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Preview — Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley
Bellewether
Susanna Kearsley (Goodreads Author)
3.94 · Rating details · 6,623 ratings · 1,180 reviews
"The house, when I first saw it, seemed intent on guarding what it knew; but we all learned, by the end of it, that secrets aren't such easy things to keep."
It's late summer, war is raging, and families are torn apart by divided loyalties and deadly secrets. In this complex and dangerous time, a young French Canadian lieutenant is captured and billeted with a Long Isla
It's late summer, war is raging, and families are torn apart by divided loyalties and deadly secrets. In this complex and dangerous time, a young French Canadian lieutenant is captured and billeted with a Long Island family, an unwilling and unwelcome guest. As he begins to pitch in with the never-ending household tasks and farm chores, Jean-Philippe de Sabran finds himself drawn to the daughter of the house. Slowly, Lydia Wilde comes to lean on Jean-Philippe, true soldier and gentleman, until their lives become inextricably intertwined. Legend has it that the forbidden love between Jean-Philippe and Lydia ended tragically, but centuries later, the clues they left behind slowly unveil the true story.
Part history, part romance, and all kinds of magic, Susanna Kearsley's latest masterpiece will draw you in and never let you go, even long after you've closed the last page.
Published August 7th 2018 by Sourcebooks Landmark (first published August 6th 2018)
B07816ZMCQ
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Historical Fiction (2018)
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I was hoping to know more about the old French lady in the end, how she was related to the original family in the book, and how she was based in Paris rather than in Quebec. This left a gap for me after everything else was so detailed and exactly accurate with the times they lived in. Can anyone help me understand this?
7 likes · like
See all 4 answers
Danielle Marshall
This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)[ This person was a descendant of Jean Philippe and Lydia. At the end of the novel Jean Philippe was not allowed to go back to Quebec, he was sent to…more This person was a descendant of Jean Philippe and Lydia. At the end of the novel Jean Philippe was not allowed to go back to Quebec, he was sent to France instead. The old woman stated that there was always someone to carry on the history of the family, but that she had no descendants and would be sending her information and items to the Wilde House Museum for safe keeping.(less) (hide spoiler)]
When will this book be available in audio?
Mary I listened to this via audible.com. Great book
See all 8 questions about Bellewether…
2018 Gothic
41 books — 23 voters
Historical Fiction: Colonial America
· 6,623 ratings · 1,180 reviews
All LanguagesDansk (1) English (1167)
Apr 30, 2018 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it did not like it · review of another edition
Holy crap, it is so boring.
I've read Kearsley before, but not for a few years. I don't remember the rest being as bad as this one.
I wouldn't say it was BAD bad, just so long and dull. The story is told from 3 POVs, 2 historical, 1 present, and they are all awful. The narratives ramble on and on and on about their lives and stuff and there's this mystery with no buildup. Like literally, no buildup. I confess, I DNFed it at like 70% and I have no desire to continue because there's like no relatio Holy crap, it is so boring.
I wouldn't say it was BAD bad, just so long and dull. The story is told from 3 POVs, 2 historical, 1 present, and they are all awful. The narratives ramble on and on and on about their lives and stuff and there's this mystery with no buildup. Like literally, no buildup. I confess, I DNFed it at like 70% and I have no desire to continue because there's like no relationship building between the two narrators (who are supposed to eventually be lovers or something?) god knows because at 70% THEY ARE STILL BARELY TALKING TO EACH OTHER.
It is awful. Don't waste your money. ...more
Angela It's a slow burn but it's not at all boring!
May 12, 2019 08:15AM
Kelli I'm only a quarter way through the book, and I feel the EXACT same way! There's way too much time spent on unimportant details and not enough time whe I'm only a quarter way through the book, and I feel the EXACT same way! There's way too much time spent on unimportant details and not enough time where anything is actually happening! ...more
Jun 13, 2018 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it liked it
Shelves: arc, historical-fiction, things-go-bump-in-the-night
3.33 stars. Full review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
Susanna Kearsley is a popular Canadian novelist who writes historical fiction, favoring the dual-timeline model with a current plotline and a historical one that intersect in one way or another. Her novels are generally spiced with a mystery, a romance (or perhaps two, one in each of the timelines) … and a paranormal element, such as time travel, ghostly spirits, or a character with psychic abilities.
Bellewether, Kearsley's first novel 3.33 stars. Full review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
Bellewether, Kearsley's first novel in three years, is of the dual-timeline model. The historical plotline, set in about 1760, alternates between the points of view of Lydia Wilde and Jean-Philippe de Sabran, a French Canadian lieutenant who was captured during the French and Indian War (part of the Seven Years' War) and is now billeted at Lydia's Long Island home along with another French officer. Jean-Philippe speaks no English and Lydia ― for good reason ― carries a deep prejudice against Frenchmen and their military in particular, but neither of these things stop Jean-Philippe and Lydia from noticing each other.
In modern times, the story follows Charlotte (Charley) van Hoek, a museum curator who has moved up to the town of Millbank on the north shore of Long Island, to be with her grieving niece. In Millbank, the home of her ancestors (and where Charley's estranged grandmother still lives), Charley also finds a welcome job as curator for the Wilde House, the Wilde's ancestral home now turned museum, though there are a few museum trustees who opposed her hiring and are still looking to make life difficult for Charley.
Charley begins researching the Wilde family history, and becomes particularly interested in the story of Lydia and her rumored romance with a French prisoner of war. Local legend has it that the Frenchman was going to run away with Lydia but was killed by Lydia's brother, and that his spirit now haunts the Wilde House. Charley, of course, doesn't believe in ghosts. But then some inexplicable things start to happen …
Bellewether is meticulously researched and clearly a labor of love for Kearsley, who incorporates several elements of her own family history into this novel, which she explains in a detailed afterword. Bellewether deals sensitively with issues like slavery and racial and national prejudice. The Wilde family keeps a teenaged black slave, Violet, which initially deeply offends Jean-Philippe, who has his own reasons for hating slavery, but it soon becomes clear that Violet's history and situation are complicated.
