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Wintercombe #1
Wintercombe
Sometimes we find light in the darkest of places…
Tortured by a cold, Puritan father, Silence has learned to conceal her passionate nature inside a prison like shell of passivity.
Her eventual marriage does not offer her the escape that she longs for and she craves some semblance of autonomy.
It is only the sweep of history that finally offers Silence the freedom she so desires.
Civil war has raged and her sombre husband has been away for two years.
During this time Silence – now Mistress of Wintercombe – has enjoyed a harmonious time with her children.
Yet this sheltered world is shattered when enemy Cavaliers invade, causing havoc in the town.
Wintercombe, once a tranquil bastion of family virtue, is transformed into an unruly, drunken, and licentious garrison.
As the ugliness of war continues, Silence must learn to shed the submissive nature that life has forced her to assume and draw upon the inner strength that she has always possessed.
From this turmoil a still more subtle threat dawns in the handsome shape of Captain Nick Hellier.
As the battle for England is matched by the struggle within her soul, it’s not long before Captain Hellier starts to slowly unlock the chains around Silence’s fragile, Puritan heart…
Praise for Pamela Belle
“A lovely warm tapestry of a book, weaving together suspense and drama with a bittersweet love story and a richly detailed account of life in an English Manor House during the Civil War. Pamela Belle’s best book so far” — Rosemary Sutcliff
Pamela Belle was born and bred in Suffolk, the daughter of a local prep school headmaster. She went to the University of Sussex, and went on to become a primary school teacher. The Moon in the Water was the first in the four-volume Heron saga.
Tortured by a cold, Puritan father, Silence has learned to conceal her passionate nature inside a prison like shell of passivity.
Her eventual marriage does not offer her the escape that she longs for and she craves some semblance of autonomy.
It is only the sweep of history that finally offers Silence the freedom she so desires.
Civil war has raged and her sombre husband has been away for two years.
During this time Silence – now Mistress of Wintercombe – has enjoyed a harmonious time with her children.
Yet this sheltered world is shattered when enemy Cavaliers invade, causing havoc in the town.
Wintercombe, once a tranquil bastion of family virtue, is transformed into an unruly, drunken, and licentious garrison.
As the ugliness of war continues, Silence must learn to shed the submissive nature that life has forced her to assume and draw upon the inner strength that she has always possessed.
From this turmoil a still more subtle threat dawns in the handsome shape of Captain Nick Hellier.
As the battle for England is matched by the struggle within her soul, it’s not long before Captain Hellier starts to slowly unlock the chains around Silence’s fragile, Puritan heart…
Praise for Pamela Belle
“A lovely warm tapestry of a book, weaving together suspense and drama with a bittersweet love story and a richly detailed account of life in an English Manor House during the Civil War. Pamela Belle’s best book so far” — Rosemary Sutcliff
Pamela Belle was born and bred in Suffolk, the daughter of a local prep school headmaster. She went to the University of Sussex, and went on to become a primary school teacher. The Moon in the Water was the first in the four-volume Heron saga.
624 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 1988
303 people are currently reading
1986 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Belle
19 books80 followersBelle, who also writes contemporary fiction as Alice Marlow, always wanted to be an author. As a child the books she read were adventure stories like "Treasure Island," "Swallows and Amazons," and the novels of John Buchan and CS Forester. She wrote her first book at the age of twelve and having visited the site of a lovely Elizabethan manor house called Rushbrooke and observing the bare, moated island which was all that was left, she wanted to bring Rushbrooke back and chose to do so in print.
Over the next few years 'The Epic', as it became known, grew and grew. Belle drew up a huge family tree and a plan of the house very like Rushbrooke.
Married and a teacher of a class of six-year-olds, she wrote in longhand and, while publishers made encouraging noises, no one was prepared to risk publishing a large book by an unknown author. Eventually the agent Vivienne Schuster was wonderfully enthusiastic about it and found a publisher.
"The Moon in the Water" and its two sequels were published in the UK and the USA with considerable success. Belle gave up teaching in 1985 to spend more time researching and writing. She plans to write a book about Alfred the Great if she can fit it in between looking after the children, dogs, cats and husband.
Over the next few years 'The Epic', as it became known, grew and grew. Belle drew up a huge family tree and a plan of the house very like Rushbrooke.
Married and a teacher of a class of six-year-olds, she wrote in longhand and, while publishers made encouraging noises, no one was prepared to risk publishing a large book by an unknown author. Eventually the agent Vivienne Schuster was wonderfully enthusiastic about it and found a publisher.
"The Moon in the Water" and its two sequels were published in the UK and the USA with considerable success. Belle gave up teaching in 1985 to spend more time researching and writing. She plans to write a book about Alfred the Great if she can fit it in between looking after the children, dogs, cats and husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 23, 2011
Raised in a strict Puritan household with an abusive father, Silence learned at a young age to keep her emotions locked tightly inside her. Married at twenty to an older widower, London raised Silence struggles to fit in with his children and tyrannical mother. Nine years later Civil War breaks out between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians and Simon leaves to join the army leaving Silence and her children in relative peace - that is until a troop of Royalist soldiers arrive to take possession of Wintercombe in the King's name. Leading the troop is the ruthless Colonel Ridgeley who has no pity for the wife of a "traitor" - and Wintercombe is soon invaded by drunken, carousing soldiers.
Always keeping a mask over her emotions, Silence withstands the horrendous abuses committed against her family, home and servants - although she finds sympathy and friendship with Captain Nick Hellier who tries his best to nullify the abominations committed by Ridgeley. Does Nick harbor stronger feelings for Silence or is he just amusing himself during his tenure at Wintercombe? Can Puritan raised Silence resist the love she finally admits for Nick or will she commit the great sin of adultery? Can anyone stop Colonel Ridgeley and his horrifying abuses or will he destroy Wintercombe and the St. Barbe family?
Despite the appearance of being a romance novel, do not let that stop you. What *romance* there might be in the story between the two (and I'm not letting on) is well towards the end of the book - what this book is about is characters and family and how they are affected by war as their home and lives are taken over by brutal, ruthless soldiers - and let me tell you there are some terrifying scenes in this book. There is a lot of family interaction and details of daily life in 17C England, as well as seeing the conflict from both sides. Belle really brings the period and people to life, and I especially enjoy how she writes children and pets.
