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Een verliefde vrouw
1938. Juliet Winterton reist van Egypte, waar ze opgroeide, naar het koude Engeland. Ze is pas getrouwd met Londens bekendste juwelier, Henry Winterton, en is vol hoop dat ze een mooie, liefdevolle toekomst tegemoet gaat. Maar achter het intelligente, ambitieuze voorkomen van haar man gaat een koud en wreed hart schuil. Juliet betwijfelt of liefde in zo’n meedogenloze man kan bloeien. Als ze Gillis Sinclair ontmoet, een charismatische politicus, wordt ze hartstochtelijk verliefd, met alle passie die ze voor haar man niet kan opbrengen.
De gepassioneerde affaire die volgt heeft verstrekkende gevolgen, want Gillis Sinclair draagt een duister geheim met zich mee, dat Juliet en haar gezin onherstelbaar zou kunnen beschadigen…
De gepassioneerde affaire die volgt heeft verstrekkende gevolgen, want Gillis Sinclair draagt een duister geheim met zich mee, dat Juliet en haar gezin onherstelbaar zou kunnen beschadigen…
475 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2016
86 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Judith Lennox
27 books151 followersAka Judith Lennox-Smith
Judith Lennox lives in Cambridgeshire, England with her husband and three sons.
Judith Lennox lives in Cambridgeshire, England with her husband and three sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 11, 2016
In the best tradition of saga novels The Jeweller’s Wife has at its centre a complex couple, a fabulous house, sumptuous jewellery and enough of those seven vices to keep the momentum turning.
Having opened in Cairo just as the Second World War was going to start young Juliet is in dire need of money and takes her fifteenth birthday present from her father to a jeweller to sell it. Henry Winterton was in the shop looking for rare gems, but he didn’t just walk away with the pearls, he had married nineteen year old Juliet within two weeks and bought her to his home in Essex. Grand Marsh Hall on the edge of the Blackwater salt marshes in Essex, a large home for Juliet to learn new skills as a wife, and before too long a mother, but it doesn’t take long for that old adage ‘marry in haste repent at leisure’ to become increasingly insistent. It’s fair to say Henry Winterton is not an easy man to live with. Fortunately the family jewellery business on London’s best street keeps him busy.
Judith was in a way a woman born before her time, or perhaps a woman who was born before time allowed her to fulfil her personality. With Henry so difficult from the beginning she made friends with her sister-in-law, Helen and as her children grew used her artistic talents for the good of the local school and putting on concerts at the house.
Nearby to the women with their comfortable lifestyle is a young woman who lives in a cottage on one of the islands. Frances has twins and feels like she’s been imprisoned away from her family and friends, she knows why she’s a secret but that doesn’t mean she is happy about it. Frances’s story reminds us of the perils of biology at a time when options were few and reliance on the father of the child to do the right thing was the only way to survive.
Of course in any saga that spans more than thirty years there are gaps in the story as the story is moved forward to take in the younger generations as they also find their own way in life. It is here, as the choices, both good, and bad, of their parents begin to have a real impact and Juliet realises that some of hers are at the heart of the somewhat fracture family.
The setting is superb, the unpredictable water rushing in and out of the salt marshes makes for a treacherous and somewhat bleak landscape, the perfect backdrop for a story which has its fair share of low-points for most of the characters although with some artists in the family the ever-changing tides could provide inspiration.
After a slowish start where the scene was set I was really drawn into this read, following the two generations as they suffered all manner of calamities, especially in the latter chapters which brings the story up to the 1960s and a changing world illustrated by the need of one young mother to work as well as have a child. A world where unlike poor Juliet, it was possible to walk away from a marriage that looked sure to bring nothing but unhappiness.
The writing style seemed a little bit remote at first, describing scenes rather than from the point of view of any particular character, but I realise this is probably because of the numerous books that I now read in the first person present tense and in time got to appreciate the wider viewpoint that this afforded the reader.
This is an enjoyable saga for those readers who want to be absorbed in another world; in fact perfect autumnal reading.
I’d like to thank the publishers Headline for allowing me to read a copy of this book. This honest opinion is my thank you to them.
