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Hardie Family #1
The House of Hardie
Two families from two classes.
Four siblings with four dreams.
Fate versus destiny.
Midge and Gordon Hardie have grown up as the children of a wine merchant. But their lot in life, to inherit The House of Hardie, is not what they have in mind. Midge wants more than her mundane life – she craves intrigue and luxury. Gordon wants nothing more than a life of adventure.
Meanwhile, Lucy and Archie Yates, the grandchildren of the Marquess of Ross, have everything they could ever need. But they too yearn for different lives.
But as the two families meet in Oxford, they find their dreams don’t always come true. At least not in the way they planned.
In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition?
The House of Hardie was first published in 1987 and is the first in the Hardie Family series.
Four siblings with four dreams.
Fate versus destiny.
Midge and Gordon Hardie have grown up as the children of a wine merchant. But their lot in life, to inherit The House of Hardie, is not what they have in mind. Midge wants more than her mundane life – she craves intrigue and luxury. Gordon wants nothing more than a life of adventure.
Meanwhile, Lucy and Archie Yates, the grandchildren of the Marquess of Ross, have everything they could ever need. But they too yearn for different lives.
But as the two families meet in Oxford, they find their dreams don’t always come true. At least not in the way they planned.
In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition?
The House of Hardie was first published in 1987 and is the first in the Hardie Family series.
Audio CD
First published July 1, 1987
198 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Anne Melville
32 books11 followersMargaret Edith Newman Potter (aka Margaret Newman, Anne Betteridge, Margaret Potter, Anne Melville, Margaret Evans)
Margaret Edith Newman was born on 21 June 1926 in Harrow, Middlesex, London, England, UK, the eldest daughter of Marjory Edith (Donald), a former teacher, and Bernard Newman, author of fiction and non-fiction books and considered an authority on spies. She had two sisters, Hilary (Mrs. Richard Hipkin) and Lauriston (Mrs. Malcolm Norris). She was educated at Harrow County School for Girls, from 1937 to 1944; and studied her Major scholar at St Hugh's College, Oxford form 1944 to 1947, she aslo earned her B.A. in 1947 and her M.A. in 1952. On 11 February 1950, she married (Ronald) Jeremy Potter, a publisher and later also published writer of mystery novels. They had a daughter, Jocelyn, and a son, Jonathan.
Before writing, she worked in various jobs, as teacher in Egypt and England, from 1947 to 1950; as editor at King's Messenger children's magazine in London, from 1950 to 1955; and as adviser at Citizen's Advice Bureau in Twickenham, Middlesex, from 1962 to 1970.
On 1959, she published her first mystery novel, Murder to Music as Margaret Newman. Her next novels were published under the pseudonym of Anne Betteridge, a tribute to her father's pseudonym Don Betteridge. Under her married name, Margaret Potter, she published Children's fiction. Under the pseudonym Anne Melville, she signed her historical novels since 1977. As Margaret Evans, she published two historical novels. She continued publishing until her death.
Widow since 15 November 1997, she died less than a year later on 26 August 1998 in Oxford, Oxfordshire.
Margaret Edith Newman was born on 21 June 1926 in Harrow, Middlesex, London, England, UK, the eldest daughter of Marjory Edith (Donald), a former teacher, and Bernard Newman, author of fiction and non-fiction books and considered an authority on spies. She had two sisters, Hilary (Mrs. Richard Hipkin) and Lauriston (Mrs. Malcolm Norris). She was educated at Harrow County School for Girls, from 1937 to 1944; and studied her Major scholar at St Hugh's College, Oxford form 1944 to 1947, she aslo earned her B.A. in 1947 and her M.A. in 1952. On 11 February 1950, she married (Ronald) Jeremy Potter, a publisher and later also published writer of mystery novels. They had a daughter, Jocelyn, and a son, Jonathan.
Before writing, she worked in various jobs, as teacher in Egypt and England, from 1947 to 1950; as editor at King's Messenger children's magazine in London, from 1950 to 1955; and as adviser at Citizen's Advice Bureau in Twickenham, Middlesex, from 1962 to 1970.
