Fortune's Rocks - Fortune's Rocks, Bk 1 Author:Anita Shreve On a beach in New Hampshire at the turn of the last century, a young woman is drawn into a rocky, disastrous passage to adulthood. Olympia Biddeford is the only child of a prominent Boston couple -- a precocious and well-educated daughter, alive with ideas and flush with the first stirrings of maturity. Her summer at the family's vacation ho... more »me in Fortune's Rocks is transformed by the arrival of a doctor, a friend of her father's, whose new book about mill-town labourers has caused a sensation. Olympia is captivated by his thinking, his stature, and his drive to do right—even as she is overwhelmed for the first time by irresistible sexual desire. She and the doctor -- a married man, a father, and nearly three times her age -- come together in an unthinkable, torturous, hopelessly passionate affair. Throwing aside propriety and self-preservation, Olympia plunges forward with cataclysmic results that are the price of straying in an unforgiving era. Olympia is cast out of the world she knows, and Fortune's Rocks is the story of her determination to reinvent her broken life -- and claim the one thing she finds she cannot live without.
A meditation on the erotic life of women, an exploration of class prejudices, and most of all a portrayal of the throughts and actions of an unforgettable young woman, Fortune's Rocks is a masterpiece of narrative drama, beautifully written by one of the most accomplished novelists of our time.« less
Virginia K. (GinaK) reviewed Fortune's Rocks (Fortune's Rocks, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 5
This book is one that once you start it, it is impossible to put down. The story revolves around a teenage girl in the beginning of the 1900,s who is mature beyond her years. We learn of her sexual awakening, tragedy mixed with poignant undying love. Love the author, as always, and loved this book, in particular.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this novel-the descriptions in it are beautiful to say the least, and the story line was very intriguing. I highly recemend this book, its a very good read!
Oh...so GOOD! I couldn't put it down once I got into it. Olympia is quite the woman for the late 1800's, early 20th century! This is a great work of fiction. Very enjoyable. Quite a story!!!
I LOVED this book. It was heart wrenching and romantic--but the female character was smart and lively. It is an intelligent book set at the turn of the 20th century at a seaside resort town in New England.
Lucia P. reviewed Fortune's Rocks (Fortune's Rocks, Bk 1) on
This book is such a page turner! I had read it about 5 years ago, and just remembered I like it. I read it again last month and absolutely loved it! Anita Shreve is a gifted writer, it is one of those books you close and say "where was I?" It totally transports you. A definite read for the winter!
Jean W. reviewed Fortune's Rocks (Fortune's Rocks, Bk 1) on
This book is not literature, but it's haunting none the less. How can you make a case for pedophilia? There is no way, but the author takes us into the minds of two people who are caught up in a passion that seems so right to them, nothing else matters. From the perspective of the reader, it's a moral morass. Reminds me of the situation in "L'Immoralist," though that, of course, IS literature.
Another wonderful book by Shreve. This story takes place at the same location as Sea Glass, but earlier, at the turn of the century. This book had an excellent, consistant pace, moving the story along nicely through all its 450 pages. Shreve mixes personal stories and the politics of the day (labor issues, immigration, class, religion) for a compelling story.
Flobee - reviewed Fortune's Rocks (Fortune's Rocks, Bk 1) on
This is the sequel of "The Pilot's Wife" which was an Oprah's book club selection. This series takes place in coastal Maine and the descriptions make me want to get in my car and drive there.
Another good one by Anita Shreve. This one is a bit different than some of her other novels. It has a bit of a victorian, Edith Wharton-ish feel about it, but still very interesting. Great characters, surprising twists to the story.
I really loved this book. It starts out slow but picks up speed and I could hardly bear to put it down to do the things I had to do. I couldn't wait to get to the end, but I didn't want it to end either! This was my first Anita Shreve read and it won't be my last...she is GREAT!
