Books that span a whole lifetime and/or span generations are my favorite. I loved it. Emma was addicted to money, success, and revenge for which she made a lot of sacrifices. I did skim over quite a bit of the unnecessary details about the houses and nature. But otherwise it was written very well.

“She would work eighteen hours a day, seven days a week, if necessary, to achieve get goal—to become somebody. To become a woman of substance.” p. 363

‘“Yes, Blackie, I did. I believe I learned the secret of life...It is to endure,’ she said.” p. 755

This book was realistic fiction at its finest. I felt the "nod" of previous works such as Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, even short stories like "The Yellow Wallpaper"... then put that in a blender with 80s classics like Dallas and Dynasty and you have this fabulous book. This isn't a work for everyone - the early parts of the book are intensely descriptive, again like those great British literature works, listed above, so there is great description of the sweeping moors, the stately manors, etc. This book is a fine wine you savor - and then you find yourself hooked and returning for another slow sip. Admittedly, it became slow in parts, and I found our main character Emma Harte to not be the most likeable person at times, but I found her ambition, and character believable, although it was much to the detriment of caring for her family, but that's the age-old question - can a woman have a high-powered career and a successful family? I wound up enjoying the main character and felt the detailed description of her life painted a true characterization of a complex woman such as she. I enjoyed this fallable character and greatly enjoyed this long book. Again, if you don't enjoy long, sweeping, narrative descriptions of people & places, don't go for this book. If you enjoy this, then give it a go : )

Long and indulgent. Way too many words. And it makes me sad that there isn't a moral compass for the characters in the book. "Paul had patiently explained to her that their combined wealth set them above the usual conventions, making them invulnerable to social censure, and she admitted the truth in what he said. Her natural self-confidence and courage soon overcame her earlier misgivings."


"Tell me, did you discover anything special along the way that you would like to impart to your old friend?"
"Yes, Blackie, I did. I believe I learned the secret of life."
Blackie looked at her intently. "And what is that mavourneen?"
Emma gazed back at him for a prolonged moment. And then she smiled that incomparable smile which illuminated her face with radiance.
"It is to endure," she said.

That's the last page... and exactly how I felt about reading this book.

Favorite Quote
Regrettably, Arthur Ainsley did not have much to recommend him in his character. All of his life he had been so concerned about his exterior beauty he made no effort to acquire any inner resources. Consequently, he was a shell of a man, and his very shallowness caused him to put store only on what was readily visible. Not unintelligent, educated at the best schools, Arthur was, however, so indolent and self-involved he was utterly unable to retain any serious thoughts for very long. He was cursed with a single-minded concern for pleasure, and his perpetual need for instant gratification was infantile in nature. Thus, although he loved the outward manifestations of wealth and success, he did not have the ability to acquire them for himself, being averse to hard work, lacking in diligence, and without the power of concentration.

Poor Arthur.

I first read this as a teenager, at my mother's suggestion, as tis one of her favourite books. I enjoyed it then, and I enjoyed it now.

I very much appreciate the strength and determination of Emma Harte.