On 1959, she published her first mystery novel, Murder to Music as Margaret Newman. Her next novels were published under the pseudonym of Anne Betteridge, a tribute to her father's pseudonym Don Betteridge. Under her married name, Margaret Potter, she published Children's fiction. Under the pseudonym Anne Melville, she signed her historical novels since 1977. As Margaret Evans, she published two historical novels. She continued publishing until her death.
Widow since 15 November 1997, she died less than a year later on 26 August 1998 in Oxford, Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 19, 2024
Margaux and Gordon Hardie are children of a London wine merchant, Gordon knows his legacy will be to run The House of Hardie and he dreams of traveling the world. Midge is smart and she attends Eton University once a week with her ladies maid for private lessons and dreams of opening her own school.
Lucy and Archie Yates are the grandchildren of the Marquis of Ross and live at his estate Castlemere, and Archie is attending Eton as well and isn’t as studious as Midge and more interested in playing cricket and rowing. The four young people meet, but the Hardie’s are from a trade background and new money and of course the Yates are grandchildren of a Marquis and they move in very different circles.
Archie plans of traveling to China for three years, he’s interested in botany and Lucy’s late grandmother had an ancient herb garden at Castlemere and she's a talented watercolour painter and Gordon and Lucy have a lot in common and share a passion.
I received a copy of The House of Hardie by Anne Melville from Agora Books and NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review and it’s also a kindle unlimited book. Set in Victorian times, this is the first book in a trilogy about three generations of Hardie women by the author and I look forward to reading the next book in the series and it's about Grace.
Three and a half stars from me, a narrative about class structure in England, strict social rules and how young women couldn’t go anywhere without a chaperone and further education for young ladies in radical. As far as Marquis of Ross is concerned a match between his granddaughter and Gordon is out of the question and will Lucy follow her heart and dreams and is she too young to know what she wants and you will need to read the novel to find out!
Lucy and Archie Yates are the grandchildren of the Marquis of Ross and live at his estate Castlemere, and Archie is attending Eton as well and isn’t as studious as Midge and more interested in playing cricket and rowing. The four young people meet, but the Hardie’s are from a trade background and new money and of course the Yates are grandchildren of a Marquis and they move in very different circles.
Archie plans of traveling to China for three years, he’s interested in botany and Lucy’s late grandmother had an ancient herb garden at Castlemere and she's a talented watercolour painter and Gordon and Lucy have a lot in common and share a passion.
I received a copy of The House of Hardie by Anne Melville from Agora Books and NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review and it’s also a kindle unlimited book. Set in Victorian times, this is the first book in a trilogy about three generations of Hardie women by the author and I look forward to reading the next book in the series and it's about Grace.
Three and a half stars from me, a narrative about class structure in England, strict social rules and how young women couldn’t go anywhere without a chaperone and further education for young ladies in radical. As far as Marquis of Ross is concerned a match between his granddaughter and Gordon is out of the question and will Lucy follow her heart and dreams and is she too young to know what she wants and you will need to read the novel to find out!
May 11, 2019
THIS BOOK CAN BE SUMMED UP IN 1 WORD- SHALLOW
Never before have I read a book where, all I could think the whole way through, was the same word over and over again - shallow! There was no deeper meaning, no deeper emotions, no deeper story to this book at all. Not that books always need to be meta. But they do need to be entertaining. This book was not.
THE THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
Shallow plotline: Even though I have just read this book I can hardly tell you what happens in it or why. Because the plot is so shallow, hollow and, dare I say it, pointless. There was nothing there to grab my attention, to make me wonder, what was going to happen next. Nothing that drove me forward (except for the fact that it was so short).
Shallow characters: Again, the characters seemed pointless. They had no real motives for the things they did, their feelings seemed superficial and fleeting and their personalities were just bland and, once again, shallow. There was nothing to them that made me connect with them, and I really need that when I read a book.