Having opened in Cairo just as the Second World War was going to start young Juliet is in dire need of money and takes her fifteenth birthday present from her father to a jeweller to sell it. Henry Winterton was in the shop looking for rare gems, but he didn’t just walk away with the pearls, he had married nineteen year old Juliet within two weeks and bought her to his home in Essex. Grand Marsh Hall on the edge of the Blackwater salt marshes in Essex, a large home for Juliet to learn new skills as a wife, and before too long a mother, but it doesn’t take long for that old adage ‘marry in haste repent at leisure’ to become increasingly insistent. It’s fair to say Henry Winterton is not an easy man to live with. Fortunately the family jewellery business on London’s best street keeps him busy.
Judith was in a way a woman born before her time, or perhaps a woman who was born before time allowed her to fulfil her personality. With Henry so difficult from the beginning she made friends with her sister-in-law, Helen and as her children grew used her artistic talents for the good of the local school and putting on concerts at the house.
Nearby to the women with their comfortable lifestyle is a young woman who lives in a cottage on one of the islands. Frances has twins and feels like she’s been imprisoned away from her family and friends, she knows why she’s a secret but that doesn’t mean she is happy about it. Frances’s story reminds us of the perils of biology at a time when options were few and reliance on the father of the child to do the right thing was the only way to survive.
Of course in any saga that spans more than thirty years there are gaps in the story as the story is moved forward to take in the younger generations as they also find their own way in life. It is here, as the choices, both good, and bad, of their parents begin to have a real impact and Juliet realises that some of hers are at the heart of the somewhat fracture family.
The setting is superb, the unpredictable water rushing in and out of the salt marshes makes for a treacherous and somewhat bleak landscape, the perfect backdrop for a story which has its fair share of low-points for most of the characters although with some artists in the family the ever-changing tides could provide inspiration.
After a slowish start where the scene was set I was really drawn into this read, following the two generations as they suffered all manner of calamities, especially in the latter chapters which brings the story up to the 1960s and a changing world illustrated by the need of one young mother to work as well as have a child. A world where unlike poor Juliet, it was possible to walk away from a marriage that looked sure to bring nothing but unhappiness.
The writing style seemed a little bit remote at first, describing scenes rather than from the point of view of any particular character, but I realise this is probably because of the numerous books that I now read in the first person present tense and in time got to appreciate the wider viewpoint that this afforded the reader.
This is an enjoyable saga for those readers who want to be absorbed in another world; in fact perfect autumnal reading.
I’d like to thank the publishers Headline for allowing me to read a copy of this book. This honest opinion is my thank you to them.
Read
February 2, 2016A fantastic read, didn't want the book to finish. It's the first book I've read by Judith Lennox but I will definitely read more. The characters were so real and I felt I was part of the book.
October 4, 2016
In 1938, as the world is on the brink of war, nineteen year old Juliet marries Henry Winterton, a prominent jeweller; though the marriage itself is not the one she would have hoped for, she comes to love the Winterton clan and her new home Marsh Court, set in the Essex countryside. However, when she finds herself drawn to Gillis Sinclair, Henry's best friend, she does not foresee the unexpected entanglements that she will find herself embroiled in; for Gillis has a secret, and one that will have longstanding consequences. As the story moves into the 1950s and 1960s following the next generation of Wintertons and Sinclairs, the secrets of the past still simmer, along with new rivalries and complex relationships; will Juliet be able to keep her beloved family together through it all?
I think I become more of a Lennox fan with each book of hers that I read; and The Jeweller's Wife was certainly one to savour. It is a rich and engrossing family saga; and the Wintertons as an extended family, did as another reviewer has commented, put me in mind of the Cazalets. Whilst Juliet is at the heart of the story throughout, Lennox gives us a myriad of memorable characters, some more endearing than others. None of them are perfect, yet their flaws perhaps make them more believable; and I cared about what happened to them even when I didn't condone their behaviour or decisions. Furthermore, even more minor characters are well conveyed and leave a lasting impression, such as Daniel; through whom Lennox so effectively and sympathetically conveys how one's entire life can be altered by one choice.
As usual Lennox evokes the time periods the book is set in with great authenticity, be it the war years or the 1960s; her writing reflective of society and culture at the time, the roles of women, particularly within a marriage. Her settings too, the Blackwater Estuary in particular, are beautifully and vividly brought to life.
With so many characters and sub-plots, this is a long and intricate book; however, Lennox weaves her stories together quite masterfully. She highlights the complexities of relationships well, be it the marriage difficulties between Piers and Anne, or the feud between Piers and Aidan and the wider effects this has on the family.
A wonderfully nostalgic read of one family, their loves and losses, their secrets and discords, but most of all the deep bonds between them; when the last page had been turned I was sad to leave the Wintertons.
