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Tuesday, November 13, 2018

The Clockmaker's Daughter - Kate Morton

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton

First Paragraph(s):

We came to Birchwood Manor because Edward said that it was haunted.  It wasn't, not then, but it's a dull man who lets truth stand in the way of a good story, and Edward was never that.  His passion, his blinding faith in whatever he professed, was one of the things I fell in love with.  He had the preacher's zeal, a way of expressing opinions that minted them into gleaming currency.  A habit of drawing people to him, of firing in them enthusiasms they hadn't known were theirs, making all but himself and his convictions fade.
     But Edward was no preacher.
     I remember him.  I remember everything.

My Thoughts:

Ah, I was so happy to see a new book by Kate Morton.  I haven't read all her books, but I've read maybe 3 of them.  Loved all the ones I've sampled.  I listened to this one on audio and it's a long book - 22+ hours - narrated by Joanne Froggatt.  Joanne played Anna Bates on Downton Abbey and so her voice was familiar and lovely.  She did a good job.

As I said, this is a long book and it's set across many, many years.  Morton does take the story back and forth and there are certainly characters upon characters.  I know that many have not been as pleased with it as they hoped.  I've read several reviews where the readers thought there was too much going on, too many people, too much time change, confusing.  And I do understand that.  Honestly, for me, it was wonderful.  I wasn't in a hurry as I listened to it.  Other than having to pay close attention to the character names and keep up with where we were, I loved it all over the place.  So very Gothic - that house, Birchwood Manor - fairies and spirits, secrets and hiding places, art thieves, murder, beautiful music and a lovely setting.  It all ties together in the end.  I was most pleased.  If you've read this, tell what you experienced - good or bad.   

Blurb:

My real name, no one remembers.
The truth about that summer, no one else knows.

In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the passionate and talented Edward Radcliffe descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while another has disappeared; a priceless heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe's life is in ruins.

Over one hundred and fifty years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, uncovers a leather satchel containing two seemingly unrelated items: a sepia photograph of an arresting-looking woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist's sketchbook containing the drawing of a twin-gabled house on the bend of a river.

Why does Birchwood Manor feel so familiar to Elodie? And who is the beautiful woman in the photograph? Will she ever give up her secrets?

Told by multiple voices across time, The Clockmaker's Daughter is a story of murder, mystery, and thievery, of art, love and loss. And flowing through its pages like a river, is the voice of a woman who stands outside time, whose name has been forgotten by history, but who has watched it all unfold: Birdie Bell, the clockmaker's daughter.

33 comments:

  1. I think I've only read one book by this author and I thought her writing is good. Her books tend to lean towards the lengthy side so I'll read this one when my mood calls for it (I tend to feel that way with lengthy books, ha).

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    1. Yes, Melody, this would be a book that would work better if you were prepared and 'in the mood'.

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  2. I loved this book as I've loved all her books. I didn't think it was as confusing as people were making it seem. The characters were all pretty distinct. I was a little impatient for the mystery to be revealed and slightly underwhelmed with the reveal, but that was about it.

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    1. Angela, I think I saw this as more of a family saga or maybe a 'house saga'. The mystery was maybe not the most intricate, but I loved listening to the story.

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  3. I plan to read this at some point; this is an author I've enjoyed in the past.

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    1. I'll watch for your thoughts on it if you decide to pick it up, Diane.

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  4. Glad I read your review because the ones I've read so far have been kind of tepid. I think I'd love the narrator!

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    1. Yes, I noticed that it wasn't a big favorite of many. The narrator was great - as I said, a familiar voice to those who watched Downton.

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  5. Based on a few other reviews, I was beginning to wonder if this book even belonged on my list. So happy to know you enjoyed it so much... also happy to learn it's narrated by Joanne Froggat. Since the audio is so long, it might be a good candidate for a read/listen combo.

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    1. I think it would be an excellent candidate for read/listen, JoAnn. I know that you do that pretty often and I've done it myself a lot. Plus, with the large cast of characters, having the book around would likely be helpful.

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  6. Kay, I have this one from Netgalley still to read. Going to Hilton Head next week, I think I’ve found my read for the week! Thanks for reminding me of it!

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  7. What a wonderful review, Kay. You've almost convinced me, but I'm not a huge fan of gothic works and big books are not my cuppa at the moment. I haven't read anything by Morton (although I did try her first book many years ago), but you never know. I may just have to give one of her earlier titles a try someday.

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    1. I've read several of her books and they suited me very well at the time I read them. I'm a big fan of the Gothic as you know, but these are not overly spooky or anything.

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  8. I find that as long as I know that a book is lengthy and involved and I have to be patient and concentrate and persevere with it, then I do and I usually end up being rather impressed with it. I must see if the library has this, or I may add it to the list of books I plan to get for myself at Chtistmas. Melmoth by Sarah Perry is one of them, another gothicky, spooky read I believe.

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    1. Cath, I bet your library will be acquiring it if they don't have it yet. I've heard about MELMOTH and recently got it on audio. Haven't listened to it as yet.

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  9. I have similar feelings about Kate Morton. I've loved the two books by her that I did read. I've got a copy of this one also. I just need to carve out the time to consume her newest work.

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    1. You'll get to it at some point, Catherine. Hope you like it.

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  10. I've loved several of her books and this one is still on my list. :)

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    1. And you'll also get to it at some point I imagine, Jenclair. :-)

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  11. I really enjoyed it although like you I could understand why other's may have been slightly disappointed. I don't think it had quite the same 'feel' as her other books but the story and the characters had me enthralled, even those ghostly bits!

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    1. I agree, Cleo. Not exactly the same (which is why some were disappointed I think), but I really was caught up in the story and trying to figure out how everyone went together.

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  12. I haven't read any of her books yet but I know a lot of people who love her writing so I want to.

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    1. Yes, I think Kate Morton has gotten more and more popular.

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  13. I've read 3 books by Kate Morton and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I love the sound of this one! I may go audio on this one. I love her books but their page counts are impressive.

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    1. They are rather longer than most. The audio on this one was very well done.

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  14. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Like I said in my review, this is my least favorite of Morton's. Still, even at her "worst" she's pretty darn good! I would definitely recommend reading any of hers that you haven't tried yet. Morton is one of my very favorite authors!

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    1. I need to check through my lists and see what I've read and what I haven't as yet. And then make a new one for next year.

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  15. You already know that I loved it. It would be wonderful to visit Birchwood Manor!

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  16. I am glad you enjoyed this one, Kay. I tend to lean more towards quick reads these days, but this sounds so good. I think I will like it when I get to it.

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    1. One day you'll have more time for reading longer books, Wendy.

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  17. I still have not read Morton and this one looks to be more than I can handle on audio.

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Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!