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Williamsburg #3
Ever After
In Ever After, Bracken Murray visits London during the Jubilee summer of 1897 after his wife deserts him. Here he falls in love with an English girl. Meanwhile back in the USA his cousin Fitz rescues a music-hall singer who falls in love with him. '
334 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1945
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494 people want to read
About the author
Elswyth Thane
41 books139 followersThane 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 28, 2015
*happy sigh*
Elswyth Thane's series is such a lovely series so far. I've just got to savor the memory of this story :)
It's 1898 and Eden and Cabot, their son Bracken his sister Virginia and their cousin, the black sheep of the family Fritz, are the center of this branch of the Day/Sprague/Murray families.
Eden and Cabot are worried for their son Bracken who's exotic wife has left him for a man with a larger purse. Bracken himself is glad to see the last of his selfish, unfaithful wife, but now in a time when divorce in nearly unheard of, Bracken fears to never be free from Lisl and her demands. Now he has no jest for life anymore and black fits of depression come over him, not unlike his father before him in Yankee Stranger. Until he visits England with Virginia and meets Dinah, who isn't even out of the schoolroom yet..
Virginian is spoiled, and everyone knows it, even herself. But they all love her anyway and she in turn shows love for them. For her coming out, her brother Bracken and aunt Sue bring her to England to come out and be presented to Queen Victoria during her Diamond Jubilee. But instead of doing what every one supposed she would, she turns down every proposal she gets.
Dinah is the sweet sort of girl who somehow understands people very well, and is willing to make sacrifices for them. She was just the sort of bundle of innocence Bracken needed to remind him that not all women were wicked like Lisl.. Who was horrid.
Back in America, Fritz goes to New York at the bidding of his dear aunt Sue, and there he finds himself and his place in the family. He was my favorite character. He went from banging out tunes on the piano and making up songs to working in his uncle Cabot Murray's newspaper and finding a troubled actress with the voice of an angel who he knows could sing his songs and make them take off.
There the bare bones of the story and I won't say anything more except that I hope the fourth book, The Light Heart lives up to my dreams.
Defiantly read these in order, and as close together as possible so you don't forget who's who.
PG And adulteress, murder and medium swearing.
October 15, 2011
Very light yet satisfying read. Loved the description of battle scenes during the spanish american war. I like how Thane moves inside the character's head and walks the reader through the angst and fear of facing death. And the bar has been set for the measure of a man. Bracken Murray is divine.
November 4, 2014
This was one of many novels I picked up for free at a library to create a drawing out of (see the drawing here). Not having a clue what the book was about, or who the author was, I just started reading. And I never stopped. I was swept up in the love story between Dinah and Bracken, and admired how sweet and loving it felt.
What I found the most interesting and enjoyed the most was that the love stories were considered "scandalous" for their time, but in today's society, it's innocent. The behaviors of courtship may be outdated, but the love is very much real.
This novel is part of Elswyth Thane's Williamsburg series, however, it seems to be able to stand on it's own without one reading the other books. I highly recommend reading it if you enjoy love stories.
What I found the most interesting and enjoyed the most was that the love stories were considered "scandalous" for their time, but in today's society, it's innocent. The behaviors of courtship may be outdated, but the love is very much real.
This novel is part of Elswyth Thane's Williamsburg series, however, it seems to be able to stand on it's own without one reading the other books. I highly recommend reading it if you enjoy love stories.
May 30, 2022
*Happy sigh*
April 20, 2023
Even though I got this book from the library, and it was pretty well stained and a little smelly, I enjoyed it greatly. As with the first two Williamburg books, I enjoyed this one thoroughly. Elswyth Thane was a prolific writer who in the 1940's wrote this series of historical fiction books.
Ever After covers 1896-1899, centered around several families in Virginia, New York, and England.
Most are well-to-do, some from inheritance, some from hard work. The story follows the love interests of each one, coming of age, parties, and traveling abroad. Later, the book covers the Spanish American War in Cuba where 3 brothers either serve or are covering the action for the News. We are introduced to Theodore Roosevelt as one of the Rough Riders from Texas. All of this action in Cuba I am sure is from factual history, which Ms Thane seems to have well researched. In fact, her whole book seems to be pretty fact based, except for the fictionalized central characters.
The dialogue is very detailed, maybe sometimes too much as it can distract from the story line if one isn't careful. But, it puts one into the scene so much as almost being able to smell the roses. Also, one gets to know the characters and emphatize with them, or dislike them as the case may be.