I think I become more of a Lennox fan with each book of hers that I read; and The Jeweller's Wife was certainly one to savour. It is a rich and engrossing family saga; and the Wintertons as an extended family, did as another reviewer has commented, put me in mind of the Cazalets. Whilst Juliet is at the heart of the story throughout, Lennox gives us a myriad of memorable characters, some more endearing than others. None of them are perfect, yet their flaws perhaps make them more believable; and I cared about what happened to them even when I didn't condone their behaviour or decisions. Furthermore, even more minor characters are well conveyed and leave a lasting impression, such as Daniel; through whom Lennox so effectively and sympathetically conveys how one's entire life can be altered by one choice.
As usual Lennox evokes the time periods the book is set in with great authenticity, be it the war years or the 1960s; her writing reflective of society and culture at the time, the roles of women, particularly within a marriage. Her settings too, the Blackwater Estuary in particular, are beautifully and vividly brought to life.
With so many characters and sub-plots, this is a long and intricate book; however, Lennox weaves her stories together quite masterfully. She highlights the complexities of relationships well, be it the marriage difficulties between Piers and Anne, or the feud between Piers and Aidan and the wider effects this has on the family.
A wonderfully nostalgic read of one family, their loves and losses, their secrets and discords, but most of all the deep bonds between them; when the last page had been turned I was sad to leave the Wintertons.
November 27, 2018
A most enjoyable read. It's a while since I read anything by this author but now I remember how much I enjoy her books.
February 15, 2021
Laba ģimenes sāga ar šausmīgu latvisko tulkojumu.
December 20, 2021
Overlong. Too many characters.
April 6, 2022
Een goed geschreven familiesaga waar liefde, passie, verraad en verlies centraal staan.
Ik was mee vanaf de eerste bladzijden.
Ik was mee vanaf de eerste bladzijden.
Read
December 9, 2016€ 20,00 [D], € 20,60 [A]
Erschienen am 02.11.2016
528 Seiten, Hardcover mit Schutzumschlag
Übersetzt von: Mechtild Sandberg
ISBN: 978-3-86612-296-3
Zum Buch: https://www.piper.de/buecher/die-frau...
»Judith Lennox weiß, wie man Leser glücklich macht.« Für Sie
Kairo, 1938: Wir werden uns lieben, denkt Juliet, als sie den reichen englischen Juwelier Henry Winterton heiratet und mit ihm nach England geht. Sofort empfindet sie das Herrenhaus Marsh Court als ihr neues Zuhause. Doch ihre Heirat soll sich als großer Fehler herausstellen. Als der Zweite Weltkrieg ausbricht, wird alles noch schlimmer. Plötzlich schwelgen die Wintertons nicht mehr in Luxus, und Juliet kämpft um das Überleben der Familie. In ihrer Verzweiflung und ihrem Hunger nach Liebe lässt sie sich auf eine Affäre mit dem charismatischen Gillis ein. Doch ihn umgibt ein Geheimnis, das ihr Leben zerstören könnte.
Meine Meinung:
Mir wurde dieses Rezensionsexemplar unangefragt vom Piper Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt, worüber ich mich sehr gefreut habe. Ich habe von Judith Lennox bisher leider noch nichts gelesen, so habe ich jetzt die Gelegenheit bekommen, dies nachzuholen. Lucinda Riley und Kate Morton etc. lese ich ja sehr gerne. Das Cover ist sehr schön gestaltet.
Ich bin von Anfang an gut in die Geschichte reingekommen, den Schreibstil habe ich als sehr flüssig empfunden.
Man lernt die junge Juliet 1938 in Kairo kennen, die nach dem Tod ihres Vaters keine Zukunftsperspektiven hat und da kommt ihr der plötzliche Heiratsantrag des englischen einige Jahre älteren Juweliers Henry Winterton natürlich sehr recht und geht mit ihm nach England. Man lernt auch den Rest der Familie kennen und die Geschichte nimmt dann ihren Lauf.
Mir hat es sehr gut gefallen, Juliet auf ihrem weiteren Lebensweg durch gute und schlechte Zeiten zu begleiten.
Ich liebe ja die Bücher von Lucinda Riley und auch Kate Morton und Judith Lennox kann man durchaus damit vergleichen, auch wenn Lucinda Rileys Geschichten meistes in mehreren Zeitebenen spielt, was hier nicht wirklich der Fall war.