This might be a bit slow paced at times for readers looking for an action packed read, but if you enjoy a more character driven plot and want to see the affects of war on the women, children and their daily lives I would recommend an immediate trip to your library or your favorite used bookseller. This is the first of a four book series and continues the St Barbe family through the reign of Charles II and the Monmouth rebellion. In order,
Wintercombe
Herald of Joy
A Falling Star
Treason's Gift
Always keeping a mask over her emotions, Silence withstands the horrendous abuses committed against her family, home and servants - although she finds sympathy and friendship with Captain Nick Hellier who tries his best to nullify the abominations committed by Ridgeley. Does Nick harbor stronger feelings for Silence or is he just amusing himself during his tenure at Wintercombe? Can Puritan raised Silence resist the love she finally admits for Nick or will she commit the great sin of adultery? Can anyone stop Colonel Ridgeley and his horrifying abuses or will he destroy Wintercombe and the St. Barbe family?
Despite the appearance of being a romance novel, do not let that stop you. What *romance* there might be in the story between the two (and I'm not letting on) is well towards the end of the book - what this book is about is characters and family and how they are affected by war as their home and lives are taken over by brutal, ruthless soldiers - and let me tell you there are some terrifying scenes in this book. There is a lot of family interaction and details of daily life in 17C England, as well as seeing the conflict from both sides. Belle really brings the period and people to life, and I especially enjoy how she writes children and pets.
This might be a bit slow paced at times for readers looking for an action packed read, but if you enjoy a more character driven plot and want to see the affects of war on the women, children and their daily lives I would recommend an immediate trip to your library or your favorite used bookseller. This is the first of a four book series and continues the St Barbe family through the reign of Charles II and the Monmouth rebellion. In order,
Wintercombe
Herald of Joy
A Falling Star
Treason's Gift
March 20, 2021
I'm left open-mouthed upon closing this book shut after the last page, and it's not for nothing: it's excellently written, but so bittersweet.
I won't go in-depth with my summation of this besides the basic description that it's the story of a Puritan-bred lady, left behind by her Parliamentarian husband to take care of home and children, who finds her house invaded by a detachment of Cavaliers sent to garrison her country house, Wintercombe, and who forms an alliance with their leader's second-in-command, Captain Hellier (an apt name), that will turn out different to what both had foreseen and change her life forever. Such plots with two people from opposing sides of a war converging together to collaborate for everyone's sake and survival, which often results in a sentimental attachment, is one I've found a few times quite recently, and after a while I'd have thought it should lose some of its power to command attention. But no, the characterisation of the main leads in this novel is really amazing, especially the female lead, and I was once more proven wrong. It's not so much originality in scenarios as much as how you write it what shall do the trick. Silence St Barbe feels so true to her times and Puritanical upbringing, she's so lively, questioning and curious, with a capacity to love and enjoy life's small pleasures that's had to be smothered and driven into hiding in a secret place inside herself by her strict father, her abusive Bible-thumping mother-in-law, and a husband that doesn't take her seriously. By the time we meet her, she's become a model Puritan, resigned to never getting her wishes or be as she wants to be, and has found a measure of contentment, if not happiness, in rearing her children and managing Wintercombe.
But that's going to change with war. It was interesting to see this woman who believes herself a meek, submissive, unappealing, and dowdy housewife with little if anything of interest about her grow and assert herself in dealing with the Lieutenant-Colonel from Hell's deepest pit that makes life unbearable for everyone round him, his own troopers included, and seeing her slowly gain the respect, obedience, and loyalty of the household through protecting them from the Royalists' excesses. And she's not alone, for Nicholas Hellier unexpectedly materialises beside her when she most needs an ally. Nick is far from being "godly" but has a softer side that endears him to Silence's children and, more grumblingly, to the wary household (and the pets). The relationship between him and the lady of the manor does have its complications and her conscience does bludgeon her--it'd not be credible otherwise given her religious background--but it isn't angsty or melodramatic; you can see clearly how it germinates and progresses. The best effect this year-long forced cohabitation of enemies had, I'd say, was that Silence finally ends up reclaiming that suffocated part of her that wants to come up for air and demands fulfilment, as she becomes so confident that she cannot but grab what she most wants with both hands despite the consequences that might have.
I won't go in-depth with my summation of this besides the basic description that it's the story of a Puritan-bred lady, left behind by her Parliamentarian husband to take care of home and children, who finds her house invaded by a detachment of Cavaliers sent to garrison her country house, Wintercombe, and who forms an alliance with their leader's second-in-command, Captain Hellier (an apt name), that will turn out different to what both had foreseen and change her life forever. Such plots with two people from opposing sides of a war converging together to collaborate for everyone's sake and survival, which often results in a sentimental attachment, is one I've found a few times quite recently, and after a while I'd have thought it should lose some of its power to command attention. But no, the characterisation of the main leads in this novel is really amazing, especially the female lead, and I was once more proven wrong. It's not so much originality in scenarios as much as how you write it what shall do the trick. Silence St Barbe feels so true to her times and Puritanical upbringing, she's so lively, questioning and curious, with a capacity to love and enjoy life's small pleasures that's had to be smothered and driven into hiding in a secret place inside herself by her strict father, her abusive Bible-thumping mother-in-law, and a husband that doesn't take her seriously. By the time we meet her, she's become a model Puritan, resigned to never getting her wishes or be as she wants to be, and has found a measure of contentment, if not happiness, in rearing her children and managing Wintercombe.
But that's going to change with war. It was interesting to see this woman who believes herself a meek, submissive, unappealing, and dowdy housewife with little if anything of interest about her grow and assert herself in dealing with the Lieutenant-Colonel from Hell's deepest pit that makes life unbearable for everyone round him, his own troopers included, and seeing her slowly gain the respect, obedience, and loyalty of the household through protecting them from the Royalists' excesses. And she's not alone, for Nicholas Hellier unexpectedly materialises beside her when she most needs an ally. Nick is far from being "godly" but has a softer side that endears him to Silence's children and, more grumblingly, to the wary household (and the pets). The relationship between him and the lady of the manor does have its complications and her conscience does bludgeon her--it'd not be credible otherwise given her religious background--but it isn't angsty or melodramatic; you can see clearly how it germinates and progresses. The best effect this year-long forced cohabitation of enemies had, I'd say, was that Silence finally ends up reclaiming that suffocated part of her that wants to come up for air and demands fulfilment, as she becomes so confident that she cannot but grab what she most wants with both hands despite the consequences that might have.
May 4, 2009
A lovely book - why don't more people write about the English Civil War? It's a fascinating period, and this is a simple but fascinating story. A young Puritan wife is left to hold her family and household together when her husband goes to war, and faces myriad difficulties: unruly step-children, Royalist soldiers billeted in her house, a sadistic colonel, and the possibility of adultery with a handsome enemy soldier. The simplicity of this book is its strength: this isn't the story of kings and queens and sweeping armies, but of one woman and her struggle in the middle of war to keep her family and her home safe. I have a few minor quibbles with the book - a teenage daughter is so consistently immature that any true 17th century mother would have smacked her, and I wish Pamela Belle weren't quite so fond of describing her hero as "sardonic." Minor issues, though. This is a great read.