Ever After covers 1896-1899, centered around several families in Virginia, New York, and England.
Most are well-to-do, some from inheritance, some from hard work. The story follows the love interests of each one, coming of age, parties, and traveling abroad. Later, the book covers the Spanish American War in Cuba where 3 brothers either serve or are covering the action for the News. We are introduced to Theodore Roosevelt as one of the Rough Riders from Texas. All of this action in Cuba I am sure is from factual history, which Ms Thane seems to have well researched. In fact, her whole book seems to be pretty fact based, except for the fictionalized central characters.
The dialogue is very detailed, maybe sometimes too much as it can distract from the story line if one isn't careful. But, it puts one into the scene so much as almost being able to smell the roses. Also, one gets to know the characters and emphatize with them, or dislike them as the case may be.
July 8, 2010
The story picks up almost 30 years after the close of the civil war in 1865. Again, the Day and Sprague families are the focus as they struggle with their romantic lives and the social and economic forces that effect the choices that they make. New characters are introduced as well as the locale shifts from Williamsburg, to New York and to England. The Spanish-American War is the conflict that effects the great-great grandchildren of Julian Day and St. John Sprague. Highly recommend this book for fans of this series.
April 20, 2023
This was a reread of the third book in my all-time favorite series - The Williamsburg books by Elswyth Thane. The seven books follow the descendants of the Sprague and Day families from Dawn's Early Light and added the Murray family from Yankee Stranger. I love the depth of the characters and the richness of detail in the depictions of setting and action. Like the War of Independence in the first book and the War Between the States in the second, Ever After drops our two heroes (and one of their cousins) into the middle of the Spanish-American War. I especially enjoyed this aspect, as literature or history classes rarely touched on that conflict. The author succeeded in again bringing out the personal side of war.
This book focuses mainly on Bracken Murray, the son of Eden and Cabot Murray. He is a reporter for his father's newspaper and will eventually take over the paper. His life is in turmoil as his wife left him for another man. Lisl was a selfish, greedy woman who the family never liked. Bracken has long since stopped loving her, but she refuses to divorce him. To help distract him from his troubles, Cabot sends Bracken to London to cover the Queen's Jubilee. His sister Virginia and Aunt Sue go along so Virginia can be presented at Court.
A lot is going on in the first section of the book. Bracken is setting up a branch office of the paper in London. At the same time, he is watching over Virginia and Aunt Sue. They have also been charged with finding out about the Farthingale estate, where their ancestor St. John was born. As luck would have it, the home is for sale and available to rent. After meeting the owner, Sir Gratian, he invites them to visit. The description of the building and their immediate feeling of homecoming is vivid and emotional. The next day, while out for an early morning ride, Bracken encounters Dinah, the youngest daughter of their neighbors. Bracken is stunned by his reaction to her and the realization that she is his destiny. The problem is that A) he is still married, and B) she isn't quite sixteen yet. I enjoyed the early part of their relationship as they became friends, and Bracken cautiously walked the line between friend and want-to-be lover. Dinah is sweet and naïve and utterly oblivious to Bracken's feelings. The author does a terrific job of showing what life is like for people of that social set and the issues that face him.
The Murray family returns to New York at the end of the summer, with Bracken having every intention of returning as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the Spanish-American War lays waste to those plans, and his return is delayed by two years. Much has happened to Bracken during those years, but his feelings for Dinah have not changed. They have stayed in touch via letter, and their friendship has grown accordingly. Their reunion is sweet, and there is a hint that Dinah is developing feelings other than friendship for him. I liked seeing how his mother, Eden, and sister helped facilitate opportunities for Bracken to see Dinah in everyday situations. He is working hard to get his divorce settled when an unexpected twist throws everything into disarray. At the same time, Dinah faces issues with her family over her friendship with Bracken. The scene at Scotland Yard was excellent, and I adored seeing Dinah flummox them all. The ending was fantastic.
The middle section of the book is mainly devoted to Fitz. He is Sedgewick and Melicent's son and puzzles everyone in the family. Fitz has no interest in joining his father's law firm or doing anything else. His primary interest in life is collecting songs. He is very musical, writes his own music, and drives his family nuts with what they perceive as his laziness. Desperate to do something about him, Melicent asks her brother Cabot to give Fitz a job on the paper. Fitz isn't interested but is talked into it by Aunt Sue. He settles into the work with the help of another reporter, Johnny, but finds himself fascinated by the New York theater scene. He starts seriously working on his music. While visiting a music hall, he and Johnny rescue a young woman from a gambling gang.