I found Bellewether interesting but oddly placid. One might think that a novel including a centuries-old mystery, wartime romances and conflicts, and ghostly dealings would be gripping, but the characters always feel somewhat distant and the novel rather long-winded and slow-paced. It just never fully captured my heart or imagination. Everything works out suspiciously easily and neatly, and there's very little intensity in any of the interpersonal relationships, including the understated, slow-burn romances in both timelines.
The title Bellewether is from the name of a beautiful, swift ship owned by Lydia's brother. It's nicely evocative, but a bit of stretch to name the novel after this ship, which plays only a minor role in the plot. With just a little imagination, though, one might envision a particular member of Lydia's family is playing the role of a bellwether sheep, the leader of the flock. And that's all I'm going to say about that!
Bellewether is a worthy, respectable novel, if you enjoy cozy, deliberately-paced historical reads with just a dash of romance and the supernatural.
I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher and NetGalley for review. Thank you! ...more
Nov 29, 2015 Ava Brightly ☕ rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: romance, historical-fiction, 2018
Another lovely story by Susanna Kearsley. Dual timelines, mystery, ghosts, love and romance, historical, and those twists the author does so well.
I understand the author was a museum curator at one point in her life. With the story taking place through the eyes of a curator, Charley, this latest from Kearsely is well written, looking into history from a curators unique point of view. The reader has a front row perspective of our main character in the past timeline living a life unveiled by pres Another lovely story by Susanna Kearsley. Dual timelines, mystery, ghosts, love and romance, historical, and those twists the author does so well.
I understand the author was a museum curator at one point in her life. With the story taking place through the eyes of a curator, Charley, this latest from Kearsely is well written, looking into history from a curators unique point of view. The reader has a front row perspective of our main character in the past timeline living a life unveiled by present day characters and forces, replete with ghosties.
The author must have had fun writing with her background in history. Provenance is always an element drawing me in to a story. This is why historical fiction appeals to me so much. Kearsley does a fantastic job pulling together bits of true history and fiction. Told in three points of view, the reader is carried through the Seven Years War and the current impact on the family Charley researches.
I don't want to spoil the story but I will say, I am a sucker for happily ever afters and in the vein of Kearsley's other stories, she does not disappoint with the author's usual mix of present and past.
Excellent read. ...more
Apr 15, 2018 Erin rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: kindle, netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.
April 24th, as I stated in my reviews of both Come from Away and The Husband Hour is going to be an epic day for all of us Canadian book readers and now I have to add Bellewether to that book buying list. This is my 10th Susanna Kearsley in a five year period and let me tell you that this Canadian novelist is a powerhouse that you cannot afford to pass by.
Meticulously researched, this triple narrative that volleys read Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Meticulously researched, this triple narrative that volleys readers between the contemporary period and the 18th century is a highly recommended historical fiction.I absolutely loved the characters and didn't feel that the dual timelines tried to hijack one another as both were very fascinating.
If I had one quibble about the story, it is the feeling that SK had a difficult time wrapping up the story because I had a hard time as a reader trying to say goodbye to Lydia, Jean-Phillippe, and Charley.
Highly recommended! ...more
Apr 01, 2018 Zoe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Powerful, absorbing, and incredibly fascinating!
Bellewether is an enthralling tale set on the eastern shores of Long Island during the late 1750s, as well as present day, and is told from three different perspectives. Lydia, a strong, hardworking young woman struggling to care and support those she loves in a time of uncertainty and upheaval. Jean-Philippe, a French-Canadian soldier who finds himself captured and a parole of honour in the final pivotal days of the Seven Years' War. And Charley, Powerful, absorbing, and incredibly fascinating!
Bellewether is an enthralling tale set on the eastern shores of Long Island during the late 1750s, as well as present day, and is told from three different perspectives. Lydia, a strong, hardworking young woman struggling to care and support those she loves in a time of uncertainty and upheaval. Jean-Philippe, a French-Canadian soldier who finds himself captured and a parole of honour in the final pivotal days of the Seven Years' War. And Charley, an intelligent, independent woman determined to discover all the skeletons hidden inside the Wilde House, as well as her own.
The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are alluring, sympathetic, multi-layered, and authentic. And the plot is a sweeping saga filled with familial drama, introspection, love, loss, grief, mystique, heartbreak, romance, secrets, passion, loyalty, as well as a little peek into a war that had a tremendous impact on the culture and history of Canada as we know it today.
Bellewether is a beautifully written, exceptionally atmospheric novel that transports you to another time and place and immerses you so thoroughly into the personalities, feelings, and lives of the characters you never want it to end. It is without a doubt one of my favourite novels of the year that once again highlights Kearsley's extraordinary imagination and talent as a masterful storyteller and researcher.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com ...more
Aug 20, 2018 Holly rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: 2018-read, historical-fiction-romance
Considering how almost absolutely nothing happens in this book, I surprisingly liked it while I was reading it. It was only when it ended, and well, I realized I just read a whole lotta' nothin', that I decided I couldn't rate this higher than three stars.
Susana Kearsley has a formula that she uses for every.single.book. It goes like this:
- Two main narrators, both female
- The female narrators live in different time periods
- One of the female narrators is somehow doing some kind of research that Considering how almost absolutely nothing happens in this book, I surprisingly liked it while I was reading it. It was only when it ended, and well, I realized I just read a whole lotta' nothin', that I decided I couldn't rate this higher than three stars.
- One of the female narrators is somehow doing some kind of research that eventually involves the long ago deceased second narrator
- Both narrators experience some kind of romance
- The narrations flip back and forth, both moving forward in time until they somehow connect
Now, I am not knocking Kearsley's formula, because I have really liked the three other books of hers that I have read so far. And despite it's formula this book felt real - there's definitely no insta-love, the characters were three dimensional, the setting and time periods were distinct. But the plot, the plot is where things went wrong. NOTHING HAPPENS. I mean sure, there was finding of historical furniture and fundraisers in the 'modern' timeline. There were chores and visitors in the 'old' timeline. But there's no action, no suspense, and there's barely any interaction at all between the narrators and their romantic interests until the very end of the book. And then the book ends. The biggest travesty of this book for me was (view spoiler)[ we don't even get to read Lydia's entire letter! (hide spoiler)].
