A Woman of Substance (Harte Family Saga)

Mid way through the book....do very good so far.

For whatever the reason, A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford, was one of those books which always eluded me. Trying to read it on three separate occasions I never got any further than 200 pages. But this year when my online a book list decided to read this, I was determined to persevere or as Emma Harte, the heroine of the book said at the end, "To endure" till I finished the last page. And finish it I did and found myself falling in love with not only the characters portrayed in this book but with the areas of England Ms. Bradford describes as well. There are books we all read who give us characters we will never forget. Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With the Wind, Father Ralph and Meggie from The Thorn Birds, Ari Ben Canaan and Kitty from Exodus. And to this list I now add the name Emma Harte. A Woman of Substance is a grand book told over close to six decades and also introduces us to the Yorkshire area of England as well as the cities of Leeds and London. And as if that wasn't enough we come to know dear friends of Emma's like Blackie and the Kallinski family as well as enemies and rivals from the Fairley family. We also come to know Emmas brothers Frank and Winston and her children and grandchildren. Emma, through great business acumen and the will to succeed, rises from a maid in a wealthy home to own a multimillion dollar enterprise. She does this to reap revenge on her former employer and his son, two men who have little understanding of their actions and the consequences. As Emma becomes more and more successful she finds herself marrying several men but only one does she love with all her heart. If you enjoyed books like The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly and As the Crow Flies by Jeffrey Archer, I highly suggest you read this oldie and keeper of a book. I now look forward to read the next book in this series Hold That Dream and the rest including the newest one, Unexpected Blessing, which was just published. .

This is my first book by BTB and won't be my last. I chose this strictly because I had seen three other books that related to this one, two which were part of the trilogy. I figured I would give it a try, as I love epics. I was definitely not disappointed. The characters were so vivid and real to me, I couldn't put the book down. At over 700 pages hardback, it is quite a read, but I have done it in less than a week. I absolutely couldn't get anything done until I found out what happened. I love the way she set it up- she got you hooked, then let you dangle for oh, 699 pages!!!If you are a fan of Sara Donati's "Wilderness" books, you will definitely love this. I can't wait until tomorrow to get the sequel.

I first read this book at least 20 years ago and think it will be a true classic. It is beautifully written by a very gifted author. The use of the English language is as joyful to read as Shakespeare, and the story is enthralling. It is a must for every young woman because it tells of the power of being a woman and the pitfalls. Voices of the Heart, Bradfords second novel I believe, was also extremely well written. Unfortunately as she has progressed through the years her story telling and use of the language have turned to pulp fiction. I wish she would take five years to write another classic!

I watch more TV than I read, but Barbara Taylor Bradford has changed my thinking. I specifically am searching for her books now, because "A Woman of Substance" really grabbed me.I laughed and I cried and I was really shocked. When I got near the end of the book, I did not want the story to end. I could really feel the friendships with Emma and Blackie. They were always there for eachother through everything. They're relationship moved me. And the book was very inspiring for me as a woman. She didn't wimp out and kept fighting for what she wanted and what she earned.