Giving up on this one, at least for the time being. I vividly remember how I adored it when I first read it decades ago. It was like a magical journey that took me to another world. However, this time around, it has turned into a real slog. The words that once seemed so enchanting now feel dull and laborious. Maybe it's because my perspective has changed over the years, or perhaps the story just doesn't hold the same charm for me anymore. But for now, I'm choosing to step away and focus on other things. Who knows, maybe I'll come back to it in the future and have a different experience.

In 1972, I first read it, and then again in the mid-80s. By that time, Howatch had also written CASHELMARA, THE RICH ARE DIFFERENT, SINS OF THE FATHERS, and THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE.

Just now, I unboxed my copy and placed it on my TBR pile. I believe a re-read will be enjoyable. I recall it as an extremely captivating story. When I first read it, I had no clue who the characters were inspired by. However, Howatch begins each chapter with quotes from historical works. Her approach here and in other novels was to take historical characters and place them in a different time-frame. So, in PENMARRIC, we have Henry II and Eleanor of Acquitaine (think Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn in THE LION IN WINTER!) transported to Cornwall in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Instead of the Crown of England, it's the great estate of Penmarric that's at stake. She established the format she used in the subsequent novels already mentioned, that of sequential narrators. Each of them plays a significant role in the story and moves the story along until the next character takes over.

Howatch is a talented storyteller who wrote several 'gothic romances' before publishing PENMARRIC. The very gothic-style phrase "I was just" appears numerous times throughout her novels (e.g., "I was just setting down my teacup when...", "I was just wondering whether he'd ever appear when...").

On 01/11/10, I thoroughly relished my re-read of PENMARRIC. It even prompted me to re-watch THE LION IN WINTER. Despite its 735-page length, PENMARRIC is an engrossing and surprisingly quick read.

Bleak and Dreary

This is the story of Mark Castallack and his rather complex life with his family, or rather, two families. Mark seems to have had some luck when it comes to money, but unfortunately, his love life is a complete disaster. All of his children either despise each other or have no real feelings for one another. Mark, on the other hand, manages to humiliate those around him with ease. That, in a nutshell, is the essence of the story.

The book is well-written, and it features a rather gimmicky plot device where contemporary characters get to follow the life of King John of England. This is a signature quirk that can be found in several of Howatch's novels, and it does add an interesting twist. Howatch is indeed an extremely gifted writer. The plot flows smoothly, and her use of dialogue is excellent, making the story engaging and easy to follow.

However, to me, all of the characters felt one dimensional. Their one dimension was a complete lack of concern for anyone but themselves. Their choices seemed to indicate that they didn't even care much about themselves. I quickly grew tired of the never-ending downward spiral that the characters seemed to be in. The book's title, "Penmarric," led me to believe that the place would play a central role in the story. But I was disappointed to find that even the main character, Mark, didn't live there much. His children were mostly raised elsewhere, and his wife preferred living in a small farmhouse rather than the imposing Penmarric. In my opinion, the most interesting parts of the book actually took place at the farmhouse. I think the book should have been called "Farmhouse" instead. I just feel that the story would have been more interesting if we could have seen some positive interaction among the characters. It's hard for me to believe that every aspect of one's life could be so深陷于 negative self-absorption. The whole clan seemed miserable, but if you enjoy wallowing in misery, then this author's excellent writing skills might make it more palatable for you. As for me, I'm off to find a more balanced portrayal of humanity.

I simply couldn't move beyond the incident of seduction/rape that took place on the beach. It was truly a disturbing and unforgettable scene.

Moreover, my initial dislike for the main character only intensified after witnessing this.

The act itself was so heinous and violated the basic principles of human dignity and respect.

It made me question the moral compass of the story and the actions of the characters involved.

Despite trying to look beyond this one event, it continued to haunt me and overshadow my perception of the entire narrative.

Perhaps if the main character had shown more remorse or if there had been some form of justice served, it might have been easier to overlook.

But as it stands, this incident remains a dark stain on what could have otherwise been an engaging and thought-provoking story.

I have rather mixed emotions regarding this particular book.

I managed to read all 700+ pages as I was determined not to give up midway. However, it was around page 650 that I came to the realization that none of the characters was particularly likable.

What I found truly fascinating, though, was the fact that each character initially seemed a certain way until they were described by another character. For instance, Adrian, as seen through his autobiographical part of the book, sounded like a victim and the hero. But then, when you read Philip's account, a different side of Adrian emerged. And this pattern continued throughout the book, which made it very interesting, albeit tragic.

Nevertheless, in the long run, I think I have a preference for a story where I can truly like at least one of the characters. It makes the reading experience more engaging and fulfilling for me.

I guess this book had its own unique charm, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me in terms of character likability.

I have longed to read this book for an extremely long time and finally embarked on it a few days ago.

Truly, I was eagerly anticipating the setting of Cornwall as Daphne Du Maurier is one of my favorite authors.

The setting and the intricate tales of all the characters did not disappoint me. I felt they were crafted so well and mirrored the history of Henry and Eleanor splendidly.

