Beau Crusoe

Truthfully, it's not my favorite book. That honor is held in rotation by "Miss Whittier Makes a List" and "Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand". But the fact that Mrs. Kelly (my Mum) can branch out into something a bit more risque than her usual prim and proper "regencies" speaks volumes about her ability to adapt. I have the distinct privilige of working at a high-traffic book store and can say first-hand how much more often we sell those "bodice rippers", or as Mum and I call them, "literary porn". Yes, it's true that in her past books, any reference to sex at all was subtle and "correct". However, the fact is, my mum adapted to a new publisher who asked her to go just a bit farther. While reading it, Mum, I often wondered if you were comfortable with what you had produced, but the big picture remains that it is a novel with some lovely characters in it (something you've always been top-notch with), a sometimes morbid, yet gripping plot and a satisfactory ending. None of those silly, flippant females one encounters so often in other novels. Mum, others may "elevate their slender noses" at you for your foray into a more sexual territory, but I'm just pleased that you were able to (again) do something new. I look forward to hearing about the upcoming new ones (oh, I do miss reading over your shoulder!), and wish you a heartfelt congratulations on your soon-to-be-former status at the TR. I love and miss you! And, Mary Ruth, I had to turn on the fan too! ;)

Every now and then I read a romance novel that makes me realise the extent to which I've settled, so that I will accept a competently written novel with relatively few flaws and raise it to the status of an exceptional novel. Carla Kelly's "Beau Crusoe" hit this realisation home once again. I'm not saying I won't make this mistake again and again, in the months to come, but for now I'm basking in the satisfaction of having read a romance novel that satisfied on EVERY LEVEL -- a good story, brilliantly fleshed out with characters that were engaging and that made me care and a romance subplot that just had me rooting for the couple from beginning to end. A beautiful and sweet natured young widow, Susannah Park has spent the last few years of her life living quietly with her young son, Noah, at her parents' home. The trouble is that Susannah had eloped with the man she loved to India, where tragically, her young husband died, leaving Susanna all alone (but for Noah), penniless and with a tarnished reputation. Another sad result of her elopement is her estrangement from her elder sister, Loisa, who holds Susannah responsible for her lack of marriage offers. Susannah's life is far from ideal, but she soldiers on, maintaining a cheerful demeanor and taking comfort and joy from Noah and her godparents, who live in the neighbouring estate. Little does Susannah realise however how much her life is about to change with the arrival of James Trevenen. The first mate of the Orion, which sank six years ago, Trevenen was the only man to survive and lived for 5 years on a deserted island, where, in order to keep his sanity, he spent his time observing the crabs on the island. Now, back in England, Trevenen is about to be presented a medal by the Royal Society for his work. Susannah's godfather, however, has given Trevenen a few further tasks -- that of sorting things out in Susannah's eccentric household and marrying Susannah himself. Trevenen has no intention of marrying, but the sweet-natured Susannah is rather making him wish that he was free to marry, and to marry her... "Beau Crusoe" was a truly unexpected treat -- I really didn't expect to have the good fortune to read a new, well written, romance novel just now (I do not include the Georgette Heyer reprints in this category). And really how could anyone find fault with a good story well told (no oft repeated and tired plot devices or plot motifs), and peopled with well realised characters (in other words, no heroes or heroines who act rashly and temperamentally and just make you tug your hair in frustration)? "Beau Crusoe" was just pure pleasure to read from beginning to end -- there was just so much to enjoy and to find one's attention engaged by. Like the romance subplot between Susannah and Trevenen: I thought that the author did a really good job of developing the relationship between these two, making the romance that blossoms between them believable and so making it for one to root for them to ach

