- Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Pocket; Reissue edition (Sep 1 1995)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0671521438
- ISBN-13: 978-0671521431
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 12.7 x 3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 136 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #440,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
A vivid imagination and a love for fantasy are prerequisites for reading Barnett's (Bewitching) newest comedy romance. In 1896, 30-ish attorney Margaret Huntington Smith reluctantly goes on holiday to the South Seas. After the steamship boiler blows, Margaret, three orphaned children and a goat are rescued and brought abroad a lifeboat by Hank Wyatt, an escaped fugitive who was stowed away on Margaret's ship. Despite a raging storm, the castaways make it to a self-contained tropical island where they easily adapt. The only thing they have to do is learn how to get along with each other?not an easy task for Hank, a self-involved, hard-bitten lifer, wrongly accused of murder. He is a reluctant provider, yet he finds within himself a soft spot and becomes a father figure to the children. The goat is Hank's four-legged bane, and Margaret is his human nemesis; her talking drives him crazy. Margaret has her own problems with learning how to be domestic. She burns everything she cooks and occasionally misplaces a child. Soon the six shipwrecks are joined by Muddy, a genie, complete with classic old bottle. Muddy is a silly but delightful character who takes the children flying and serves as foil for a classic comic pas de deux with Hank. In fact, the antics overwhelm the romance, but it's doubtful readers will care. As a whole, the story is unusual: its plot manages to sidestep cliches and stereotypes and the short, fast dialogue give it a refreshingly clipped liveliness.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Although Barnett's latest demands a greater initial suspension of disbelief than some, once the story gets under way, the characters take over and the fun begins. A genuine genii, an escaped convict with a Humphrey Bogart air, a high-society San Francisco lawyer, and three enchanting children all shipwrecked together on an island paradise provide the unlikely ingredients for a whimsical romp with a tidy resolution. Occasionally, the humor becomes slapstick, and the middle could have been more rigorously edited, but the author's clean writing style and clever characters keep the pace lively. Barnett (Dreaming, Pocket Bks., 1994) has written a number of other light, imaginative historicals. [Barnett lives in Pleasanton, Cal.]
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cute, Funny and Totally Original!,
By "klpepsi" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Imagine (Mass Market Paperback)
Maggie Smith, a wealthy San Francisco attorney, is sent on vacation to the South Seas by her father. Hank Wyatt has just escaped from a maximum-security prison, where he has served several years of a life sentence for a murder he didn't commit. Hank stows away aboard the ship Maggie is sailing on, both unaware in a few hours they will be fighting for their very lives. They sail into a raging storm, the ship's boiler blows, and Hank saves the lives of Maggie, three orphaned children, and a goat. Floating in a life raft, they eventually make landfall on a deserted tropical island. Hank, who is arrogant, self-centered and cynical, knows how to survive. And since he's the man, it's his place to think, be in control, and he's undoubtedly always right. So when they set up a temporary life and routine on the island, they disagree on everything. Maggie is delegated responsibility for cooking and childcare, two things she knows nothing about. Consequently she burns the food, and occasionally loses a child. Hank and Maggie fight their growing attraction for each other, while trying to survive. One of the children stumbles upon an actual genie in the bottle, and is granted the requisite three wishes. Eventually they are rescued, but what will happen when they all return to civilization? Ms. Barnett never ceases to amaze me with her wonderful stories, and this was no exception. This read was sweet, endearing, and just pure fun! Maggie and Hank couldn't be more polar opposites, but they of course find common ground to fall in love. Maggie was an interesting heroine - strong, independent, and progressive for the late 1800's. In the beginning, Hank was an intriguing hero, but not all that likeable. However, he began to soften and we saw him ultimately change for the better. The kids added an extra dimension to the story making them more of a family, and Muddy the genie was also a cute addition. The humor this author is so talented at adding to her stories was definitely here as well. This is a keeper, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend reading it!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderfuly Touching and Funny Read!,
By
This review is from: Imagine (Mass Market Paperback)
Whenever I read a Jill Barnett book, a smile is generally plastered on my face until I finish. Rarely have I found an author who can charm me so completely. Barnett, however, does it every time. To say her characters are endearing, would be an understatement!In addition to making me laugh, Barnett is also able to write deeply touching and sweet stories. Imagine is no exception. I found I was both laughing and crying as the story of Hank, Maggie, and the orphans unfolded. At first I was a bit reluctant to read Imagine, since I feared the romance would be lessened by the prominent incorporation of childern into the storyline. Thankfully, my fears were all for naught. Even though I'm not a big fan of kids, these characters completely charmed the socks off me, and were also integral to the central theme of family. Plus, the romance suffered not a wit. There were plenty of sensual, romantic scenes to be found on that island. All in all, Imagine is a greatly satisfying read that you should do everything in your power to get ahold of!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Charming, romance novel,
By
This review is from: Imagine (Mass Market Paperback)
I bought "Imagine" about eights months ago and I let it sit on my bookshelf until last week. Well, I'm very sorry that I didn't read it earlier. "Imagine" is a great story about finding love that has been waiting for you for your whole life. Ms. Barnett is able to bring out real emotions in her characters and keep the reader wanting more.
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