Amanda Miranda By Peck Richard

This is an excellent romantic suspense story that hinges upon the sinking of The Titanic. Forget the movie, "Titanic" -- read this book instead. This is a much-overlooked book and it deserves more attention than it has received. I was pleased to see it has enjoyed a reprint. You really can't go wrong with this book. If you buy it, you'll be glad -- it's an excellent, haunting read and it most definately entertains from beginning to end.

As an owner of one of the original 1980 unabridged editions of Amanda/Miranda, I can attest to the extraordinary writing quality of this story. Beginning with the first few lines of the Prologue until the very last page, an intricate old world story is beautifully crafted. It is written so artfully that certain passages read like prose. In addition, Mr. Peck's gifted writing style congers up such vividly clear images that while reading this tale, you feel as though you are also watching the movie. Die hard romantics (such as myself) will devour it.

Eighteen-year-old Mary comes to a grand Edwardian England mansion to be a servant to the young lady of the house, Amanda Whitwell. She is shocked to discover she looks just like Amanda, who renames Mary "Miranda." Used by the selfish, spoiled Amanda, Miranda finally sees the chance to take revenge when the two sail for America on the Titanic. But will the two be caught up in their own web of lies? And when only one survives, who is it? And does she even know herself any more? I highly reccomend this novel. I'm so glad there is now a young adult version, since I've always wanted to read it, but it was just SO LONG! (I'm 14).

Richard Peck tells a story so well that you envy the people who've never read it, because they get to experience it again for the first time. This is a great historical novel - it is romantic, its characters are broadly and wonderfully drawn, and Mr. Peck knows his history and sense of place - he instructs slyly, without demonstrative gestures. One of my favorites for 15 years.

If you got swept away by the simple story of life, love, and loss presented by the film Titanic, you should enjoy this book as well. The ill-fated luxury liner does play a key part in the novel, but there is so, so much more. Amanda is a snobby, spoiled rich girl. Miranda is a good-natured, soft-spoken peasant girl who becomes her maid. Their personalities clash in every way. They are completely different, except for one vital detail--they look exactly the same (although they are not related). Scheming Amanda realizes that she can use this similarity to her advantage. The plot twists and turns. And there are lies, lies, lies. The characters' lives are dramatically changed forever, as a result of all these lies told. Yes, the title of the book reflects the names of the two main characters, but there is a much deeper meaning to the title. Miranda becomes Amanda. Just what exactly do I mean by that? You'll find out if you read the book. Believe me, it's worth your time. My compliments go out to Richard Peck, who did a wonderful job. He managed to write a thoroughly intriguing story that you do not want to end. When the text runs out on the last page, you are, somewhat, left hanging. But, all in all, the novel is neatly contrived. Amanda/Miranda has been my absolute favorite book ever since I read it. It changed me. It made me laugh. It made me cry. Day after day of reading it made me start talking in genuine English terms (the story is set in Great Britain, during the early 1900s). This book made me think about how sometimes it seems that everything is connected on a higher level. How everything seems to work out a certain way, as if it was always intended to do so. Maybe it will make you think that, too.