The male "heroes": Usually I would never say that I actively hate a character. Even villains can be good characters. But here, the two male MCs Gordon and Archie, where just plain horrible people. They treated the women, that they were supposedly in love with, so despicably! That is just unforgivable.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Never before have I read a book where, all I could think the whole way through, was the same word over and over again - shallow! There was no deeper meaning, no deeper emotions, no deeper story to this book at all. Not that books always need to be meta. But they do need to be entertaining. This book was not.
THE THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
Shallow plotline: Even though I have just read this book I can hardly tell you what happens in it or why. Because the plot is so shallow, hollow and, dare I say it, pointless. There was nothing there to grab my attention, to make me wonder, what was going to happen next. Nothing that drove me forward (except for the fact that it was so short).
Shallow characters: Again, the characters seemed pointless. They had no real motives for the things they did, their feelings seemed superficial and fleeting and their personalities were just bland and, once again, shallow. There was nothing to them that made me connect with them, and I really need that when I read a book.
The male "heroes": Usually I would never say that I actively hate a character. Even villains can be good characters. But here, the two male MCs Gordon and Archie, where just plain horrible people. They treated the women, that they were supposedly in love with, so despicably! That is just unforgivable.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
May 14, 2019
Every once in a while, you dive into a book that really makes you think the author has a handle on their genre. My contact at Agora Books reached out to me and offered The House of Hardie by Anne Melville as a suggested read in response to some of my requests and reviews to their agency. She was spot on – I loved this book!
Two families from two classes. Four siblings with four dreams. Fate versus destiny...
In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition? Not a new question posed in fiction, but done very well in this case.
It addresses the obstacles of romance between the merchant class and the Ton, the barriers set upon women with unrealistic expectations and limitations, it explores romance and adventure and the ties that bind us to family (and the bonds that are even greater.)
It was a well-written saga of a tale with an engaging plot and well-developed characters – especially the well-rounded, strong female leads. I mentioned in my Instagram post yesterday that it was “Historical fiction done right!”
My thanks to Agora Books for the complimentary copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own. Full review posted on my blog: https://lifelovelaughterlinds.home.bl...
Two families from two classes. Four siblings with four dreams. Fate versus destiny...
In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition? Not a new question posed in fiction, but done very well in this case.
It addresses the obstacles of romance between the merchant class and the Ton, the barriers set upon women with unrealistic expectations and limitations, it explores romance and adventure and the ties that bind us to family (and the bonds that are even greater.)
It was a well-written saga of a tale with an engaging plot and well-developed characters – especially the well-rounded, strong female leads. I mentioned in my Instagram post yesterday that it was “Historical fiction done right!”
My thanks to Agora Books for the complimentary copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own. Full review posted on my blog: https://lifelovelaughterlinds.home.bl...
November 13, 2019
Original and refreshing historical family saga
Refreshing take on the theme of impoverished gentility with the usual family tensions , romantic relationships, money issues around the time of WW2.
Story is well paced and well written with interesting characters and storylines you want to follow. No long pages of war battles, suffering , romantic angst , self pity, sentimentality which can spoil many of these books.
Characters were believable and realistic with the focus on several strong female characters.
Overall a very enjoyable read. I believe it part three of a trilogy but I read it as a stand-alone , will now read the previous two books.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the book in exchange for a review.
Refreshing take on the theme of impoverished gentility with the usual family tensions , romantic relationships, money issues around the time of WW2.
Story is well paced and well written with interesting characters and storylines you want to follow. No long pages of war battles, suffering , romantic angst , self pity, sentimentality which can spoil many of these books.
Characters were believable and realistic with the focus on several strong female characters.
Overall a very enjoyable read. I believe it part three of a trilogy but I read it as a stand-alone , will now read the previous two books.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the book in exchange for a review.
March 31, 2023
#BorrowBox
#audiobook
#read23in2023
#23in23
Read a book by an English author
A well written book , with a gripping tale that you want to keep listening to or reading.
A definite recommendation 😃
#audiobook
#read23in2023
#23in23
Read a book by an English author
A well written book , with a gripping tale that you want to keep listening to or reading.