But despite all that, I didn't notice any of these downsides until I was finished with the book. While I was reading it, I was enjoying getting to know these characters and more about their lives and the lives of the people around them. ...more
Sep 23, 2018 Lori rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
I enjoyed this so, so much. So many endearing characters but Zeb, Lydia and Jean-Philippe were favorites. I appreciate that Kearsley added an authors note explaining her motivations for writing about this time period; "I find people I just feel are reaching out to me. They take hold of my heart, somehow, and I just can't forget them." Her writing conveys her passion so authentically that I carry it with me long after I've turned the last page. If you have not had the pleasure of reading a Kearsl I enjoyed this so, so much. So many endearing characters but Zeb, Lydia and Jean-Philippe were favorites. I appreciate that Kearsley added an authors note explaining her motivations for writing about this time period; "I find people I just feel are reaching out to me. They take hold of my heart, somehow, and I just can't forget them." Her writing conveys her passion so authentically that I carry it with me long after I've turned the last page. If you have not had the pleasure of reading a Kearsley novel I would highly recommend adding them to your list. 5 stars. ...more
Jan 18, 2018 Genevieve Graham rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: canada, epic, fiction, military, drama, fiction-historical, romance, historic-fiction, historical-adventure, native-americans
As she has with every one of her exquisite time slip novels, Susanna Kearsley left me breathless with "Bellewether". Historical fiction is all about bringing history to life, and Ms Kearsley always gives us so much more than a mere heartbeat. With a curator's expertise, a historian's passion, and an artist's finesse, she brings meticulous attention to 18th century historical detail (including the Acadians - a particular favourite of mine), and every detail has a purpose, meaning her beautiful pr As she has with every one of her exquisite time slip novels, Susanna Kearsley left me breathless with "Bellewether". Historical fiction is all about bringing history to life, and Ms Kearsley always gives us so much more than a mere heartbeat. With a curator's expertise, a historian's passion, and an artist's finesse, she brings meticulous attention to 18th century historical detail (including the Acadians - a particular favourite of mine), and every detail has a purpose, meaning her beautiful prose is never overdone. I'm always so impressed by how she is able to create separate/connected characters and make them all equally compelling - it's like she writes two separate books in one. And somehow I always end up with such a crush on her men (both 21st and 18th century). Charley and Lydia were strong, intelligent, and beautiful women, but Sam and Jean-Philippe? Well, despite the perfect endings to both stories, I ended up wishing there was more about them! ...more
Apr 05, 2018 Hollis rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: family-focused, magical-realism, men-in-uniform, romance, 2018-reads, contemporary, hist-fiction, ebook, finished-in-april-2018, arc
If you're looking for a detailed historical read set in the late 1700s surrounding the war between the British and the French on American, and Canadian soil, you'll love this. I have never read anything from this particular conflict, though I think maybe I've read something after the fact?, and I particularly wasn't familiar with this idea of billeted war prisoners staying in peoples' homes, as a mark of their honour and rank, instead of jails but I found the concept totally fascinating.
Kearsley If you're looking for a detailed historical read set in the late 1700s surrounding the war between the British and the French on American, and Canadian soil, you'll love this. I have never read anything from this particular conflict, though I think maybe I've read something after the fact?, and I particularly wasn't familiar with this idea of billeted war prisoners staying in peoples' homes, as a mark of their honour and rank, instead of jails but I found the concept totally fascinating.
Kearsley weaves a family-driven story surrounding this very situation and the conflict the Wilde's face when they themselves have had very personal losses in the war and are forced to play host to two very different but very French soldiers.
At the same time we're in present day Long Island and the Wilde house is being renovated and curated as a museum. Charley is recent to the area and in piecing together the story surrounding the more famous brother, Captain Wilde who commanded the Bellewether, and who is to be the focus of the project, she is told of a legend surrounding the love affair between the youngest Wilde child, a daughter, and a French officer. But it seems to be just a story, not based in fact, until Charley starts finding pieces of the puzzle to prove it to be true, all the while helped along by a very unlikely ally.
The story set in the past had two POVs and I liked them the most, I think, because it was a slowburn build of trust and understanding and, eventually, love. Whereas the present day events were filled with not so nice people and an even slower damn burn romance.. if you can believe it. Both timelines were enjoyable, though at times it was slow going or didn't always keep my interest, and yet there was something about this story. Not just the unexpected bits, or the emotional resonance, the emphasis on family, but the idea that so much of legend can become history and in some cases we might never know the truth of it. So much of this story was like that, and in more ways than one.
Part of me hesitates to round this one up because, yes, there were those not so engaging bits, the romance is really mild, and hey did I mention the slowness, and yet I feel like I can't do anything less. BELLEWETHER might not have been particular original in the sense of how the story, especially the present day one, unfolded but there is a remarkable bit of magic to the telling of it nonetheless. I don't know. It's hard to describe why this captivated me and all I can say is.. it did.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. ** ...more
Jul 06, 2018 Cindy Burnett rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Susanna Kearsley's latest book focuses on a house on the eastern shores of Long Island. In this dual timeline tale, the story alternates between three characters, Lydia, Jean-Phillippe, and Charley. Lydia and Jean-Phillippe live in the 1750's; Lydia inhabits the house in question, and Jean-Phillippe is a French Canadian lieutenant held there as a captive during the Seven Years' War. Charley lives in the present day and endeavors to uncover the secrets of Wilde House, itself a character in the st Susanna Kearsley's latest book focuses on a house on the eastern shores of Long Island. In this dual timeline tale, the story alternates between three characters, Lydia, Jean-Phillippe, and Charley. Lydia and Jean-Phillippe live in the 1750's; Lydia inhabits the house in question, and Jean-Phillippe is a French Canadian lieutenant held there as a captive during the Seven Years' War. Charley lives in the present day and endeavors to uncover the secrets of Wilde House, itself a character in the story. Full of magic, historical detail, and with several love stories thrown in, Kearsley creates an entertaining tale.
Mar 04, 2016 Brittain *Needs a Nap and a Drink* marked it as i-want-it-now · review of another edition
Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease
Edit: Another pretty cover but I kind of wish it was different from all of the others. They are starting to look the same.