Alles in allem hat mir das Buch aber sehr gut gefallen, ich werde die Autorin auf jeden Fall im Auge behalten. Ich kann hier eine klare Kauf- und Leseempfehlung geben und bewerte dieses Buch mit sehr guten 4 Sternen.
Erschienen am 02.11.2016
528 Seiten, Hardcover mit Schutzumschlag
Übersetzt von: Mechtild Sandberg
ISBN: 978-3-86612-296-3
Zum Buch: https://www.piper.de/buecher/die-frau...
»Judith Lennox weiß, wie man Leser glücklich macht.« Für Sie
Kairo, 1938: Wir werden uns lieben, denkt Juliet, als sie den reichen englischen Juwelier Henry Winterton heiratet und mit ihm nach England geht. Sofort empfindet sie das Herrenhaus Marsh Court als ihr neues Zuhause. Doch ihre Heirat soll sich als großer Fehler herausstellen. Als der Zweite Weltkrieg ausbricht, wird alles noch schlimmer. Plötzlich schwelgen die Wintertons nicht mehr in Luxus, und Juliet kämpft um das Überleben der Familie. In ihrer Verzweiflung und ihrem Hunger nach Liebe lässt sie sich auf eine Affäre mit dem charismatischen Gillis ein. Doch ihn umgibt ein Geheimnis, das ihr Leben zerstören könnte.
Meine Meinung:
Mir wurde dieses Rezensionsexemplar unangefragt vom Piper Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt, worüber ich mich sehr gefreut habe. Ich habe von Judith Lennox bisher leider noch nichts gelesen, so habe ich jetzt die Gelegenheit bekommen, dies nachzuholen. Lucinda Riley und Kate Morton etc. lese ich ja sehr gerne. Das Cover ist sehr schön gestaltet.
Ich bin von Anfang an gut in die Geschichte reingekommen, den Schreibstil habe ich als sehr flüssig empfunden.
Man lernt die junge Juliet 1938 in Kairo kennen, die nach dem Tod ihres Vaters keine Zukunftsperspektiven hat und da kommt ihr der plötzliche Heiratsantrag des englischen einige Jahre älteren Juweliers Henry Winterton natürlich sehr recht und geht mit ihm nach England. Man lernt auch den Rest der Familie kennen und die Geschichte nimmt dann ihren Lauf.
Mir hat es sehr gut gefallen, Juliet auf ihrem weiteren Lebensweg durch gute und schlechte Zeiten zu begleiten.
Ich liebe ja die Bücher von Lucinda Riley und auch Kate Morton und Judith Lennox kann man durchaus damit vergleichen, auch wenn Lucinda Rileys Geschichten meistes in mehreren Zeitebenen spielt, was hier nicht wirklich der Fall war.
Alles in allem hat mir das Buch aber sehr gut gefallen, ich werde die Autorin auf jeden Fall im Auge behalten. Ich kann hier eine klare Kauf- und Leseempfehlung geben und bewerte dieses Buch mit sehr guten 4 Sternen.
November 30, 2019
Das kann Judith Lennox sonst besser, bei Weitem nicht so fesselnd wie andere Romane, die ich von ihr gelesen habe. Zumal der Klappentext mich mit völlig anderen Erwartungen an das Buch hat herangehen lassen, denn dieser verspricht eine Handlung, die sich vorwiegend auf die 40er Jahre konzentriert. Tatsächlich ist das nicht der Fall, diese werden eher kurz und knapp abgehandelt. Zum größten Teil findet das Geschehen in den 50er und 60er Jahren statt und hat kaum mit dem zu tun, was im Klappentext angepriesen wird. Möglicherweise trug auch das zu meiner Enttäuschung bei. Allerdings ist das nicht der einzige Grund; ich fand viele Figuren leblos und schablonenhaft. Jeder bekommt zum Schluss sein Happy End, teilweise sehr plötzlich und unerwartet. Fast so als hätte die Autorin sich dazu entschieden, dass sie das noch schnell einbringen müsste, damit keiner ihrer Protagonisten leer ausgeht... Also nein, dieser Roman war für mich stellenweise zäh wie Kaugummi und alles andere als unterhaltsam und das macht mich traurig, weil ich andere Bücher von Judith Lennox regelrecht verschlungen habe.
October 7, 2016
Whats not to enjoy about a good old family saga, as long as it's not your own families!
A really enjoyable read set over a few decades that sees love, loss, lies, secrets and relationships.
Would certainly recommend.