I have a penchant for family sagas, yet I found myself disappointed around the halfway mark of the book.

Thankfully, it was redeemed during Jan-Yves' storyline. I firmly believe that the middle part, which I found rather hard to get through, was essential for a fully fleshed-out novel.

I was not satisfied with Jan's wife Isabella. I simply did not take a liking to her character. Perhaps I thought his character deserved more than what she represented to me.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy the fact that I could love and hate so many characters in the book. Most of them were flawed, but they were so relatable or still evoked compassion within me, making me want to love them regardless.

Now that I have finished Penmarric, I will surely have to read the other two Plantagenent books.

Rated 5 stars and added to my Favorite shelf.

Wow! This is a truly fantastic historical fiction/family saga that takes place in England from the 1880s to 1945. The writing is extremely well done, with in-depth characterizations that bring each person to life. Despite being over 700 pages long, I never once felt bored while reading this. What makes it even more special is that the characters and many of the events are inspired by the 12th century Plantagenets: Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their numerous offspring who were labeled "The Devil's Brood". It's fascinating to see how the author has taken these historical figures and woven them into a fictional story set in a different time period.

I'm really looking forward to eventually reading the author's Cashelmara, which is also inspired by the three Edwards and their families. I'm sure it will be just as captivating and well-written as this book.

Overall, I highly recommend this historical fiction/family saga to anyone who loves a good story with complex characters and a rich historical backdrop. It's a must-read for fans of the genre.

In the late 1800s, Mark comes into the inheritance of the family manor, Penmarric, located in Cornwall, England. He and Jana fall deeply in love, and Mark proposes marriage to her. However, Jana is hesitant as she is several years older than him. As she had dreaded, after they get married and have seven children, they gradually drift apart. This is because Janna discovers that Mark has another household with his mistress and two illegitimate children. From then on, their marriage descends into a downward spiral, becoming a vicious tug of war.

Nevertheless, Mark and Jana are merely the supporting characters in this story. The novel actually focuses on five young men as they mature into adulthood and their relationships with one another, as well as with their father and mother.

I truly relished this epic novel that loosely parallels the Plantagenet family, specifically Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. It is a profound and touching narrative about marriage, love, adultery, vindictiveness, and the consequences that the actions of Mark (Henry) and Jana (Eleanor) have on their children.

As always, Susan Howatch's talent for creating superbly complex characters, presented within a family drama, is the central focus of the novel. It is also her very first novel, and there were many more to follow, including the popular Starbridge Series, which delves into the history of the Church of England. I am planning to read these six books... one day.

I am truly amused by the historian who has a strong desire to emulate his father.

He is of Penmar heritage in terms of his skin and complexion. However, he is constantly in a hurry to resemble his father even more. This is because he views his father with an agonizing degree of respect that he simply cannot feel for his mother after her desertion.

Nonetheless, I do have a certain liking for what the main character, the Oxford historian, did to Rose. I find it extremely difficult, or perhaps I can't even begin, to understand why he continued to pursue Janna when Rose, the late doctor's daughter, should have been the object of his intense affections.

I would have had an even greater appreciation for the book if Rose and the historian had ended up living happily ever after. But in this novel, Rose is depicted as a widow. It is a very touching and somewhat heartrending portrayal.

Overall, the story presents a complex web of emotions and relationships that keeps the reader engaged and思考.

I first read this wonderful book in 1974.

This week, I ran out of books to read, so I looked on the shelf and found this one. It was a great choice.

During the first reading, I did not realize that the story parallels Henry II and his family. However, this time around, I saw it immediately.

The characters and their relationships in the book seem to mirror those of Henry II and his relatives.

It's quite interesting to notice these similarities and it adds a new layer of depth to the story.

I'm really enjoying re-reading this book and uncovering these hidden connections.

It makes me appreciate the author's skill in creating a story that can be interpreted in different ways.

I can't wait to see what else I'll discover as I continue reading.

I have already mentioned that I like to "return" to some (long ago) read, cult books, and now I am reading one such - "The Rich Are Different", Susan Howatch.

The action of the trilogy (published by Zora, Zagreb, 1975) takes place at the end of the 19th / beginning of the 20th century. It is about a family saga, we follow three generations whose lives are connected with the castle from the title,

Odd book. It's quite a mystery as to what exactly this book was intended to be. Maybe it was supposed to be a steamy bodice-ripper, filled with passionate romance and scandalous affairs. Or perhaps it was aiming to be an epic, a grand and sweeping tale that spans generations and continents. Or maybe, just maybe, it was trying to be an epic bodice-ripper, combining the best of both worlds. But for me, I found it rather tiresome. The characters didn't really click with me, they were less than likable and failed to draw me into their stories. And the historical settings, while they may have been well-researched, seemed more like an attempt for Susan Howatch to show off her erudition rather than being truly useful for the plot. However, there was one thing that I did like about the book, and that was the Plantagenet foreshadowing for each chapter. It added a certain element of intrigue and mystery that kept me reading, if only to see how it would all play out in the end.