Jul 08, 2018 Sophia rated it it was amazing
Shelves: net-galley-reads, romantic-suspense, historical-mystery-suspense
Want some atmosphere and a story focused on an old Colonial Era house out on Long Island that is on the cusp of revealing it's secrets? Susanna Kearsley does what she does best and offers a story within a story, a twisting tale full of secrets and love in the past? And that little bit where the reader catches something in their peripheral view and, for just an instant, believes in ghosts and superstition as reality.
The story opens with history buff, Charley, moving to Long Island and taking a jo Want some atmosphere and a story focused on an old Colonial Era house out on Long Island that is on the cusp of revealing it's secrets? Susanna Kearsley does what she does best and offers a story within a story, a twisting tale full of secrets and love in the past? And that little bit where the reader catches something in their peripheral view and, for just an instant, believes in ghosts and superstition as reality.
The story opens with history buff, Charley, moving to Long Island and taking a job as curator for the Wilde House Museum that is set to open after restorations are complete. Charley is burdened by grief because she took this job because of her brother's death and a need to be there for his nineteen year old daughter and its a chance to sort out her own life. She is content to have a connection with Niels friend, Malaika and to enjoy Sam the contractor for work on the Wilde house. But, Charley stumbles on a ghost story and a tragic tale of lovers in the past surrounding the old Wilde House. Is it the Frenchman's ghost carrying the lantern in the woods at night looking for his lost love or is there more to it?
The past storyline in the late 1650's is told from dual points of view of both Lydia Wilde and Jean-Philippe de Sabran. Lydia just lost her fiance' to the French in one of the battles during the Seven Years' War and her brother didn't come back from that battle normal. Her hatred is palpable, but her family has two French officer parolees foist upon them even while she is trying to hold her family together after her mother's death. Jean-Philippe is captivated by the English beauty, but has a hard path to winning her. Ominous clouds form around the pair and the reader has the knowledge of the present day story that keeps the advancing tragedy always on the mind.
As usual with her books, I do prefer the past storyline especially since their differing perspectives were so wide of each other at first with the whole enemy nationalities and ideologies thing, but I still loved the present plot as well. Charley's story had me not all that disappointed when the focus would shift to the present. The author has a way of stringing a strong connection through so that past and present rub along nearly seamlessly. I think the reader is meant to connect with the past story moreso because there are two narrators for that bit as opposed to just the one in the present day. Neither story felt underdeveloped, but, I'm a history buff like Charley, so that will pull me in every time.
The author's research is meticulous. I always learn a little more and see the past well through her eyes when I'm getting the descriptions. It's not dry and she paints her settings in a colorful palette. She makes some pointed historical and present day social commentary that all weaves into the story well. I love the Colonial Era and don't pick up enough stories set in that time. Combine it with the atmospheric suspense and romance of the fictional characters the author wrote and I was sublimely happy.
I've purposefully kept things vague, but there is a sense of discovery that is the best feeling when reading this one that I don't want to destroy for future readers. I will warn that the pacing is gentle and the suspense is far from thriller intense. The author relies on emotion and character development rather than intense action. Those who love romantic suspense with a strong history element should definitely give this book and the author a go.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
May 04, 2018 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: arc-bk-netgalley, z-2018, book-riot-rec
I love historical fiction. Even more when there's a connection to the present, like with this book. And even even more when there's romance. And it did help that it involved a French Canadian soldier, since I live in Quebec... I love to know more about history. I really loved that book. It's beautifully written, and the change of perspective between Lydia, Jean-Philippe and Charley is captivating.
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced ebook through NetGalley.
Apr 02, 2018 Tina rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, net-galley, canadianauthor
3.5 *
Susanna Kearsley is an excellent story teller. I like how she blends the past and present together. This was a fascinating story. The present day story involves Charley (Charlotte) who comes back to her father's birthplace (on Long Island) to be a curator of an old historic museum home. The past story involves the historical home and its family. It mainly focuses on Lydia who lives in the home with her father and brothers. It is the time of the French War and a French-Canadian Lieutenant (J 3.5 *
Susanna Kearsley is an excellent story teller. I like how she blends the past and present together. This was a fascinating story. The present day story involves Charley (Charlotte) who comes back to her father's birthplace (on Long Island) to be a curator of an old historic museum home. The past story involves the historical home and its family. It mainly focuses on Lydia who lives in the home with her father and brothers. It is the time of the French War and a French-Canadian Lieutenant (Jean-Philippe) is captured and brought to live in Lydia's home. They subsequently fall in love. The story is told in three view points; Charley's, Lydia's and Jean-Philippe's. The time period is engaging and I enjoyed reading about the American and Canadian connections. However the story is slow paced especially the romance in both time periods. Nevertheless beautifully written.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for granting me the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Edition. ...more
Apr 14, 2018 Jessica rated it it was ok
Shelves: netgalley, art, hauntings, hist-fic, grown-up-homecomings
Kearsley manages to weave dry historical detail, blossoming lukewarm love affairs, and the banal intricacies of working for non-profit institutions into a tale I will soon forget.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing free digital access to this title in exchange for my honest opinion.
Mar 28, 2018 Christie«SHBBblogger» rated it really liked it
Shelves: august2018, advanced-copy, historical
Title: Bellewether
Author: Susanna Kearsley
Cliffhanger: No
HEA(view spoiler)[Yes (hide spoiler)]
The house, when I first saw it, seemed intent on guarding what it knew within its walls as long as it stayed standing; but we all learned, by the end of it, that secrets aren't such easy things to keep.
Charlotte "Charlie" Van Hoek is the new curator at the Wilde family museum at Snug Cove, and stumbles upon a love story in the Wilde family that ends abruptly in tragedy. She'
Charlotte "Charlie" Van Hoek is the new curator at the Wilde family museum at Snug Cove, and stumbles upon a love story in the Wilde family that ends abruptly in tragedy. She's never been one to believe in ghosts, but rumor has it that one has been spotted wandering the property in despair. Gossip, or a heartbroken soul unable to be at peace after a tragic end?
