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From Amazon
Penny Vincenzi's No Angel is probably her most accomplished yet, and draws on many elements of the author's own life in journalism and publishing. Since inaugurating her writing career with Old Sins, Vincenzi has developed into one of the most stylish and compelling writers of blockbusting fiction with such novels as Another Woman, Forbidden Places, and Almost a Crime achieving phenomenal sales and a devoted readership that follows her work very closely.
Set in Lyttons, a great publishing house, this saga takes us into the lives of the family who owns it, and the dramas of crossed loyalties, ambition and deception inform a narrative that carries the reader along with great gusto. Vincenzi's canvas at the start of the book is the Edwardian era known as the Belle Époque, a time in which society contrasted hedonistic luxury and great social deprivation, with the First World War waiting in the wings to sweep so much away.
Celia Lytton is the firm-minded and ambitious wife of Oliver Lytton, the head of the publishing house that bears his name. Sylvia Miller, coming from a background of crushing poverty, is threatened by Celia's intrusion into her life, when Sylvia's youngest daughter is taken from the family to join the Lyttons and move in a different social circle. Sebastian Brooke, the author of a much-acclaimed children's book, finds himself both professionally and personally involved with the ambitious Celia.
This is the first volume in a series, The Spoils of Time, and Vincenzi sets out her stall impressively. We are very quickly involved in the larger-than-life experiences of these powerfully drawn characters, and as well as telling a thoroughly involving tale, the author is able to deal with some serious questions over good and evil. Most of all, it is her charismatic characters (such as the willful Celia) that make a lasting impression on the reader and the author's ability to keep the reader engrossed:
Celia had been right, Oliver was initially resistant to the risks of making love to her; but a mixture of emotional blackmail and a determined onslaught on his senses worked quite quickly. They found a physical delight in each other almost at once; Oliver was not exactly experienced, indeed his own knowledge had been gained at the hands of a couple of chorus girls introduced by his best friend at Oxford, but it was sufficient to guide him through Celia's initiation.--Barry Forshaw --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Bestselling British author Vincenzi follows the tumultuous lives of London's Lytton family through the early 20th century in her first novel to be published in the U.S. At the story's center is Lady Celia Beckenham, a strong-willed, blue-blooded beauty who forces her parents to bless her marriage to the lower-ranking Oliver Lytton, employed in the "rough world of publishing," by getting pregnant. Taking her maternal duties in stride (her ugly baby, Giles, is initially "something of a disappointment"), Celia talks her way into an editorial position at Lyttons Publishing House, and quickly proves herself a fast learner with a head full of successful ideas. As years pass and more children arrive, Celia becomes known for her editorial skills and her familial devotion. But when Oliver returns after four years of fighting in WWI, her perfect world begins to crumble he is dismayed by the books Lyttons has published under Celia's and his sister LM's guidance, and he has lost all desire for his wife. Celia seeks comfort in the arms of a handsome new author, and as she falls into an all-consuming affair, she begins to contemplate leaving Oliver: "She would have to go; go with Sebastian. Anything else was madness. She explored the decision for a few minutes, waiting for uncertainty to return. It didn't." But as Celia struggles to make her life-altering decision, events around her cause her to see herself and her family in a new light and to ponder what her life would be like if she weren't a Lytton. Through life and death, exuberance and sorrow, honor and disgrace, Vincenzi perfectly captures the intricacies of her characters and creates plots captivating enough to keep readers eyes' glued to this long and hearty saga.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a great story! Can't wait to read #2!,
By
This review is from: No Angel (Paperback)
Like many of the other people who have posted their own reviews of this book, I couldn't seem to put this novel down!It reminded me a lot of The Forsyte Saga (and indeed, that saga is actually mentioned in No Angel) in that it had a great cast of characters, great story lines and spanned many years. Each character in No Angel was created very well and I felt for each and every one of them; when their hearts broke, mine did as well. When they smiled, I smiled too. There were so many plot twists and ups and downs that, at times, I felt like I was on a wild roller coaster! I would definitely recommend this to others because I really think they'd enjoy it as much as I have.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Riveting,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: No Angel (Paperback)
I couldn't put this down, and can't wait to read the next in the series. Penny Vinzenzi is the type of author I could have on my bookshelves all the time.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real Page Turner,
By Pamela Mckinnon "Traveling Pam" (Vancouver Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: No Angel (Paperback)
This is a fabulous story. I couldn't put this book down. The characters are so believable and they come to life. I thought while reading, surely these people actually lived, they are so enthralling. I found Penny Vincenzi quite by chance while browsing my local bookstore. I intend to read every book she has written. I agree with one of the other reviewers that some of the continuity and grammer is sometimes confusing but I think this is Vincenzi's style. She starts a paragraph with a conversation of people who you tend to think are the people you just read about in the previous chapter, but that is part of the "hook".I can't praise this book enough. I thought it was fabulous. I absolutely love Celia Lytton and give me a Sabastion any day!!!
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