Harvest

Werner Family Saga #4

by Belva Plain

Iris and Theo Stern seemed to have it all: a secure marriage, four children and a beautiful house. But one outsider, Paul Werner, knew better. He knew the secret that lay buried at the heart of the Stern's seeming security and happiness. The secret that could destroy everything.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1989

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

[RainLady777 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it definitely was'nt my favorite Belva Plain book. It just seemed like it dragged on in a linear fashion instead of having the major ups and downs her other books had. Almost as if she didn't know where to go with it and just keep writing. Also, it seemed like Iris and Theo had a happy ending in the last book and this one made you question the entire relationship again, which was kind of depressing. I dunno. I was not a bad book but it definitely did not have the same magic as her others in this series.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way each subsequent book is written to overlap the others and is from the viewpoint of a different family member. Enjoyable

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok, but nothing compared to the first three. Things that were supposedly resolved earlier became issues again, almost as if the author couldn't figure out what to do with the characters anymore and had to revisit old problems. I dunno, it just didn't have the same magic as the first three which were awesome.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris and Theo Stern seem to have it all: a secure marriage, four lovely children and a beautiful house. But one outsider, Paul Werner, knew the secret that lay buried in the heart of the Sterns' happiness - a secret that could destroy everything. I enjoyed this book and give it an A+!

[Vivien Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous continuation of the Jewish American family saga. This book predominantly about Theo and Iris and Paul Werner Interesting times as America enters the Vietnam war. Highly recommend providing the saga is read in sequence.

[Ann Stoudt]

A woman and a man find they are to have a child – which was not in their plans - especially since this was due to short affair, in the early 1960’s. A forbidden child arrives, from this love affair, almost on the eve of a marriage – of Anna . The affair being broken off due to family society and religion.

Anna has continued with the marriage - her future husband never knowing the truth Paul also marries, but never has children. Paul & Anna keep the secret - vowing to never divulge the truth.

This book is about Iris – that Baby and her life.

The two marriages go on and except for the two, none know the truth. This all comes to light in the earlier books of the Werner Family series.

Time goes on for the families Anna’ and her husband have more children, who grow and go on to college, their own problems, marriage of their own and children.. Paul also marries, but ends with a childless marriage, but never losses the love for Anna and his daughter.

As Anna watches her daughter Iris marry and have her own family and saw the slow corrosion of a lifetime of secrets seep into a new generation. Iris’s “ideal” marriage was built on silence and lies . . . their rebellious son found his calling in anti–Vietnam War violence, fueled by rage. Anna’s was the only voice that spoke to them all as she struggled to undo the damage of the past. Then the powerful banker Paul returned, opening old wounds, driven to help Anna and the family he barely knew.

From New York’s luxurious suburbs to war-torn Israel, , from Italian palazzi to California communes, Belva Plain’s sweeping epic begun in “Evergreen” reaches its triumphant conclusion.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 4th in the family saga, which intertwines the lives of the two families set in the turbulent 1960's. The oldest generation still holds onto their pre-WWII perspective of how one should live their life and the youngest finding their way in the world rebelling against the norms and the Vietnam world or trying to fit in the status quo. In the middle, Iris & Theo still maneuvering their way through life, marriage, career, & parenting. Fairly satisfying family drama, 3.5 stars.

Although the 4th in the saga, it could be read as a stand alone novel. I read the others so long ago, I barely remember the family journey to this point.

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, the fourth in a series, simply grabbed me. I’m looking forward to reading the final one soon, although I know that I’ll miss this series when I do.

Here are some of my favorite quotes.

Adult Children
“However, one’s children grow up and go their way. The best thing, Larry always tells me, is not to ask questions. You probably won’t like the answers, and there’s nothing you can do about them anyway.”

Bitterness
“… he resolved not to let bitterness fill his soul; bitterness was wasteful and corrosive.”

Each Day is a Gift
“As long as one was alive, each new day was a gift, and could be a surprise.”