A really enjoyable read set over a few decades that sees love, loss, lies, secrets and relationships.
Would certainly recommend.
March 19, 2017
Met dank aan uitgeverij Meulenhoff Boekerij voor dit recensie-exemplaar
Meerdere boeken van Judith Lennox werden reeds genomineerd voor de Romantic Novel of The Year Award. Benieuwd en met hoge verwachtingen ben ik dan ook dit verhaal beginnen lezen.
Samenvatting
Het verhaal begint in 1938 in Cairo, waar Juliet Capel na de dood van haar geliefde vader het moeilijk heeft om de eindjes aan elkaar te knopen. Ze leert er Henry Winterton kennen, een gekende juwelier uit London. Hij is haar uitweg en vol hoop naar een liefdevolle en mooie toekomst stemt ze ermee in om met hem te huwen. Ze gaan samen terug naar Engeland, waar blijkt dat Henry een koude, berekenende en zelfzuchtige man is. Ze blijft maar hopen op zijn liefde, maar eenmaal ze inziet dat die er niet zal komen, stort ze zich wanhopig in de armen van Gillis Sinclair en begint ze een passionele affaire. Gillis is een familievriend, getrouwd met Blanche. Ze leven beiden met het geheim van hun affaire en nadat deze uiteindelijk eindigt, zal het Juliet nog jaren achtervolgen.
Intussen groeit de volgende generatie op: de kinderen van Juliet en Henry, die van Gillis en Blanche, van Helen en Jonathan (Henry’s broer), en van Jane (Henry’s zus). Ook zij gaan op zoek naar liefde. Zo doet Piers (de zoon van Juliet en Henry) veel moeite om de liefde van zijn vader voor zich te winnen. Charley (Charlotte, Juliets en Henry’s dochter) gaat op zoek naar de ideale liefde, zij wil geen liefdeloos huwelijk zoals haar ouders hadden.
De geheimen van de affaire met Gillis blijven Juliet achtervolgen. Tot in 1966 ze het beu wordt. Na jarenlang de zware last te hebben gedragen van de leugens neemt ze een beslissing om er een einde aan te maken. En zal ze eindelijk de liefde vinden, waar ze zo lang naar verlangd heeft?
Conclusie
De auteur heeft een leuke en mooie schrijfstijl. Personages worden gedetailleerd weergegeven, zodat je als lezer elke gedachtegang perfect kan meevolgen. Vanwaar komt Henry’s hardheid, Piers’ botheid, Juliets zachtheid, … waarom handelen ze op een bepaalde manier? Alles wordt door de auteur op een zeer mooie manier weergegeven. Zo kon ik me volledig inleven in de benarde situatie waarin Juliet Winterton zich bevond tijdens haar liefdeloze huwelijk met Henry.
Anderzijds mis ik bepaalde elementen. Er wordt wat te simplistisch omgegaan met hoe moeilijk het leven wel niet was tijdens de oorlog, de heropbouw en de trauma’s die teruggekeerde soldaten opgelopen hebben. Henry en Gillis zijn teruggekeerd en hebben geen probleem om hun oorlogsverleden te verwerken. Ik kan me persoonlijk niet voorstellen dat zij er beide zo goed uitgekomen zijn. Bovendien heb ik het er moeilijk mee dat men reeds in het begin van het verhaal weet wat het ‘geheim’ is, als lezer is er geen spanning meer want je kent reeds de essentie. Het boek wordt dus niet opgebouwd naar een climax toe en is zeer voorspelbaar. Zonde, want dit zou het boek beter maken.
Het is een verhaal over liefde, alle personages gaan op zoek naar ‘liefde’. Juliet zoekt liefde bij Henry, wanneer deze onbeantwoord blijft, zoekt ze deze bij Gillis. Haar zoon Piers wil zoals elke jongen de liefde van zijn vader voor zich winnen, Charley (Charlotte) zoekt haar ideale man, … zo gaat elk personage op zoek naar zijn of haar grote liefde. Er lopen heel wat verhaallijnen dooreen, waardoor het verhaal van het hoofdpersonage Juliet diepgang verliest.
Het boek zelf is opgebouwd uit 4 grote delen, die opgedeeld worden in kleinere delen. Hierdoor leest het boek vlot. Wanneer je een gezellig, luchtig boek zoekt zonder veel spanning en verwachtingen, kan je dit boek kiezen.
