Journal Entry 1 by indygo88 from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Wednesday, December 27, 2006

"Margaret Lea, a bookish loner, is summoned to the home of Vida Winter, England's most popular novelist, and commanded to write her biography. Miss Winter has been falsifying her life story and her identity for more than 60 years. Facing imminent death and feeling an unexplainable connection to Margaret, Miss Winter begins to spin a haunting, suspenseful tale of an old English estate, a devastating fire, twin girls, a governess, and a ghost. As Margaret carefully records Vida's tale, she ponders her own family secrets. Her research takes her to the English moors to view a mansion's ruins and discover an unexpected ending to Vida's story. Readers will be mesmerized by this -story-within-a-story tinged with the eeriness of Rebecca and the willfulness of Jane Eyre. The author skillfully keeps the plot moving by unfurling a new twist in each chapter and leaves no strand untucked at the surprising and satisfying conclusion. A wholly original work told in the vein of all the best gothic classics. Lovers of books about book lovers will be enthralled."

Received as a Christmas gift from my parents. A wishlist book -- yippee!!! (hardcover) 

Journal Entry 2 by indygo88 from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Friday, April 27, 2007

This is one of those books that catches your attention with the cover picture & description, and then sucks you in the further you delve into the book. And now, after having just finished it, I think I appreciate its mysteries even more after I've had time to sit and ponder a little bit. I don't think the book was flawless...there were times that certain aspects seemed almost unrealistic, and it had a somewhat dark & depressing undertone. But there were also beautifully written passages, & overall I loved the mysterious tone, with details being gradually revealed throughout. I've seen that some people compare this book to "The Shadow of the Wind", which is one of my absolute favorites, and yes...I can see the comparison.