A definite recommendation 😃
May 8, 2023
This has aged well as I did not realise it was published before I was born. Fits in with more recently popular historical novels with strong female leads in Victorian era about explorers or women attending uni. Kind of a mix of Miss Benson's Beetle, Dictionary of Lost Words and Pride and Prejudice.
January 9, 2025
This book is set in the victorian time and we get to follow Midge and Gordon Hardie children of a wine person. Midge is attending the local university with another person to watch over her as she wishes to be able to go into academia. Whilst Gordon wishes to travel but knows he is to take over the family business.
I found this book to be a great historical fiction exploring themes that individuals in the victorian era would have faced such as love and the barriers in women's way with regards to work, travel etc.
I found this book to be an enjoyable read.
I found this book to be a great historical fiction exploring themes that individuals in the victorian era would have faced such as love and the barriers in women's way with regards to work, travel etc.
I found this book to be an enjoyable read.
January 28, 2024
great reading
This is a wonderful story of two families, one that of aristocracy, the other well off business owners. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, these families become entwined in a most unusual way. This book gives us an excellent look at the customs of the time. It is well worth reading.
This is a wonderful story of two families, one that of aristocracy, the other well off business owners. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, these families become entwined in a most unusual way. This book gives us an excellent look at the customs of the time. It is well worth reading.
August 15, 2024
Almost 5 stars
Enjoyed this story although I felt there were a few detail I would have liked a bit more info like what happened to the first baby. Was she buried somewhere. And more in the epilogue about Lucy's grandfather's reaction and was it influenced by her brother. Just loose ends.
Enjoyed this story although I felt there were a few detail I would have liked a bit more info like what happened to the first baby. Was she buried somewhere. And more in the epilogue about Lucy's grandfather's reaction and was it influenced by her brother. Just loose ends.
January 30, 2025
This is one of the most powerful and beautiful book trilogy I have ever read/listened to. You just find yourself immersed with the family and each individual characters from the parents to the children through time. Anne Melville was just a magical glorious author. After finishing the book I still think about it.
October 6, 2023
An engaging tale
Despite the author not understanding the correct grammatical use of the reflexive ,myself, yourself this was a delightful story and well written
Despite the author not understanding the correct grammatical use of the reflexive ,myself, yourself this was a delightful story and well written
December 21, 2023
nice
A pleasant tale. So old fashioned yet so seemingly typical. How often has this happened. So simple yet complex. I hope there is more to follow.
A pleasant tale. So old fashioned yet so seemingly typical. How often has this happened. So simple yet complex. I hope there is more to follow.
January 7, 2024
Loved the Story
It’s a lovely story of strong will ladies and love. Thanks to woman like the, we woman, now are freer to enjoy privileged that used to be forbidden.
It’s a lovely story of strong will ladies and love. Thanks to woman like the, we woman, now are freer to enjoy privileged that used to be forbidden.
June 26, 2024
Predictable
This is a fairly predictable story that I read through quite quickly. If you like historical stories with a little romance and a little adventure you'll like this book.
This is a fairly predictable story that I read through quite quickly. If you like historical stories with a little romance and a little adventure you'll like this book.
April 29, 2019
I received a digital galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to NetGalley and Agora Books!
The House of Hardie brings me back to the days when I used to devour Historical Fiction books and indeed, it reminds me of the things I love in the genre- a vivid setting, great cast of characters, and discussions about class and gender in society. All of these elements combine together in this book to produce a captivating read.
There are two families at the heart of this story- the Hardies, a family of wine merchants, and the Yates, an aristocratic family. The aristocrats look down on the Hardies as a merchant family and would not deign to consider a relationship with them higher than that of client and merchant. Similarly, there are two sets of siblings featured here, both with very different circumstances and family dynamics, but both are a pair of brother and sister. Their lives intertwine and things get complicated. What follows is a story about first love, disappointments, and adventure.