Gwen is nothing like the women Fitz has known all his life. She is independent and accustomed to looking after herself. The rescue scene is vividly portrayed, and you get a real sense of Gwen's danger. I could feel her confusion at Fitz and Johnny's actions and her bewilderment at their lack of demands. Fitz's kindness and Southern gentleman ways soon lodge in Gwen's heart, though she knows she is no good for him. Fitz is oblivious to her feelings for him as the weeks pass, and he involves her in his songwriting. I ached for Gwen and her unrequited love for Fitz and couldn't wait for him to wake up to the truth. That eye-opening moment was fantastic and led to one of the more emotional scenes in the book—Gwen's trepidation as she faced his family as his wife leaped off the page. I loved Cabot's reaction.
This is where the Spanish-American war interrupts everyone's plans. I loved how this section explained much of how the conflict came about. As reporters for Cabot's paper, Bracken and Fitz are on the ground during the preparations and the fighting. The author uses little details to bring the events to life, from the chaos of the preparations at Tampa to the intensity of the charge up San Juan Hill and its aftermath. Using historical figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Clara Barton ("How it takes one back. Is this Sharpsburg or San Juan?") also showed that the country was healing, as men who had once been bitter enemies fought under one flag. This includes former Rebel Fighting Joe Wheeler, who reportedly forgot what war he was fighting, and, during the charge, yelled, "Come on boys, we've got the damn Yankees on the run!" The events of this war have lasting effects on Bracken and Fitz.
Bracken's sister Virginia is another important player in this book. At eighteen, she is pretty and vivacious and admits to being spoiled by her parents and brother. But she has a kind heart, too, and thinks of others such as Sir Gratian and Dinah's sister Clare. Unsurprisingly, the oldest son, Edward, Lord Alwyn, falls hard for her. But Virginia is drawn to younger brother Archie, who is the much nicer of the two. Later in the book, Virginia compares the two men to raw whiskey and champagne, stating, "You can get just as tight on champagne, and it's much nicer." And "That's why I want Archie. He's champagne, too. Very dry." But Archie is an honorable man, a new lawyer with few prospects, and doesn't care to be seen as a fortune hunter. I loved seeing Bracken manipulate things a little to give Archie the push he needs and seeing Virginia take matters into her own hands.
This book focuses mainly on Bracken Murray, the son of Eden and Cabot Murray. He is a reporter for his father's newspaper and will eventually take over the paper. His life is in turmoil as his wife left him for another man. Lisl was a selfish, greedy woman who the family never liked. Bracken has long since stopped loving her, but she refuses to divorce him. To help distract him from his troubles, Cabot sends Bracken to London to cover the Queen's Jubilee. His sister Virginia and Aunt Sue go along so Virginia can be presented at Court.
A lot is going on in the first section of the book. Bracken is setting up a branch office of the paper in London. At the same time, he is watching over Virginia and Aunt Sue. They have also been charged with finding out about the Farthingale estate, where their ancestor St. John was born. As luck would have it, the home is for sale and available to rent. After meeting the owner, Sir Gratian, he invites them to visit. The description of the building and their immediate feeling of homecoming is vivid and emotional. The next day, while out for an early morning ride, Bracken encounters Dinah, the youngest daughter of their neighbors. Bracken is stunned by his reaction to her and the realization that she is his destiny. The problem is that A) he is still married, and B) she isn't quite sixteen yet. I enjoyed the early part of their relationship as they became friends, and Bracken cautiously walked the line between friend and want-to-be lover. Dinah is sweet and naïve and utterly oblivious to Bracken's feelings. The author does a terrific job of showing what life is like for people of that social set and the issues that face him.
The Murray family returns to New York at the end of the summer, with Bracken having every intention of returning as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the Spanish-American War lays waste to those plans, and his return is delayed by two years. Much has happened to Bracken during those years, but his feelings for Dinah have not changed. They have stayed in touch via letter, and their friendship has grown accordingly. Their reunion is sweet, and there is a hint that Dinah is developing feelings other than friendship for him. I liked seeing how his mother, Eden, and sister helped facilitate opportunities for Bracken to see Dinah in everyday situations. He is working hard to get his divorce settled when an unexpected twist throws everything into disarray. At the same time, Dinah faces issues with her family over her friendship with Bracken. The scene at Scotland Yard was excellent, and I adored seeing Dinah flummox them all. The ending was fantastic.
