Matters of the Heart
by Danielle Steel
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Book Summary Information
Author: Danielle SteelEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-06-02
ISBN: 0385340273
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Book Reviews of Matters of the Heart
Book Review: Decent Steel Fare...
Summary: 3 Stars
I must admit that I am not a HUGE Danielle Steel fan, but I do enjoy the occasional romantic yarn. Most of the Steel novels that I've read are her "unique" outings, such as "Malice," "The Klone and I," etc. I like it when she tries something new...
"Matters of the Heart" attracted me because it was billed as a "psychological thriller" and a "gothic romance." I think these descriptions are fairly accurate. So, does Steel succeed with this outing?
Yes and no...
There is some repetition in the writing. For instance, we learn that the main character is upset with her boyfriend. She loves him, but she's upset with him. Two paragraphs later, Steel literally repeats herself: (character's name) is upset with her boyfriend, but she loves him. Sometimes this works in Steel's favor, but usually it just wastes space.
Many reviewers exclaimed how much they disliked the main character. Instead of saying I don't like her, I will say that she is a weak-willed and lonely character. Her actions are influenced by her solitary life. When the boyfriend starts treating her cruelly, readers want to tell her "Get out now!" But she doesn't. Steel does a great job of illustrating the woman's lonely existence and I believe it is meant for us to understand why she doesn't leave. In reality, many people stay in bad relationships because they are afraid.
If the idea of the previous paragraph annoys you, then you probably won't like this book. It is essentially about a lonely woman who stays in an increasingly bad relationship. You'll hate the boyfriend by the end of the novel, which I think signifies the strength of Steel's writing here. I was very invested in the characters and I wanted them to change.
While this novel isn't nearly as graphic or disturbing as "Malice," it is equally dark. This novel examines the nature of a sociopath and, fittingly, is not an uplifting read. The characters are flawed, which (in my opinion) makes them more interesting. However, if you prefer to read about heroic characters...this is not the book for you!
Aside from Steel's grating repetition, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a fun summer beach read, especially for fans of Steel looking for some variety in her gigantic collection of works.
Summary of Matters of the Heart
In a spellbinding blend of suspense and human drama, Danielle Steel tells a powerful and unusual story of one woman?s journey from darkness into light, as she fights to escape a mesmerizing sociopath who holds her in his thrall?.Hope Dunne has carved out a name for herself as a top photographer, known the joys of marriage and motherhood, and the heartbreak of loss. In her chic SoHo loft, Hope is content with her life, finding serenity and beauty through the lens of her camera. She isn?t looking for a man or excitement. But these things find her when she accepts a last- minute assignment to fly to London at Christmas and photograph one of the world?s most celebrated writers?an Irish-American author known for novels of thrilling literary darkness.
To Hope?s surprise, Finn O?Neill exudes warmth and a boyish charm. Enormously successful, he is a perfect counterpoint to Hope?s quiet, steady grace?and he?s taken instantly by her. He courts her as no one ever has before, whisking her away to his palatial, isolated Irish estate.
Hope finds it all, and him, irresistible. Finn?s magnetism and brilliance are undeniable. But soon cracks begin to appear in his stories: gaps in his history, a few innocent lies, and bouts of jealousy unnerve her. Suddenly Hope is both in love and suspicious, caring and deeply in doubt, and ultimately frightened of the man she loves. Alone, thousands of miles from home, her mind is reeling. Is she just being paranoid? How many lies has he told? Are there more secrets to come? Is it possible that this adoring, attentive man?like the characters in his novels?is hiding something even worse? The spell cast by a brilliant sociopath has her trapped in his web, too confused and dazzled to escape as he continues to tighten his grip on her.
With razor-sharp insight, Danielle Steel delivers an unforgettable tale of danger and obsessive love. Fearlessly telling the truth, refusing to look away, Steel proves once again that as an American storyteller she has no peer when she explores the dark secrets that sometimes lurk just below the surface of ordinary lives, writing about men and women and their courage to prevail, in this case, even in the face of evil.
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