This book features two couples who meet very different fates. The first part is dedicated to Midge, a smart and ambitious young woman who gets into an ill-advised and perhaps ill-fated relationship with Archie Yates. I liked how strong Midge’s character is and how she grows to be more confident, self-assured, and in control. At first, she does make bad decisions in the name of love, but later on, she realizes her mistakes and corrects them. She’s a very practical young woman, logical and serious, but swayed by Archie’s charm. I found her character to be realistically portrayed and I applaud where her story goes later on.
I’m a fan of Midge’s character arc. She does find passion and begins a passionate love affair (although the way it is portrayed in the book does remain chaste) which doesn’t really go anywhere and leaves her heartbroken. However, at the end of it, she finds out what she really wants in life and decides to take control of her own life.
The second part of the book is dedicated to Gordon Hardie, the heir to the business but also a restless young man who craves adventure and travel, especially after an adventure in his youth. He falls in love with Lucy Yates and they basically struggle to be together due to her aristocratic family’s disapproval. I liked how this gives us a contrast between their relationship and that of Midge and Archie’s. Gordon and Lucy are the healthier couple, although definitely more headstrong and rash. It’s a stark contrast between Midge’s rationality regarding her own relationship and Gordon’s emotional response towards his own.
I’m not sure about what I feel regarding their relationship since it happens a bit quickly. Although, after the initial insta-love parts, their relationship does grow and strengthen through hardship as they travel through rural China together. Their relationship isn’t all roses and sunshine and does have moments where it gets a lot difficult. Through it all, they survive and endure and they grow both as people and as a couple because of it.
I enjoyed how this book tackles the class differences between the couples and gives a realistic resolution to each. The House of Hardie was first published in 1987 and it does seem to be a product of its time at certain points but I definitely enjoyed it. I’d recommend it to fans of Historical Fiction.
This review is also on The Bookworm Daydreamer
The House of Hardie brings me back to the days when I used to devour Historical Fiction books and indeed, it reminds me of the things I love in the genre- a vivid setting, great cast of characters, and discussions about class and gender in society. All of these elements combine together in this book to produce a captivating read.
There are two families at the heart of this story- the Hardies, a family of wine merchants, and the Yates, an aristocratic family. The aristocrats look down on the Hardies as a merchant family and would not deign to consider a relationship with them higher than that of client and merchant. Similarly, there are two sets of siblings featured here, both with very different circumstances and family dynamics, but both are a pair of brother and sister. Their lives intertwine and things get complicated. What follows is a story about first love, disappointments, and adventure.
This book features two couples who meet very different fates. The first part is dedicated to Midge, a smart and ambitious young woman who gets into an ill-advised and perhaps ill-fated relationship with Archie Yates. I liked how strong Midge’s character is and how she grows to be more confident, self-assured, and in control. At first, she does make bad decisions in the name of love, but later on, she realizes her mistakes and corrects them. She’s a very practical young woman, logical and serious, but swayed by Archie’s charm. I found her character to be realistically portrayed and I applaud where her story goes later on.
I’m a fan of Midge’s character arc. She does find passion and begins a passionate love affair (although the way it is portrayed in the book does remain chaste) which doesn’t really go anywhere and leaves her heartbroken. However, at the end of it, she finds out what she really wants in life and decides to take control of her own life.
The second part of the book is dedicated to Gordon Hardie, the heir to the business but also a restless young man who craves adventure and travel, especially after an adventure in his youth. He falls in love with Lucy Yates and they basically struggle to be together due to her aristocratic family’s disapproval. I liked how this gives us a contrast between their relationship and that of Midge and Archie’s. Gordon and Lucy are the healthier couple, although definitely more headstrong and rash. It’s a stark contrast between Midge’s rationality regarding her own relationship and Gordon’s emotional response towards his own.
I’m not sure about what I feel regarding their relationship since it happens a bit quickly. Although, after the initial insta-love parts, their relationship does grow and strengthen through hardship as they travel through rural China together. Their relationship isn’t all roses and sunshine and does have moments where it gets a lot difficult. Through it all, they survive and endure and they grow both as people and as a couple because of it.