Hoewel de inhoud me iets minder kon boeien en ik er niet van onder de indruk ben, geef ik toch 3 sterren aan dit boek, maar dit enkel door de mooie schrijfstijl van de auteur.
Meerdere boeken van Judith Lennox werden reeds genomineerd voor de Romantic Novel of The Year Award. Benieuwd en met hoge verwachtingen ben ik dan ook dit verhaal beginnen lezen.
Samenvatting
Het verhaal begint in 1938 in Cairo, waar Juliet Capel na de dood van haar geliefde vader het moeilijk heeft om de eindjes aan elkaar te knopen. Ze leert er Henry Winterton kennen, een gekende juwelier uit London. Hij is haar uitweg en vol hoop naar een liefdevolle en mooie toekomst stemt ze ermee in om met hem te huwen. Ze gaan samen terug naar Engeland, waar blijkt dat Henry een koude, berekenende en zelfzuchtige man is. Ze blijft maar hopen op zijn liefde, maar eenmaal ze inziet dat die er niet zal komen, stort ze zich wanhopig in de armen van Gillis Sinclair en begint ze een passionele affaire. Gillis is een familievriend, getrouwd met Blanche. Ze leven beiden met het geheim van hun affaire en nadat deze uiteindelijk eindigt, zal het Juliet nog jaren achtervolgen.
Intussen groeit de volgende generatie op: de kinderen van Juliet en Henry, die van Gillis en Blanche, van Helen en Jonathan (Henry’s broer), en van Jane (Henry’s zus). Ook zij gaan op zoek naar liefde. Zo doet Piers (de zoon van Juliet en Henry) veel moeite om de liefde van zijn vader voor zich te winnen. Charley (Charlotte, Juliets en Henry’s dochter) gaat op zoek naar de ideale liefde, zij wil geen liefdeloos huwelijk zoals haar ouders hadden.
De geheimen van de affaire met Gillis blijven Juliet achtervolgen. Tot in 1966 ze het beu wordt. Na jarenlang de zware last te hebben gedragen van de leugens neemt ze een beslissing om er een einde aan te maken. En zal ze eindelijk de liefde vinden, waar ze zo lang naar verlangd heeft?
Conclusie
De auteur heeft een leuke en mooie schrijfstijl. Personages worden gedetailleerd weergegeven, zodat je als lezer elke gedachtegang perfect kan meevolgen. Vanwaar komt Henry’s hardheid, Piers’ botheid, Juliets zachtheid, … waarom handelen ze op een bepaalde manier? Alles wordt door de auteur op een zeer mooie manier weergegeven. Zo kon ik me volledig inleven in de benarde situatie waarin Juliet Winterton zich bevond tijdens haar liefdeloze huwelijk met Henry.
Anderzijds mis ik bepaalde elementen. Er wordt wat te simplistisch omgegaan met hoe moeilijk het leven wel niet was tijdens de oorlog, de heropbouw en de trauma’s die teruggekeerde soldaten opgelopen hebben. Henry en Gillis zijn teruggekeerd en hebben geen probleem om hun oorlogsverleden te verwerken. Ik kan me persoonlijk niet voorstellen dat zij er beide zo goed uitgekomen zijn. Bovendien heb ik het er moeilijk mee dat men reeds in het begin van het verhaal weet wat het ‘geheim’ is, als lezer is er geen spanning meer want je kent reeds de essentie. Het boek wordt dus niet opgebouwd naar een climax toe en is zeer voorspelbaar. Zonde, want dit zou het boek beter maken.
Het is een verhaal over liefde, alle personages gaan op zoek naar ‘liefde’. Juliet zoekt liefde bij Henry, wanneer deze onbeantwoord blijft, zoekt ze deze bij Gillis. Haar zoon Piers wil zoals elke jongen de liefde van zijn vader voor zich winnen, Charley (Charlotte) zoekt haar ideale man, … zo gaat elk personage op zoek naar zijn of haar grote liefde. Er lopen heel wat verhaallijnen dooreen, waardoor het verhaal van het hoofdpersonage Juliet diepgang verliest.
Het boek zelf is opgebouwd uit 4 grote delen, die opgedeeld worden in kleinere delen. Hierdoor leest het boek vlot. Wanneer je een gezellig, luchtig boek zoekt zonder veel spanning en verwachtingen, kan je dit boek kiezen.
Hoewel de inhoud me iets minder kon boeien en ik er niet van onder de indruk ben, geef ik toch 3 sterren aan dit boek, maar dit enkel door de mooie schrijfstijl van de auteur.
