The Return: The Return

I obviously disagree with the view expressed by the Publisher's Weekly reviewer quoted elsewhere on this page. There is nothing lifeless about Haeger's prose or her characters, especially in the bedroom scene early in the novel after Charlotte and Edward are married. But if that were all, the book would just be "another romance novel." Instead I found this to be a complex and compelling novel with shades of Thomas Hardy in the latter half of the book, which is set in England. When Charlotte Langston discovers that the husband she thought was killed ten year earlier in the Indian mutiny is alive and living in England, she must go to him. Physically scarred, attractive but obviously no longer the great beauty she was at age 16, she has raised their son alone in India. Arriving in England, she discovers that Edward has remarried but she must be near him. She takes employment in his household and he does not recognize her. This is the weakest part of the book, as the wounds and their resulting faint scars do not sound as though they are so disfiguring that a husband would not recognize a beloved wife, even after ten years. However, if you can suspend your disbelief, this book is very worthwhile. The character of Anne, Edward's second wife, reminds me of the tragic Sue Brideshead in Hardy's "Jude the Obscure." I am surprised that this book has not been reissued, as Haeger continues to publish and has a devoted following -- although not as large a one as she deserves.

I borrowed this book to use up some free time and could not put it down. I was absolutely engrossed in it and am looking to find more books my her now... I would recommend this book (and do!) to everyone I know who loves reading.

The story starts as what would seem to be your typical romance where two people who meet and it is love at first sight.....Well it may start this way but stick with it. What you get is a book that had me in tears for most of the book. As with most of Ms. Heager's stories she doesn't write your typical ever after love story. For those of you who have read the Courtesan you will understand this. Once again she has created a character with class and morals who dispite her adversities has unwavering strength. The story centers on a newlywed couple who are seperated by a civil uprising in exotic country. After finding great love each are lead to believe that the other has died. Ten years pass before "Charolette" finds out that there was a horrible mistake and that her husband lives and has traveled back to England. Packed with only her heart and hope she travels only to find that he has again married....I'll let you finish the book. My only compliant is that in reading two of three books pinned by Ms.Heager the hero was somewhat weak and during the more trying of events we see it is the herione with the real strength. Not that this is news but in creating such great love stories it seems the hero's fall short of deserving such a great woman-wait maybe this is a biography and not fiction! Despite this small flaw the story is great and once you have gotten past the first few chapters your trapped-save a weekend or at least some down time as to not be interuppted. I only have one request: Ms. Heager write more and fast; please!