Whatever the case may be, she thinks it could be a great story to research while she organizes the restoration of the Wildes' home. Along the way, she meets Sam, the contractor in charge with a soft heart and a sensitive soul. He's a quiet man, but strong and dependable. The kind of man that cares and looks out for you if you're in his small inner circle. Their friendship flourished gradually, and eventually bloomed into love. It was most definitely a slow burn, and very much in the background of the overall plot. The main focus was Charlie's investigation of the Wilde family, and her challenges with her own family.
Coming back to the town where her family originated from is painful for more reasons than one. The loss of her father and brother back to back, followed by assuming responsibility for her brother's daughter Rachel completely shook up her world. She's still trying to settle all the pieces back into some sort of order. Then there's the fact that the grandmother that she's never met lives in town. The grandmother who disowned her father after he became a Vietnam war draft dodger and split town.
There's a lot of buried bitterness and hurt, compounded by pieces of history that were hidden from her most of her life. Even if her grandmother were to reach out to her, would she even deserve her time after she turned her back on them and refused contact? Charlie deals with a lot of inner turmoil as she tries to be there for Rachel, prove herself at work, and make sense of her feelings for the man who is her rock through it all.
Bellewether is a ghost story at heart, but not quite in the way you anticipate when you pick it up. Throughout the entire book you're wondering if the ending you think you know will come to light, and hoping it isn't the more time you spend with Lydia and the rest of the Wildes. I loved that about it. The plot is chock full of pre-revolution history in finely researched detail, and wonderfully character driven. Admittedly, it took me a big chunk of the book until I was firmly sucked in and reading at a fast pace. Because of the depth of the family history that's being introduced, it takes a while to fully entrench yourself. But it's so worth it when you do, and I'm so happy that I pushed through the first half.
There are actually three alternating first person POVs, Jean-Phillipe and Lydia in the past, in addition to Charlie's in the present. One thing I really loved was the chapter transitions. As we moved from the past to the present, or vise versa, the two characters on different timelines would be experiencing or feeling similar things. Charlie would be at the cove enjoying the sun on her face and the breeze blowing through her hair. Contemplating a sailboat as it glided past her. Then we'd flip to Lydia who'd be watching the boats go by at sunrise worrying over her family. It kind of brought home the fact that even though we feel so separated from those who lived in other eras, we all share the same threads of humanity. Clothing, culture, and technology may change, but our internal struggle and basic human experiences are the common thread that continue to tie us together.
One really unique thing about the past storyline was the fact that Lydia and Jean-Pierre didn't speak the same language. At first it confused me because I wondered how in the world these two people who were on opposite sides of the war, with a language barrier between them on top of it would grow to care about each other. I admit, I was doubtful. But I ended up really loving that about these two, and I felt like it ended up being one of the most romantic and unique things about them.
Their feelings didn't grow purely out of each other's physical appearance. In fact, it took quite some time before Lydia could even see anything other than an Acadian French soldier who fought against her brother with their enemy. Getting inside both of their heads from the first person POV really helped us understand how they studied one another. How they discovered each other's quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and hearts through the long months of transition while he stayed in her home. Words aren't needed when actions can be quietly observed to reveal the true character of a person.
Wars lay easier upon the conscience, Lydia decided, when you could not see the faces of the people you were fighting. And it was vastly easier to hate a man when you'd not learned his Christian name, or pried into his private thoughts and learned that he was human.
I personally was more drawn to the historical set of characters. Lydia's struggle to keep the peace between her brothers, and fill the space that her mother left when she passed away made me sympathize. There's a feeling that the entire family is on the cusp of some very drastic changes. That the peace they share in those moments is ephemeral, as if it's about to slip through their fingers never to return again. Of course there is some tension over Lydia's budding romance because we don't know how or if tragedy will strike.
The Wilde family was extremely well developed with a broad family tree that I would love to continue learning about. Lydia's brother Benjamin was a privateer and hero of the revolution, and we learned just enough of his life to leave me very curious and intrigued. I really hope there will be a full length story there for us in the future! The author's skill in drawing me into that time period with her vivid and lush writing compensated for the reading pace that lagged at times. And she more than made up for it in the chapters leading up to the resolution. I couldn't speed through them fast enough, as I was desperate to discover if there would be a HEA. I did feel as if the romance between Sam and Charley could have given me a little more to savor between them, but overall the originality and mystery of Bellewether won me over. This is only my second read by Susanna Kearsley, but it certainly won't be my last.
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Sep 02, 2018 Misfit marked it as abandoned
Shelves: back-to-the-library-for-you, time-slip, boring-boring-boring
I yield at 27%. I love Kearsley's books, I really do, but this is boring and nothing happens and I don't care about anyone. The only interesting part was the first paragraph and it went downhill from there. I couldn't even get interesting in the story line set in the past.
Oct 22, 2018 Karen rated it really liked it
"I'm a soldier. I don't get to choose my path."
"You're a soldier, so you follow, yes? Then follow this." Pierre's hard finger jabbed him in the chest, above his heart.
"God gave you this. He set it like a light within you, so that you could see it well and know the way to go. You follow THIS, Marine. Don't look behind."
I really enjoyed this. It was a little slow going at first, but so well done that I easily got into a groove. I was equally drawn to both stories, the modern and the historic.
I really enjoyed this. It was a little slow going at first, but so well done that I easily got into a groove. I was equally drawn to both stories, the modern and the historic. And while both romances were slow in developing, they were both completely worth the wait. This was not my favorite of Susanna Kearsley's works, but it was definitely a great read.
Mar 21, 2018 Scarlett rated it it was ok · review of another edition
You know that feeling when you get a great first impression of someone, but you become disappointed after spending some substantial time with them? That is how I felt about this book, I lost interest very quickly. The topic seemed interesting, but it was nothing new. The typical past and present story, told from several perspectives, did nothing to impress me. None of the characters had something to captivate me or to make me care. Still, Susanna Kearsley is a good writer, her writing has a nice You know that feeling when you get a great first impression of someone, but you become disappointed after spending some substantial time with them? That is how I felt about this book, I lost interest very quickly. The topic seemed interesting, but it was nothing new. The typical past and present story, told from several perspectives, did nothing to impress me. None of the characters had something to captivate me or to make me care. Still, Susanna Kearsley is a good writer, her writing has a nice flow and I liked how she implemented some nice, almost philosophical thoughts without trying to sound profound. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to make this read enjoyable, it was boring and predictable. Once again, the attractive blurb was better than the story itself.
