St. Martin's Griffin The Tea Rose

I did enjoy this book, primarily because the story kept moving. I have given it a five star rating, not because the writing is so outstanding, but because there is merit and a forward movement of the story. I will confess, that there are some parts of the story, which, at the time I read them seemed a bit far-fetched, but overall, it worked with the storyline and characters. No doubt this book is a bit of an epic. The number of pages is probably a dead give away on that score. But, to tell the entire story, it needs to be. I wll say, that when I finished the book, a few days ago, I was disappointed to see it end. I want to know what the next story is for Fiona and Joe. This book has it all. There is murder, in all its gore and horror. In fact the first chapter or so, does not really lead you to what the story is truly about. However, it is important to set the scene and give you that certain sense of dread for what the people of Whitechapel were experiencing at the time London was haunted by Jack the Ripper. But, Jack the Ripper, though a theme to this book, which has some level of import is not the real story. This is really a family story and a love story. It is a story of love for the ages. Joe and Fiona have grown up together in a poor part of London. But, they have dreams -- big dreams. Dreams that are wider than their experience, but they also have love. We meet them when they are planning and saving for a time when they will open a store and make it the finest London has ever seen. Of course, those plans also call for them to be married. But, Joe is offered the great opportunity to work for one of the largest buyers and sellers of produce in London. He takes that job. While he propers and is pursued by the boss' daughter, Millie Petersen, Fiona's life takes a turn for the worse and all that is dear to her begins to disappear. That would include Joe, for one night, after consuming too much alcohol at a party at the Petersen's home, Millie entices Jack to her bed. After that one night a baby is on the way, and Joe is forced to marry Millie. Fiona is in despair. As her life spins out of control, she suddenly finds herself in the killing sights of her father's former boss. She grabs her young brother, Seamus, and they escape aboard a White Star ship for America. Upon landing in New York, Fiona finds not all is well with her uncle. With her spirit and drive she works to pick him up and recover his business. Her hard work pays off. As time passes things change for Joe and Fiona, but they always "miss" each other. Fiona eventually marries, in New York and succeeds at her dreams, but with someone else by her side. Eventually her husband dies, and Fiona finds herself back in London to seek the revenge on her father's employer which she has planned for nearly her entire adult life. With the help of good lawyers and Joe, Fiona succeeds, but nearly losses her life and others dear to her in the process. When she learns Joe is now a free and successful man, their love is rekindled. But, it is not always an easy road to attain the dreams and happiness born in youth.

Ich bin ein Fan des historischen Englands, na gut: Amerika gilt auch. Auch für einen Nicht-Native-Speaker ist das Englisch gut verständlich und die vielen Seiten sind im Nu verschlungen. Ein wundervoller Erzählstil, warum habe ich nur solange gewartet, es zu lesen - hatte ich die Empfehlung doch bereits vor Jahren bekommen! Die drei Bücher habe ich in drei Wochen gelesen und das erste auf deutsch dann an eine Freundin verschenkt. Kurz darauf erzählte sie mir, sie habe das dritte Buch bereits fast durch. Einfach wunderbar!!

Bad condition of book. Returned.

アイルランド移民の娘としてロンドンの下町で生まれた快活で美しい少女Fiona。貧しいながらも彼女は大好きな家族のもと愛情いっぱいに育ち、将来を誓い合った幼馴染のJoeとお店を持つ夢を語りあう毎日だった。 しかし、その幸せな日々に影が差そうとしていた。Fionaと早く結婚して店を構えるための貯金を殖やすため、恋人Joeは違う町へ出稼ぎに出かける。そして彼女を一番かわいがっていた父親が倉庫上階から落ちて大けがをしてあっという間に息を引き取る。大黒柱を亡くした一家は家賃の安いアパートへ引っ越すが、それでも生活がままらない。そんななか、Fionaの母と妹が流行病に倒れ、弟のCharlyは家族を養うために賭博ボクシングに手をだす。 やがて、また過酷な運命がやってくる。それは目をおおいたくなるような現実だった。なんとか自活して生活しようと父の慰謝料を請求しに行った父の元会社で、事故で死んだと思っていた父は実は雇い主の命によって殺害されていたという事実をFionaが偶然聞いてしまったのだ。それに気づいた雇い主とその手下の追手からなんとか逃げてきたFiona。残された道は、父の弟の住むニューヨークへ逃げることだけだった。必死の逃亡が始まる。はたして彼女は魔の手から逃れられることができるのか、そして彼女とJoeの愛の行方は？ 何で今まで読まずに本棚に置いといたんだろう？と思うほどのめりこんだこの作品。展開があって、スリリングで、ロマンス満載。ページを開けるたびに「次はどうなるの〜？」とハラハラドキドキしながら、主人公のFionaが敢然と彼女の波乱万丈な人生に向き合って強く生きて愛を貫く姿に、共感し、感動します。

I loved this book. It was easy reading, good plots and storylines and wonderful characters. I would put this book on the list with other great writers...Ken Follett and Philippa Gregory.