The middle section of the book is mainly devoted to Fitz. He is Sedgewick and Melicent's son and puzzles everyone in the family. Fitz has no interest in joining his father's law firm or doing anything else. His primary interest in life is collecting songs. He is very musical, writes his own music, and drives his family nuts with what they perceive as his laziness. Desperate to do something about him, Melicent asks her brother Cabot to give Fitz a job on the paper. Fitz isn't interested but is talked into it by Aunt Sue. He settles into the work with the help of another reporter, Johnny, but finds himself fascinated by the New York theater scene. He starts seriously working on his music. While visiting a music hall, he and Johnny rescue a young woman from a gambling gang.
Gwen is nothing like the women Fitz has known all his life. She is independent and accustomed to looking after herself. The rescue scene is vividly portrayed, and you get a real sense of Gwen's danger. I could feel her confusion at Fitz and Johnny's actions and her bewilderment at their lack of demands. Fitz's kindness and Southern gentleman ways soon lodge in Gwen's heart, though she knows she is no good for him. Fitz is oblivious to her feelings for him as the weeks pass, and he involves her in his songwriting. I ached for Gwen and her unrequited love for Fitz and couldn't wait for him to wake up to the truth. That eye-opening moment was fantastic and led to one of the more emotional scenes in the book—Gwen's trepidation as she faced his family as his wife leaped off the page. I loved Cabot's reaction.
This is where the Spanish-American war interrupts everyone's plans. I loved how this section explained much of how the conflict came about. As reporters for Cabot's paper, Bracken and Fitz are on the ground during the preparations and the fighting. The author uses little details to bring the events to life, from the chaos of the preparations at Tampa to the intensity of the charge up San Juan Hill and its aftermath. Using historical figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Clara Barton ("How it takes one back. Is this Sharpsburg or San Juan?") also showed that the country was healing, as men who had once been bitter enemies fought under one flag. This includes former Rebel Fighting Joe Wheeler, who reportedly forgot what war he was fighting, and, during the charge, yelled, "Come on boys, we've got the damn Yankees on the run!" The events of this war have lasting effects on Bracken and Fitz.
Bracken's sister Virginia is another important player in this book. At eighteen, she is pretty and vivacious and admits to being spoiled by her parents and brother. But she has a kind heart, too, and thinks of others such as Sir Gratian and Dinah's sister Clare. Unsurprisingly, the oldest son, Edward, Lord Alwyn, falls hard for her. But Virginia is drawn to younger brother Archie, who is the much nicer of the two. Later in the book, Virginia compares the two men to raw whiskey and champagne, stating, "You can get just as tight on champagne, and it's much nicer." And "That's why I want Archie. He's champagne, too. Very dry." But Archie is an honorable man, a new lawyer with few prospects, and doesn't care to be seen as a fortune hunter. I loved seeing Bracken manipulate things a little to give Archie the push he needs and seeing Virginia take matters into her own hands.
August 17, 2015
It took me a LONG time to finish this book. And I mean a long time. *cough* As in, almost a month. I know, shameful. Of course, I did read three or four books during that time, but still, that's no excuse.
I enjoyed the first two books in this series immensely and read them both quite rapidly. While it may have taken me longer to get through this one, by no means does that mean it was not equally amazing! I LOVE this series madly. And just so you know, I will never stop ranting about how utterly amazing and talented Elswyth Thane is.
Ever After continues to follow the Day and Sprague (and now Murray) families into the late 19th century. The story centers around Eden and Cabot's son Bracken, as well as Sedgwick's son Fitz. They are both reporters for Cabot Murray's newspaper, and the story follows their adventures and love lives as Bracken travels to England with his sister Virginia and cousin Sue (yay! Sue was in this book!) and when they both go down to Cuba to cover the Spanish occupation. While I did thoroughly enjoy their stories, I must say the book as a whole did not touch me quite as deeply as the previous two have. Part of it was because I'm not so enthralled with the 1890s and the Spanish-Cuban war and all that as I am with, say, the American Revolution. (Did someone say American Revolution?!!) There was also a long part around the middle when Bracken and Fitz were in Cuba where it got very military, and I'm not going to lie, that bored me. But most of it kept my interest, and it was certainly VERY well written. Even the military parts. How does Elswyth Thane know what it's like to be in battle? How can she describe army life so well? I really don't know, but my admiration for her is growing with every book of hers I pick up. She's just that awesome.