March 20, 2020
Wintercombe and its sequel Herald of Joy are historical romances, set in 17th century England during the Civil War. Silence St. Barbe is a good Puritan wife, whose husband Sir George is away with his eldest son fighting for the Roundheads against the king, leaving Silence in charge of his family home, Wintercombe, and the five remaining children. When a company of Cavaliers arrives and installs themselves in the house, Silence must fight to keep Wintercombe and her family safe, with the unexpected assistance of one of the Cavalier captains, Nick Hellier.
Belle's knowledge of the period is clearly excellent, and she shows it not by inserting large indigestible chunks of history which would distract from the narrative, but by infusing every page with details which make the surroundings and events seem real, from the political and military struggle between the Royalists and the Puritans to the everyday minutiae of running a household. The expected romance between Silence and Nick could easily be clichéd and predictable, but the characters (particularly Silence herself and her two stepchildren, Rachael and Nat) are distinctive and convincing and show genuine growth throughout the two books, elevating a standard romance plot into a captivating tale of love and divided loyalties.
Belle's knowledge of the period is clearly excellent, and she shows it not by inserting large indigestible chunks of history which would distract from the narrative, but by infusing every page with details which make the surroundings and events seem real, from the political and military struggle between the Royalists and the Puritans to the everyday minutiae of running a household. The expected romance between Silence and Nick could easily be clichéd and predictable, but the characters (particularly Silence herself and her two stepchildren, Rachael and Nat) are distinctive and convincing and show genuine growth throughout the two books, elevating a standard romance plot into a captivating tale of love and divided loyalties.
May 9, 2020
This is one of my all-time favorite books, and I look forward to one day seeing the house in Wiltshire that inspired this novel about the English Civil War.
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http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/202...
October 3, 2016
Loved it! I can't wait to read the sequel Herald of Joy.
November 21, 2019
You know it’s a great book when after you finish the last page, and into the next day, you can’t shake feeling the emotions that the story created in your mind. This was a chunker of a hard cover book at 528 pages but so worth it. The writing was excellent and really pulled me in and the author did a wonderful job of keeping the story interesting with not only great development of the characters but with a roller coaster of ups and downs throughout the story. This was a story based during the English civil war between the Royalist and the Roundheads. Silence’s husband George takes his oldest son and leaves to fight in the war in support of the Roundheads and leaves Silence, her three children, two step-children, her mother-in-law and father-in-law at her husband’s ancestral home, Wintercombe to face a garrison of Royalist soldiers.
Things I loved about this book:
The main character Silence who had survived a controlling and abusive Puritan father and upbringing and was married at 19 to a widower, who was old enough to be her father, with three children. She was such a strong character who would not let her true self be broken and held her ground in the face of fear to protect the ones she loved.
The intense love that Silence had for each of her children and how beautifully it was written. She truly knew her children and their characters, weaknesses and strengths and loved them as only a mother could love.
Wintercombe, the home just outside of Bath England that is the setting in 1644. The descriptions of Wintercombe, the gardens that Silence loved and tended and gave her comfort, the rooms, the servants, the people even her beloved animals who lived in it made me feel that I was there and gave me a sense of why Silence wanted to protect it from the ravages of war.
The love story was written in such a believable and gradual pace and was built on friendship and turned into an all consuming love.
Things I loved about this book:
The main character Silence who had survived a controlling and abusive Puritan father and upbringing and was married at 19 to a widower, who was old enough to be her father, with three children. She was such a strong character who would not let her true self be broken and held her ground in the face of fear to protect the ones she loved.
The intense love that Silence had for each of her children and how beautifully it was written. She truly knew her children and their characters, weaknesses and strengths and loved them as only a mother could love.
Wintercombe, the home just outside of Bath England that is the setting in 1644. The descriptions of Wintercombe, the gardens that Silence loved and tended and gave her comfort, the rooms, the servants, the people even her beloved animals who lived in it made me feel that I was there and gave me a sense of why Silence wanted to protect it from the ravages of war.
The love story was written in such a believable and gradual pace and was built on friendship and turned into an all consuming love.
February 17, 2010
I stumbled upon this book quite by accident, buried in the stacks at my local public library. If it wasn't out of print, I would buy it, and the books that come after it as well.
This is one of my favorite novels of all time. I love Silence, Lady St. Barbe. I love the description of beautiful Wintercombe, a fictional place based on an actual house. I love the details about the domestic arrangements of the estate, about how a lady was supposed to behave, about life during the English Civil War.
The story is excellent. It is everything I enjoy in historical fiction. A party of Cavaliers descend upon Puritan Wintercombe and turn it into their winter headquarters. Silence, Lady St. Barbe, works to keep her family in their home and the servants unmolested, with varying success. She is constantly scorned and humiliated, but she can't give up or give in. Meanwhile she develops a friendship and a behind the scenes supporter with one of the Cavalier officers. Meanwhile her obnoxious stepdaughter creates problems on top of problems.
I just love this book. IT IS EXCELLENT. I have read it many times.
This is one of my favorite novels of all time. I love Silence, Lady St. Barbe. I love the description of beautiful Wintercombe, a fictional place based on an actual house. I love the details about the domestic arrangements of the estate, about how a lady was supposed to behave, about life during the English Civil War.
The story is excellent. It is everything I enjoy in historical fiction. A party of Cavaliers descend upon Puritan Wintercombe and turn it into their winter headquarters. Silence, Lady St. Barbe, works to keep her family in their home and the servants unmolested, with varying success. She is constantly scorned and humiliated, but she can't give up or give in. Meanwhile she develops a friendship and a behind the scenes supporter with one of the Cavalier officers. Meanwhile her obnoxious stepdaughter creates problems on top of problems.
I just love this book. IT IS EXCELLENT. I have read it many times.
January 6, 2013
This is the first book of the Wintercombe series.
This is the story of Silence St. Barbe, who has been left in charge of Wintercombe, near Bath in Somerset, while her husband and eldest son are fighting for Parliament.
When her house is taken by the soldiers, with the leadership of Lieutenant Ridgeley, she and her five children starts to suffer with the soldier's brutality and harassment.
However, a surprisingly friendship is established between Silence and Captain Hellier who helps in any way to help her to summon this period of the English Civil War.
I must confess that I don't enjoy this book as much as the Heron series.
This is the story of Silence St. Barbe, who has been left in charge of Wintercombe, near Bath in Somerset, while her husband and eldest son are fighting for Parliament.
When her house is taken by the soldiers, with the leadership of Lieutenant Ridgeley, she and her five children starts to suffer with the soldier's brutality and harassment.
