The Carousel

by Belva Plain

Best-selling author Belva Plain follows the enormous success of Whispers and Daybreak with another explosive novel that explores the realities simmering below the surface of a seemingly admirable Amencan family. In the opening pages of The Carousel a woman is looking at an exquisite music box, a silver carousel. She is pensive and reflects upon how this beautiful object has linked the momentous events of a family's life. She has married into that family, the Greys, whose successful business is nationally known. The sun has long shone upon the patriarch, Oliver Grey, his two sons Ian and Clive, and his niece and nephew, Amanda and Dan. Oliver has recently handed over control of the business to his two sons and his nephew. Amanda has a non-voting share. Now the sky has clouded over and terrible storms arise as a series of incidents threatens to destroy the family... Amanda is making furious demands upon the business. Ian's greed and his adultery collide with Clive's jealousy. And the five-year-old daughter of Dan and his wife has been the victim of sexual abuse. The Greys, pillars of their upstate New York community, are being torn apart. And before their ordeal comes to an end someone will be the victim of murder. As she did in the enormously successful Whispers, Belva Plain tells a timely story of a family with a dark and dirty secret. With the additional touches of mystery--a new territory for Belva Plain --The Carousel confirms her place as one of our most compelling and popular writers. "The queen of the family saga writers...Belva Plain is in a class by herself." -- The New York Times.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Adult Fiction, Drama, Mystery, Contemporary Romance

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Belva Plain was a best-selling American author of mainstream women's fiction. Her first novel, Evergreen (1978) topped the New York Times bestseller list for 41 weeks and was made into a TV miniseries. At her death, there were over 30 million copies of her twenty-plus novels in print in 22 languages.

Reviews

[Arnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kad Sallija aizved savu piecgadīgo meitu Tīnu pie bērnu speciālista un psihologa, jo pēc zīdaiņa māsas Suzannas uzrašanas, drastiski izmainījusies viņas uzvedība, māte pat ļaunākajos murgos nevarētu iedomāties dzirdam ārstes šokējošos jaunums. Bet tie ir tikai pirmie ziediņi, lai autores Belva Plain rokās iznāktu uz gana vienkāršas idejas bāzēts intriģējoša mistērija un turīgas ģimenes drāma.

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me on guard after reading it. Sexual abuse could happen to children, and COULD be done by your own family member. It makes me sick to read this kind of story, and also makes me a bit paranoid of my own relatives, but better be on the safe side than be sorry later, right?

If I could, I would put my children inside the safety box and let them out only when they grow up and can think for themselves.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 3 out of 5]

This went round my book club a few years ago, and when no one else wanted it, after lukewarm feedback, it ended up on my shelf with the other “might read one day” books. I confess the main reason I picked it up was that I wanted something short that wouldn’t be missed if I dropped it in the spa bath, and have ended up reading it in short stints over a month of therapeutic soaks, until today when I finally felt involved enough to want to get to the end.

Written and set in 1990, this necessarily rather dated family drama introduces the venerable Grey family from New England, wealthy owners of a large grocery company. Handsome older son Ian runs the company with good-natured cousin Dan, who was adopted into the family with his sister Amanda as children when their parents were killed in an accident. Reclusive brother Clive, short, ugly and bitter, still lives with their father Oliver, who has retired from the business but still rules over the next generation, while troubled Amanda has lived in California since adolescence, estranged from the family.

Dan’s wife Sally learns from a child psychiatrist that the reason for their five year old daughters increasingly difficult behaviour is probably that she has been abused, but, horrified, she and Dan refuse to believe it, and look elsewhere for answers. Over the following year, the family face disagreements about the future of the company, infidelity, new relationships, old rivalries, serious illness and explosive revelations about dark secrets.

It was interesting to read this, as the same story would be handled very differently in the current, less innocent climate. None of the characters are particularly likeable but I did get sucked in to wanting to know how it would turn out. The ending did seem a bit convenient but I like it when all storylines get wrapped up. I don’t even know if this would still be in print, but it was a passably good read if you have it lying around or find it in a library.

[Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was on okay book, but I was disturbed that the man who molested the girls was still venerated in the end for “all the good he had done in the world” even after his crimes had been uncovered. This seemed very problematic to me and wouldn’t fly in today’s culture.

Also, the author Belva Plain states in one of her quotes attached to this book “no matter what the troubles are, the important thing is to keep the family together.” There are most certainly situations where, although it would be great to keep the family together, it is not the right decision. Child molestation, for example, is not something to sweep under the rug. There is a “hush hush” quality to what happened within this family. The lack of transparency seems outdated and toxic. I understand their desire to protect the young girl Tina, but it seems the abuser is too glorified in the end.

[Rhonda Rae Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the beginning...why was this carousel so important? After finding out why it was given and the 'secret' behind the gift...I was sickened...there is truly way more abuse out there then an average person realizes. Under the face of a secure and reputable family...hides one of the deepest and darkest 'secrets' that could ever be...read this one!

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

This came in a sack for $5 from the library. Not bad but I don't think it will be great. If I can't get into it I'll drop it off at Half Priced Books for Josh to read. :-)

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book years ago because the story seemed interesting. However, every time I tried to read it, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the topic. Child abuse is something that indeed makes anyone uncomfortable, and powerless; you become aware that these things happen even in the best families, where situations like these are concealed and secretive precisely due to appearances.
I had read something from Belva Plain before so I was sure this would be a very good book.
I decided to give it a chance this year because I feel like I could take it a little better than when I was younger.
I felt so invested in the story that I took a pen and post it and scribbled all my suspicions and theories all over it. I also thought this is a good story for parents and adults in general, for it could help us all keep our eyes out for children in need; it helps visualize this problem and how difficult it can be not only for the victims but for their families as well.