A lot has changed in the years between Yankee Stranger and Ever After, and many family members have died (*sniffle*) and things are starting to get more modern (they have telephones now! WHAT), but there is still in the writing something reminiscent of that first day when Julian Day stepped onto Virginia soil, when the whole saga first began.....oh dear, now I'm tearing up.
So even though I didn't love it quite as much as the first two books, Ever After is still an amazing historical novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the first two books in this series immensely and read them both quite rapidly. While it may have taken me longer to get through this one, by no means does that mean it was not equally amazing! I LOVE this series madly. And just so you know, I will never stop ranting about how utterly amazing and talented Elswyth Thane is.
Ever After continues to follow the Day and Sprague (and now Murray) families into the late 19th century. The story centers around Eden and Cabot's son Bracken, as well as Sedgwick's son Fitz. They are both reporters for Cabot Murray's newspaper, and the story follows their adventures and love lives as Bracken travels to England with his sister Virginia and cousin Sue (yay! Sue was in this book!) and when they both go down to Cuba to cover the Spanish occupation. While I did thoroughly enjoy their stories, I must say the book as a whole did not touch me quite as deeply as the previous two have. Part of it was because I'm not so enthralled with the 1890s and the Spanish-Cuban war and all that as I am with, say, the American Revolution. (Did someone say American Revolution?!!) There was also a long part around the middle when Bracken and Fitz were in Cuba where it got very military, and I'm not going to lie, that bored me. But most of it kept my interest, and it was certainly VERY well written. Even the military parts. How does Elswyth Thane know what it's like to be in battle? How can she describe army life so well? I really don't know, but my admiration for her is growing with every book of hers I pick up. She's just that awesome.
A lot has changed in the years between Yankee Stranger and Ever After, and many family members have died (*sniffle*) and things are starting to get more modern (they have telephones now! WHAT), but there is still in the writing something reminiscent of that first day when Julian Day stepped onto Virginia soil, when the whole saga first began.....oh dear, now I'm tearing up.
So even though I didn't love it quite as much as the first two books, Ever After is still an amazing historical novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 27, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
Update: I don't know - I wasn't as engaged or drawn in this reading. Too all over the map? Too many characters and relationships to fret over? I couldn't connect for whatever reason. It stood out to me that Dinah and Gwen both were women in bad situations who needed to be "saved" by Bracken and Fitz, respectively. Now granted, they are truly honorable and genuine gentleman. Thane did know how to write her heroes. Her descriptiveness of settings and people is still the best part of these novels.
Favorite quotes: "It's nice to be loved for one's faults and not one's virtues!" - Virginia Murray
"I like to see people have a good time. There's so much unhappiness in the world we can do nothing about, and when the expenditure of a little thought or money does give somebody something pleasant to remember - I like to do it, that's all." - Bracken Murray
"It was an era when most of the big newspapers reflected the personalities of the men who owned and edited them - magnetic, colorful, fearless personalities with the gift of words, who said what they chose and stood by it, and could make and unmake legislators and even Cabinets by the weight and passion of their opinions."
"Murrays fought grimly, savagely, cool-headed and dangerous. Spragues fought with laughter and insults and fierce joy - equally dangerous. Their fathers could have told them. Now they would find it out for themselves."
Rating: 5 stars
Not one but two love stories take place in this novel set just before the turn of the century with the backdrop war being the not-well-remembered Spanish and American conflict in Cuba. As this is the third Williamsburg book, the relationships between and descendants of the Spragues and Days have started to become a little confusing. I often found myself referring back to Elswyth Thane’s very helpful family chart in the front of the book (thank goodness she stuck that in there!). Bracken Murray is working for his father’s newspaper and coming to terms with the abrupt departure of his wife for another man. When his work takes him to England for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee year, he meets and falls in love with the young daughter of an earl. Oddly enough, it’s another 12 year age difference, the same circumstance Thane used in “Dawn’s Early Light” with Julian and Tibby. Not certain what her fascination is with that kind of a gap and once again, it took me awhile to get used to the idea. However, I did like that both the love interests (Dinah for Bracken and Gwen for Bracken’s cousin Fitz) were more independent-minded women than Thane had previously written as characters. Along those lines, I was disappointed with how Sue Day’s story ended up. I really wanted her to take a chance at love with Sir Gratian. Why would she want to continue to be near a man she could never have (Sedgwick)? I could not understand how their tie could still be so strong after all those years and why Sue wouldn’t have wanted a life of her own at some point. I enjoyed reading Fitz and Bracken’s experiences in reporting a war that I knew very little about. This was another great historical romance by Thane and I look forward to the next adventures this fascinating family will face.