However, a surprisingly friendship is established between Silence and Captain Hellier who helps in any way to help her to summon this period of the English Civil War.
I must confess that I don't enjoy this book as much as the Heron series.
July 31, 2011
Compelling all the way through, with a beautifully imagined setting and wonderful characters. I didn't want it to end!
January 20, 2016
England's Civil War has reached Wintercombe Manor. Silence St. Barbe, raised by a remorselessly strict father, has escaped her troublesome childhood home through a marriage of convenience. Her (much older) husband has left to fight on the side of Parliament against King Charles. Silence is only twenty-eight years old, but she has been left with the responsibility of the manor estate along with several servants and her five children to care for and protect in her husband's absence. However Wintercombe is soon to be occupied by Royalist forces (and an attractive Royalist captain who more than once, will come to Silence's rescue, or to her children's).
"You will be safe," he said. "You would not be harmed by either side. If Wintercombe were besieged, you could be sent out to safety. The children can go to the village, if you yourself do not wish to leave. But it may not come to that. The garrison may be withdrawn to Bath or Bristol, if Fairfax comes too close - and then we will all be spared."
"Then I shall pray for it," Silence said bitterly. She thought of the lovely house behind her, serene in the fading light, so dear and now, it seemed, in such peril. She had heard what a determined siege could do. In Taunton, hardly anything had been left standing save the chimneys, rising forlornly from the heaps of ashes. And the house at Chard, though it had never suffered siege, was a blackened, uninhabitable ruin. Was the same fate to befall Wintercombe?"
A lengthy historical romance, this novel of over 500 pages kept my interest. Much of the events of the Civil War are saved for the final third of the book while the personal story of Silence and her family plays out, bringing to life what military occupation meant for villages during England's upheaval in civil war times. The author, Pamela Belle, writes attractively with her descriptions of English countryside, giving me on this winter- read a longing for Spring!
"In all the doubt and trouble and fear and confusion of her present existence, the utter certainty of her garden was a delight and a consolation. The sun would rise, true, but could be hidden by clouds and rain. Nothing would hide that joyous celebration, that yellow trumpeting for spring, and even if by some dread mischance she were not at Wintercombe to see it, there would be other flowers, other gardens. Not all the king's soldiers, not even the king himself, could stand like Canute and deny the inexorable turning of the seasons and the renewal of the year.
She knew that she should, as a good wife and mother, of the sort called Puritan, turn to God for help and comfort. And indeed her prayers, morning and night, were more fervent than they had ever been. But she had always gone for solace to her garden, and it had never yet failed her."
Several Royalist Generals described in the novel are true historic figures, such as Lord Goring, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and of course, Prince Rupert. The author has certainly done her homework, as the settings she chooses are brought to life and the battles in the novel (Langport, Taunton, and others) also happened much as they were described. "Wintercombe" illustrates the plight of various towns and regions in England that were so deeply affected by the occupation of both Royalist and Roundhead troops.
"On the twenty-eight of July, the New Model Army reached Wells. Rupert, hearing the news, dispatched a more stalwart and reliable officer, accompanied by a couple of troops of horse, to hold Bath instead of the wavering Sir Thomas Bridges.
The people of Bath were frightened, and furious. The soldiers were from Bristol, and could well have brought the plague with them, to infect their clean, sweet, and pleasant city, and they did not see why they should risk such a disaster when the Royal cause seemed well and truly lost. When it became apparent that many of the reinforcements were the hated and despised Welsh, their rage was redoubled. Crowds surrounded the governor's house in West Street, throwing rotten eggs and filth and stones, and shouting "No Welsh!"
I completely enjoyed this book (and I am going to be very honest here) - until I came to the last sixty pages or so. The decisions made by Silence and her romantic interest, Captain Hellier, were so dismaying and disappointing, as they rationalise and justify the choices they make. The author does do a good job of portraying Silence's struggle between right and wrong, as much of the bulk of the book is taken up with her attempts to justify the growing friendship and attraction she is experiencing.
Silence knows the risks, she understands the impossibility of her situation and the ramifications should she plunge into a deeper relationship that has no hope of any positive outcome. Yet Silence (in her frail humanity), chooses ultimately to rebel against everything common sense and discretion would tell her, all for a brief romantic interlude. Even worse, Silence justifies her choice not just to herself alone, but to her children and her cautiously disapproving maid, all of whom (conveniently) end up supporting her. And so Silence is able to 'have her cake and eat it too', without regret or reaping any apparent consequence.
It is also hard to believe in the character of Silence's mother-in-law. A grandmother who quotes Scripture and wields it frequently with malice, her only motive seemingly, to take delight in making her family squirm, is not a very attractive (or to me, believable), persona. It is possible that this character (like Silence's father), was created solely to garner sympathy for Silence's plight (having escaped the rigors of her childhood only to be plunged into a joyless, harsh religious atmosphere). Silence's quiet misery, her harsh upbringing and lack of 'romance' within an arranged marriage will find solace in a romantic relationship (albeit one outside of marraige), and so ultimately, her forbidden love is justified.
I would have appreciated the novel much more had this author used the events in Silence's life rather to display opportunity for growth in her character. How much more I would have enjoyed seeing Silence finding contentment and happiness within the constraints of her marriage vows, home, family and children (certainly her garden has brought her much joy, and poverty is not a problem for Silence, although she must find creative solutions to feed a household of servants, family and fifty-plus soldiers). I love to read novels that illustrate personality change and watch the characters mature through their life lessons and circumstances. Remaining steadfast within challenging, difficult or even insurmountable situations, while modelling qualities such as faithfulness and building stability within one's household, (especially in front of young, impressionable children), would have made for me, a much more enjoyable story.
(I could not help but contrast this with Lucilla Eliot's excellent characterization and similar experiences in her novel "The Bird in the Tree"!)
Despite my disappointment with the characters' motivations and the final chapters of "Wintercombe", I did find much to learn in this Civil War novel and am curious to see where the author takes the reader next in this series.
"You will be safe," he said. "You would not be harmed by either side. If Wintercombe were besieged, you could be sent out to safety. The children can go to the village, if you yourself do not wish to leave. But it may not come to that. The garrison may be withdrawn to Bath or Bristol, if Fairfax comes too close - and then we will all be spared."
"Then I shall pray for it," Silence said bitterly. She thought of the lovely house behind her, serene in the fading light, so dear and now, it seemed, in such peril. She had heard what a determined siege could do. In Taunton, hardly anything had been left standing save the chimneys, rising forlornly from the heaps of ashes. And the house at Chard, though it had never suffered siege, was a blackened, uninhabitable ruin. Was the same fate to befall Wintercombe?"