I enjoyed how this book tackles the class differences between the couples and gives a realistic resolution to each. The House of Hardie was first published in 1987 and it does seem to be a product of its time at certain points but I definitely enjoyed it. I’d recommend it to fans of Historical Fiction.
This review is also on The Bookworm Daydreamer
June 10, 2019
This is the first of three books that make up the Hardie Family series. It was first published in 1987 and was recently re-published with a gorgeous new title. I’m a sucker for all these re-issue covers from Agora Books, what can I say?
"Two families from two classes. Four siblings with four dreams. Fate versus destiny.
Midge and Gordon Hardie have grown up as the children of a wine merchant. But their lot in life, to inherit The House of Hardie, is not what they have in mind. Midge wants more than her mundane life – she craves intrigue and luxury. Gordon wants nothing more than a life of adventure. Meanwhile, Lucy and Archie Yates, the grandchildren of the Marquess of Ross, have everything they could ever need. But they too yearn for different lives. But as the two families meet in Oxford, they find their dreams don’t always come true. At least not in the way they planned. In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition?"
Overall, I would give this title four stars. I think it’s important that we keep in mind that we are speaking about a book written in the 1980s that’s about a time period of the past. People of different societal classes didn’t marry or interact; everyone fell in line with the expectations of their class for their life. I really appreciated how the author explored the lines of both the classes and genders beginning to blur and be challenged. And while some may find this shallow, it was reality at that time and we can all learn a lot from it. I really found myself disliking Archie in particular in this book. He could use a good smack! But I’m interested to see how he and the others grow in the next two books.
If you’re up for some stubborn female characters, a bit of romance and people pushing societal norms, give The House of Hardie a read.
Thank you to Agora Books who generously provided me with a copy of this lovely book. I have read and reviewed voluntarily.
"Two families from two classes. Four siblings with four dreams. Fate versus destiny.
Midge and Gordon Hardie have grown up as the children of a wine merchant. But their lot in life, to inherit The House of Hardie, is not what they have in mind. Midge wants more than her mundane life – she craves intrigue and luxury. Gordon wants nothing more than a life of adventure. Meanwhile, Lucy and Archie Yates, the grandchildren of the Marquess of Ross, have everything they could ever need. But they too yearn for different lives. But as the two families meet in Oxford, they find their dreams don’t always come true. At least not in the way they planned. In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition?"
Overall, I would give this title four stars. I think it’s important that we keep in mind that we are speaking about a book written in the 1980s that’s about a time period of the past. People of different societal classes didn’t marry or interact; everyone fell in line with the expectations of their class for their life. I really appreciated how the author explored the lines of both the classes and genders beginning to blur and be challenged. And while some may find this shallow, it was reality at that time and we can all learn a lot from it. I really found myself disliking Archie in particular in this book. He could use a good smack! But I’m interested to see how he and the others grow in the next two books.
If you’re up for some stubborn female characters, a bit of romance and people pushing societal norms, give The House of Hardie a read.
Thank you to Agora Books who generously provided me with a copy of this lovely book. I have read and reviewed voluntarily.
August 8, 2019
The House of Hardie is the first book in a series by Anne Melville and tells the story of two sets of siblings from different classes, who meet in Oxford and whose lives quickly become entangled.
I hadn’t read any Anne Melville books before this one but was intrigued by the promise of adventure. There was just enough here to keep me happy, with two journeys bookending more domestic and academic scenes set in Oxford and on the Marquess of Ross’s estate. That said, there is flirtation and romance between young people, so it could be argued that some misadventure may feature.
Of the characters, Midge Hardie held my interest the most throughout. I felt frustrated on her behalf by the limitations imposed upon her academic pursuits, while admiring her diligence and commitment to them. She works with what little she has in terms of her freedom of movement and association within society and the small boundaries of her Oxford world. In her own small way, she’s a pioneer.