Favorite quotes: “A house you came to love was like a person, and loved you back, and then you belonged to it forever after.”
Update: I don't know - I wasn't as engaged or drawn in this reading. Too all over the map? Too many characters and relationships to fret over? I couldn't connect for whatever reason. It stood out to me that Dinah and Gwen both were women in bad situations who needed to be "saved" by Bracken and Fitz, respectively. Now granted, they are truly honorable and genuine gentleman. Thane did know how to write her heroes. Her descriptiveness of settings and people is still the best part of these novels.
Favorite quotes: "It's nice to be loved for one's faults and not one's virtues!" - Virginia Murray
"I like to see people have a good time. There's so much unhappiness in the world we can do nothing about, and when the expenditure of a little thought or money does give somebody something pleasant to remember - I like to do it, that's all." - Bracken Murray
"It was an era when most of the big newspapers reflected the personalities of the men who owned and edited them - magnetic, colorful, fearless personalities with the gift of words, who said what they chose and stood by it, and could make and unmake legislators and even Cabinets by the weight and passion of their opinions."
"Murrays fought grimly, savagely, cool-headed and dangerous. Spragues fought with laughter and insults and fierce joy - equally dangerous. Their fathers could have told them. Now they would find it out for themselves."
Rating: 5 stars
Not one but two love stories take place in this novel set just before the turn of the century with the backdrop war being the not-well-remembered Spanish and American conflict in Cuba. As this is the third Williamsburg book, the relationships between and descendants of the Spragues and Days have started to become a little confusing. I often found myself referring back to Elswyth Thane’s very helpful family chart in the front of the book (thank goodness she stuck that in there!). Bracken Murray is working for his father’s newspaper and coming to terms with the abrupt departure of his wife for another man. When his work takes him to England for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee year, he meets and falls in love with the young daughter of an earl. Oddly enough, it’s another 12 year age difference, the same circumstance Thane used in “Dawn’s Early Light” with Julian and Tibby. Not certain what her fascination is with that kind of a gap and once again, it took me awhile to get used to the idea. However, I did like that both the love interests (Dinah for Bracken and Gwen for Bracken’s cousin Fitz) were more independent-minded women than Thane had previously written as characters. Along those lines, I was disappointed with how Sue Day’s story ended up. I really wanted her to take a chance at love with Sir Gratian. Why would she want to continue to be near a man she could never have (Sedgwick)? I could not understand how their tie could still be so strong after all those years and why Sue wouldn’t have wanted a life of her own at some point. I enjoyed reading Fitz and Bracken’s experiences in reporting a war that I knew very little about. This was another great historical romance by Thane and I look forward to the next adventures this fascinating family will face.
Favorite quotes: “A house you came to love was like a person, and loved you back, and then you belonged to it forever after.”
April 29, 2013
Ever After is the third book in Thane's Williamsburg series, and begins in 1896. Bracken Murray (son of Cabot and Eden in Yankee Stranger), married the wrong woman, and she's left him for a wealthier lover and living the high life somewhere on the continent. Bracken journeys to England with his aunt and sister, and while there sets eyes on fifteen-year-old Dinah, youngest daughter of the Earl of something or other (book's at home), and he knows she is the one he will love until he dies. Problem is, she's still in the schoolroom with her governess, and a non-entity as far as her family is concerned until she's officially *out*. Bracken knows he's got to wait a couple of years before he can even speak for her...
"Must go slowly. Must behave like an uncle. Has she got uncles? ...How long must I wait? How careful must I be?"
"Some day he would put the chain around Dinah's neck himself, and when that day came he would also be entitled, please God, to collect a kiss as his reward"
And even when Dinah is grown up, there's still the philandering wife to be dealt with - even with hard evidence of adultery, divorces aren't that easy to get...
There are also side stories with cousin Fritz and his love of music and a singer from *gasp* the wrong side of the tracks, as well as Bracken's sister and one of Dinah's older brothers. I really enjoyed this book a lot, especially getting to see more of the extended Sprague & Day families (oh sniff, Sue and Sedgewick). The events in Cuba feel a bit flat for me (skimmed a bit), but I loved the return to England and Dinah and the big finish (what a man, I'd love a Bracken of my very own). I've already placed a hold at the library for the next book in the series.
