He nodded, and I was out the French doors and across the terrace in an eye blink, into the stream of the wind. It caught me and washed over me like water itself, cool and damp and smelling of pine and salt and distance and dark, secret green places, and I threw out my arms and laughed aloud and rode the wind down the steps on the face of the cliff to the beach and the sea. (Colony
by Anne Rivers Siddons)I read this in November of 2001. Here's the brief review I wrote in my journal:
Unforgettable! Took a couple of chapters to hook me, but then I couldn't put it down. Reminded me of Pilcher's The Shell Seekers
. Not great literature, but not fluff either. Beautiful passages and a great three-generational saga. I grew to care about many of the characters and still think of them. Maude tells the story of her marriage and family and of their summer visits to "Retreat" on the Maine coast. She loved her husband dearly in spite of his flaws (selfish and a terrible father). Raised two children and several grandchildren. Dysfunctional family, yet not an overly depressing story. Moving, yet not maudlin. Overbearing mother-in-law, Hannah, warms up toward the end of her life. Rich with emotion. Intense drama. Memorable characters and events. Will read more by Siddons. Rating: A (9/10 Terrific!)Well... I have read more by Siddons, but only one (The House Next Door) has been as good as Colony. Everything else has paled in comparison. And about those memorable characters and events. Hmmm, let's just say it's been a long eight years. I only have a vague recollection of a few events. I could definitely read it again and would probably be just as entertained.
I'm not sure if I've read Colony because I've read so many of her books but I LOVED that quote!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never read Siddons, but this quote has me wanting more -- not to mention the wonderful illustration.
ReplyDeleteStaci - I'm pretty sure you'd remember Colony if you'd read it! I think it's her best work, although The House Next Door is also very good, but quite a departure from her other novels.
ReplyDeleteTeabird - Oh, this is a gem of a book! You're in for a treat if you haven't read it yet. BTW, the illustration (of the girl at the writing desk) in my post is NOT from the novel. Were you referring to it or the cover image from the Amazon link? In either case, the book is a definite must-read. Thanks for stopping by with your comment!
I just took my first Siddons book out of the library on a whim. I've never read her stuff before - sounds like I might like Colony!
ReplyDeleteLove the quote! I haven't read much Siddons, but I read everything Pilcher ever wrote--she is my all time favorite.
ReplyDelete*smiles*
Kim
I love the image you chose, it's perfect and it sounds fabulous if ever I see it in a used bookstore or in a garage sale, I'll buy it, thanks for that!
ReplyDeletePS I loved The Shell Seekers from Rosamunde Pilcher, and Coming Home and Winter Solstice, and September LOL I forgot about your blog and how much I enjoyed it...good to be back!
Kirsten - Which did you get? Colony? It's wonderful. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
ReplyDeleteKim - I still have one or two books by Pilcher yet to read. I think I'm saving them for just the right time. She is wonderful, isn't she? I think you'd enjoy Colony, if you haven't read that one.
Lorraine - Isn't Pilcher a marvelous writer? I loved The Shell Seekers. Need to find time to give that a second reading. Glad to have you back here visiting/commenting! Thanks!