that’s a long time to wait. I understand Ehrhardt released this novel in serialized form (like Dickens) on WattPad over a couple of years but worked on the novel for fifteen years altogether. She is glacially patient.
And that’s the main trouble with this novel—it has a glacial pace. After an evening’s meeting in the winter of 2005, Kary and Andrew do not meet again until May, and the next several weeks take 500 pages to cover. Those pages revel in exquisite personal detail, carefully shown in subtle words and thoughts that reveal decades of suffering and conflict, deep human drama. But much of it comes in the last third of the book, so I found myself wondering why Kary wasn’t thinking about her religious commitments, for example, in the early passages, why her ex-husband was treated neutrally, really, until near the end. I depend on a rich novel of this sort to feed me little clues from early on that will come to fruition and satisfying maturity later. A tighter editing, perhaps to 400 pages or even 350, might have been a good idea. And even with a series like Sayers’s collection of Harriet Vane and Peter Wimsey novels, each story is complete in itself, with the romance in the background, in a way that this volume is not. So I left it feeling disappointed, especially because the next volume is not yet published.
But I wish Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt all the best with her writing—it is clear all through that it is a labor of love, and that she brings to it deep talent and a delicate touch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2018
An unexpected breath of fresh air
Pride's Children is a story of love slowly blooming between two unexpected individuals. The author did a fantastic job of taking the reader on the journey with Andrew O'Connell and Dr. Ashe showing the small moments in life that really form a connection between two people.
I ended up really enjoying this book and look forward to reading the sequels . However, I find I can only give a 3 star rating because of a couple things. I wish I could've gave it more I really do. I have to deduct a star because honestly I struggled to get into this book. I had to force myself to continue and hope it got better. I'm very glad I did, but when I realized that Kindle was telling me 18% in and we were still in the opening show I really wasn't enthused about what the rest of the book held for the reader. While the story line is a wonderful one I felt that there were a lot of scenes that just didn't need to be included and if edited out wouldn't impact the storyline in a negative way. I had a lot of times where my mind went into skim mode and focused a couple pages later and I felt like I missed nothing. The other star I had to take because occasionally the book felt jumbled? There were paragraphs were I felt like what did I just read ?
Now please don't take that to mean you should not give this book a read because seriously for me it was a breath of fresh air. I was able to experience two people slowly falling for one another and not ending up in bed together after knowing one another for 12 hours. I was able to learn about well developed characters each with their own extensive back story showing what makes them who they are and why they interact with one another as such. Overall I say dig in and forgive the wordiness it's well worth it.
Pride's Children is a story of love slowly blooming between two unexpected individuals. The author did a fantastic job of taking the reader on the journey with Andrew O'Connell and Dr. Ashe showing the small moments in life that really form a connection between two people.
I ended up really enjoying this book and look forward to reading the sequels . However, I find I can only give a 3 star rating because of a couple things. I wish I could've gave it more I really do. I have to deduct a star because honestly I struggled to get into this book. I had to force myself to continue and hope it got better. I'm very glad I did, but when I realized that Kindle was telling me 18% in and we were still in the opening show I really wasn't enthused about what the rest of the book held for the reader. While the story line is a wonderful one I felt that there were a lot of scenes that just didn't need to be included and if edited out wouldn't impact the storyline in a negative way. I had a lot of times where my mind went into skim mode and focused a couple pages later and I felt like I missed nothing. The other star I had to take because occasionally the book felt jumbled? There were paragraphs were I felt like what did I just read ?
Now please don't take that to mean you should not give this book a read because seriously for me it was a breath of fresh air. I was able to experience two people slowly falling for one another and not ending up in bed together after knowing one another for 12 hours. I was able to learn about well developed characters each with their own extensive back story showing what makes them who they are and why they interact with one another as such. Overall I say dig in and forgive the wordiness it's well worth it.
January 19, 2018
I actually rate this book a 3.5 stars, but I rounded up for the purpose of the review.
This book is my first book by author Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt, but it won't be my last! I need to know what happens next! This book left a lot of unanswered questions...I need to know what happens to Kary and Andrew? What happens to Bianca? Does Kary's book get made into a movie? Is there a happily ever after for anyone?
The characters are compelling, they make the reader sit back and think. There is no instant connection with them in the story or with the reader, the author makes you work for it. The plot is unique, it is at times slow moving, but it does hold the reader's attention. Some parts of the story are a bit drawn out and some parts I confess that I didn't actually read (like the movie script or parts of Kary's newest book). There are times when I did need to step away from this book and read something else to clear my mind.
The writing is good, it makes the reader think, but it does drag out at times. The reader can't predict what is going to happen next, which is good, but at the same time the author did leave the reader with a lot to think about. This is not a "fluff" read.
Grab this book and be prepared to spend a lot of time with it and even when you are done you will need the next one to see what happens next. A good first book by an author who I can see going places!
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng **
This book is my first book by author Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt, but it won't be my last! I need to know what happens next! This book left a lot of unanswered questions...I need to know what happens to Kary and Andrew? What happens to Bianca? Does Kary's book get made into a movie? Is there a happily ever after for anyone?
