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Replying to myself !
Intelligent, Romantic, Erotic? (see spin at www.greeneheaton.co.uk/)
I was looking forward to reading the Pleasure Garden for three reasons. Firstly I have some knowledge of the workings of the ‘heritage industry’ – archives, conservation etc and was interested in how that aspect of the novel was going to be portrayed. Secondly I know very little about eighteenth century landscaped gardens and was hoping to learn something. Thirdly I don’t often read erotic romance.
It was obvious from the very beginning that the author knew her heritage stuff. The description of the archives in Henford Hall and of Mrs Sayers were perfect – obviously the result of many such research trips. The information on Humphrey Renton etc was interesting enough for me to look him up on the internet and consider visiting Sheringham Hall. I assume that Caroline Davison’s agents Greene and Heaton were referring to this ‘academic’ aspect of the book when they described it as an intelligent novel because the rest really wasn’t very bright and definitely not romantic or erotic.
There was absolutely no romance as far as I could see. Nothing romantic in the relationship between Ben and Ruby just desperation on his part and deceit on hers. There was no eroticism even when Ruby was ‘taken’ by George just one of those sex scenes where you laugh out loud. Ok to do if you are involved but not if you are supposed to be watching! There was a lot of selfish lust both in the past and in the present but I found that just disturbing. Maybe the point of the novel? Human behaviour doesn’t change?
Ben should have got off with Jayne the archivist and then the book would have indeed have been romantic and erotic or is that just my imagination!
I don’t want to spoil the ending of the novel for those who haven’t read it but the contents of the secret room and what happens after its discovery was just plain silly.
Jeff
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