The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
The House at Riverton is a compelling tale set in the days
of the 1920’s with references to the
present day where we see the main character of the story, Grace, as an elderly
lady who recalls past events in her life.
The story is quite riveting and fascinating. A beautiful mansion set in wonderful
landscaped gardens with an Icarus fountain and statues of Eros and Psyche and also memorable characters who live and
work at the house at Riverton. A
beautiful place with a lake and summer house.
A place which lent itself to wonderful entertainments and soirees.
A place also, where Grace spent so much of her life at from
the time of arrival at age 14. The place
and her duties there as a domestic servant and subsequently as a lady’s maid
inspired in her a life-time of devotion and loyalty.
There were so many new things for Grace to learn and
assimilate and over time she came to learn about matters which had not been
brought to the surface. As though so
many things about her life were kept hidden from her. In many respects, this book is also
psychological as well as being a mystery.
It tells of a time of beauty and elegance, a way of life
which was more in keeping with the
Victorian era and values and of a world on the brink of change.
The lives of Hannah and Emmeline, two aristocratic sisters,
coincided with the life of Grace. It was
also a story of an aristocratic family of England before and after the First
World War; how the the war years affected the fortunes of the family and the
perils of social change in the class system of the time.
The dialogue of the story and characterisation are
absolutely thrilling. The story at times
is also tense and emotional. It also
reflects the modes and manners of the time. It is a wonderful story which I highly
recommend.
There is also an
interview with the author who describes her interest in the times of the 1920’s
and gives further reading material.
There are also questions posed regarding the story and its characters
for discussion at reading groups.