My favorite character was Sally, and I tried to guess who the abuser was before it was revealed for there are plenty of clues and hints so that the reader can make up their minds.

I'm glad I read it. Nevertheless, I couldn't agree with some statements and the way the ending was handled, because it felt like in the end, the abuser gets away with what happened. It felt odd, especially considering that nowadays this is not encouraged but rather for victims to speak and put the abuser in the spotlight.

[Virginia Markhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a book that is so good that it is impossible to put down, makes me stay up way late just to see what happens next. The characters are so well described that I feel I know them personally. I finished this book last night and am missing my new friends. Having read many Belva Plain books, I was so pleased to come across one that I had not already read. This book was simply fabulous! The only reason that I did not give it a five rating was because I felt that the murder scene, as it was replayed during later chapters, left a lot of confusion. So many people who were there, it did not make clear sense to me. But it did not detract from the overall wonderful story. I look forward to stumbling across another Belva Plain.

[Jill Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read any of Belva Plain's books for quite a while, but was pleased I'd picked up this one. Right from the beginning, when a doctor informs a mother that her 5 year old daughter has been sexually abused, the story grabs you. It concerns a family - patriarch, 2 sons, a nephew and their spouses. The family are highly respected in their town, as they are the biggest employers and the head of the family is a philanthropist. But their lives are far from perfect and this book follows the rather complex unwinding of the fairytale. There are a lot of unexpected twists in the tale, making it harder to put the book down as the story progresses.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale with lots of secrets. She combines her skill as a writer of family sagas with elements of suspense and mystery. It was indeed suspenseful, heartbreaking and disturbing. Outside forces threaten the business while the dynasty is shattered from within -- by a tormented child obsessed with an heirloom silver carousel, retreating into a world of fantasy and rage and by a family member bent on revenge. A child whom it was determined had been sexually abused but parents who couldn't accept that possibility.

[Anna Maynard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undecided

Not the best but not one you really invest your time in reading because of the child sexual abuse to a 5 year old. Touchy subject to read about. The child suffers, not understanding the emotions she is experiencing. She doesn't tell anyone because she is afraid. She becomes a problem child ...... going from a delightful, happy and vibrant child to a sullen and angry one. The families portrayed in the book are unlikable ... there is money and power struggles (greed). Many twists and turns and the ending was a complete surprise.

[Bethea Scovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

If done correctly, this could have been a mystery novel. However, it was a family drama with lots of secrets. The writing was choppy and none of the characters were very likeable. The plot lines could have been good if well developed. I didn’t care for the roll of the women in this story as they were all belittled in one way or another it’s sad that so many still out up with this misogynistic attitude. 2.5 stars

[Marie-Claude · Rating 2 out of 5]

Le sujet du sommaire ne fait qu'une tres petite partie du roman. Le sujet principal du roman est tout autre. Je m'attendais au sujet des difficultes qu'une jeune fille traverse en consequent de son silence. Je m'apercois que la plupart du livre est au sujet de commerce que les membres de sa famille sont proprietaires. Decevant.

[Patricia Bethel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was totally different than I usually read.

It was boring at first but got more interesting as I read. I was totally shocked about what had happened. I definitely did not think that Oliver was the guilty one and that Clive confessed that he had killed his Father thinking that he was killing his brother in stead.

I was happy to read that Tina was coming out of her problems in the end.

[Kim Veigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was published in 1995, so the story seemed rather dated. It was an Okay read with the main themes of child abuse and infidelity. I wasn’t expecting the ending. I was glad that the abuser was killed, but even after that occurred, his children seemed to glorify his memory which was very disappointing.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book dealt with the difficult issue of childhood molestation & incest in a way that wasn't too shocking or invasive for the reader.
I thought the book dragged on about all the saga with the fight over the land dealings and who wanted what, etc.
All in all, it was a decent read to fill the space between my last book and the book I was waiting to come in the mail.

[Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really like this book. It was on at except about the incidences. I felt repulsed and disgusted about what I read. A one time read, and never again. I just didn't like it. A horrifying tale that only need to once read. Not my favorite.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was another "family drama" style story by Belva Plain. There were a number of twists and turns until the full "truth" was discovered. It was a good example of how family secrets can, ultimately, destroy generations.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was hard to get into at first, but then I couldn't put it down.

[bonnie foxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belva Plain at her best

I loved this book, could not put it down. It has a few slow spots but it is well worth the read. Great family saga.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I barely could keep reading this book. Wasn't one I would have picked. Got better near the end.

[Mary Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. A vacation read.

[Maida Piotrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book

High!y recommend this as literary fiction. Bella writes a good story and the reader really gets involved with her characters.

[Dorothy Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets

The Carousel was a good read but not a great read.
At the start of the story, the characters were confusing.
The story did pick up and I did enjoy it.

[Najwa Hirn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a fast read. The subject was intense as it relates to child abuse. However an eye opener to many since this can happen to any child and by family members. Good read.

[Melissa A Comer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family dynamics in a business passed down to siblings and cousins--fraught with secrets about an heirloom carousel and its significance. Characters well drawn.

[Phyllis F · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be an old book but I love how Belva Plain writes. This was such a good story with a few twists and turns in it. Totally recommend this book.

[Eleanor Spalding · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written but the story lines were not great. I was surprised by the ending!

[Barbara]

Barbara curwen. Maine 8/96. Handwritten vocabulary word in the back "egregious".

[Pamela Vicik-smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book written in 1995. A few interesting twists and was a good, quick read.