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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An extraordinarily brave, passionate and exciting romance., 11 Dec 2001
I am amazed that this was Woodiwiss's first novel. What a courageous debut! To begin reading what is seemingly going to be a formulaic love story and to be confronted by a rape scene within chapters begs the reader to examine the characters in this book in a lot more depth than is usually required in this genre. Woodiwiss continues to shock throughout this novel, with her meek, childlike heroine, her bullying, arrogant, over-bearing hero and her picturesque stereo-types of negro servants, once the story arrives in America. Having said all this, you can not fail to simply love this story. The true romance lies in the growth of the characters and how they are forced, particularly in Brandon's case, to allow themselves to love and be loved without fearing the outcome. Heather's character, though sweet and innocent, possesses an untold strength in her ability to survive even the worst treatment and rise above it without resentment or bitterness. Brandon is truly a man's man, unused to showing any vulnerability or tenderness until he meets Heather and even then consistently fights against his true feelings. Woodiwiss's strength as a writer lies in her ability to write a powerful story with strong memorable characters who stay true to their natures throughout. I have yet to come across another romantic author who can write so convincingly in the guise of a male character. Wonderful!
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best romance novel ever written, 23 Jun 1998
By A Customer
This is the first historical novel I ever read. I was in the fifth grade, and I used it in one of my bok reports. (My teacher was a little put out, but who cares? this book was incredible!) It was fascinating. Two people trying to deny their love for one another because of a gross misunderstanding and miscommunication---FANTASTIC!!! Who hasn't been there? The tension between Heather and Brandon was wonderfully written and believable. The love scenes were tasteful and still erotic. The adventure and suspense was wonderful. This novel had everything in it, romance, light comedy, suspense, adventure, deceit, and a happy ending. The perfect combination for any romantic at heart. I have bought three copies of The Flame and the Flower because it is my all-time favorite and I re-read it so much. It is unforgettable.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
well, perhaps you should read the book, then decide., 16 Jun 1999
By A Customer
I personally found the rape scene in the beginning very distasteful. Heather, the heroine, was weak, and had developed a dependency on Brandon, the hero, as he did not permit her out of his sight for a day (or night, whatever). he rapes her not once, but three times, and assures her that she will grow to like it, mindless of the fact that she struggles and protests. heather is a poor, young girl who is thrown around throughout the whole story. First an abusive aunt, then her husband. It seems that she is such a beauty that she risks rape throughout the whole book (which gets stale very quickly). I view Brandon as a debauched jerk who is basically a man who cannot control his more baser needs. heather is like a puppy, hurt throughout the story, but eventually lapping up the reasonably kind attention she gets in the later half (MUCH later) of the story. She is a victim of domestic abuse, and grows to like it. true, she was never hit by her husband, but the constant reprimands and yelling keeps her at the level of a child. overlooking all that, the end WAS sorta romantic, but the getting there was vulgar. No woman wants a man to have complete control of her life, especially a man who doesn't really care if he has to force it out of you. My first book by Ms. Woodweiss, but I'll look into another, just to see if I'm missing anything.
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