Young French Canadian lieutenant enters the story as a war captive, made to stay with the Wilde family until the end of war. There, he falls in love with Lydia, the only daughter in the house. Love story between enemies is told many, many times, so it is hard to find something exciting here. Both characters are two dimensional and for all the money in the world, I couldn't see the attraction between them. Their problems are not really problems, but they are made to look dramatic. Their ending is also just too much, I really, really did not care about it.
In the present, we follow Charley, a museum curator who is trying to pick up the pieces of this love story, while also trying to maintain some personal life of her own. Charley, of course, has unsustainable relationship with some random guy until she discovers her true feeling about Sam, a contractor who is all the best things that little town has to offer. This is not a spoiler, you can figure this out in the first chapter, considering how Sam swoops in the story like an unsung hero every woman needs.
The author herself is "a former museum curator who loves restoring the lost voices of real people to the page", according to her author's page. This is probably the reason why there is a big, and I really mean huge amount of unwanted description how an expert goes through documents and decides if they are valid and worth displaying in the museum. It is informative, but definitely not worth putting in a historical fiction novel. Finding buttons and going through dirt to see if there are any more buttons there… not really exciting.
I also wonder, why is this book titled "Bellewether"? If you must know, that is the name of the ship, but kill me if I see the story revolving around it. It is just a convenient transportation in one point of the story and it introduces us to one minor character. I am not criticizing, I may have lost the meaning somewhere, but if someone catches the importance of Bellewether, please inform me.
That being said, I can't shake off the impression that Susanna is a good writer! This may be a boring book, but I can see myself getting one of her other books one day, who knows.
I got this ebook from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley and I am very grateful for this reading opportunity!
Sep 26, 2018 Sara rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: women-writers, war, borrowed-from-library, new-england, pleasure-reading, romance, historical-fiction
It takes a particular skill to write a dual time period novel and make it work seamlessly. It is something Susanna Kearsley does very well. Too often in such novels the switches between times seem jarring to me, but with Kearsley this is seldom the case. I suppose you could say her books are somewhat formulaic, but she researches her historical era well and includes some actual figures from the time, which adds authenticity.
In Bellewether, the setting is the Wilde House, a New York colonial home It takes a particular skill to write a dual time period novel and make it work seamlessly. It is something Susanna Kearsley does very well. Too often in such novels the switches between times seem jarring to me, but with Kearsley this is seldom the case. I suppose you could say her books are somewhat formulaic, but she researches her historical era well and includes some actual figures from the time, which adds authenticity.
In Bellewether, the setting is the Wilde House, a New York colonial home that is being turned into a museum because it was once the home of a famous Revolutionary War pirate, Benjamin Wilde. Charlotte (Charley) Van Hoek has been hired to curate the museum, and she becomes interested in a local tale about Benjamin's sister, Lydia, and a love affair she had with a French prisoner of war who was housed in her home and murdered during the French and Indian Wars. I enjoyed that the time she selected is not one that is often covered and that her characters behaved in ways that would have been appropriate to the time.
When I read this kind of novel, I generally enjoy the historical elements more than the present-time ones. It is evident that this is a well-researched history, with every element ringing true, but I found the modern-day story held my interest as well.
Of course, if you are expecting to close the book and come away with something profound or life-changing, this isn't the book to read, but if you are just looking for a book that is fun, holds your interest and takes you out of the everyday world for a while, this would be just the right choice.
Aug 26, 2018 Jennifer rated it really liked it
4-4.5 stars
This was my first book by Kearsley and I loved it. I can't believe I haven't read anything by her before. But now she is on my radar and I will be on the lookout for anything by this author. Bellewether has everything that I love in a book- dual timeline (past / present), multiple POV narration, a little bit of historical fiction, a little bit of mystery and a little bit of a paranormal element all rolled into one heck of a great tale.
I thought that the characters were extremely well 4-4.5 stars
I thought that the characters were extremely well developed, even the secondary ones and the way that Kearsley tells the story, you just get so absorbed into this world and you don't want to put the book down. I found myself many times saying "one more chapter" when it was well past the time I should have been reading. What I also liked is that even though we have the past and present timelines, both were equally interesting and I found that one did not outweigh the other. Kearsley did a great job with the transitions from Charley, Lydia and Jean-Phillipe. Each has their own distinct voice and I found myself liking all 3.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Also, if you are a fan of Kate Morton, I would highly recommend this book! They have a similar style and I often found myself comparing the two; which by the way, is a total compliment. I haven't read anything by Morton that I didn't like and now I have Kearsley to add to my list.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for my copy of this book via Edelweiss
Apr 04, 2018 ✶Rachelle✶ rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: romance, 2018, arc, historical
I very much enjoyed this! It has everything I love about Ms. Kearsley's books, and I can't wait to add a copy to my bookshelf.
Full review to follow closer to publication
I was beyond thrilled to see this ARC waiting in my inbox!
Susanna Kearsley is one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to get started with this one =D
Mar 25, 2018 Amy Bruno rated it liked it
Shelves: on-my-kindle, for-review, net-galley, ebook-galley, historical-fiction, arcs, 18th-century, april-2018-review
3.5 stars. Great writing as always, I just wish there had been a little more drama and action.
May 13, 2018 Bree Hill rated it liked it · review of another edition
Susanna Kearsley has been my FAVORITE author for the past couple of years and it's hard for me to go into her books unbiased and not automatically assuming I'm going to LOVE them just because it's her. I found myself doing that with this book when really, about halfway through I was like OMG..SK is known for slow moving books but she's also written books like Mariana and The Shadowy Horses where I felt from the beginning she had me sucked in..Bellewether was just a little too slow moving for me. Susanna Kearsley has been my FAVORITE author for the past couple of years and it's hard for me to go into her books unbiased and not automatically assuming I'm going to LOVE them just because it's her. I found myself doing that with this book when really, about halfway through I was like OMG..SK is known for slow moving books but she's also written books like Mariana and The Shadowy Horses where I felt from the beginning she had me sucked in..Bellewether was just a little too slow moving for me.
