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On a bitterly cold day in 1904, the Deravenel family's future changes for ever. When Cecily Deravenel tells her 18-year-old son Edward of the death of his father, brother, and cousins in a fire, a part of him dies as well. Edward is comforted by his cousin Neville Watkins, who is suspicious of the deaths. The two men vow to seek the truth, avenge the deaths and take control of the business empire usurped from Edward's great uncle sixty years before. And so begins an epic saga about an show more astonishing family, set in extraordinary times. Power and money, passion and adultery, ambition and treachery--all illuminate a dramatic saga set against the backdrop of the Edwardian Era and the Belle Epoque, just before the first World War.. show less
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The Ravenscar Dynasty by Barbara Taylor Bradford is a family saga that is the first in a trilogy. The author based much of her story on England’s War of the Roses, with two branches of a family battling over control of the family company. This first volume opens in the Edwardian period and continues on through to the end of World War 1.
The book opens with a tragedy as the Yorkshire branch of the family learns of the suspicious deaths of four of their own. Edward Deravenel, the eldest son at nineteen vows to get to the truth of the matter, avenge the deaths and retake control of the family’s business empire. The book is rather long-winded and even with murder, conniving, revenge and oh, so many love affairs, I found it to be rather show more boring and repetitive.
I used to relish reading this type of book but my tastes have obviously changed as I found The Ravenscar Dynasty to be a little simplistic with one-dimensional characters and predicable scenarios. I wasn’t expecting great literature but was hoping that the story would hold my attention a little more than it did. Unfortunately I have the other two books in the trilogy on my shelves so at some point I may carry on with the story, but I also may just decide to donate all three volumes to the second hand book store. show less
The book opens with a tragedy as the Yorkshire branch of the family learns of the suspicious deaths of four of their own. Edward Deravenel, the eldest son at nineteen vows to get to the truth of the matter, avenge the deaths and retake control of the family’s business empire. The book is rather long-winded and even with murder, conniving, revenge and oh, so many love affairs, I found it to be rather show more boring and repetitive.
I used to relish reading this type of book but my tastes have obviously changed as I found The Ravenscar Dynasty to be a little simplistic with one-dimensional characters and predicable scenarios. I wasn’t expecting great literature but was hoping that the story would hold my attention a little more than it did. Unfortunately I have the other two books in the trilogy on my shelves so at some point I may carry on with the story, but I also may just decide to donate all three volumes to the second hand book store. show less
I really wanted to love this book. It seemed to have all the elements that I love in a good story: History, romance, intrigue, revenge and mystery. Unfortunatly, it didn't come through for me. I was bored to tears. It would have been a great story if Bradford would have stopped repeating herself. She was constantly reminding us of the characters backgrounds and histories and their physical apperances. (ok, ned was handsome, got it!) Also the characters names continually changed from nicknames to full names. (pick one and stick with it!)
I guess I won't be picking up the next installment when its released.
I guess I won't be picking up the next installment when its released.
audio book. One too many uses of the word "sexual", and descriptions of how these people are just physically drawn to each other. I thought this was historical fiction, not trashy romance. Didn't finish
Bradford updates the complex family dynamics involved in the War of the Roses. Using the appearances, personalities, and life events of King Edward V and his Richard Neville (Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker), Bradford creates a struggle for the Deravenel financial empire between Edward Deravenel, with the support of his cousin Neville Watkins, and Henry Grant set between 1904 and 1916.
This volume begins slightly before the death of Edward's father, younger brother, Uncle, and cousin during a trip to oversee mining operations in Italy. Edward and Neville triumph, only to be estranged by events surrounding Edward's marriage to Elizabeth Wyland. Edward's brother George discusses a rebellion with Neville, but the plans end quickly. Then, show more Neville dies, shortly before World War I breaks out. Edward, and Deravenels, survive World War I and are poised to grow even further in the post-war economy. show less
This volume begins slightly before the death of Edward's father, younger brother, Uncle, and cousin during a trip to oversee mining operations in Italy. Edward and Neville triumph, only to be estranged by events surrounding Edward's marriage to Elizabeth Wyland. Edward's brother George discusses a rebellion with Neville, but the plans end quickly. Then, show more Neville dies, shortly before World War I breaks out. Edward, and Deravenels, survive World War I and are poised to grow even further in the post-war economy. show less
As with all of BTB's Books--I give it 5 stars. It has suspense, drama, intrigue--everything to capture and hole the attention--can't wait for the Heir to come --soon I hope
didnt like this book at all
Dit is het eerste deel van een nieuwe meeslepende familie saga, over een buitengewone familie in uitzonderlijke tijden. Op een bitterkoude dag in 1904 verandert een verwoestende brand de toekomst van de familie Deravenel voorgoed. Alleen de achttienjarige Edward Deravenel overleeft deze brand. Hij staat nu aan het hoofd van het familie-imperium, maar zijn leven verloopt niet zo gelukkig. Zijn huwelijk strandt al snel door jaloezie, en bovendien loopt het familie-imperium gevaar. Komt het verraad van buiten, of misschien toch van binnenuit?