December 24, 2021
It would be remiss of me to say that I didn’t debate and deeply consider this books for a couple of days after I’d read it. This book was nothing like I’d ever read before.
The Jeweller’s Wife is a book that mimics a soap opera or a saga that revolves largely around Juliet Winterton with the backdrop of the Second World War and set against a marshlands setting. However, Lennox does not just restrict the story to Juliet’s development and struggles but she creates a range of characters including the Winterton siblings, their partners and later on their children in a interestingly complex manner. None of them are perfect, especially not Juliet and her children (Piers and Charley), and because of that I loved them and cared about what happened to them and rooted for them whilst they struggled to overcome their obstacles.
Lennox tackled deep-seated issues regarding the role of women in society and the changes that were seen within the context of the second world war through her characters namely Juliet and her daughter-in-law Anne. Through even minor characters such as Daniel, Lennox hammered down the moral of her story which is that one choice has the capacity to change one’s life completely and she conveys her utmost sympathies and forewarns her readers in their own decision making. However, Lennox goes onto display that once the choice has been made, there is no point in lamenting, the consequences must be taken in stride and one should focus on how to make the best of it.
The Jeweller’s Wife is a book that mimics a soap opera or a saga that revolves largely around Juliet Winterton with the backdrop of the Second World War and set against a marshlands setting. However, Lennox does not just restrict the story to Juliet’s development and struggles but she creates a range of characters including the Winterton siblings, their partners and later on their children in a interestingly complex manner. None of them are perfect, especially not Juliet and her children (Piers and Charley), and because of that I loved them and cared about what happened to them and rooted for them whilst they struggled to overcome their obstacles.
Lennox tackled deep-seated issues regarding the role of women in society and the changes that were seen within the context of the second world war through her characters namely Juliet and her daughter-in-law Anne. Through even minor characters such as Daniel, Lennox hammered down the moral of her story which is that one choice has the capacity to change one’s life completely and she conveys her utmost sympathies and forewarns her readers in their own decision making. However, Lennox goes onto display that once the choice has been made, there is no point in lamenting, the consequences must be taken in stride and one should focus on how to make the best of it.
April 2, 2018
2.5 stars. It was a bit of a chore to finish this.
I found the blurb to be misleading as the story is much more complex than the blurb makes it out to be. This is not just a story about the jeweller’s wife, Juliet Winterton, but a long winded, complex family saga.
Juliet marries Henry Winterton in Egypt, mere weeks after she meets the rich jeweller. She is left alone and in dire straits when her father passes away suddenly while they are are on an extended stay in the North African country.
It is not a happy marriage. Henry proves to be a self-absorbed, domineering husband. Once they have two children, Charley and Piers, the story starts to go in many directions. The problem I had is that the story gets inundated with way too many points of view. Juliet is the central figure, but the children, the lovers, the cousins, they all get their own voice. There are several intruiging characters, but none of them get enough page time to really shine. Mostly it’s maybe a page or 2 before we switch characters again. It feels like we’re hop skip jumping, and never really getting to know anyone.
Also the story is heavy on the drama, sometimes unnecessary, sometimes over the top, reminiscent of a Harlequin romance. It did tie up all the loose ends in a fairly satisfactory way.
Parts of it were good, but mostly it left me feeling ambivalent.
Less is more. That would have been good advice to the writer.
I found the blurb to be misleading as the story is much more complex than the blurb makes it out to be. This is not just a story about the jeweller’s wife, Juliet Winterton, but a long winded, complex family saga.
Juliet marries Henry Winterton in Egypt, mere weeks after she meets the rich jeweller. She is left alone and in dire straits when her father passes away suddenly while they are are on an extended stay in the North African country.
It is not a happy marriage. Henry proves to be a self-absorbed, domineering husband. Once they have two children, Charley and Piers, the story starts to go in many directions. The problem I had is that the story gets inundated with way too many points of view. Juliet is the central figure, but the children, the lovers, the cousins, they all get their own voice. There are several intruiging characters, but none of them get enough page time to really shine. Mostly it’s maybe a page or 2 before we switch characters again. It feels like we’re hop skip jumping, and never really getting to know anyone.
Also the story is heavy on the drama, sometimes unnecessary, sometimes over the top, reminiscent of a Harlequin romance. It did tie up all the loose ends in a fairly satisfactory way.
Parts of it were good, but mostly it left me feeling ambivalent.