A lengthy historical romance, this novel of over 500 pages kept my interest. Much of the events of the Civil War are saved for the final third of the book while the personal story of Silence and her family plays out, bringing to life what military occupation meant for villages during England's upheaval in civil war times. The author, Pamela Belle, writes attractively with her descriptions of English countryside, giving me on this winter- read a longing for Spring!
"In all the doubt and trouble and fear and confusion of her present existence, the utter certainty of her garden was a delight and a consolation. The sun would rise, true, but could be hidden by clouds and rain. Nothing would hide that joyous celebration, that yellow trumpeting for spring, and even if by some dread mischance she were not at Wintercombe to see it, there would be other flowers, other gardens. Not all the king's soldiers, not even the king himself, could stand like Canute and deny the inexorable turning of the seasons and the renewal of the year.
She knew that she should, as a good wife and mother, of the sort called Puritan, turn to God for help and comfort. And indeed her prayers, morning and night, were more fervent than they had ever been. But she had always gone for solace to her garden, and it had never yet failed her."
Several Royalist Generals described in the novel are true historic figures, such as Lord Goring, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and of course, Prince Rupert. The author has certainly done her homework, as the settings she chooses are brought to life and the battles in the novel (Langport, Taunton, and others) also happened much as they were described. "Wintercombe" illustrates the plight of various towns and regions in England that were so deeply affected by the occupation of both Royalist and Roundhead troops.
"On the twenty-eight of July, the New Model Army reached Wells. Rupert, hearing the news, dispatched a more stalwart and reliable officer, accompanied by a couple of troops of horse, to hold Bath instead of the wavering Sir Thomas Bridges.
The people of Bath were frightened, and furious. The soldiers were from Bristol, and could well have brought the plague with them, to infect their clean, sweet, and pleasant city, and they did not see why they should risk such a disaster when the Royal cause seemed well and truly lost. When it became apparent that many of the reinforcements were the hated and despised Welsh, their rage was redoubled. Crowds surrounded the governor's house in West Street, throwing rotten eggs and filth and stones, and shouting "No Welsh!"
I completely enjoyed this book (and I am going to be very honest here) - until I came to the last sixty pages or so. The decisions made by Silence and her romantic interest, Captain Hellier, were so dismaying and disappointing, as they rationalise and justify the choices they make. The author does do a good job of portraying Silence's struggle between right and wrong, as much of the bulk of the book is taken up with her attempts to justify the growing friendship and attraction she is experiencing.
Silence knows the risks, she understands the impossibility of her situation and the ramifications should she plunge into a deeper relationship that has no hope of any positive outcome. Yet Silence (in her frail humanity), chooses ultimately to rebel against everything common sense and discretion would tell her, all for a brief romantic interlude. Even worse, Silence justifies her choice not just to herself alone, but to her children and her cautiously disapproving maid, all of whom (conveniently) end up supporting her. And so Silence is able to 'have her cake and eat it too', without regret or reaping any apparent consequence.
It is also hard to believe in the character of Silence's mother-in-law. A grandmother who quotes Scripture and wields it frequently with malice, her only motive seemingly, to take delight in making her family squirm, is not a very attractive (or to me, believable), persona. It is possible that this character (like Silence's father), was created solely to garner sympathy for Silence's plight (having escaped the rigors of her childhood only to be plunged into a joyless, harsh religious atmosphere). Silence's quiet misery, her harsh upbringing and lack of 'romance' within an arranged marriage will find solace in a romantic relationship (albeit one outside of marraige), and so ultimately, her forbidden love is justified.
I would have appreciated the novel much more had this author used the events in Silence's life rather to display opportunity for growth in her character. How much more I would have enjoyed seeing Silence finding contentment and happiness within the constraints of her marriage vows, home, family and children (certainly her garden has brought her much joy, and poverty is not a problem for Silence, although she must find creative solutions to feed a household of servants, family and fifty-plus soldiers). I love to read novels that illustrate personality change and watch the characters mature through their life lessons and circumstances. Remaining steadfast within challenging, difficult or even insurmountable situations, while modelling qualities such as faithfulness and building stability within one's household, (especially in front of young, impressionable children), would have made for me, a much more enjoyable story.
(I could not help but contrast this with Lucilla Eliot's excellent characterization and similar experiences in her novel "The Bird in the Tree"!)
Despite my disappointment with the characters' motivations and the final chapters of "Wintercombe", I did find much to learn in this Civil War novel and am curious to see where the author takes the reader next in this series.
January 17, 2013
I was a little nervous when I received this book from Interlibrary Loan. It looked like a bodice ripper, judging from the cover, the title, and the author's name (I don't know, the name sounded bodice-ripping to me). What I found instead was a thoughtful, carefully crafted tale, bringing me out of my world and into the time of the English Civil War.
What I liked was the way that most times we were in our heroine's head, and we saw her thought process on things like getting the house in order, personality clashes amongst the servants, preferring one child over another and feeling guilty about it. It is obvious that Ms. Belle has lived a life, run a household, raised children, fallen in love.
What I did not like about the story is that the bad guys are so bad that they were beyond belief. No one could be as purely evil, gross, ignorant, etc. as her bad guys. Other characters were more well-rounded.
Usually I knew what was going to happen, but not exactly how, and I was eager to see how things turned out. Ending was NOT predictable.
All in all, fantastic book.
What I liked was the way that most times we were in our heroine's head, and we saw her thought process on things like getting the house in order, personality clashes amongst the servants, preferring one child over another and feeling guilty about it. It is obvious that Ms. Belle has lived a life, run a household, raised children, fallen in love.
What I did not like about the story is that the bad guys are so bad that they were beyond belief. No one could be as purely evil, gross, ignorant, etc. as her bad guys. Other characters were more well-rounded.
Usually I knew what was going to happen, but not exactly how, and I was eager to see how things turned out. Ending was NOT predictable.
All in all, fantastic book.
October 12, 2010
I have recently read this book for the umpteenth time. The main character, Silence St Barbe, is a product of the times in which she lived. Her personal struggle to overcome her rebellious nature and conform to the expectations of the males around her echo the external battles between catholic and protestant, parliament and monarchy. A sweet natured puritan lady, her lifestyle as tight as her corsets, is given a glimpse of happiness by the warm, intelligent, sensitive cavalier officer, Nick Hellier. This lovely tale, set against the backdrop of the most painful of English wars is magnificently done.
December 31, 2018
My favorite book of 2018! And I got it in just in the nick of time. 500+ dense pages, but so addicting to read. Superbly crafted, well researched historical fiction. First in a series of four—I will absolutely have to hunt down the remainder!
