A Christmas Odyssey
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
A festive story of hope and redemption emerging from the depths of Victorian society.
1864, and on a bitter December night in Victorian London, one man longs for a Christmas miracle. The city is preparing for the holidays yet James Wentworth is unable to focus on anything other than the disappearance of his wayward son, Lucien. In desperation, he turns to his old friend Sir Henry Rathbone for help.
Rathbone finds assistance in the shape of reformed criminal Squeaky Robinson and the enigmatic Doctor Crow and as the group's investigations take them deeper into the seedy underbelly of the capital they uncover a squalid world of illicit pleasures and a trail that leads them closer to the man they seek.
But as they get nearer to their quarry, tales also begin emerge of Lucien's violent tendencies, his consuming obsession with a dangerous young woman and the disturbing Shadow Man. Can they bring Lucien home alive and if so, will it be a grave mistake for all concerned?
1864, and on a bitter December night in Victorian London, one man longs for a Christmas miracle. The city is preparing for the holidays yet James Wentworth is unable to focus on anything other than the disappearance of his wayward son, Lucien. In desperation, he turns to his old friend Sir Henry Rathbone for help.
Rathbone finds assistance in the shape of reformed criminal Squeaky Robinson and the enigmatic Doctor Crow and as the group's investigations take them deeper into the seedy underbelly of the capital they uncover a squalid world of illicit pleasures and a trail that leads them closer to the man they seek.
But as they get nearer to their quarry, tales also begin emerge of Lucien's violent tendencies, his consuming obsession with a dangerous young woman and the disturbing Shadow Man. Can they bring Lucien home alive and if so, will it be a grave mistake for all concerned?
About the Author
With twenty million books in print throughout the world, Anne Perry`s bestselling novels are noted for their memorable characters, exploration of social issues and historical accuracy. Selected by The Times as one of the twentieth century`s `100 Masters of Crime`, Anne lives in Scotland.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is 1864 just before Christmas when Henry Rathbone is asked by an old and dear friend to find his son Lucian who, after meeting the alluring Sadie and in the grip of drugs, has vanished into the underworld of Victorian's London's West End. Aiding Henry in this task are Squeaky Robinson, who used to run a brothel, Crow, an unofficial doctor to the poor, and Bessie, a teenaged tavern girl.
The search for Lucian takes them into a nightmarish London of dark cellars and sewer tunnels and with the doubt that even if they find Lucian he may not even want to be rescued. Also even if he does can he escape the sinister Shadwell who owns Sadie. Despite this the four bravely pursue their quest.
The book is pacey and full of atmosphere and tension. The characters are so well drawn that you become fond of them and really care what happens to them. Once started it is a book difficult to put down. This is the first Anne Perry I have read but it won't be the last.
The search for Lucian takes them into a nightmarish London of dark cellars and sewer tunnels and with the doubt that even if they find Lucian he may not even want to be rescued. Also even if he does can he escape the sinister Shadwell who owns Sadie. Despite this the four bravely pursue their quest.
The book is pacey and full of atmosphere and tension. The characters are so well drawn that you become fond of them and really care what happens to them. Once started it is a book difficult to put down. This is the first Anne Perry I have read but it won't be the last.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First Sentence: Henry Rathbone leaned a little farther forward in his armchair and regarded his visitor gravely.
Henry Rathbone is asked by a good friend to find his son, Lucian. Lucian has been lost in the world of gambling, drugs and dangerous sex. Although Henry gives his word to find Lucian, this is a world about which Henry has no knowledge. With the help of Squeaky Robinson, former brother-keeper; Crow, an unlicensed doctor who works in the slums, and Bessie, a brave teen who lives on the edges of that dark world, the four set out to fulfill Henry's promise.
Anne Perry's Christmas novellas are my annual gift to myself. They allow me to re-visit Victorian England, as she so accurately displays it, visit the secondary characters in her Monk and Pitt series and read a book with a subtle Christmas message that doesn't preach or push. While this year's book may not have ended up being my favorite so far, as it is very dark, it once again demonstrates just what a fine writer is Perry.
Perry creates characters about whom you really care and she creates them from all walks of life. She truly demonstrates that it's not one's social or economic status that defines them, but what kind of person they are and the philosophies that define them. Henry talks about friendship and Perry quantifies it in a way we each can understand. She talks, though her characters, about the ingratitude of those who have, and how relevant is that to today, and shares her observations on homeliness, again without preaching.
This is not at all a sweet, light Christmas story. Perry takes us from the home of wealth to places no one should ever have to go amongst people no one would ever want to meet. Parts are dark, gritty and vile. This is a tale of facing the devil and making a decision, of holding to your promises. There is redemption but there is also a question left open at the end. It is classic Perry and it is worth reading.
A CHRISTMAS ODYSSEY (Hist Mys-Henry Rathbone/Squeaky Robinson-England-1865) - Good
Perry, Anne - 8th in series
Ballantine Books, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780345518583
Henry Rathbone is asked by a good friend to find his son, Lucian. Lucian has been lost in the world of gambling, drugs and dangerous sex. Although Henry gives his word to find Lucian, this is a world about which Henry has no knowledge. With the help of Squeaky Robinson, former brother-keeper; Crow, an unlicensed doctor who works in the slums, and Bessie, a brave teen who lives on the edges of that dark world, the four set out to fulfill Henry's promise.
