The Manse

by Meredith Resce

John Laslett has just arrived in Green Valley in his very first appointment as the new parish minister. He has been employed by the lady patron, Vera Wallace, and at first it seems that she has seen to his every possible need. But there is something strange about the housekeeper she has sent. Kate is efficient in every detail, but John cannot seem to break through the cold exterior. Something is wrong, he is sure, but he doesn’t know what. The story follows Kate on an adventure of heartbreak, grief, and love as she struggles to come to terms with her own feelings.

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction

222 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2005

About the author

South Australian Author, Meredith Resce, has been writing since 1991, and has had books in the Australian market since 1997. She is an Australian best selling Christian fiction writer.

Following the Australian success of her “Heart of Green Valley” series, an English Publisher has taken the first three books in this series, and has released them to the British and American markets.

Apart from writing, Meredith also takes the opportunity to speak to groups on issues relevant to relationships and emotional and spiritual growth.

Meredith has also been co-writer and co-producer in the 2007 feature film production, “Twin Rivers”.

With her husband, Nick, Meredith has worked in Christian ministry since 1983.

Meredith and Nick have one daughter and two sons.

Reviews

[destinypotato14 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I FINALLY finished this book. Only took me ten thousand years literally. Anyways this was not a good book and it was boring af and had no plot line and basically don’t read it 😁😁

[Paula Vince]

This version of Meredith Resce's first novel has been completely re-written to coincide with its twentieth anniversary, and better suit the tastes of more modern readers. First off, I've known the author for several years. She was the first person I asked for publishing advice, and since then I've even worked on a collaboration with her. I was pleased to be offered the chance to read and review this new version, since 1997 was a long time ago. I wondered how it would shape up with my memory, and it turns out to have several of the same features as the many novels she's written since.

For the first time in his life, 24-year-old John Laslett has defied his controlling mother. He's accepted the post as minister at Green Valley, a small rural parish, rather than a more prestigious position in Melbourne she would have preferred for him. But being pushed around by bossy females seems to be his lot in life. John's autocratic patron, Lady Vera Wallace, wants to control him to the nth degree. And his haughty new housekeeper has a chip on her shoulder he can't understand.

Kate is the daughter of the former minister, who's been dismissed in disgrace. (You have to read a fair way in to find out why.) Since he's far from home at the time, she's all alone when she's evicted from the manse. Being homeless long before the days of government support is terrifying for a young woman, so she decides to set herself up as a servant at her own former residence. Kate can't help resenting her father's replacement, who appears to be Lady Vera's puppet.

We wonder how these two can possibly be drawn together, when they have such good reason to misunderstand each other. The story switches back and forth so we can clearly see both points of view. My main thought this time through is how John and Kate are the first in a long line of heroes and heroines readers have enjoyed. It's easy to see why this story has endured for twenty years. When you add plot elements such as hidden identities and secret scandals to the colonial era, it's a good combination. Back in 1997, Meredith Resce noticed a gap in the market for Australian female readers who like solid, clean romances with the promised hook of a happy ending, and she set out to fill it.

If you like this style of uplifting love story, give it a go, and you may find yourself wanting to read the rest of the Heart of Green Valley series too.

I have to say re-reading Kate's plight at this time is significant, since recent circumstances have forced us to look for a new home too. That's one of the great things about reading, when it shows that someone else's situation is always more extreme. I'm looking forward to reading Green Valley, the second in the series, before too long.

Thanks to the author for my review copy.

[Adele Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minister's daughter, Kate Winston, is hurt and bitter following eviction from her home in the wake of her father's dismissal for an alleged disgrace.

Incoming Reverend, John Laslett, has defied his mother to take up the position at the rural Green Valley parish. Despite this stand, he's young and lacking confidence and experience. He's also also oblivious to the hornets' nest his controlling, proud and proper benefactor, Lady Vera Wallace, has dropped him into.

When Kate's and John's worlds collide, trouble is inevitable. The story develops swiftly and I found myself drawn to the plights of these two young people. It seemed nearly impossible that they could overcome stubbornness, prejudice and repeated misunderstanding to become friends, let alone have any hope of a future together. At times I found myself wanting to know more about the lives of the secondary characters, sensing they had more to contribute to the story than was being told. I suspect we will see more of them though the rest of the series.

On its original publication, Resce's 'Green Valley' series contributed significantly to the developing Australian inspirational fiction market, so I've been keen to read the reworked versions celebrating the 20th anniversary of the series' release. Overall I found this an easy to read, well crafted story that captured my interest through to its concise but satisfying resolution.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate's father has gone to Melbourne and mysteriously failed to return. He's been dismissed from his post as the minister of Green Valley church by the aristocratic Lady Vera who has sent for a replacement vicar.

