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Mass Market Paperback Ceremony of Innocent Book

ISBN: 0449233383

ISBN13: 9780449233382

Ceremony of the Innocent

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Format: Mass Market Paperback

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Book Overview

New York Times Bestseller: The quest for the American Dream soars to new heights in this coming-of-age story of a young woman and her country. Living with her aunt in poor, rural Preston, Pennsylvania, thirteen-year-old Ellen Watson loves books and music and is completely oblivious to her own beauty. But her extraordinary looks arouse envy and malice in the female townspeople--and lust in the males. Hired as a housemaid in the palatial home of the village mayor, Ellen soon catches the attention of his son, Jeremy Porter, who captures her heart in turn. He offers to send her to school, and four years later he proposes marriage. As the years pass, Ellen's life parallels the hopes, dreams, and fears of a no-longer innocent nation. As America's enemies gather, Ellen must face her own demons. The wife of the scion of a powerful political family, she has everything she could ever desire: security, children, and a successful, adoring husband. But when tragedy rips her life apart, Ellen will be forced to confront some terrible truths about her marriage, her family, and herself. Played out against the backdrop of early twentieth-century America, Ceremony of the Innocent intertwines Ellen's personal journey with America's emergence from the devastation of World War I. It raises vital questions, such as: Are we as good as we believe we are? And is faith enough to keep us moving forward even in the face of unimaginable loss? This description may be from another edition of this product.

Customer Reviews

7 customer ratings | 5 reviews

Rated 5 stars
Prophetic, on many levels

Art is in the eye of the beholder. While some may have failed to see the "message" in this book, I think that this story tells more about human nature, and its dark side, as well as giving great insight into who is really calling the shots in the destruction of America, than any book that I have ever read. The "innocence" here, as epitomized by Ellen, is also symbolic of what Americans have become as a people.....apathetic,...

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Rated 5 stars
a beautiful mixture of fact and fiction

To the conspiracy addicts, it a great book. She minces no words. She comes right out with it, from the hip and, especially, from the heart. To the romance set, she is superb. Delicately bringing man and God together, where they should have been all along.A truly fine book. One I will always cherish. She has grave concerns about our country. She has in depth insight into human nature and, above all, she places God where...

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Rated 5 stars
A classic

My first Taylor Caldwell book and I can't wait to read more of her works. Initially, I was reluctant to read this novel---from its outward appearance, it closely resembles a romance novel. Indeed, there is romance, but the overriding theme is the political message which the reader cannot help but relate to what is happening in (to) our country today. I intend to buy more copies and distribute them to my friends.....

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Rated 5 stars
A Lost Classic

A book containing some of the most lovable, hateful, complex, and narrow minded characters I have ever seen. It is the eye-opening tale of a changing country and a women named Ellen Watson - who's most beautiful characteristic is her worst and most dangerous enemy. A definite reccommend for anyone who is interested in Taylor Caldwell's books. As an avid reader, I find this story one of the most moving and memorable I've come...

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Rated 5 stars
A Masterpiece! I recommend Ceremony of the Innocent...

especially to any young girl for more than the reading pleasure, which will keep her pressed to the pages, as she follows Ellen Watson, but for an understanding of structural American hisory, and politics. In a unique romantic novel, Taylor Caldwell, draws you intimately closer to Ellen and, therefore, America. With an affection towards her success from her youth through the developing years into maturity and her impending...

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