The characters are compelling, they make the reader sit back and think. There is no instant connection with them in the story or with the reader, the author makes you work for it. The plot is unique, it is at times slow moving, but it does hold the reader's attention. Some parts of the story are a bit drawn out and some parts I confess that I didn't actually read (like the movie script or parts of Kary's newest book). There are times when I did need to step away from this book and read something else to clear my mind.
The writing is good, it makes the reader think, but it does drag out at times. The reader can't predict what is going to happen next, which is good, but at the same time the author did leave the reader with a lot to think about. This is not a "fluff" read.
Grab this book and be prepared to spend a lot of time with it and even when you are done you will need the next one to see what happens next. A good first book by an author who I can see going places!
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng **
June 24, 2016
I got sucked into the story fast and found it difficult to put aside. A very well-written, character-driven story about 3 people who are self-aware and have goals (rare these days), two of whom have values (still rarer), and how their lives get complicated as appearances and reality get mixed up, by design and by accident.
I couldn't help rooting for the heroine Kary, who is fighting a debilitating disease bravely and refuses to act like a victim or manipulate those around her. She is a multi-faceted character and has flaws, but you forgive her them, because of her innate selflessness and integrity. Her courage and talent, her groundedness and grace make her someone you look up to.
However, her strengths actually seem to put her at a disadvantage with the evil witch actress plotting against her-who will do anything to achieve her nasty goals- and you worry constantly that Kary will 'lose' the unacknowledged battle for Andrew's favor, but you keep hoping right will triumph. The book ends with only a slight amount of satisfaction, because things are still very much up in the air, and you can't help but be concerned that Kary's high standards are not going to serve her well (in terms of happiness) in the long run. She's a character you want to read more about. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel, where I hope Kary becomes more assertive and, yes, selfish (in a good way).
I couldn't help rooting for the heroine Kary, who is fighting a debilitating disease bravely and refuses to act like a victim or manipulate those around her. She is a multi-faceted character and has flaws, but you forgive her them, because of her innate selflessness and integrity. Her courage and talent, her groundedness and grace make her someone you look up to.
However, her strengths actually seem to put her at a disadvantage with the evil witch actress plotting against her-who will do anything to achieve her nasty goals- and you worry constantly that Kary will 'lose' the unacknowledged battle for Andrew's favor, but you keep hoping right will triumph. The book ends with only a slight amount of satisfaction, because things are still very much up in the air, and you can't help but be concerned that Kary's high standards are not going to serve her well (in terms of happiness) in the long run. She's a character you want to read more about. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel, where I hope Kary becomes more assertive and, yes, selfish (in a good way).
April 29, 2018
Pride’s Children by Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt -- Review by Dawn Greenfield Ireland 4/29/18
A powerful mainstream novel that readers will dig into and won’t let go until the last page. Then they’ll lust for book two.
If you are curious about what goes on in Hollywood, along with what a reclusive bestselling novelist endures due to an illness, you will love this book. I know all my writer friends will love how the characters plot and scheme to get what they want.
The author wove the characters' inner dialog about those desires, along with blips from the Hollywood gossip rags. The characters describe their rolls in scenes of a movie being produced.
Their conniving is delicious! One character's angst about trying to fund her screenplay and be taken seriously as a director—and snag her leading man—is quite a read.
The main character (the novelist) weaves the plot of her book, her life, and her desires, which will keep the reader entranced.
This book was so thoroughly plotted and developed that I can’t find fault with it. And—it was edited! Bring on book 2!
A powerful mainstream novel that readers will dig into and won’t let go until the last page. Then they’ll lust for book two.
If you are curious about what goes on in Hollywood, along with what a reclusive bestselling novelist endures due to an illness, you will love this book. I know all my writer friends will love how the characters plot and scheme to get what they want.
The author wove the characters' inner dialog about those desires, along with blips from the Hollywood gossip rags. The characters describe their rolls in scenes of a movie being produced.
Their conniving is delicious! One character's angst about trying to fund her screenplay and be taken seriously as a director—and snag her leading man—is quite a read.
The main character (the novelist) weaves the plot of her book, her life, and her desires, which will keep the reader entranced.
This book was so thoroughly plotted and developed that I can’t find fault with it. And—it was edited! Bring on book 2!
March 22, 2017
"Pride's Children: Purgatory" is the first book of a projected trilogy that deals with an intense but as yet unconsummated love triangle. The author skillfully describes the tangle from all three points of view: that of an Irish actor known for his masculine action roles; a sexy young Hispanic actress who is playing his rebellious daughter in a current production but longs to seduce him; and a rather reclusive former doctor turned author, who is obsessed with the actor but is struggling with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and can't quite envision moving beyond friendship with him. Another impressive element of the story is the movie set around which the action develops. Making a movie is an extremely complicated undertaking, yet Ms. Ehrhardt describes the process realistically. All in all, a great read, and I'm looking forward to the next installments.
August 15, 2019
The author is a friend and fellow resident at University Retirement Community. She is writing the 2nd book in 2019. Like the author, Kary, the main character, has chronic fatigue syndrome. By chance she becomes involved in the making of a movie and is attracted to Andrew, one of the actors. However, Bianca, the actress in the lead role, has her sights set on seducing Andrew. This is a simplification of the plot; the book is much more than a romance. Although I am not enamored by novels about movie stars, I did enjoy this book and the interaction among the main characters. I look forward to reading book 2.
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