The Jewel of Gresham Green

Upon choosing The Jewel of Gresham Green by Lawana Blackwell, I did not actually realize it was the last installment of a series until I had completed reading the book. To me, that was a good thing, because there have been many a series where the story is not complete without knowing the background from the previous books. However, this plot was so compelling that it was very enjoyable as a complete storyline in itself.

Set in the 1880s, the book starts off with the account of Jewell Libby from Birmingham, England then switches to the Vicar Andrew Phelps and Julia Phelps and their family. The author paints a vivid picture of what poverty, working class life, and city living were like in that era, along with the contrast of village life show more coupled with the naivety of medical practices at that time. But what appears to be a sort of riches-to-rags story takes another turn when Jewell's desires to flee a man with evil intentions keeps landing her into further misfortune until she eventually crosses paths with the Phelps family and becomes the catalyst for change in their lives.

The book is full of lively characters who the author gives you reason to love or hate. By the end of the tale, the reader is left with a sense of completion, seeing marriages strengthened, new love blossomed, health restored, and evil overturned. But there were also many unexpected surprises in the mysteries surrounding a will, a nephew's intentions, and whether or not Aleda Hollis will ever have the courage to reach her ultimate goal.

Although The Jewel of Gresham starts off somewhat slow, it eventually picks up to become a page-turner. What is most refreshing about this book is the way it reaches out to a variety of ages, chronicling the many thoughts most commonly felt in each walk of life. You cannot help but empathize with what each character experiences, knowing that you can relate to them on some level. There is that unspoken theme of God's love dominating over all, to where ultimately everything works out according to "the greater plan." I heartily recommend this book for people who love historical Christian fiction, romance, and a good dose of intrigue. The previous books include: The Widow of Larkspur Inn, The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter, and The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark. Overall, Ms. Blackwell does a fantastic job of weaving together a series that is well thought out, convincing you to step back in time and be part of the story. show less

A frightening incident causes Jewel and her daughter Becky to flee from Birmingham to Gresham, where they find the town in upheaval. Squire Bartley is dying, and his unscrupulous heir is in town, trying to get his paws on his inheritance as soon as possible. Vicar Phelps is in need of medical care, but Philip Hollis, now grown and through medical school, is practicing surgery in London, and caught in an unhappy marriage. And his sister Aleda, now a published author, seeks solitude in a cottage on the squire's property.

This book was published some years later than the original three books in the series, and it advances the age of the characters so that the Phelps and Hollis children can take center stage. It's enjoyable, but a bit of a show more lurch. This book probably could be read as a stand-alone, but of course I'd recommend starting with the first book in the series. show less

Spoilers? Except I don't remember much. This wasn't as good as the previous books. The romances weren't convincing, and the yucky wife's transformation was pretty under-determined.

As a huge fan of the the Gresham Chronicles and Lawana Blackwell's works, I was thrilled to hear that there was going to be a fourth book in the series. I had devoured the three books in the series several times (they're one of my favorite book series to reread) and was looking forward to seeing what was going on with the village and its inhabitants. It was pleasant to return to the peaceful village where everyone knows each other. We're introduced to new characters and are reunited and caught up to date with old friends. I will admit it was a bit jarring to see the children now grown up with their old families but the Hollis and Phelps family are still the same as ever. I liked Jewel and her daughter and was sadden at their plight. The show more treatment of a single mother in England during that time period was very rough and justice was not served properly to those who needed it.

While I enjoyed this book, I felt that it wasn't on the same level as the author's previous books in the series. I never really felt connected with the new characters in this book and I felt like the old characters were just thrown in for good measure. The other books in the Gresham series (as well as Blackwell's other two Victorian series) had a certain charm and comfort feeling. You felt as if you were literally swept up into the story and transported into that time period along with the characters. This book however, gives sort of a standoffish feeling. I felt as if I was looking at the story from a distance. The romance in this story seemed to happen very fast and almost as an afterthought. After the quirky and accidental romances in the past 3 books, the one in this one fell flat and was not very believable.

That being said, this is an enjoyable book. Fans of Jane Austen and other regency era type books will find this book a pleasure to read. If you've never read any of the other books in the Gresham series, you won't be lost reading this one as it can be read as a stand alone. However if you're a fan of the original series, this book is a nice way to catch up on everyone and is a good addition to the series. Hopefully this won't be the last we will see of Gresham and it's inhabitants. show less

Set in a small town outside of London, in 1884, this historical fiction is an interesting tale to read. I've always loved British literature, as it is fun to read the differences in language. I can be transported to another land. Of course, there are references to the water closet, and taking of tea, but also before a meal there's the "laying of cloth." Some allowances must be made I suppose for the author writing about taking a "nap." I believe Englanders are said to "have a lie-down."

This is a stand-alone novel, but because it is the fourth in a series, it would be better appreciated read it in order. However, I had not read any of the Gresham Chronicles before, and I did not feel at all left out. That speaks to the talent of the show more author.

As expected in a series, there are a number of characters and sub-plots. The dialogue is well-written and easy to follow. The characters are a bit flat: the good ones are good--through and through, while the villain is a scoundrel indeed! He even has a thick, black moustache! Still, it's a fun read. I loved Jewel and her daughter, Becky. Who wouldn't? Jewel seems to be a perfect Christian and mother, and five-year-old Becky lives to charm. I'm sure readers will be treated to more from them in a future work. Philip's marriage is an interesting sub-plot, and I suspect more will be heard about that. The reader is permitted the pleasure of peeking into Aleda's novel--another sub-plot with a promising future. The future of Gresham seems to be guaranteed. show less

NCLA Review -This novel set in a quaint village in England during the late 19th Century has a heartwarming story with strong characters. Readers will remember other books by Blackwell containing some of the same characters although this novel is not a sequel. Jewel Libby flees her home in Birmingham with her daughter, Becky, and arrives in Gresham with a note from the vicar at her home church asking Vicar Phelps at her new church in Gresham to help her find employment and a safe place to live. Upon arriving, she finds that Vicar Phelps and his wife have troubles of their own. Aleda, his stepdaughter comes to Jewel’s rescue with the offer of a place to stay at her home. Jewel finds a friend and the tables are turned—she offers show more support and a source of strength to Aleda and others in the Vicar’s family and the people of Gresham. Rating: 4 —SV 415p, paper, Bethany 2008, 978-0-7642-0511-8, $13.99 [813.54] show less