In true SK fashion there are two women main characters separated by time, both have their own love interest and are tied together in some way. Charley is our modern day lady who is a newly hired museum curator in Lydia Wilde (our historic main character's) old house. Lydia is a young woman during the Seven Years War and her family is housing two French officers. One of the POV's we get is from Jean Philippe, one of the officers who you figure out shortly will be the love interest of Lydia but it moves SO. SLOW. I mean at 55% I remember feeling like THEY BARELY even speak nor even acknowledge each other up to this point.
What I liked about this book is the family aspect. The Wilde's are really close. The Mother, Patience has passed away and the Father does his best to hold things together. Lydia really steps it up as a sister and daughter to take care of her father and brothers with the help of Violet..the slave owned by her uncle who her family is pretty much rescuing since her Mother showed up on their doorstep years ago.
I like how SK handled slavery in this book. This is her first book solely in America so I wondered how it would be dealt with and I feel she did a good job. It was also nice to see Lydia grow in certain ways when it came to race. She loves Violet like a sister but is so prejudice against the French Officers. It's understandable given the time period and what is going on around her but you see her eventually lighten up and become accepting.
Great historical fiction as expected from SK, just a little too slow for me at the moment. I think I should've waited for the fall to read this. Maybe a different time this would've been perfect. ...more
Sep 02, 2018 Tracy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
I'm going to be very honest in this review. I have read every book Susanna Kearsley has written. There is only one book that I didn't like. That was Named of the Dragon. I gave up on that one. Everything else I either loved immensely or liked a lot.
I have been impatiently waiting for the release of Bellewether for years. When it came out I saw several people mention that it was slow. Uh-oh I thought....
I started it and at first it was fine. I was interested in it for sure. Then, it got slow! I I'm going to be very honest in this review. I have read every book Susanna Kearsley has written. There is only one book that I didn't like. That was Named of the Dragon. I gave up on that one. Everything else I either loved immensely or liked a lot.
I started it and at first it was fine. I was interested in it for sure. Then, it got slow! I was so upset. After all this waiting how could Susanna Kearsley give me a slow book!?! But I just couldn't give up that easily and I kept going. It got good again. Then it got a little slow again. Then it got good again. There were a couple slow areas, but way less and then it stayed good in my opinion! Towards the end it was amazing and I couldn't put it down!
There is a twist at the end that I was happy about and I really was so enthralled during the last 30% of the book. I was glued to my Kindle! So, I'm happy and the book lived up to my expectations!
I have to also say the subject written about, the historical aspect of the French Indian war is something I'd never read about, so I enjoyed this dip into history!
I guess now I wait again for her next book.... 😀 ...more
Aug 17, 2018 TL rated it really liked it · review of another edition
(my copy is is 434 pages)
Writing: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
3.75 stars overall perhaps
Miss Kearsley's wonderful writing transports me yet again to a long ago time and place. I fell in love with atmosphere and the people in it... wanting not to leave and at the same time wanting to know how it all turned out.
And yet, I didn't love this as much as her others (but I have a feeling this one will be more appreciated with further reads perhaps). Why? The "spark" was there but it was (my copy is is 434 pages)
And yet, I didn't love this as much as her others (but I have a feeling this one will be more appreciated with further reads perhaps). Why? The "spark" was there but it wasn't the same as her other works.
There were times when this was hard to put down, but it was also easy to put it aside as well.
The historical parts drew me in right away... Miss Kearsley has a gift for bringing you into the past and bringing everything to life. While I wouldn't want to live there (indoor plumbing being one reason haha), I wouldn't mind visiting to see what life was like back then.
The present storyline was harder for me to connect to. There were aspects I enjoyed (hearing about the Wilde House restoration, the 'ghost' aspects) but overall I was indifferent to the majority of it till later on in the book when certain things happened. A part at the end made me smile as well, though it didn't make up for my previous feelings completely (only helped some).
Learning who one of Charley's ancestors was and making the connection to the people in the past was fun to think about. It also had me wondering who else my ancestors knew and how they got along with these people... if they knew them long, etc.
The history she included as well... makes you wish this stuff was taught in school as well. I certainly would have paid more attention in class. As I told my mom once, "You find out all the good stuff after high-school is over."
All in all, would recommend. A beautiful novel still even with my quibbles, and I would love to to see her write more in this time period as well.
Side note: Major Cover Love <3 Kudos to the designer! ...more
May 26, 2018 Bookworm rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: arcs-read
2.5 stars Oh dear...this book was disappointing for me on so many levels. It sounded incredibly intriguing and seemed to have all of my favourite elements including a fascinating historical back drop, war, romance and even a paranormal aspect. Unfortunately I found it challenging to care and engage in the plot. I will even admit there was an instance about a third of the way through in which I considered abandoning it altogether although I'm glad that I pushed on. The second half of the book pic 2.5 stars Oh dear...this book was disappointing for me on so many levels. It sounded incredibly intriguing and seemed to have all of my favourite elements including a fascinating historical back drop, war, romance and even a paranormal aspect. Unfortunately I found it challenging to care and engage in the plot. I will even admit there was an instance about a third of the way through in which I considered abandoning it altogether although I'm glad that I pushed on. The second half of the book picked up a little.
Bellewether is the name of a ship owned by one of the Wilde brothers and captained by his younger brother. Although there is reference to the Bellewether and a small plot line that focuses on the ship, most of the story is really about the history of the house owned by the Wilde's and a rumoured romance between Lydia Wilde and a French soldier that is said to have ended tragically and the source of a modern day haunting. The author uses two timelines - 1759 and present day - to build mystery and weave in a first hand account of life in the 18th century during the war between British and French colonies. I quite enjoyed the 1759 timeline - told from Lydia and Jean-philippe's POV's - but aside from the ghost element, found the modern day time line - told from Charley's perspective - to drag. Charley has her own family dysfunction and has recently been hired as a curator for the Wilde house turned museum. Charley's plot line felt one dimensional and somewhat contrived.
