From This Day Forward

by Elswyth Thane

A famous American ornithologist falls madly in love with a beautiful actress of humble origins when he literally trips over her in Vermont

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, 20th Century

372 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Thane is most famous for her "Williamsburg" series of historical fiction. The books cover several generations of a single family from the American Revolutionary War up to World War II. The action moves from Williamsburg in later books to England, New York City and Richmond, Virginia.

Reviews

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost every word of this standalone Elswyth Thane is a joy. There are obvious echoes in the story of actress Elizabeth Dare and ornithologist Rodney Monroe with Thane's own life, married to the Jacques Cousteau of his day. It was clearly not always easy to fit into his adventurous life, although I think Thane loved country life herself. Few books can move so delicately from scenes that are amusing to those that make the reader cry. I have read this book many times and always find something new to enjoy.

[Mollie Matusick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I love Elswyth Thane, and this is about the 9th book of hers I've read and probably my favorite. It's got "root for's" and root against's". It's got her best villain You could absolutely grab her by the throat and shove her against a wall, at least I could. It's very visual, you can picture exactly the scene she describes, and you will both love and hate her characters. And even those you love you will occasionally want to throttle. If you want a book that will make you smile and sorry to see the last page, read this one.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know, the only Elswyth Thane book I hated worse than this one was "Bound To Happen", which didn't even make sense.

This one was just full-on whiney.

I realize that it's mostly autobiographical, and this can't have been an easy life for her. On the other hand, electing to stay in it was, to me, the far worse crime. But I did think it was funny that she killed off Juanita. Especially since none of her husband's mistresses apparently met the same end.

You know, if you're already having a bad year, and are down on love, this might be the book for you. But if your friends don't routinely describe you as "jaded", read Tryst instead.

This one, aside from droning on and on and on about birds and bugs and South America and who knows what all else, is just dull.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic fish-out-of-the-water story that I read as a teenager. I so loved this book, I think I reread it several times, checking it out of the library repeatedly. (I'd love to go back and see how many times my name is on the checkout list at Ouachita Parish Library.)

Rereading the opening now, I'm captivated again by the scene setting by the author. It's old fashioned--these days you don't read long drawn out omniscient POV openings anymore, sadly. But it tells us who Elizabeth Dare and has me rooting for her much more than if I'm in her skin, blinking from the morning sun.

Beautiful. Can't wait to delve into the rest.