Stranded alone on a desert island for five years, Lieutenant James Trevenen focused his attention on an indigenous species of fiddler crab as a way to keep his sanity. After his rescue and return to England, he documented his observations on the crabs (the Gloriosa Jubilate, as he familiarly named them) in a treatise that was greeted with great acclaim. When Trevenen is invited to London to receive an award from the Royal Society, his would-be host, Sir Joseph Banks, is ill with gout and puts Trevenen in the care of his dotty neighbor, Lord Watchmere. The Watchmere household is in a state of constant disarray due, in part, to Lord Watchmere's obsessive birdwatching. (He even keeps a pair of disruptive and nasty toucans in his foyer.) Unfortunately, the rest of the household has limited ability to "escape" the situation due to a lack of funds and because they are shunned by the ton as a result of the elopement of the younger daughter, Susannah, with her father's kind but unsuitable secretary, David Park, years earlier. Now widowed and once again living at home with her young son, Susannah earns her keep by painting archival watercolors of newly discovered plants sent to the Royal Gardens of Kew. Susannah's social shame is shared by her mother and her plain-faced and bitter sister, Loisa. Sir Joseph thinks Trevenen is a very competent young man and sets him three tasks to perform in the two weeks he will be in London: get rid of the toucans, do something about Loisa, and marry Susannah. James Trevenen begins to think he would have been better off remaining in Cornwall, but his resourcefulness and humor enable him to tackle not only Sir Joseph's tasks, but numerous others with modest equanimity, earning him the nickname of "Beau Crusoe" among London's elite. But amidst the accolades, Trevenen is fighting dark battles--both with the ghostly memories of his unspeakable past, and with a vengeful ex-lover. As Trevenen struggles for his sanity, those who have come to love and respect him struggle to unlock his secrets and save him from his enemies, both real and unreal.* This book was chock full of interesting characters, historical detail, social commentary, witty exchanges and amusing incidents, and the deep psychological study of a man who would today be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. All of these elements are brilliantly woven together into a compelling story that I will definitely want to reread. Fans of Carla Kelly may approach this book with preconceptions based on her backlist, but this book does not adhere to the "Regency Romance" formula. Instead, it is an historical romance set in the Regency period--a small but significant distinction. That said, things that other readers might have found objectionable--such as Trevenen's admittedly sordid relationship with Lady Audley--are things that I feel added richness, texture, and believability to the story. This book does have a few faults--due in part to the length

I am writing this review, not just because this book moved me to do so, but also to respond an earlier review. I too love Carla Kelly's books...she is an automatic buy and will continue to be one...her books are definitely "keepers" in my library and are well worn from repeated readings. This book is no exception. Although, I do admit to some trepidation when I realized what the "secret" troubling James was. It's easy to discern fairly early in the book what is "haunting" James and I was not sure how this would play in a romance. But, once again, Ms. Kelly takes a subject that's hard to even think about and imbues it with grace and compassion. Her celebration of life and humanity, with all its challenges and triumphs, shortcomings and virtues, darkness and light, is once again seen here in Beau Crusoe. The main characters, James and Susannah, are instantly likable and fun to watch as their relationship develops. They both are quiet, humorous, and self-effacing with a strength they don't seem to recognize until they see it in each other. There is laughter with the tears as they find in themselves the strength they thought was missing. They have each met and mastered seemly insurmountable obstacles, but it is together that they become whole. The love scenes in Beau Crusoe are more mature than her previous books with a little more description, but are warm, tender, and tasteful. Her books have always taken a healthy position when it comes to the physical side of love...this is just a little "healthier"...and I for one loved it! Where I disagree with an earlier review of this book is in the handling of the scenes between James and Lady Audley (the adulterous nymphomaniac). I don't see their interactions as trashy or wasted space in this story. In fact, I believe what happened between them is important in understanding James. Ugly it may have been, but it was also reflective of his mental state at the time. Yes, it was ugly, and there should be no sugar-coating of it. The narratives describing it were not lurid or exploitive, but helped to make me feel how shameful and shamed James was by the experience. I have been unfortunate to have read some pretty awful "sex solely for gratification" scenes in books and these were actually very, very mild in comparison. Well that's my opinion, for what it's worth, on another truly wonderful romance by Carla Kelly. Thank you Ms. Kelly for once again making me laugh, cry, and sigh through to the last page!