About the Book and Author [ Edited ]

[Maria_H]

Kate Morton and The House at Riverton

A #1 bestseller in England, The House at Riverton captivates with its engrossing story of a long-held secret from a distant era.

Grace Bradley went to work as a servant at Riverton House when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

In the summer of 1924, at a glittering society party held at the house, a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline and only they -- and Grace -- know the truth.

Grace, now ninety-eight years old, is living out her last days in a nursing home. A visit by a young director making a film about the events of that summer takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories.

About Kate Morton: A native Australian, she holds degrees in dramatic art and English literature and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Queensland. She lives with her family in Brisbane, Australia, and is writing her second novel.

About Kate Morton: A native Australian, she holds degrees in dramatic art and English literature and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Queensland. She lives with her family in Brisbane, Australia, and is writing her second novel.

Message Edited by Maria_H on 12-12-2007 12:47 PM

[Jo6353]

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Maria_H wrote:

Kate Morton and The House at Riverton

Grace Bradley went to work as a servant at Riverton House when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

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I just finished doing a Community theatre rendition of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." The main character in the play is named Grace Bradley. Jo

[Everyman]

It will be interesting to ask the author whether there was any connection there.

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Jo6353 wrote:

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Maria_H wrote:

Kate Morton and The House at Riverton

Grace Bradley went to work as a servant at Riverton House when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

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I just finished doing a Community theatre rendition of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." The main character in the play is named Grace Bradley. Jo

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[KathyS]

The plot thickens!

K.

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Jo6353 wrote:

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Maria_H wrote:

Kate Morton and The House at Riverton

Grace Bradley went to work as a servant at Riverton House when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.

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I just finished doing a Community theatre rendition of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." The main character in the play is named Grace Bradley. Jo

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[BetteKidd]

I haven't received my book. I hope I registered correctly. Looking so forward to being part of the discussion and have already bragged to my family that I was chosen to participate. Is there any way to know if I am part of the group? BetteKidd

[hpthatbme]

Did you get a pm about being in? If so your book is on the way!

Heather

[Jo6353]

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BetteKidd wrote:
I haven't received my book. I hope I registered correctly. Looking so forward to being part of the discussion and have already bragged to my family that I was chosen to participate. Is there any way to know if I am part of the group? BetteKidd

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Check your private messages. Click on the envelope icon on the far right side of the header for this message board. It's along the same line as your login name. Jo

[BetteKidd]

What is her first novel? Bette Ann

[Peppermill]

This one?

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BetteKidd wrote:
What is her first novel?

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[paula_02912]

Kate Morton is a very gifted writer...I love The House at Riverton...she shows great insight...I hope that everyone enjoyed the book as much as I did...that's all I can say, unfortunately...you guys are going to fall in love with it...it's the first thing I think about when I wake up...I haven't seen writing like this since I left college...and I majored in English and American Literature...even though my posts don't show it...lol...I can't wait to discuss this one...The First Look Bookclub made an excellent choice in choosing Ms. Morton's book to start off the year...

[Everyman]

Here you've finished the book and some of us haven't even received it yet.

Thank you for keeping your praise general and not including any spoilers. I hope others who already have the book will be as sensitive as you were to those of us who don't have it yet.

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paula_02912 wrote:
Kate Morton is a very gifted writer...I love The House at Riverton...she shows great insight...I hope that everyone enjoyed the book as much as I did...that's all I can say, unfortunately...you guys are going to fall in love with it...it's the first thing I think about when I wake up...I haven't seen writing like this since I left college...and I majored in English and American Literature...even though my posts don't show it...lol...I can't wait to discuss this one...The First Look Bookclub made an excellent choice in choosing Ms. Morton's book to start off the year...

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[Jayapatel1]

I just got my book a couple of days ago and so far I LOVE IT!!

[bookhunter]

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Maria_H wrote:

Kate Morton and The House at RivertonGrace, now ninety-eight years old, is living out her last days in a nursing home. A visit by a young director making a film about the events of that summer takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories.

12:47 PM

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I JUST finished _Water for Elephants_ and sounds like this has a similar writing technique--an older person reflecting back on memories from younger days. In that book, I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the older narrator and his younger self.

Probably there really are few similarities, but this description jumped out at me as I have just finished WfE. (Which was a super book and I highly recommend it!)

Happy New Year,
Ann the bookhunter

[Wrighty]

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bookhunter wrote:

I JUST finished _Water for Elephants_ and sounds like this has a similar writing technique--an older person reflecting back on memories from younger days. In that book, I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the older narrator and his younger self.

Probably there really are few similarities, but this description jumped out at me as I have just finished WfE. (Which was a super book and I highly recommend it!)

Happy New Year,
Ann the bookhunter

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Ann,
I thought the same thing. I also recently finished WFE and noticed that this book has a similar situation for the main character. I thought it was a great book too.

[SparklesOfAmber]

Got the book the day after christmas which was a wednesday and i just finished it on saturday afternoon. I jut had to keep reading to see what was coming. I loved the story and i enjoyed her writing style a great deal. I hope you all will enjoy it as i did. Happy reading to all.

Courtney

[momgee]

It seems like a lot of books have already received. This is Monday the 31st and I still haven't received mine yet. Should I be worried or are they still in the process. I tried to reply to the pm that said I was registered but then got a msg saying it could not be sent. Any way to check on this?

Kaye

[vivico1]

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momgee wrote:
It seems like a lot of books have already received. This is Monday the 31st and I still haven't received mine yet. Should I be worried or are they still in the process. I tried to reply to the pm that said I was registered but then got a msg saying it could not be sent. Any way to check on this?

Kaye

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Kaye, I havent gotten mine yet either, nor have a couple of my friends in here and others too, so I think we just need to wait another couple of days. I bet a lot more get delivered today, but then we have a holiday tomorrow so I think until the third, we just need to hang in there and see. If we don't have the book the day after the discussion starts, then maybe we all need to let them know who of us is still without one. We just got to wait I think till about mid week before we can do anything. But just know, you are not alone.

[IBIS]

I received my ARC of RIVERTON last Friday, and I'm here in Boston. It's been an exciting wait for the UPS truck. I've already dug into the book, and like many mysteries, I can't put it down.

It's going to be a challenge not to finish it before January 2nd. And being extra extra careful about spoilers.

Happy new year to everyone!

IBIS

[momahof3]

Happy New Year to all my NEW friends !

Yes, I did receive the book today - very late this afternoon, UPS AIR.

Good Luck to you all, and remember with all the snow we have, many deliveries

will be late. ( We have 5 inches of fresh snow this afternoon - on top of wet slush)

Many flights were cancelled ... Drive safely ... Meet you all Next Year !!

[Teapharm03]

I think the author is a very gifted writer.The style of the story is very engaging.Grace is a remarkable woman. She seems to have a great memory for a 98 year old woman, but I guess anything is possible. This possibility must be the sign or evidence that we are dealing with a gifted writer because I want to believe it is so. This connection is reinforced by how skillfully the author takes us from the present to the past in this woman's life. I have not finished reading the book, I hope my feelings are justified.Time will tell.