The Favoured Child is book number two in the Wideacre Trilogy (Number one being the very controversial Wideacre). Set 10 or so years later it charts the path of the two Lacey heirs, Richard and Julia who are struggling to put Wideacre, the Estate left in ruins by Beatrice Lacey, back on its feet in late eighteenth century England.
I had read Wideacre over 8 years ago so at first was a little concerned whether I would be able to get into book number 2 with such a gap inbetween. I remembered the main details (will try not to spoil it if you haven't read it) but minor details were a bit hazy to say the least. I needn't have worried as I found I fell straight back into it. To compliment Gregory's writing, she certainly knows how to grip a reader. As with most of the Gregory books I have read, it's a "I'll just read one more page (another 30 pages later)" kind of book. Whilst previous characters are a plenty it did feel like you were reading an entirely new book, although reading Wideacre beforehand is strongly recommended. I was surprised to note that The Favoured Child was originally published in the 80's, I had no idea Gregory had been writing for so long.
The book had very strong characters, some which I liked, some that I didn't (no prizes for guessing who!) Whilst I did think Richard was vile I wanted Gregory to push further with him, not with what he did (as lets face it he did enough) but with his torment of Julia. I think psychologically he could have been far more evil. I liked how the truth about Richard and Julia was not revealed until further through book. Even though you knew their history from reading Wideacre the late reveal in Favoured Child built the suspense.
I liked Ralph but couldn't equate the Favoured Child's version with Wideacres. Perhaps this was due to time delay in reading the two. I also really liked James. I felt his section of the book lead the reader in a direction I didn't necessary see it going and I was disappointed this didn't go further (book three maybe?)
Julia forever seemed to be accepting who she was but then questioning it and despite her being Beatrice's heir she never fully maximised the power Beatrice was capable of exercising. Whilst she was heavily influenced by her mama (who was far too naïve for me) not even when cornered did Julia show the fight that never once left Beatrice most effectively illustrated when Richard dealt with James.
As with Beatrice Julia totally lost all battles and whilst you could argue the end of the book was the only way she could salvage anything, I'm not sure. Gregory's books always features passionate women snared in a male dominated society. Here Julia perhaps had the most freedom and potential of all of her characters only for her to throw it away by a series of silly judgement calls and decisions. I was disappointed by the result of the summer house scene, thinking it very predictable. I also didn't get Julia's occasional reliance/protection of Richard, I just didn't equate that to Julia.
I realised half way through the book I was reading with a sense of dread - that Julia would turn bad as Beatrice did. The way Wideacre was written despite Beatrice's horribleness you were still somehow routing for her to make things right and to see the error of her ways. I was the same with Julia only this time it was despite her terrible choices.
The last in the series is Meridon and I'm not sure whether I will read it or not. There certainly are loose ends but equally Favoured Child does feel complete in some ways and I'm not sure whether I want to read about another woman at one with the earth. I have no doubt it will keep me gripped but I might give it some time like I did with Favoured Child. I have realised that I do tend to slightly put off reading a Gregory book only to really enjoy it when it's next on the reading pile, why? Is it the hopeless plight of the women she features? The eternal doomed battle against all powerful men? I'm not sure, does anyone else find this about her books?
I had read Wideacre over 8 years ago so at first was a little concerned whether I would be able to get into book number 2 with such a gap inbetween. I remembered the main details (will try not to spoil it if you haven't read it) but minor details were a bit hazy to say the least. I needn't have worried as I found I fell straight back into it. To compliment Gregory's writing, she certainly knows how to grip a reader. As with most of the Gregory books I have read, it's a "I'll just read one more page (another 30 pages later)" kind of book. Whilst previous characters are a plenty it did feel like you were reading an entirely new book, although reading Wideacre beforehand is strongly recommended. I was surprised to note that The Favoured Child was originally published in the 80's, I had no idea Gregory had been writing for so long.
The book had very strong characters, some which I liked, some that I didn't (no prizes for guessing who!) Whilst I did think Richard was vile I wanted Gregory to push further with him, not with what he did (as lets face it he did enough) but with his torment of Julia. I think psychologically he could have been far more evil. I liked how the truth about Richard and Julia was not revealed until further through book. Even though you knew their history from reading Wideacre the late reveal in Favoured Child built the suspense.
I liked Ralph but couldn't equate the Favoured Child's version with Wideacres. Perhaps this was due to time delay in reading the two. I also really liked James. I felt his section of the book lead the reader in a direction I didn't necessary see it going and I was disappointed this didn't go further (book three maybe?)
Julia forever seemed to be accepting who she was but then questioning it and despite her being Beatrice's heir she never fully maximised the power Beatrice was capable of exercising. Whilst she was heavily influenced by her mama (who was far too naïve for me) not even when cornered did Julia show the fight that never once left Beatrice most effectively illustrated when Richard dealt with James.
As with Beatrice Julia totally lost all battles and whilst you could argue the end of the book was the only way she could salvage anything, I'm not sure. Gregory's books always features passionate women snared in a male dominated society. Here Julia perhaps had the most freedom and potential of all of her characters only for her to throw it away by a series of silly judgement calls and decisions. I was disappointed by the result of the summer house scene, thinking it very predictable. I also didn't get Julia's occasional reliance/protection of Richard, I just didn't equate that to Julia.
I realised half way through the book I was reading with a sense of dread - that Julia would turn bad as Beatrice did. The way Wideacre was written despite Beatrice's horribleness you were still somehow routing for her to make things right and to see the error of her ways. I was the same with Julia only this time it was despite her terrible choices.
The last in the series is Meridon and I'm not sure whether I will read it or not. There certainly are loose ends but equally Favoured Child does feel complete in some ways and I'm not sure whether I want to read about another woman at one with the earth. I have no doubt it will keep me gripped but I might give it some time like I did with Favoured Child. I have realised that I do tend to slightly put off reading a Gregory book only to really enjoy it when it's next on the reading pile, why? Is it the hopeless plight of the women she features? The eternal doomed battle against all powerful men? I'm not sure, does anyone else find this about her books?
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