Flambards Divided [Hardcover]

This is perhaps the most disappointing sequel I have ever had the misfortune of reading. The characters, who many grew to love (or hate) through the Flambards trilogy, seem so unlike themselves, particularly patient and devoted Dick, who has been transformed into a backward, self-conscious, adulterous (!) workaholic. What is perhaps most disappointing is the lack of character and strength of Christina. She can't seem to face up to her responsibilities and the choices she has made. The author, whom I feel cannot be the same K. M. Peyton of old, takes the easy way out by concluding this book in the manner she does. In addition, I found several errors in the actual writing of the book - dates were confused, as were characters' ages and some of their histories. I cannot believe the author spent the same time, energy, and love writing this book as she had with the Flambards trilogy, or with her other literary works which I read as a child and loved. This is not worth your time reading.

I actually really enjoyed this book, so I'm not sure what some of the other reviewers found so distasteful about it. While yes, there were times when the characters seemed to be utterly different from the previous books in the series, it makes sense when you think about it, I mean, with the experiences that the characters have lived through, obviously it would effect how they lived their lives and alter their behaviors.

This book picks up where Flambards in Summer ended, with Christina and Dick engaged to be married. Almost at once, her Autnt Grace points out the challenges they are going to be faced with. This is where life's experiences come into play. I think that Christina bases much of her decisions early on in the story on her childhood infactuation influenced memories of Dick, steady and caring, he is almost the antithesis of her late husband William, the daring pilot and dreamer.

As the story progresses, it becomes more and more obvious that Christina and Dick's childhood memories of each other aren't enough to sustain their marriage on. Yes, they do appear to love each other, but not enough to accept each others perceived faults. Dick expects a little woman who is going to be satisfied with spending her life at home, raising his children, cooking his meals and caring for his house. Christina, while maybe not realizing it at first, has developed into a strong-willed, independent woman. It was what made her relationship with William in the second book of the series so strong, she learned how to stand up for herself and that it was all right to not always cowtow to her man's wants.

The marriage ends up a disaster since neither partner is able to accept the other for what they are. That's when Mark and Dorothy enter the scene. Mark is the first to appear, gravely injured during the war, and Christina ends up nursing him, not really back to health, but certainly onto the road of recovery. Dick is jealous, as usual, of any attention Christina gives her former brother-in-law. Dorothy arrives on the scene in short order to take over nursing duties, and the pair soon move into a nearby estate. It doesn't take long to see that they are unhappily married as well, only better at pretending otherwise. These two are the catalyst that really moves the story along. Dorothy has never been happy with just one man in her life, she may have a favorite from time to time, but marriage was a huge mistake on her part.

In short order, Dorothy eventually leaves Mark, though not officially. Mark becomes a success as a tractor salesman and develops a love for racing motorcars. He also confesses to Christina that he's been in love with her ever since she'd lived at Flambards as a child. Meanwhile, Dick enters into an adulturous relationship and evenutally divorces abound.

Although it's kind of left as a cliffhanger whether or not Mark and Christina eventually marry, they have to contend with a law that forbids a man to marry his brother's widow, the author definitely leaves the impression that the change to the law required for their marriage to take place is set to happen in short order.

I actually enjoyed the growing relationship between Mark and Christina. I also found it ironic that a few times throughout the book when she was fighting her attraction to him, she couldn't help but compare him to his late brother William, commenting on unexpected similarities between the two men.

Sorry about the disjointed review here, but it's been a little while since I last read this book and things are just coming back to me as I write. All I can really finish up with is that I strongly recommend this book if you've read the rest of the trilogy. What's the worse that can happen, you either enjoy it for the wonderful story it is, or you treat it like the Godfather III and forget it ever happened.

Anyone who picked up the book Flambards Divided has already read the first three. If you read this without paying attention to the title, then, well, I can't have sympathy if you are disappointed with the events.

I loved this book.

It was very true to the characters and the times. Yes, I was rooting for Christina and Dick, too, and maybe if they'd gotten together--maybe run away together--before her marriage to Will, it would have worked out. As quiet and gentle as he was, though, Dick wanted to be the leader. Think about it. When did they REALLY get along? When Dick had the upper hand and was teaching Christina to ride, or saving her horse from a horrible death.

OK, the book was sad. Well, they were all sad, just this one had sad things happening to the main character, and "on stage." In the previous books, characters get beaten to near death, a woman gets impregnated by her employer thus ruining her life, a man dies of alcoholism, another is crippled in a fall...oh yeah, and have you really paid attention to the story arc? Every book so far has ended with the feeling that it is all solved, phew. And then the next one brings it crashing down. Yay! Christina marries Will!....but has no job. Yay! Will and Christina make a life that works...then he gets killed. Yay! Christina marries Dick!...who is totally unsuited to her apart from being cute.

If there is a next book, I vote that it be called "Flambards Remaining," because--guess what--Mark is still an alcoholic and since Peyton seems to know quite a lot about that disease, Mark is realistically doomed. The only way for Christina and Mark to have made a success of their union would be if Mark stopped drinking, but since with no guts left he drank til he vomited anyway, (which is true to life) he's not going to get any better.

It's OK, though, Christina seems to be able to take care of herself. But in that time period one was expected to find a husband.

She is VERY strong, though. When she finds out about Dick's infidelity, she will not tolerate it and will not keep the woman involved employed. Period. And Peyton makes Dick's betrayal very real, without making him a monster. As hurting as Dick is, he is still compassionate enough to give comfort to shell-shocked Mark, and still asks forgiveness from Christina when all is revealed.

I can't write this review without praising the character of Dorothy, certainly the best woman character, and maybe the best character, I have seen in a long time. Totally true to herself, completely self-aware, she is hardworking, selfish, hedonistic, unfaithful to her husband but honest in her self-assessment, and a loyal friend when it counts. The whole series is worth it just for Dorothy.

Flambards Divided makes me want to re read the whole series.