Tuesday, May 1, 2012

THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL, by Julie Klassen


When Margaret Macy’s mother remarried, she unwittingly married a man who has designs on the fortune Margaret is due to inherit on her next birthday. Margaret's stepfather brings his unscrupulous nephew into the family home, and urges the nephew to press Margaret to marry him--by whatever means necessary.
When Margaret learns of the plan, she disguises herself as a housemaid and flees. However, she never thought she'd end up actually employed as a maid. Margaret finds out quickly what life "below stairs" is all about. To her chagrin, she realizes how poorly she treated the servants in her parent’s home.
While Margaret strives to hide her identity, she finds herself attracted to the master of Fairbourne Hall—a man she once rejected.
Klassen has woven an entertaining story of life in the early 1800’s, her specialty. I enjoyed this novel, but not as much as her earlier ones. For me, the ending felt too crowded with secondary plot lines. Having said that, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is still a fun read, one Jane Austen fans should relish.

3 comments:

  1. Lots like a very good. If you need any reviews, I would read it. jrs362 at hotmail dot com

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  2. Julie Klassen is heavy hitter in the world of Christian historical fiction and, unfortunately, I've never read a single one of her books. A decision I deeply regret after reading this book. Julie Klassen writes historical fiction so well that the truth and fiction blend, leaving you wondering what really happened and what the author made up. Her historical accounts are spot on, though the class system may have been blurred a bit, whether on purpose or on accident I don't know.

    The characters are believable and sometimes unlikable even. All of the circumstances make sense and are believable. I found myself disliking Margaret's behavior, yet feeling sorry for her at the same time. Even the character transformations are exceptional. You get to see Margaret's attitude and behavior change with each chapter and I started to like her once she was in her situation.

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  3. I have read all her books. Loved them. Silent Governess is a good one, they all are.

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