I admired Midge’s brother, Gordon, for his early spirit and how he stayed true to his goal of future adventures but he almost lost my sympathy when it came to matters of the heart. Lucy is an interesting character, talented but entirely wasted on her grandfather’s estate; I questioned her motives but admired her all the same for her naivety and bravery. Archie seemed the least forward-looking of the quartet; a sad product of the times and his upbringing, and too weak or lazy to do much about it.
I would have liked more depth and detail in places but this first book is a gentle introduction to The Family Hardie series. Anne Melville’s The House of Hardie is an enjoyable historical novel, with some interesting characters, that fulfilled my need for some travel and adventure.
I hadn’t read any Anne Melville books before this one but was intrigued by the promise of adventure. There was just enough here to keep me happy, with two journeys bookending more domestic and academic scenes set in Oxford and on the Marquess of Ross’s estate. That said, there is flirtation and romance between young people, so it could be argued that some misadventure may feature.
Of the characters, Midge Hardie held my interest the most throughout. I felt frustrated on her behalf by the limitations imposed upon her academic pursuits, while admiring her diligence and commitment to them. She works with what little she has in terms of her freedom of movement and association within society and the small boundaries of her Oxford world. In her own small way, she’s a pioneer.
I admired Midge’s brother, Gordon, for his early spirit and how he stayed true to his goal of future adventures but he almost lost my sympathy when it came to matters of the heart. Lucy is an interesting character, talented but entirely wasted on her grandfather’s estate; I questioned her motives but admired her all the same for her naivety and bravery. Archie seemed the least forward-looking of the quartet; a sad product of the times and his upbringing, and too weak or lazy to do much about it.
I would have liked more depth and detail in places but this first book is a gentle introduction to The Family Hardie series. Anne Melville’s The House of Hardie is an enjoyable historical novel, with some interesting characters, that fulfilled my need for some travel and adventure.
May 21, 2019
Young love, idealistic dreams, dreams far removed from what your parents envisage for you and the determination to achieve them form part of the story.
Two families two very different social situations. One in trading, one very upper class. Very unlikely that either family will tolerate a marriage within the two. Lucy is headstrong and Gordon taken quite unawares. Midge had to learn the hard way that a man may not feel the way he behaves and may be very different to what she is expecting.
Midge is ahead of her time. She is clever and wants to be educated. Unfortunately not encouraged by the world in general though her family is supportive. Her idea of teaching and then becoming a Head of a college seems such a feasible idea now. In Victorian England it was far fetched. Midge was determined however and after her disillusionment with Archie she channelled all her energies into her education and career.
In Midge's brother's case despite being expected to take over his father's business, his love of nature drew him to explore the world and he somehow was determined to trek in China seeking for elusive plants and herbs. He did this not expecting the determined Lucy to escape the confines of her home and join him on board the steamer to the Far East. Their adventures are a travel memoir of the difficulties of travel in the time and make for a fascinating read.
The stories of the two separate families and how their lives entwined and how fate played a role is very well depicted.
Two families two very different social situations. One in trading, one very upper class. Very unlikely that either family will tolerate a marriage within the two. Lucy is headstrong and Gordon taken quite unawares. Midge had to learn the hard way that a man may not feel the way he behaves and may be very different to what she is expecting.
Midge is ahead of her time. She is clever and wants to be educated. Unfortunately not encouraged by the world in general though her family is supportive. Her idea of teaching and then becoming a Head of a college seems such a feasible idea now. In Victorian England it was far fetched. Midge was determined however and after her disillusionment with Archie she channelled all her energies into her education and career.
In Midge's brother's case despite being expected to take over his father's business, his love of nature drew him to explore the world and he somehow was determined to trek in China seeking for elusive plants and herbs. He did this not expecting the determined Lucy to escape the confines of her home and join him on board the steamer to the Far East. Their adventures are a travel memoir of the difficulties of travel in the time and make for a fascinating read.
The stories of the two separate families and how their lives entwined and how fate played a role is very well depicted.
June 21, 2019
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for the opportunity!