[Julie Zaugg]

I did not know this was part of a series. It stands well alone. It includes several branches of the family and how they are interwoven. IT is set in the late 60's and focuses on issues of that time- Cuba, communism, student unrest, violent protest, war in Viet Nam, struggles in Isreal. I would have been the same age as some of the younger charcters at that time which made it intersting to me.
I had started to read another of Belva Palin's books, but it seemed really dated with the housewife wanting more of a life in the 60's. I gave up after 3 chapters. Harvest, however, held my attention.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belva Plain

This is book four of the Werner Family Saga.....and what a wonderful book it is. This follows a large, dynamic family for decades and is riveting in its telling. Bella Plain, an extraordinary author has once again caught the personalities of each person and melded them into a story that is wonderful. Great read...now on to the final book. I will miss these characters when it is finished!

[Anna Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book

This family saga warmed my heart. The author's words flow like a beautiful river. I will miss dear Paul and beautiful loving Anna. Now the families move one with the knowledge and wisdom given to them by Paul and Anna. How I wished they could be in the final saga book 5. Who knows what's to come. I will begin number 5 tonight.

[Lisa Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the more modern conflicts and the later generations struggling with some of the same issues as the older people. Even the ends of some of my favorite characters was done completely and in keeping with their ways of life. This series is a delight.

[Casey St. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Belva Plain but this fell short. Too depressing, just kind of slogged on. And Theo and Iris had their issues resolved and were happy in the last book and now all of a sudden they're both a mess again. I dunno. Too draggy. Too down.

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodbyes are hard

The series almost at an end. Each book decreases in size as the series progresses. The final book will end quicker than so the 4 previous books. Good series. But book 1 is forever my favorite. The saga continues as Paul and Anna are in their final years.

[Martie Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not know this was part of a series. It was fine as a novel on its own. The family is portrayed by several of the characters and how their lives are intertwined. It was a good read but seemed to drag in some places.

[Beverly Gagliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Enjoyed

If you enjoy sagas, and I do, you cannot get much better than the 5 books in this series. Believable characters, some filled with goodness and love and others not so much. On to book 5.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just could not get into reading this book, if a book does not grab me from the beginning then I usually don't enjoy it.

[Judy Palmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

It over

Enjoyed reading this book Paul was a good person and I always seemed to be rooting for him and any projects he was attempting.

[Raquel Iacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, such lovely writing. This was probably my least favorite of the series so far, actually. There was more politics than normal. Once you get through the first third of the book, it’s great.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Belva Plain is an amazing writer.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Werner Family Saga. Ms. Plain has left an awesome legacy with this series.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another waste of time....

[Roxanne M Myers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much like the first of the series

[Fran Gerardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the years pass this series introduces a new generation in every book while still keeping the original main characters in the center of the two families.

In this book we focus more on Iris and Theo, their trials and the trials of their family. Paul and Theo become close and Paul helps Theo find his son, Steve, who joined a revolutionary movement against the Viet Nam war. We see the connection of the two families, as Paul's nephew, Tim, enlists one of his students, Steve, Anna's grandson into the anti war movement. Following the times of the 60s we see more "hippie" types in Agnes, Meg's daughter as she goes to New Mexico to pursue her art.

In this book too Paul finally accepts Anna's refusal and comes to an understanding of why she chose to stay with her family as he sees the bond they all have because of her nurturing. He finds peace and falls in love with Ilse, a dedicated Doctor who at first refuses his proposal of marriage to pursue her life's dream of being a Doctor in Israel.

Paul will never divulge to Iris the truth of her parentage but he does come to spend time with her and her family thus getting to know the only descendants he has, even if for only a short period of time.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant read. Ended wistfully.

[Trudy Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good escapist fiction. Never really get to know the main characters but worth reading more of her books.

[Hillary Nicholson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the book and I still can't tell you a thing about the characters or plot

[Judy]

A continuation of the Werner saga.

[Joan Meaney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of her best books, but enjoyable.

[Betty F Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read..

Easy to read, a touch of history and places so many
never see.
A favorite writer of mine. Have enjoyed every of her books that I have read and I have read many.