Nov 11, 2007Dutch
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The Ravenscar Dynasty is a wonderful, historical tale starring a strong cast, especially the major male and female players...
added by lemontwist
Author Information
125+ Works 17,099 Members
Barbara Taylor Bradford was born in Upper Armley, Leeds, in Yorkshire on May 10, 1933. At the age of fifteen, she was working as a typist for the Yorkshire Evening Post. After six months, she was promoted to cub reporter in the newsroom. At eighteen, she became the newspaper's Woman's Page Editor and at twenty, she headed for London where she show more became Fashion Editor of the magazine Woman's Own. She also reported for the London Evening News, Today Magazine and other publications, covering everything from crime to show business. In 1961, she met her future husband Robert Bradford and they were married in 1963. After they married, they moved to the United States and she began writing a syndicated column, Designing Woman. The column was published for twelve years and received several awards. Her debut novel, A Woman of Substance, was published in 1979 and she has since written over 20 novels. Many of her novels have been made into television mini-series including A Woman of Substance, Voice of the Heart, Act of Will, Everything to Gain and A Secret Affair. She also wrote children's books and eight books on decorating. She has received numerous awards for her work including the Matrix Award from New York Women in Communication Inc in 1985, the City of Hope's Spirit of Life Award in 1995, the Five Towns Music and Art Foundation's Award of Achievement for outstanding accomplishments in the field of Literature in 1997 and the British Excellence Award in 1998. She was inducted into the Matrix Hall of Fame in 1998 and into the Writers Hall of Fame of America in 2003. In 2007, she was awarded an OBE (The Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to Literature. She is a member of the James Madison Council of the Library of Congress. She is also involved in several charity projects such as Literacy Partners and the Police Athletic League of New York City. She made the New York Times Best Seller List in 2014 with her title Cavendon Hall. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- De Ravenscar dynastie
- Original title
- The Ravenscar dynasty
- Original publication date
- 2006
- Dedication*
- Voor mijn echtgenoot, Robert Bradford, die al meer dan zesentwintig jaar met deze personen leeft en nog nooit zijn geduld met hen of met mij heeft verloren. Met alle liefs
- Quotations*
- 'Vorstelijk om te zien, machtig, sterk en schoon van lichaam.' Sir Thomas Moore
'Toch had hij iets grootmoedigs en, als hij niet helemaal een tragische hoofdpersoon is, is hij een gedenkwaardig mens. Hij weigerde toe te geven dat er ongemakken waren die hij niet kon overwinnen en nederlangen waarwan hij ... (show all)zich niet kon herstellen, en hij had de moed, en de ijdelheid, om zijn spel tot het eind toe te spelen.' Paul Murray Kendall
'Net als hun verdeling van het gezag was ook hun relatie beminnelijk en onbepaald.' Paul Murray Kendall
'Hij was een lang persoon, groter van gestalte dan bijna alle anderen, met een knap gelaat, vriendelijk en met een brede borst.' Polidorus Vergilius
'Hij was moedig, vastberaden en vindingrijk, eigenschappen waar hij zijn voordeel mee deed, en was pragmatisch, gul, geestig en meedogenloos als dat nodig was.' Alison Weir
'She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes of starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies.' Lord Byro... (show all)n
'Hij zat zonder onderscheid achter de getrouwden en ongetrouwden, de edelen en het gewone volk an; maar hij nam niemand tegen zijn wil.' Dominic Mancini
'Ze was van gemiddelde lengte, had een goed figuur en ze was beeldschoon, met lang, goudblond haar en een verleidelijke glimlach.' Alison Weir
'Where Beauty & Beauty met, Earth's still a-tremble there, And winds are scented yet, And memory-soft the air, Bosoming, folding glints of light, And shreds of shadowy laughter; Not the tears that fill the years After...a... (show all)fter...' Rupert Brooke
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 813.54 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 1900-1999 1945-1999
- LCC
- PS3552 .R2147 .R385 — Language and Literature American literature American literature Individual authors 1961-
- BISAC
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- Reviews
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- (3.09)
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- 8 — Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 49
- ASINs
- 12
