Helpful Score: 3
Very provocative about a shattered marriage. Enjoyed very much
Helpful Score: 3
Great story; a real page-turner. Typical Belva Plain style; fabulous read!
Helpful Score: 2
i didnt like it as i did others but it was ok
Helpful Score: 2
A picture perfect marriage dissolves into a disaster. A compelling novel of blackmail.
Helpful Score: 2
Good read with a few thriller qualities.
Helpful Score: 2
Another good book from Belva Plain. I like everything she writes
Helpful Score: 1
What happens when the picture perfect marriage dissolves? Belva Plain goes to the heart of a marriage between a naive young artist and her handsome physician husband. At first, everything is idyllic. then one terrible night she commits and act she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives her husband the ultimate weapon: blackmail. The prie of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children.
Helpful Score: 1
Good read
Helpful Score: 1
Wow! This is my FIRST Belva Plain read. It is a SERIOUS page-turner. I could not put it down. It is an amazing story about one woman's struggle through an ugly divorce and the hope and will to continue on for her children. I LOVE stories of hope and courage, this is one of those.
It was heart-wrenching because the author teases you with the idea that the woman, Hyacinth, is starting to find her way and the past resurfaces and keeps her from having the happiness you SO long for her to have.
The hardest part was the author withheld the secret until the absolute END of the book! I don't recall having to wait that long in anything I have read in the past, which makes it a real page-turner, you just won't be able to put it down until you find out! Definite must-read! This book has made me feel eager to read another book by Belva Plain.
It was heart-wrenching because the author teases you with the idea that the woman, Hyacinth, is starting to find her way and the past resurfaces and keeps her from having the happiness you SO long for her to have.
The hardest part was the author withheld the secret until the absolute END of the book! I don't recall having to wait that long in anything I have read in the past, which makes it a real page-turner, you just won't be able to put it down until you find out! Definite must-read! This book has made me feel eager to read another book by Belva Plain.
Helpful Score: 1
Doesn't everyone like Belva Plain novels? this is a particularly good page turner. great for plane or beach this summer
good story about a husband who holds a fatal fire over the head of his wife in order to get a divorce, custody and business.
Gerald and Hyacinth had the type of marriage others envied. She was a talented artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy's perfect marriage. And in one terrible night she commits an act that she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail.
The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children. When her angry mother wants to know why Hyacinth won't fight for custody, she can give no satisfactory answers. But deep in her heart, Hyacinth knows that there is one question she must answer if she wants to free herself from a life of lies: What really happened that terrible night? Only then can she reclaim her children, her pride, her life - at last.
I think that Belva Plain is a really gifted storyteller, and After the Fire is yet another example of what a terrific storyteller she is. I was drawn into the story from the first page, and really wanted to know how Hyacinth would deal with her dilemma. I give this book an A+!
The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children. When her angry mother wants to know why Hyacinth won't fight for custody, she can give no satisfactory answers. But deep in her heart, Hyacinth knows that there is one question she must answer if she wants to free herself from a life of lies: What really happened that terrible night? Only then can she reclaim her children, her pride, her life - at last.
I think that Belva Plain is a really gifted storyteller, and After the Fire is yet another example of what a terrific storyteller she is. I was drawn into the story from the first page, and really wanted to know how Hyacinth would deal with her dilemma. I give this book an A+!
I really liked this book. This is the type of book you want to read again.
It's about a woman who puts her life back together and becomes extremely successful in doing so.
It's about a woman who puts her life back together and becomes extremely successful in doing so.
was better than I expected!
See what you think!
See what you think!
very good reading.
After using his wife and her family to launch his career, a successful plastic surgeon dumps her and blackmails her into giving up custody of their children.
ny times bestselling author. great storyteller. quote from the jacket "what happens when the picture perfect marriage dissolves"
Did not read
When young artist Hyacinth falls in love with and marries Gerald, a medical student, she thinks she has found heaven. But like many marriages, this one founders. Then one night in desperation Hyacinth commits an act for which she will pay dearly, giving Gerald the reason he needs to gain uncontested custody of their two young children. However, despite the anguish over her children and her broken marriage, Hyacinth takes a fashion design course and quickly rises to the top of her profession. Although known and admired for her portrayals of families in all their complexity, Plain's (Legacy of Silence) characters in this book fail to be convincing. The combination of Hyacinth's na?vet? and meteoric assent in the fashion business strains believability. The author's strength, however, lies in her ability to sustain suspense throughout the story, leaving listeners wondering about "the secret" until the end. Kate Harper reads with skill and emotion, rendering both male and female voices effectively.
An artist, a surgeon, and blackmail...what happens when the marriage dissolves....
Gerald and Hyacinth had the kind of marriage others envied. She was a beautiful artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy's perfect marriage. And in one terrible night she commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children. When her own beautiful, angry mother wants to know why she won't fight for custody, Hy can give no answers. But deep in her heart, Hy knows there is one question she must answer if she wants to free herself from a life of lies: What really happened that terrible night? Only then can she reclaim her children, her pride, her life--at last.
Gerald and Hyacinth had the kind of marriage others envied. A beautiful artist and a brilliant plastic surgeon, with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal taint the perfect union. In one terrible night, Hy commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life and gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. What really happened that terrible night? Will she ever be able to claim her children?
Gerald and Hy had the kind of marriage others envied. She was a beautiful artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy'd perfect marriage. And in one terrible night, she commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children. When her own beautiful, angry mother wants to know why she won't fight for custody, Hy can give no answers. But deep in her heart, Hy knows there is one question she must answer if she wants to free herself from a life of lies: What really happened that terrible night? Only then can she reclaim her children, her pride, her life --- at last.
Gerald and Hyacinth had the kind of marriage others envied. She was a beautiful artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy's perfect marriage. And in one terrible night she commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children.