Less is more. That would have been good advice to the writer.
January 30, 2019
I found this average. I enjoyed the writer I think she writes well but I felt the story went through far far to many years and far to many stories. It was like she wanted eight main characters instead of a couple and each one needed all of there lives written out. It felt rushed and at points I felt board with the story as it seemed like the writer couldn't decide on a path to take. But there was a undercurrent of a good book and story line . I enjoyed the ending and I would try another book by this author
February 3, 2020
I really wanted to like this book and it was very interesting in places, but just not captivating - I would forget I was reading it and pick something else up. The characters were either dreadful and unlikeable or just flat and dull. The bits of the storyline I wanted to read more about disappeared or just took too long to come to anything. A bit too much like real life!
Eventually I gave up as I had run out of renewals at the library. Disappointing as I usually love Judith Lennox and was thrilled to find one I hadn’t read
Eventually I gave up as I had run out of renewals at the library. Disappointing as I usually love Judith Lennox and was thrilled to find one I hadn’t read
July 26, 2017
A sweeping family saga from 1930's through to 60's. Sweeping is the word, much was swept up in the gaps between chapters, children were born, people married, for me I didn't connect with any of the characters or like them much. There were so many that as a reader I didn't get to know them well enough to actually care that much. Might be better as a TV drama where they could flesh it out a bit more and provide some connection to the audience. A generous 3.
June 26, 2019
Stunning family saga
This is a beautiful story of the Winterton family. We are taken through the trials and tribulations of a family fighting to stay united through secrets, feuds and relationship struggles. Being an Essex girl it was lovely to see Maldonado come alive from the richness of Judith’s writing. From the time of war up to the late sixties you are left with fond nostalgia and a heart warming comfort of the characters depicted in this family.
This is a beautiful story of the Winterton family. We are taken through the trials and tribulations of a family fighting to stay united through secrets, feuds and relationship struggles. Being an Essex girl it was lovely to see Maldonado come alive from the richness of Judith’s writing. From the time of war up to the late sixties you are left with fond nostalgia and a heart warming comfort of the characters depicted in this family.
February 17, 2020
Like Rosie below, the first Judith Lennox book I have read. So well written and the revelations and twists are so well put together. Her use of language alters with the character and it is a very good read. Why not 5 stars? Well, maybe I will give it four and a half. Lessons to take away from this book: grab the opportunities, but don't stray. (Contradictory advice) And it also helps to be wealthy.
November 22, 2016
This book follows the path expected in the "family saga" genre. Not literary fiction by any call, but an entertaining read, with enough twists and surprises as the story progresses through several decades to keep the pages turning. Some good secondary characters too. A good book to take on holidays!
March 10, 2018
Diezgan ilga "ielasīšanās", grāmatas bezpersoniskais stāstījums neuzrunāja, bet tad pamazām tomēr ievilka, un pamatīgi. Īsumā - pozitīva un dzīvi apliecinoša grāmata. Iesaku visiem ğimenes sāgu un angļu literatūras faniem.
May 20, 2018
This book just dragged on and on and on. 500 pages for a story that could easily have been told in half that amount. Way too much useless information, filling, unrelated stories. I probably will not be reading anything else by this author.
May 31, 2019
Boeiend en indrukwekkend verhaal over twee generaties van de familie Winterton en hun goede vrienden, de familie Sinclair gedurende de periode van 1938 tot en met 1966.
Interessante karaktertekeningen.
Interessante karaktertekeningen.
May 7, 2017
Was wel aardig om te lezen, maar ook niet meer dan dat.
June 13, 2017
This is a wonderful read. The characters are so absorbing and I really cared about them all and how they were going to get on. I felt like I was part of the family.
August 22, 2017
It was an easy read and somewhat interesting in parts but easily forgettable Maybe suitable as a poolside easy read
October 19, 2017
I was thoroughly enjoying this standard historical fiction until a silly bit in the story that was so far fetched, I just started groaning and waiting for it to end. Ah well..
July 15, 2019
Very enjoyable.
July 29, 2019
easy read - Judith Lennox has written more interesting sagas
July 4, 2021
Aardig om te lezen, maar niet meer dan dat. Typisch n boek waarvan ik de volgende dag al amper meer weet waar het over ging, want laat geen enkele indruk achter.
Zal dus ook niet snel nog eens n boek v deze schrijfster lezen.
Zal dus ook niet snel nog eens n boek v deze schrijfster lezen.
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