Anne Perry's Christmas novellas are my annual gift to myself. They allow me to re-visit Victorian England, as she so accurately displays it, visit the secondary characters in her Monk and Pitt series and read a book with a subtle Christmas message that doesn't preach or push. While this year's book may not have ended up being my favorite so far, as it is very dark, it once again demonstrates just what a fine writer is Perry.
Perry creates characters about whom you really care and she creates them from all walks of life. She truly demonstrates that it's not one's social or economic status that defines them, but what kind of person they are and the philosophies that define them. Henry talks about friendship and Perry quantifies it in a way we each can understand. She talks, though her characters, about the ingratitude of those who have, and how relevant is that to today, and shares her observations on homeliness, again without preaching.
This is not at all a sweet, light Christmas story. Perry takes us from the home of wealth to places no one should ever have to go amongst people no one would ever want to meet. Parts are dark, gritty and vile. This is a tale of facing the devil and making a decision, of holding to your promises. There is redemption but there is also a question left open at the end. It is classic Perry and it is worth reading.
A CHRISTMAS ODYSSEY (Hist Mys-Henry Rathbone/Squeaky Robinson-England-1865) - Good
Perry, Anne - 8th in series
Ballantine Books, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780345518583
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
This is one of a series of Christmas novellas, written by the prolific historical fiction author Anne Perry. I feel my reading of this may have suffered through not knowing the characters, who I suspect have appeared in other books. However, the general story is that Henry Rathbone is visited by a friend, James Wentworth, thirteen days before Christmas. Mr Wentworth tells him that a year ago, his son Lucien began to frequent certain places in the West End. In other words, it is the usual story of rich boy goes bad and is led into the dissolute life of drink, drugs and bad women. Now he has disappeared. Mr Wentworth had bailed the young man out of trouble many times, but as he became more and more unpredictable and violent, he felt he was wrong to keep rescuing him and that he had to learn the consequences of his actions. Now he regretted his action and wished Mr Rathbone to help him find his son.
Henry Rathbone agrees to help, but regrets offering the next morning. However, his own son is a successful barrister, so he feels some guilt. He goes to see Hester, the woman he hoped his own son would marry and who runs a clinic for "women of the street". There he meets the improbably named Squeaky Robinson, who does not want Hester involved and offers to help. He ropes in a man called Crow, who treats patients but is not a qualified doctor. Somehow they also acquire a young girl called Bessie, and together they hunt for Lucien and his wicked girlfriend Sadie, who is run by Shadwell - the Shadow Man.
Quite a few times in this novella, Squeaky wonders why he is helping Rathbone on his quest and, quite honestly, so did I. There seemed to be nothing in this dangerous quest for them, other than Squeaky's wish for respectability and the fact that Rathbone asked them to assist him. At first I thought perhaps Squeaky loved Hester, but his intentions seemed to turn unbelievably towards Bessie, although she was not a very interesting character. All in all, most of the characters seemed quite cliched and one-dimensional. However, the descriptions of Victorian London were atmospheric, dark and depressing. Our heroes seem to spend most of their time in underground tunnels, while I would have thought it unnecessary to make the setting even more dank and dangerous, but this is an enjoyable romp through the underworld. At times I did feel like Squeaky though, and wondered why I was on the quest as well...
Henry Rathbone agrees to help, but regrets offering the next morning. However, his own son is a successful barrister, so he feels some guilt. He goes to see Hester, the woman he hoped his own son would marry and who runs a clinic for "women of the street". There he meets the improbably named Squeaky Robinson, who does not want Hester involved and offers to help. He ropes in a man called Crow, who treats patients but is not a qualified doctor. Somehow they also acquire a young girl called Bessie, and together they hunt for Lucien and his wicked girlfriend Sadie, who is run by Shadwell - the Shadow Man.
Quite a few times in this novella, Squeaky wonders why he is helping Rathbone on his quest and, quite honestly, so did I. There seemed to be nothing in this dangerous quest for them, other than Squeaky's wish for respectability and the fact that Rathbone asked them to assist him. At first I thought perhaps Squeaky loved Hester, but his intentions seemed to turn unbelievably towards Bessie, although she was not a very interesting character. All in all, most of the characters seemed quite cliched and one-dimensional. However, the descriptions of Victorian London were atmospheric, dark and depressing. Our heroes seem to spend most of their time in underground tunnels, while I would have thought it unnecessary to make the setting even more dank and dangerous, but this is an enjoyable romp through the underworld. At times I did feel like Squeaky though, and wondered why I was on the quest as well...
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A little bit of pleasure
I bought this book to read over the Christmas period and my daughter give three more as a Christmas present. Read more
Published 4 months ago by ireneL
Christmas Odyssey.Anne Perry
I enjoyed this book very much. Up to standard of all of Anne Perry's books, I must read the others in this series
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Audrey Ring
A Christmas odyssey
An enjoyable story, as usual, the author has created interested characters, and the story holds attention. Set in an interesting period of history.
Published 5 months ago by r0semarya christmas odysseya
Christmas Odyssey Feast
I do so love these Christmas stories, because I love Christmas so much anything to do with it seems to extend Chritmas for me. Read more
Published 15 months ago by ''Sam''
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
