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Two Black Sheep
An ex-convict that has been released from prison must find out how to live again. Fifteen years have passed since World War I and the world is a completely different place. A young woman must take a job with a heartless woman as a governess to her spoiled little girl. A chance meeting in London and a sweet "affair of balconys" leads to a romance that is plagued by the past and the present.
430 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1933
6 people want to read
About the author
Warwick Deeping
181 books21 followersGeorge Warwick Deeping was a prolific novelist and short story writer, who is best known for his 1925 novel "Sorrell and Son."
Deeping was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, then Trinity College, Cambridge to study medicine and science, and then to Middlesex Hospital to finish his medical training. During the First World War, he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He later gave up his job as a doctor to become a full-time writer.
Deeping's early work was primarily historical romances. His later novels can be seen as attempts at keeping alive the spirit of the Edwardian age. He was one of the best selling authors of the 1920s and 1930s, with seven of his novels making the best-seller list. His short fiction also appeared in several US magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post and Adventure.
Deeping was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, then Trinity College, Cambridge to study medicine and science, and then to Middlesex Hospital to finish his medical training. During the First World War, he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He later gave up his job as a doctor to become a full-time writer.
Deeping's early work was primarily historical romances. His later novels can be seen as attempts at keeping alive the spirit of the Edwardian age. He was one of the best selling authors of the 1920s and 1930s, with seven of his novels making the best-seller list. His short fiction also appeared in several US magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post and Adventure.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 27, 2016
When a WW1 soldier returns from war and finds his wife with another man, his temper explodes and he kills the man.
15 years later, the ex soldier Mr. Vane, is released from prison into a world he hardly recognizes. Not finding his place in his old stomping ground he goes abroad to France, where he wallows in the wakeful sleep of the self-proclaimed outcast.
A chance meeting from a nearby balcony gives Vane a new lease on life as he strikes up a friendship with the governess of a small brat. Later on, the young woman will learn compassion when she herself is caught in the crossfire of the law.
The lesson: some things just happen without premeditated maliciousness. One must go with the flow and get beyond it somehow.
So some parts of this were 5 star, especially when WD describes the reactions of a newly released prisoner. I felt like this was good, honest writing.
The parts that put me to sleep are the romance, especially since WD seems to revert to his tried and tested formulae. Helpless, Pre-Raphaelite-Edward-Burnes-Jones-type female, insecure and idealistic; and the true male gentleman who comes to her rescue.
If this was my first WD I would have enjoyed it far more, but there were so many facets that felt re-masticated and that spoiled things a bit.
CONTENT:
Mild profanity, D's
Sex: main character visits a prostitute, nothing explicit shown to reader.
15 years later, the ex soldier Mr. Vane, is released from prison into a world he hardly recognizes. Not finding his place in his old stomping ground he goes abroad to France, where he wallows in the wakeful sleep of the self-proclaimed outcast.
A chance meeting from a nearby balcony gives Vane a new lease on life as he strikes up a friendship with the governess of a small brat. Later on, the young woman will learn compassion when she herself is caught in the crossfire of the law.
The lesson: some things just happen without premeditated maliciousness. One must go with the flow and get beyond it somehow.
So some parts of this were 5 star, especially when WD describes the reactions of a newly released prisoner. I felt like this was good, honest writing.
The parts that put me to sleep are the romance, especially since WD seems to revert to his tried and tested formulae. Helpless, Pre-Raphaelite-Edward-Burnes-Jones-type female, insecure and idealistic; and the true male gentleman who comes to her rescue.
If this was my first WD I would have enjoyed it far more, but there were so many facets that felt re-masticated and that spoiled things a bit.
CONTENT:
Mild profanity, D's
Sex: main character visits a prostitute, nothing explicit shown to reader.
Displaying 1 of 1 review