Kate has no money, nowhere to go and no one to turn to. The manse has been cleared out and even her precious heritage coverlet burned. She conceives a desperate plan when she sees a small advertisement for a housekeeper for the new minister in a local shop. Taking the paper, she simply turns up at the door of the manse and informs John Laslett she's come to take up the position of housekeeper. He believes she's been sent by Lady Vera and that her wages are taken care of. He has no idea she goes out to the back shed and, when she believes the coast is clear, enters the house and stays in her own room.

All Kate receives is this minimal shelter and some part of the food she prepares for the minister. He'd love to break down her cold reserve, having no idea that she harbours intense bitter feelings towards him because he's taken her father's position.

One day Lady Vera arrives to sort out the business of a housekeeper she's come to hear is most irregular. Kate scurries into hiding - getting very wet on a freezing cold night. And that's when her neat plan for survival starts to come seriously unravelled...

A charming romance set in colonial Victoria.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A simple story and not really a feeling of pioneer life in Australia but having said that a great tale of love and forgiveness. God is shown in a great light as a loving and forgiving God and we see the prayers of the central characters, the young minister, John Laslett, his lover and later wife, Katie Winston and her Father, the Rev Carlton Winston, grappling the fairly difficult issues of love, betrayal, pride, deception and forgiveness with an honesty and reality which opens up the true nature of God's heart. Even the snobbish and arrogant Lady Vera Wallace is finally changed and enabled to see the true depths of love, acceptance and forgiveness. An inspiring and entirely feel-good story.

[John Milliner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely story

[Sally906 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening Sentence: ‘…John Laslett gazed around the drawing room, allowing his attention to fall on the table laden with cakes and sandwiches…’

John Laslett has just accepted his first ministry posting in Green Valley. He has been employed by the lady patron, Vera Wallace, he is not told much about the previous Parish Minister – other than he had been dismissed for bad conduct. His mother is horrified at his choice – a country Parish when he could have a good Melbourne city parish – and a Bishops daughter as his wife. John follows his calling and is pleased with his little church and the attached Manse.

Kate is the daughter of the previous minister – she has no idea where her father is or what his crime is – she has been thrown out of the only home she has ever known and told to leave the parish by the cold hearted Lady Vera Wallace. Kate stays in hiding and presents herself as the housekeeper for the new Minister. She has so much hate in her heart – and John has no courage to summon. But God has great plans – these two are destined to be together, learning a few valuable lessons and helping others as they go.

This is a lovely romantic read – with a strong Christian message that is not thrust into your face. I loved Kate’s character – there was so much growth as she faced her demons head on and turned around from the path of bitterness that she was on. John has a learning curve too as he learns to be a man of strength instead of a wimp.

This is the first n the Green Vally series – and I am happy I have the next two sitting on my TBR shelf.

[Susan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Manse is set in colonial Australia when life was difficult and opportunities for women and the poor were very limited. So when Kate is left homeless and penniless she has to use her resourcefulness to find a solution. Unfortunately her solution is based on deception which is eventually exposed but not before she has gained the attention of John Laslett the new parish minister.

John struggles to help Kate because of social etiquette and his unwillingness to stand against the status quo but eventually lights upon a surprising solution which is even more challenging than he expects. John and Kate individually work through the issues of the impact of family of origin, the need to stand up for one's beliefs and the ongoing need for forgiveness.

I enjoyed this tale which exposes some of the struggle colonial Australians experienced especially as these impacted the church. Ministers felt limited in the way they were able to respond to the circumstances of their communities because they were stifled by the wealthy land owners who paid their salaries. Offending your employer meant you could quickly find yourself unemployed which was a real possibility for John and in some churches continues today.

The book was published some years ago and does reflect an older fashion in writing. Nevertheless it is a well told and enjoyable story.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. However, it took me a very long time (I think a year, lol) to read it, because I kept putting it down. I finally bought it on kobo and voila I got through it, haha. I think it was well written and this is the first book in a 6 part series. However, the problem is it's hard to find all the books!! Books #1, 2 and 6 are on kobo, and books #3-5 are on kindle. You can order used book copies on eBay or amazon, but with shipping from Australia, they are VERY expensive. I have the first 3 books in actual book format, then bought the next 2 through amazon-kindle which I'll read on my i-pad, and bought the 6th book on kobo. It seems like a lot of trouble! Some of the ideas are a bit conservative such as a woman not having a say as to who she will marry, and that the wife is just to trust her husband in everything. Now some will think that's fine, but it sort of irked me, haha

[Amanda Deed · Rating 3 out of 5]

'The Manse' is a heartwarming story of two people who find themselves in difficult and challenging circumstances.The weaknesses in their character make it hard for them to connect at first. But as Kate, once consumed with bitterness learns to forgive, and as John, once weak and easily controlled learns to stand up for what he believes in, they both begin to truly admire each other.

Meredith Resce has a knack of landing her characters in a mess of tension and then shows how a little bit of grace and compassion can make all things work out in the end. Always a worthwhile read.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A gentle book, a nice fast read of times gone by.

[Jen Jansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is okay but not great. I found the writing to be disjointed, especially in the first half of the book. The character development is really choppy and not overly believable.