May 20, 2020
Just as engrossing and emotionally involving as when I read it for the first time nearly 30 years ago. This ambitious, broad canvas novel has well-drawn, flawed human characters you become invested in and care for, as a Puritan family is swept up in the chaos of war when their Somersetshire home is invaded by enemy troops. Belle provides a revealing window into daily life in a 17th century Puritan manor house with her myriad details, a slow-simmering romance, scenes of pure terror, love, betrayal, joy, and shattering heartbreak that will touch your heart and soul, set against the backdrop of the tumultuous era of the English Civil War. The war, however, really takes a backseat, as this story is more about character development and relationships, and the complexities of emotions and the complications that occur between the various characters. Written in the grand storytelling tradition of sweeping sagas like Gone With the Wind, Forever Amber, and Beulah Land, if I could rate this higher than 5 stars I would do it. Silence and Nick are truly unforgettable characters, and this absolutely remains one of my all-time favorite historical novels.
September 28, 2024
I read this because a reviewer of Stella Riley's A Splendid Defiance suggested reading Pamela Belle. Anyway, this was amazing and I have pages and pages of notes that I might one day try to make sense of in a review. I will be reading the rest of this series!
June 1, 2025
A compelling read
This is a compelling read with strong characters and a solid plot. Though it is a bit long on the descriptions and slow burn on the romance, I could not put it down. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.
This is a compelling read with strong characters and a solid plot. Though it is a bit long on the descriptions and slow burn on the romance, I could not put it down. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.
October 4, 2009
This is a good story, if a bit long. Basically, during one of England's civil wars, a large estate named Wintercombe is the home to a gaggle of Puritan women and children. Silence, the mistress of the house (well... second to her evil mother in law), is the wife of a man branded a traitor by the king's men. Therefore, when her father in law dies bequeathing the house to his wife, the king's soldiers are faced with a dilemma as to how to attain Wintercombe. Even tho it shelters a traitor's wife and children, the evil mother and widow was wife to a loyal man. The resolution: Wintercombe is forced to shelter at least 50 of the king's men, provide food and wine for them, and house their horses. The novel covers difficulties arising from all these soldiers in a home of Puritan women, their drinking, cavorting, raiding of the ale, their seducing of the milkmaid, their turning the chimney sweeper's daughter into a lady of ill repute, the lack of food, back weather, disagreements, arguments, and even a shooting and an explosion!
Silence, meanwhile, discovers a surprising friendship blooming with a Captain named Nick. He never ceases to come to her aid and often plays mediator between her the rowdier men. In between comical incidents, Nick begins to slowly "woo" the not-so-devout-after-all Puritan lady. Can Silence "behave" herself in her husband's absence?
This falls short of being a 5 star book for a few reasons. The romance took a very long time to really enter the picture. I wouldn't even call this a romance novel so if it is romance you are looking for, keep looking. I was also put off at times by two things, and this is likely just me as I know I am a rare breed of woman, but not being fond of children, I grew a little tired of reading about the children and what they do and say and Silence has 5 of them under her roof so it was unavoidable. Neither am I a religious person so the word "godly" and talk of "godliness" got a bit tiresome at times. And I HATED the ending. I will say it is surprising, but I did not like it. After 500 some pages, I would prefer a more joyful conclusion.
If you want a piece of English history and are tired of the kings and queens, I recommend you have a go at this. It is very well researched.. I actually learned some new customs from it.
Silence, meanwhile, discovers a surprising friendship blooming with a Captain named Nick. He never ceases to come to her aid and often plays mediator between her the rowdier men. In between comical incidents, Nick begins to slowly "woo" the not-so-devout-after-all Puritan lady. Can Silence "behave" herself in her husband's absence?
This falls short of being a 5 star book for a few reasons. The romance took a very long time to really enter the picture. I wouldn't even call this a romance novel so if it is romance you are looking for, keep looking. I was also put off at times by two things, and this is likely just me as I know I am a rare breed of woman, but not being fond of children, I grew a little tired of reading about the children and what they do and say and Silence has 5 of them under her roof so it was unavoidable. Neither am I a religious person so the word "godly" and talk of "godliness" got a bit tiresome at times. And I HATED the ending. I will say it is surprising, but I did not like it. After 500 some pages, I would prefer a more joyful conclusion.
If you want a piece of English history and are tired of the kings and queens, I recommend you have a go at this. It is very well researched.. I actually learned some new customs from it.
July 21, 2016
Set in 1644, during the English Civil War, Wintercombe is no longer just the St. Barbe family home and estate. Occupied by enemy soldiers, Lady St. Barbe (Silence) must keep the household together and protect her people and land from the callous Cavaliers while her husband is fighting for his King, but she is still considered an outsider, someone not born and bred in Somerset, and the staff don't fully trust her. It will take everything she has to keep her children safe, and in the meantime she herself is blossoming, as if until now she had lived only in a dim light.
I hesitate to call this historical romance because that often seems to imply bodice-rippers or books that are more about sex/romance than about the story or historical setting, and that would be a disservice. So to set this straight: take the detailed eye of Anya Seton, strip out most of the graphic sex scenes, and set up a slow burn. (That's not a spoiler, it's in the description.)
Unlike many such books, there's obviously been copious research by the author who manages not to strew details haphazardly but instead make every scene incredibly rich visually. Her foreword confirms that most of the characters actually existed, and as they were portrayed, which makes this quite unusual, and the portrayal of both armies - and then the New Model Army - clearly shows the harsh reality for the people torn between the armies of King and Parliament.
I didn't know there were other books, that this is the first in a trilogy, and honestly it stands excellently on its own, but I'll be hunting out the others when I can!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I hesitate to call this historical romance because that often seems to imply bodice-rippers or books that are more about sex/romance than about the story or historical setting, and that would be a disservice. So to set this straight: take the detailed eye of Anya Seton, strip out most of the graphic sex scenes, and set up a slow burn. (That's not a spoiler, it's in the description.)
Unlike many such books, there's obviously been copious research by the author who manages not to strew details haphazardly but instead make every scene incredibly rich visually. Her foreword confirms that most of the characters actually existed, and as they were portrayed, which makes this quite unusual, and the portrayal of both armies - and then the New Model Army - clearly shows the harsh reality for the people torn between the armies of King and Parliament.
I didn't know there were other books, that this is the first in a trilogy, and honestly it stands excellently on its own, but I'll be hunting out the others when I can!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 20, 2009
One of my favorite historical novels, now sadly out of print. In 17th-century England, Silence St. Barbe, a young Puritan woman married to a much older nobleman, finds her difficult circumstances as stepmother to a brood of hostile stepchildren made immeasurably more difficult when civil war breaks out, her husband rides away to battle, and a troop of Cavalier soldiers promptly occupy the house.
