Title: Glamorous Illisions
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Series: 1st
Pages: 416
Published: June 1st 2012
by David C. Cook
ISBN: 9781434764300
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Description: When Cora Kensington
learns she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king, her life
changes forever. Even as she explores Europe with her new family, she
discovers that the most valuable journey is within. The first book in
the Grand Tour series takes you from the farms of Montana through
England and France on an adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awakening,
and self-discovery.
I Give This ...
After reading her River of Time series, I was more than willing to give Bergren's other's books a shot as well. When this one came on my radar, I really loved the sound of it. And while I didn't get the overly Christian fictions feel with her series, I thought this one might have a little bit more. I was right, and also completely ok with it.
I really loved the lavish backdrop that this story is set in. Who doesn't love the traditional rags to riches story. I love that Cora is bound and determined to show that she can be different. She shows how her upbringing has affected who she is. But, it's also apparent that some of her characteristics come from her father. I think that is definitely something she needs to come to terms with over the course of this book. She does a very good job of coming to terms with what has happened to her, but she also needs to realize her place within the family might not be exactly what she thought.
I've never heard of the Grand Tour before and found the concept fascinating. The American rich trying to pretend they are some new generation of nobility by mimicking what they do for their coming of age children. I wonder what European nobility thought of the practice when it first began. I think it would be fun to be an outsider looking in on all of this. The idea of being able to attend all of these functions and learn about all the history in each country sounds awesome.
I liked the family dynamics behind all this. Her father surprised me the most. From the little we do get to see of him, I didn't like him very much. But, by pushing Cora to accept who she is on her own (plus admitting his own faults and failures) show what kind of man he is. I liked her siblings because I think they were true to who they were plus how they should be in the situation. I also really enjoyed William and look forward to were the story goes with is character.
I will be continuing this series. I think I found another winner with Bergren!
I Give This ...
After reading her River of Time series, I was more than willing to give Bergren's other's books a shot as well. When this one came on my radar, I really loved the sound of it. And while I didn't get the overly Christian fictions feel with her series, I thought this one might have a little bit more. I was right, and also completely ok with it.
I really loved the lavish backdrop that this story is set in. Who doesn't love the traditional rags to riches story. I love that Cora is bound and determined to show that she can be different. She shows how her upbringing has affected who she is. But, it's also apparent that some of her characteristics come from her father. I think that is definitely something she needs to come to terms with over the course of this book. She does a very good job of coming to terms with what has happened to her, but she also needs to realize her place within the family might not be exactly what she thought.
I've never heard of the Grand Tour before and found the concept fascinating. The American rich trying to pretend they are some new generation of nobility by mimicking what they do for their coming of age children. I wonder what European nobility thought of the practice when it first began. I think it would be fun to be an outsider looking in on all of this. The idea of being able to attend all of these functions and learn about all the history in each country sounds awesome.
I liked the family dynamics behind all this. Her father surprised me the most. From the little we do get to see of him, I didn't like him very much. But, by pushing Cora to accept who she is on her own (plus admitting his own faults and failures) show what kind of man he is. I liked her siblings because I think they were true to who they were plus how they should be in the situation. I also really enjoyed William and look forward to were the story goes with is character.
I will be continuing this series. I think I found another winner with Bergren!
Need to read this author's work...and fast! Heard a lot about the Rivers of Time trilogy, and now that I know she also writes historical fiction- I AM IN!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!