House of Hardie is centers around Midge and Gordon Hardie who as you learn more about them are the children of a wine merchant out of Oxford, but still seem to not be too wealthy. Midge is very knowledgeable about many things and strives to better herself and their situation. Gordon is more focused on travelling and wants to pursue the area of botany and to be known for something more than a wine merchant’s son. The Victorian-era story continues on to describe the romance and adventure of two different families from two different backgrounds as they explore how they can blend the two.
I honestly had a hard time getting into the House of Hardie. I am typically a historical fiction fan and can’t seem to get enough, but I found that it was hard for me to fully get to the know the characters very well and understand the complete plot. I also didn’t really like the two male characters, Gordon and Archie as I felt they treated their significant others pretty harshly. I did enjoy the character of Midge and really would have liked to hear more about her and the development of her story. However, the writing style that Anne Melville used to describe the time and illustrate the characters was engaging and I appreciated the imagery. Although, I wasn’t fully impressed with this book in particular, I would still be interested in other works by Ms Melville.
House of Hardie is centers around Midge and Gordon Hardie who as you learn more about them are the children of a wine merchant out of Oxford, but still seem to not be too wealthy. Midge is very knowledgeable about many things and strives to better herself and their situation. Gordon is more focused on travelling and wants to pursue the area of botany and to be known for something more than a wine merchant’s son. The Victorian-era story continues on to describe the romance and adventure of two different families from two different backgrounds as they explore how they can blend the two.
I honestly had a hard time getting into the House of Hardie. I am typically a historical fiction fan and can’t seem to get enough, but I found that it was hard for me to fully get to the know the characters very well and understand the complete plot. I also didn’t really like the two male characters, Gordon and Archie as I felt they treated their significant others pretty harshly. I did enjoy the character of Midge and really would have liked to hear more about her and the development of her story. However, the writing style that Anne Melville used to describe the time and illustrate the characters was engaging and I appreciated the imagery. Although, I wasn’t fully impressed with this book in particular, I would still be interested in other works by Ms Melville.
May 15, 2019
The House of Hardie by Anne Melville. Agora Books, 2019.
This is the first volume of a Victorian trilogy originally published in the 1980s. Set largely in 1870s Oxford, Gordon Hardie and his sister Midge meet Lucy Yates and her brother Archie. Gordon has returned from eight years in the South Seas to work in his father’s wine business and Lucy, the daughter of a Marquis, is still at home. Much of the story arises from decisions Midge and Lucy, both strong intelligent women, make for themselves. The two are ahead of their time. Midge and Archie are students, Midge is independent, mature and serious; Archie less so. Although attractions flare between the Gordon and Lucy, and between Archie and Midge, and the couples are friendly enough at the beginning, conflict arise.
The first two of the book’s three sections provide a close and fascinating cross-section of everyday life in 1870s Oxford. The third describes a scientific expedition to China in search of an exotic lily. All three sections are wonderful to read. The content and quality of writing exceeds most current historical romances; I am glad it is being rereleased. It is well worth reading. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of The House of Hardie via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first volume of a Victorian trilogy originally published in the 1980s. Set largely in 1870s Oxford, Gordon Hardie and his sister Midge meet Lucy Yates and her brother Archie. Gordon has returned from eight years in the South Seas to work in his father’s wine business and Lucy, the daughter of a Marquis, is still at home. Much of the story arises from decisions Midge and Lucy, both strong intelligent women, make for themselves. The two are ahead of their time. Midge and Archie are students, Midge is independent, mature and serious; Archie less so. Although attractions flare between the Gordon and Lucy, and between Archie and Midge, and the couples are friendly enough at the beginning, conflict arise.
The first two of the book’s three sections provide a close and fascinating cross-section of everyday life in 1870s Oxford. The third describes a scientific expedition to China in search of an exotic lily. All three sections are wonderful to read. The content and quality of writing exceeds most current historical romances; I am glad it is being rereleased. It is well worth reading. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of The House of Hardie via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2020
i consider this a 2.5 mostly because i do quite like the storytelling but the fact that gordon (a grown ass man at 27) refers to his 18 y/o girlfriend as Barely More Than A Child but also expresses how much he loves her gave me shudders every time and i kinda hated it
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