Partly a suspense novel, partly a romance, and overall, a gorgeously-detailed account of life on an English country estate in the 1640s, this book is a true masterpiece.
Partly a suspense novel, partly a romance, and overall, a gorgeously-detailed account of life on an English country estate in the 1640s, this book is a true masterpiece.
November 29, 2009
Well written, detailed historial romance set in the days of the English Civil War. I enjoyed Belle's deft handling of day-to-day activities of life during each season of the year in which the plot unfolds.
Would have rated it a 5 had it not been marred by the adultery at the end. Sorry, but I'm not sympathetic to love when it comes at the cost of broken marriage vows, regardless of how black a brush Belle paints the cuckholded husband. Was expecting hubby to conveniently die in battle, so was disappointed in how it wrapped up.
Would have rated it a 5 had it not been marred by the adultery at the end. Sorry, but I'm not sympathetic to love when it comes at the cost of broken marriage vows, regardless of how black a brush Belle paints the cuckholded husband. Was expecting hubby to conveniently die in battle, so was disappointed in how it wrapped up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2007
Set during the English Civil War (1644-45), when the Royalist forces invaded the house of Puritans. The commander was evil, his second in command was cool - and the woman and he fell in love. In the end, her husband came back from the war, and she stayed, hoping to pass off her child by the Cavalier as his. Not bad, but didn’t read very quickly.
November 13, 2019
My favourite ever historical fiction book. Puritan housewife Silence St Barbe left to hold family togther when her much older husband goes away to fight in the English civil war, and Cavallier Captain Nick hellier are a brilliant combination and make a memorable romance
September 13, 2016
The story starts out okay but after the first part I felt like it deteriorates. Although set during the English Civil War the story never leaves the estate and becomes a soap opera.
May 5, 2019
This will be my 2nd read of this series.
February 4, 2017
"Wintercombe" is a thoroughly enjoyable novel set during the English Civil War. The story focuses on Silence St Barbe, who, while her husband is away fighting for Parliament, is forced to keep her children and her household safe from an occupying garrison of Royalists, led by the cruel Colonel Ridgeley. Amidst the chaos of the Royalist occupation, Silence finds a kindred spirit in the Royalist Captain, Nick Hellier, and gradually begins to fall in love with him.
Though the plot of Wintercombe is set around Silence and Nick's love affair, the real core of the story lies in Silence's character development, from a woman trembling and feared to speak out, to a strong-willed leader holding her household firm against the debauches and cruelty of Colonel Ridgeley. Silence as a character is very likable, though on occasion her newfound strength leads her to act in ways that to me seemed just plain idiotic: there is a scene in which she seems incapable of keeping out of harm's way, making her frequent beration of Rachael for similar haphazard waywardness seem somewhat hypocritical.
Nick as a character is, for the most part, the perfect idea of chivalry, though it is difficult to reconcile his character later in the story with our original introduction to him as a sharp-tongued soldier who casually discusses debauching Silence's maids. This comment is never again referred to or explained, which, rather than making us forget it, hints (I imagine unintentionally) at a darker side to his character when it comes to his relations with women. (On a side note, I found the introduction to Hellier and Byam extremely confusing: it was difficult to tell which of them was being referred to at which point, not in the least because Pamela Belle has a habit of putting different characters' lines of dialogue in the same paragraph, rather than separating them out to imply different speakers). The editing also left a little to be desired (Rachael at one point accidentally became Richard, which had me rereading pages in case I had somehow missed an extra character somewhere).
However, minor gripes about the format and editing aside, this is a very enjoyable novel that I found myself reading in only a few sittings, despite the book's hefty size. The fact that the action is mostly set inside Wintercombe gives the story a very 'fly-on-the-wall' feel and helps add to the impression of a packed, claustrophobic environment. The ending is extremely well-written and beautifully bittersweet; I was gladdened to read that there is a sequel!
Though the plot of Wintercombe is set around Silence and Nick's love affair, the real core of the story lies in Silence's character development, from a woman trembling and feared to speak out, to a strong-willed leader holding her household firm against the debauches and cruelty of Colonel Ridgeley. Silence as a character is very likable, though on occasion her newfound strength leads her to act in ways that to me seemed just plain idiotic: there is a scene in which she seems incapable of keeping out of harm's way, making her frequent beration of Rachael for similar haphazard waywardness seem somewhat hypocritical.
Nick as a character is, for the most part, the perfect idea of chivalry, though it is difficult to reconcile his character later in the story with our original introduction to him as a sharp-tongued soldier who casually discusses debauching Silence's maids. This comment is never again referred to or explained, which, rather than making us forget it, hints (I imagine unintentionally) at a darker side to his character when it comes to his relations with women. (On a side note, I found the introduction to Hellier and Byam extremely confusing: it was difficult to tell which of them was being referred to at which point, not in the least because Pamela Belle has a habit of putting different characters' lines of dialogue in the same paragraph, rather than separating them out to imply different speakers). The editing also left a little to be desired (Rachael at one point accidentally became Richard, which had me rereading pages in case I had somehow missed an extra character somewhere).
However, minor gripes about the format and editing aside, this is a very enjoyable novel that I found myself reading in only a few sittings, despite the book's hefty size. The fact that the action is mostly set inside Wintercombe gives the story a very 'fly-on-the-wall' feel and helps add to the impression of a packed, claustrophobic environment. The ending is extremely well-written and beautifully bittersweet; I was gladdened to read that there is a sequel!
July 29, 2019
I have loved Pamela Belle's other series (beginning with "The Moon on the Water") since I was in junior high. The only excuse for taking so long to read her Wintercombe series is how awful it was trying to track down out of print books in the days before Kindle and online used bookstores. Fortunately, with those things available, it shouldn't take me five years to track down all the books in THIS series.
I found the first book on Kindle, and I already regret that. I don't care of reading on a screen, and it's not a short book, so it took me ages longer than I should have to read it. (I now have the sequel in proper, hardback form sitting next to me ready to read, thank goodness.)
I really enjoyed this. Pamela Belle is one of my favorite authors in general, but hands down my favorite author of historical fiction. It's really a shame her books are out of print, and also that it seems they get marketed so often as romance novels. While there is a love story involved, they are definitely a lot more than romance novels. Her portrayal of the these fictional families that struggle through real-life historical events seems so true to the time period and so detailed that it makes me feel I'm looking through a portal into actual events.
Moon in the Water will always hold a special place in my heart (especially with Francis Heron as my all-time number one fictional crush), so I can't objectively say how Wintercombe compares to it. However, I loved it in its own right. I loved that it covered the same familiar landscape of England during the Civil War, but chose a different set of allegiances, a different geographic location, and a very different set of circumstances. Silence was a great character, and it was so easy to cheer for her and fear for what might happen to her and her family. Nick Hellier, though I was uncertain of him at first, quickly became a character I loved. Silence's stepson, Nat, however, was possibly my favorite character of all. I'm really curious to see where the story goes from here, and to see what the children will be like as they age.