One final comment and that is for a cover image I found on Amazon. WTF were the publishers thinking?
"Must go slowly. Must behave like an uncle. Has she got uncles? ...How long must I wait? How careful must I be?"
"Some day he would put the chain around Dinah's neck himself, and when that day came he would also be entitled, please God, to collect a kiss as his reward"
And even when Dinah is grown up, there's still the philandering wife to be dealt with - even with hard evidence of adultery, divorces aren't that easy to get...
There are also side stories with cousin Fritz and his love of music and a singer from *gasp* the wrong side of the tracks, as well as Bracken's sister and one of Dinah's older brothers. I really enjoyed this book a lot, especially getting to see more of the extended Sprague & Day families (oh sniff, Sue and Sedgewick). The events in Cuba feel a bit flat for me (skimmed a bit), but I loved the return to England and Dinah and the big finish (what a man, I'd love a Bracken of my very own). I've already placed a hold at the library for the next book in the series.
One final comment and that is for a cover image I found on Amazon. WTF were the publishers thinking?
August 18, 2018
This may be my favorite book in the series, though I certainly enjoy all of them, and have read them multiple times. However, I highly recommend reading the series in order from the beginning. Therefore, I have hidden the rest of this review.
December 8, 2018
Historical fiction, covering respectively, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. It's a family saga spanning generations.
I dove into these old favorites this week. It's been a very long time since I read them, and while the story is still entertaining and engaging, some things really grated on me. The family featured in the story didn't "own" slaves, but the attitude toward their black servants was very paternal. The author completely ignores reconstruction, and there are a lot of men nearly thirty falling in love with women in their teens. As a young teen reading these books from my grandmother's shelves, I wouldn't have noticed any of this. As an adult, it's impossible to ignore, and definitely reduces my enjoyment.
I dove into these old favorites this week. It's been a very long time since I read them, and while the story is still entertaining and engaging, some things really grated on me. The family featured in the story didn't "own" slaves, but the attitude toward their black servants was very paternal. The author completely ignores reconstruction, and there are a lot of men nearly thirty falling in love with women in their teens. As a young teen reading these books from my grandmother's shelves, I wouldn't have noticed any of this. As an adult, it's impossible to ignore, and definitely reduces my enjoyment.
September 11, 2020
Ever After, by Elswyth Thane, is third in one of my favorite series. This series follows the Sprague and Day families from the American Revolution through WWII. In this book, the families make contact with England and the place that the Sprague family originally came from. These stories are filled with history , description of place and wonderful love stories. I am almost 60 years old, and first read these books more than 40 years ago. Every so often I reread them (in order) just for enjoyment!
August 6, 2009
I just love every one of these I have read. I also love talking about them to my 80 year old friend who is so exited to loan them to me and share. She says she as never loaned these books out before, because they are her favorites. She's had them since the 50's.
January 31, 2021
Third in this series, it's the children of the last group of main characters, and we've moved to just prior to, during, and after the Spanish-American War. We have romance in New York, England, and Virginia, although most of the action takes place out of Williamsburg.
When I was younger, this was one of my favorite books. What 15-year-old girl with romantic tendencies didn't want some wealthy, handsome man to sweep them off their feet? It's only as an older person where it's a little icky, because he's 12 years older (even though she has a brother his age) and do you really fall in love with someone that much younger at first sight, and then STAY in love with them? The other two romances kind of make sense, but the main one now bothers me because of the age difference. Since the racism is mainly with the family in Virginia, it's less prominent in this book but still present. All in all, still holds up. The parts in Cuba were especially good to re-read.
When I was younger, this was one of my favorite books. What 15-year-old girl with romantic tendencies didn't want some wealthy, handsome man to sweep them off their feet? It's only as an older person where it's a little icky, because he's 12 years older (even though she has a brother his age) and do you really fall in love with someone that much younger at first sight, and then STAY in love with them? The other two romances kind of make sense, but the main one now bothers me because of the age difference. Since the racism is mainly with the family in Virginia, it's less prominent in this book but still present. All in all, still holds up. The parts in Cuba were especially good to re-read.
September 10, 2021
Ever After is the third book of the Williamsburg series written by Elswyth Thanes in the 1940’s. I had to search used book dealers to find a copy of it! These books follow the lives of two families and their descendants who are involved in the war that is taking place during their lifetime. The first book’s setting is the American Revolution, the second is the Civil War and this book revolves around the Spanish-American War. Thane is a gifted writer and her characters are so well developed and endearing that I just couldn’t put the book down. Williamsburg always remains a place of family togetherness, of healing, and a place of refuge for this closely knit multigenerational family.
