Taking Liberties

This is the second in the series of the Makepeace Hedley triology by the writer, Diana Norman. Makepeace has buried her first aristocratic husband Phillip Dapifer and is now married to her second husband who is in France at the time of the opening of this novel. Makepeace's daughter, Phillipa, has not returned to England and Makepeace sets out to find Phillipa and an old friend's son, Josh who is travelling back to England with Phillipa. The Countess of Stacpoole is introduced in this story and thus begins a tale about friendship and liberty between Makepeace and the Countess. In the first book in the series, Makepeace is not accepted in English aristocratic society and she has a difficult time seeing the good in Countess Stacpoole. The story is about their friendship and the pursuit of liberty for Josh, for Makepeace, for imprisoned soldiers, for Countess Stacpoole and for Countess Stacpoole's loyal servant and friend, Tobias. There is humor, passion, great happiness as well as sadness in this story and it is well worth reading.

This book's a keeper. Very enjoyable story of adventure and a touch of romance in England during the time of the American revolution. It revolves around two women, Diana, an artistocrat widow at odds with her son trying to help a dear American friend by finding out about her son who is a prisoner of war, and Makepeace, a former American tavern-keeper now nouveau riche, who is seeking her daughter and the companion and servant who were accompanying her returning across the Atlantic. They dislike each other at first sight but as time goes on and their paths keep crossing they come to be friends and help each other in improving conditions for the American detainees and eventually breaking them out of prison to send to France. There are a number of other colorful characters, the townspeople of the Devon coast with their quaint speech who supplement their fishing income by smuggling, the dashing French captain also involved in the smuggling trade, the black prisoner who is a gifted artist. Underlying the adventure is a message about what freedom really means. I have become very jaded about the many books reviewed that promise 5 stars for books that really are only worth 3. But this one is definitely the exception. It is worth 5. In fact I think it would make an excellent movie.

I really loved this book. It moved swiftly, and I found myself telling friend after friend after friend about it. Norman took such time and care spinning out her amazing cast of characters that I was truly transported to 18th century Devon.

From the first page, I was hooked! This book is very well-written, has a vast array of characters - each of whom is well developed and has heros, heroines & villains. The setting is vivid; the attention to historical accuracy is rewarding & refreshing. It was interesting to me to read a book set during the American Revolutionary War that takes place in England! The English, quite naturally, didn't think of Americans as "fighting for their independence," but, rather as "people rebelling against their sovereign, Good King George." An interesting angle, that I, as an American - raised on American history books - never fully considered. I am very reluctant to say anything that will give plot development away, so I will just say that Ms. Norman wraps everything up in a most clever way that had me chuckling quietly to myself. I am excited to share my copy with my mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and best friend! This is a delightful book worthy of a book club/discussion group to examine the different ideas and sub-plots presented or one to simply read and savor all by yourself. P.S. I read this one without having read "A Catch of Consequence" first. I will now have to go back & "catch up."

This wonderful novel deals with the issue of freedom in three fronts: the American war of independence from Britain (which is constantly discussed, and which creates the conflict that sparks the plot); the total loss of freedom and rights -and appalling conditions- that prisoners of war suffer (which further complicates the plot); and most especially, the personal independence of the main character, Lady Diana Stacpole, who finds herself free of her abusive and very "noble" husband after 20 years of nighmarish marriage. In the end, it is made clear that freedom, even when imperfect (e.g. at some point it becomes apparent to the characters that the American declaration of rights is not going to respect those of women, black people or other minorities'), is better than the lack of it. You may think the theme sounds very solemn and, certainly, the ethical aspects of freedom, as well as the problems of the British class system and the responsibilities towards our fellow human beings (even war enemies), are unblinkingly discussed. However, the result is not sermonizing thanks to Diana Norman's wonderful sense of humour and her ability to create the most eccentric, yet believable and endearing characters. And there are plenty of those! To be frank, you won't be able to stop chuckling even in the middle of the most heart-wrenching moments. Did I mention that this novel is also a wonderful adventure complete with a escape from prison, a daring rescue, an outragious kidnapping, a whole lot of smugglers, a dangerous chase....? Also, bear in mind that, although this novel can be perfectly read on its own, it can be read as a sequel of "A Perfect Catch", too. Here we meet again the tempestuous Makepeace Burke and other characters from the previous novel. Diana Norman is such a good historian (her main occupation. She has more history essays published than novels), but also such a good novelist that she manages to give us the atmosphere of the times, and describe the subject of American independence as seen from the metropolis side of the conflict -although, granted, from the point of view of characters who don't fit all that well in conventional British society. In spite of a light touch of the "poiltically correct" in the subject of the abused aristocratic wife (and the politically correct always spoils good literature, in my opinion, turning it into good pamphlets), the author manages to capture the exciting atmosphere of a time when, it seemed, everything was about to change for ever (and so it does for most characters) and anything was possible. I confess I am currently trying to buy ANY other novel by this same author, but can't find any still in print. So, don't miss this!