I found the first book on Kindle, and I already regret that. I don't care of reading on a screen, and it's not a short book, so it took me ages longer than I should have to read it. (I now have the sequel in proper, hardback form sitting next to me ready to read, thank goodness.)
I really enjoyed this. Pamela Belle is one of my favorite authors in general, but hands down my favorite author of historical fiction. It's really a shame her books are out of print, and also that it seems they get marketed so often as romance novels. While there is a love story involved, they are definitely a lot more than romance novels. Her portrayal of the these fictional families that struggle through real-life historical events seems so true to the time period and so detailed that it makes me feel I'm looking through a portal into actual events.
Moon in the Water will always hold a special place in my heart (especially with Francis Heron as my all-time number one fictional crush), so I can't objectively say how Wintercombe compares to it. However, I loved it in its own right. I loved that it covered the same familiar landscape of England during the Civil War, but chose a different set of allegiances, a different geographic location, and a very different set of circumstances. Silence was a great character, and it was so easy to cheer for her and fear for what might happen to her and her family. Nick Hellier, though I was uncertain of him at first, quickly became a character I loved. Silence's stepson, Nat, however, was possibly my favorite character of all. I'm really curious to see where the story goes from here, and to see what the children will be like as they age.
May 29, 2024
Gripping!!
Though this novel began a little slowly, and I even had thought of not continuing it, the story became one I couldn't put down. The beginning, I realized, was necessary to set the scene to this engrossing true tale.
The heroine, born and reared within Puritan strictures, wife to an uncaring Puritan man, mother to three children and stepmother to three more, must control her innermost rebellious nature to appear to all the perfect, submissive, dutiful wife. When her husband and eldest son leave for war, Silence is thrust into the role of head of a large manor house with many sullen servants who see her as a distrusted interloper. The actual "Dame" of the estate is Silence's much feared mother-in-law, an elderly, Bible-quoting, vicious-tongued invalid who rules through fear and intimidation from her rooms.
This is, above all, a love story. A story of Silence's fierce but gentle love for her children and the massive, beautiful estate she adores. Her innate strength of character and determination, her piety, and strict upbringing govern her outwardly, but her gentle nature enables her to rule effectively and efficiently in her husband's absence. despite being woefully unprepared for such a role.
It's also a beautifully constructed story of a woman coming to know her own strengths and weaknesses. Faced with the cruelest, most evil enemy of her husband occupying the estate with a garrison of immoral and destructive soldiers, Silence must struggle to maintain her dignity and the safety of her children.
This is a fascinating story, based upon fact, and will hold you in its thrall to the very end.
Though this novel began a little slowly, and I even had thought of not continuing it, the story became one I couldn't put down. The beginning, I realized, was necessary to set the scene to this engrossing true tale.
The heroine, born and reared within Puritan strictures, wife to an uncaring Puritan man, mother to three children and stepmother to three more, must control her innermost rebellious nature to appear to all the perfect, submissive, dutiful wife. When her husband and eldest son leave for war, Silence is thrust into the role of head of a large manor house with many sullen servants who see her as a distrusted interloper. The actual "Dame" of the estate is Silence's much feared mother-in-law, an elderly, Bible-quoting, vicious-tongued invalid who rules through fear and intimidation from her rooms.
This is, above all, a love story. A story of Silence's fierce but gentle love for her children and the massive, beautiful estate she adores. Her innate strength of character and determination, her piety, and strict upbringing govern her outwardly, but her gentle nature enables her to rule effectively and efficiently in her husband's absence. despite being woefully unprepared for such a role.
It's also a beautifully constructed story of a woman coming to know her own strengths and weaknesses. Faced with the cruelest, most evil enemy of her husband occupying the estate with a garrison of immoral and destructive soldiers, Silence must struggle to maintain her dignity and the safety of her children.
This is a fascinating story, based upon fact, and will hold you in its thrall to the very end.
May 16, 2017
I read this in anticipation of my trip to the UK. It was a good read, one that I'm glad I picked up, but wasn't a page turner, and certainly won't be for everyone. It's slow at times and the war pages really dragged, but I was totally enthralled with the personal growth of the protagonist "Silence". The author did a fantastic job of taking a shy, somewhat spineless Quaker woman and turning her into a strong, intelligent, and competent lady. I truly admired the way she handled her stepdaughter Rachel-a will full, angry, and spirited girl. Her sense of responsibility for her estate and her people is something of a bygone era and a trope I shall always love.
The romantic aspect was at the same time the strongest and weakest aspect to the story. Silence is a married woman, and Nick a officer of the opposing army billeting in her home. He's the only man with dignity and a conscience and I felt conflicted the entire book. Silence's husband (off fighting while the rest of the story takes place) is not a kind man, and doesn't care for anyone save his mother and oldest son. He's easy to root against. But then, could I in good conscience root for adultery? It was a problem. And mostly left me feeling confused.
All in all, it was a good book to read once but I probably won't finish the story.
The romantic aspect was at the same time the strongest and weakest aspect to the story. Silence is a married woman, and Nick a officer of the opposing army billeting in her home. He's the only man with dignity and a conscience and I felt conflicted the entire book. Silence's husband (off fighting while the rest of the story takes place) is not a kind man, and doesn't care for anyone save his mother and oldest son. He's easy to root against. But then, could I in good conscience root for adultery? It was a problem. And mostly left me feeling confused.
All in all, it was a good book to read once but I probably won't finish the story.
November 3, 2020
I enjoyed Wintercombe by Pamela Bell so much I would put it in my top 20 books I've read this year. Very intricate and interesting plot. Good characters. I had read the Mask of Duplicity novel series that showed the other side of the Jacobites war If this series continues as well as that series did, I will be reading one a month. There is so much to follow in this book, yet Ms. Belle managed to fill out almost all of the characters. After all, there were too many Cavaliers to fill out every one. I had never really read much of the beliefs of the Puritans so it enlightened me about those also, even though the husband and his mother certainly would turn anyone off on following that religion. At the very least the treatment of women was awful. I will not spoil anything but to take the heroine 30 years to find laughter because in order to be a good Puritan wife you were so restricted and stepped on by the head of the house really made me angry and sad. Keep in mind the novel was about the people at Wintercombe and did not concentrate on the battle between the roundheads and Cavaliers, but, rather the interaction between the characters. Once again, I salute you, Ms. Belle for a book well written and well worth reading. Ginnie
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