The Madness of a Seduced Woman

"The Madness of a Seduced Woman" is the story of Agnes Dempster, who enters life with a strong legacy from either side of her family. From her father's side she has inherited wealth and from her mother's, beauty, yet people in each of her parents' families have exhibited mental instability in recent generations. As with her mother and grandmother before her, Agnes' dissatisfaction with life leads her to believe that there must be something more for her if she can leave her home town and escape the influence of her family. After the death of her grandmother, Agnes leaves her family's farm at the young age of 16 to live and work in a nearby city. Agnes meets Frank Holt, a young stonecutter who lives in the same boarding house as her, and they begin a relationship. In her naiveté and immaturity, Agnes believes Frank to be all that she has been looking for in her search for a meaningful life. Their romance begins normally, but over the course of time is tested by a series of difficulties and Agnes' increasing dependence on and obsession with Frank. When Frank realizes that he cannot love Agnes in the same, all-encompassing way in which she loves him, he begins to cool off the relationship. This leads Agnes to a decision that will affect her and those around her for the rest of their lives. This is one of my favorite S.F. Schaeffer books, even though it is a very dark one. This is definitely not a light read for the beach, and the description of a home abortion is not for you if you are at all squeamish. What the book does is capture what I like about Susan Fromberg Schaeffer's writing - her ability to transport the reader into the times and places of her stories. I am also impressed by the timelessness of the subject - obsessive desire is something very common to hear and read about, but the twist to "The Madness... " is the period in which it takes place (the 1890's). This book is a study on all that can go wrong with life if one is dependent on others and their happiness in order to feel fulfillment themselves.

This second-hand copy of "The Madness of a Seduced Woman" sat on my book shelf for a number of years before I finally pulled it out. After looking at the cover I thought to myself that it really didn't appear to be the style of book I usually enjoy and considered tossing it or trading it back in for something else. However, hating to give up on any book, I decided to read a few pages and give it a chance. What a great decision that was! I was drawn into the story of Agnes Dempster, her unusual family, and her tragic love story, from the first beautifully written page to the very last. From her unhappy childhood, her turbulent and violent youth, her sad journey through depression and mental illness, to her somewhat calmer and more stable maturity, you will travel with Agnes from birth to the grave and she is someone you will not soon forget. This is a book to be treasured and will remain in my personal library along with other all-time favorites such as "Gone With the Wind" and "How Green was My Valley." I'm now planning on reading "Anya" by the same author with the hope that it will come somewhere close to the perfection of this one.I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If ten stars were available in the rating system it would certainly deserve every one of them.

If you have ever teetered on obsessive love, have a passion for the past, or just want an excellent story, read this. You will be so drawn into this unfortunate girl's life. She is certainly "mad", and seduced. We have all met a man like she meets, but hope we never descend to her depths of despair over him. Her family gives new meaning to the word disfunctional. I read this over and over and was happy to find a new copy.

when that love doesn't turn out to be quite what you had in mind... I hope the male readers aren't put off by the title (because this novel is for both sexes.) I guarantee you both men and women will be able to relate (if you have ever been burned by love). The author goes for psychological insights and the book will stay with you for years for this reason. A sad and incredible tale, reads like non-fiction torn from today's headlines. What a motion picture this would make, on second thought, maybe Hollywood ought to keep away, as they, more than likely, would ruin it. Five stars easy. The damn thing left me in tears. Not an easy thing for a straight male to admit, not to mention it also helped me get over a bad love affair. If you've loved and lost you know that's something that can easily push you over the edge. If you happen to be going through something like that at the moment, I suggest you read the book and it just might keep you from doing anything stupid.

I first read this book about 10 years ago at the age of 16. And since then, no book has stayed with me more than this. After loosing my copy a few years ago, and finally ordering another it was still as magical to me when I re-read it. If you've ever felt a love so intense you almost cannot bear it, then you will identify with Agnes. Susan Schaffer describes these feelings beautifully and you'll be touched by her every word. In this story you will find love, happiness, desperation, sadness, vegeance and all emotions in between. I emplore you to read this book, you'll hold it in your heart forever.