June 30, 2024
Thane’s writing is spare and pinpoint-accurate—words tweezed into lyric order— when I read her books, which I have done since I was in junior high, more than 50 years ago, I am reminded of the importance of a wonderful plot and distinct, living, breathing characters. The vivid, believable interior life of her memorable, distinct characters is one of her trademarks. Today’s editors would shred her for point of view head-hopping, and high-toned obscure words…. But her Williamsburg stories are pure historical fiction gold. You care about the characters, bleed for and with them, and once you have met them, and invested your reading life in them, you really never forget them.
March 24, 2021
I really liked her style. Written in 1945, some of the things we would never say now (girl, colored) just fit in. Although it's called a Williamsburg book, most of the action takes place in the UK. There is an extended bit about the Spanish-American war in Cuba which was a little boring, but I was so interested in the story's characters it was fine. A lovely, gentle book with a happy ending. What more could you want.
I'm going to try to find more of hers, but they are so old they're hard to find.
I'm going to try to find more of hers, but they are so old they're hard to find.
May 8, 2023
Really good book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. “Ever After” continues to follow the Day/Sprague/St. John families from “Dawn’s Early Light” and “Yankee Stranger”. This next generation continue to love and care deeply for each other through new loves and the Spanish-American War. It is just as good a book as the previous 2 in this series. The author’s attention to the details of the war and its battles is amazing.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. “Ever After” continues to follow the Day/Sprague/St. John families from “Dawn’s Early Light” and “Yankee Stranger”. This next generation continue to love and care deeply for each other through new loves and the Spanish-American War. It is just as good a book as the previous 2 in this series. The author’s attention to the details of the war and its battles is amazing.
February 1, 2024
Timeless and wonderful
I am so pleased to see this series of books being made available. My mother had them and as a teen I read, and loved them. In the process of several moves over the years they were lost. I am happy my children will get a chance to experience history, and a clean love story. I only wish the geological lines could have been reproduced here. These books are timeless an wonderfully written.
I am so pleased to see this series of books being made available. My mother had them and as a teen I read, and loved them. In the process of several moves over the years they were lost. I am happy my children will get a chance to experience history, and a clean love story. I only wish the geological lines could have been reproduced here. These books are timeless an wonderfully written.
July 21, 2017
This is one of my comfort books. Not all the books in the Williamsburg Saga are, but this one definitely is. And yes, I know that Elswyth Thane presents a rose-colored view of the late 19th century world in this book, but her characters are just so alive and so irresistible that I'm okay with a skewed perspective in this one.
October 19, 2020
One of my favorites
I don’t even know how many times I’ve read and re-read this treasure. I love the characters. Although I believe these stories could stand on their own, you simply must read them in order to get the full effect. The family history from previous books makes the story more stirring and beautifully crafted.
I don’t even know how many times I’ve read and re-read this treasure. I love the characters. Although I believe these stories could stand on their own, you simply must read them in order to get the full effect. The family history from previous books makes the story more stirring and beautifully crafted.
December 13, 2020
This was in a stack of books I got during the cleanup of my late grandparents' home. Historical soap opera. There's a couple of chapters about the battles in Cuba during the Spanish-American War that are reasonably interesting, but otherwise the book is dreadful. Thane has a nice writing style, but the plotting is abominable.
May 15, 2025
As with the first two Williamsburg books, Ever After is full of history. Thane never fails to make you feel like you are living in the respective era. However, with the plot focused on a divorce as well as a budding romance before said divorce is finalized, I didn’t find the story as enjoyable as the others have been. Fitz’s story is cute, though.
February 21, 2021
Cabot and Eden Murray's children (as well as some of their cousins) figure largely in this third in the series. Like the other two books, a war (Spanish-American) plays into the action of this historical novel. Thane does a great job of endearing her characters to the reader.
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August 11, 2021Long out of print and re-reading for the umpteenth time. It's hard to look past those aspects that don't hold up to our woke sensibilities, but I continue to be amazed at how much geo-political information this series holds.
August 11, 2017
Easily recognizable as a mid-20th century novel. The best description of the Spanish American War from the soldier's point of view that I have read.
August 30, 2017
Really enjoy this
July 24, 2020
Less war and more relationships.
January 1, 2022
Written in 1945
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