If I could pinpoint one suggestion it would be to PLEASE EDIT THIS STORY! Oh my goodness, it felt long and the descriptive prose was overwhelming. I think taking several paragraphs or pages to describe a setting or an element like a room in a house was excessive and could have been edited to a sentence or two. I felt bogged down by the unimportant detail. I wanted more focus on the characters' emotions, what made them human and their internal struggles. The war was referenced and a central theme but again I craved more historical detail of its impact on the characters. The romance was too slow with description interfering in its emotional development. I wanted to feel depth but instead felt removed and detached. And the ghost story...don't even get me started...while there was so much opportunity to invoke a little spookiness or an eerie chill, there wasn't any and it became more of an afterthought. There was a little mystery as to who the ghost was but that's as far as it went.
I really don't like to criticize as I appreciate all of the hard work that goes into writing a book but I felt quite let down by this one. It promised big things but the execution fell flat. Not a book for those looking for strong emotional connection. May be better suited to readers who enjoy flowery narrative descriptions and a slow moving plot.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date was April 24, 2018. ...more
Apr 17, 2018 Tracey rated it it was amazing
Shelves: netgalley, top-reads-2018
"It's late summer, war is raging, and families are torn apart by divided loyalties and deadly secrets. In this complex and dangerous time, a young French Canadian lieutenant is captured and billeted with a Long Island family, an unwilling and unwelcome guest. Jean-Philippe de Sabran finds himself drawn to the daughter of the house. Slowly, Lydia Wilde comes to lean on Jean-Philippe, true soldier and gentleman, until their lives become intertwined. Legend has it that the forbidden love between Je "It's late summer, war is raging, and families are torn apart by divided loyalties and deadly secrets. In this complex and dangerous time, a young French Canadian lieutenant is captured and billeted with a Long Island family, an unwilling and unwelcome guest. Jean-Philippe de Sabran finds himself drawn to the daughter of the house. Slowly, Lydia Wilde comes to lean on Jean-Philippe, true soldier and gentleman, until their lives become intertwined. Legend has it that the forbidden love between Jean-Philippe and Lydia ended tragically, but centuries later, the clues they left behind slowly unveil the true story."
Let me preface my review with, I absolutely love Susanna Kearsley! This author tops my automatic buy list for Historical fiction. She is also the only author that I buy the Kindle, audible and the actual book; so, yes, I have three versions of all her books. I can honestly say I have never been so over joyed to receive an ARC, like literally full on happy dancing around my bedroom. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks and Susanna Kearsley for a free advanced copy for an honest review.
Mrs. Kearsley is an excellent story teller. She has a brilliant way of blending the past and the present together. "The Bellwether" is told through a wonderful dual timelines, present day and during the Seven Year War. I have to admit, I haven't read much if anything on this particular time period, so I was a little intrigued.
The story begins with Charley (Charlotte), our modern day heroine who has recently moved to the Long Island area to be the curator of the Wilde House during its historical renovation. Through this, she is trying to piece together historical facts regarding the Wilde family, more precisely Captain Wilde, who was captain of the "Bellewether". During this, she is told the legend regarding the only Wilde sister, Lydia and her French soldier, Jean-Philippe de Sabran. While on her fact finding mission regarding Lydia, she stumbles across an unwelcome paranormal ally (if paranormal is not your thing, don't worry this is a very minor piece to the story, but a fun one). She also stumbles across her sexy Native American contractor, Sam. Though both love stories were slow paced, they were none the less immensely beautiful!
The story is told between three viewpoints, Lydia, Jean-Philippe and Charley. As always with her books, I loved every minute I spent with these characters, and ended up with huge crushes on our heroes. Our heroines, Lydia and Charley were resilient, intelligent, and beautiful women. The stories were both perfect and had beautiful endings.
Jun 28, 2018 Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance rated it liked it · review of another edition
This book follows the two timeline historical fiction style that we know of previous Susanna Kearsley writings. The main characters are in the present and intermingle with those in the past. Usually it is a setting or a relative that connects the two. In this novel however, it is only the presence of a ghost that shows itself like a house ghost or a legend told.
"The story of the ghost has been around for generations, and every generation ads their bit to it, but I'll tell it the way I first hear This book follows the two timeline historical fiction style that we know of previous Susanna Kearsley writings. The main characters are in the present and intermingle with those in the past. Usually it is a setting or a relative that connects the two. In this novel however, it is only the presence of a ghost that shows itself like a house ghost or a legend told.
"The story of the ghost has been around for generations, and every generation ads their bit to it, but I'll tell it the way I first heard it from my uncle Walt-the way he heard it at his great-grandfather's knee, so he said."
-Susanna Kearsley
Charley (Charlotte) is a museum curator that just recently moved to Long Island and oversees the historical renovation of the 'Wilde House'. As she spends more time at this house and the surrounding area, she develops a keen interest in this legend she keeps hearing about that involves Captain Wilde's sister Lydia and a French soldier, Jean-Philippe.
Piecing together the past and giving justice to historical events and people, she keeps working on unraveling the past through photographs and written documents, until she finds out her life is unraveling at the same time. Could the super handsome contractor that works at the renovation project be part of the reason or did he just happen to be there when she was in need?
"The house, when I first saw it, seemed intent on guarding what it knew within its walls as long as it stayed standing; but we all learned, by the end of it, that secrets aren't such easy things to keep"
1759, the 'Bellewether' was attacked by enemy pirates in the West Indies and brought home barely afloat for repairs. Jean-Philippe de Sabran, a captured French Canadian lieutenant gets billeted into the 'Wilde' house, where he isn't welcome, but he is needed as a worker around the house and farm. As he earns his keep and helps repair the Bellewether, he starts to fall for Lydia. Both of them know, their relationship would never be allowed as tensions during the Seven Year War are heating up and trading agreements are broken across all waters. Loyalties will be challenged and desperation leads to dangerous illegal trading around Hispaniola. As Lydia and Jean-Philippe are faced to overcome insurmountable obstacles, their legend begins to form as tragedy hits….or so it seems.
Charley stumbles upon an important artifact that help her solve the mystery of the two lovers, as well as an important issue: Slaves.
"The ghost had been trying to tell me this, when he'd kept turning my painting around."
Susanna Kearsley does her research! Combining historical events with characters she learns of during her research, while adding a dash of fiction, create her mysterious novels. The setting by the beach in 'Bellewether' was especially alluring with its foggy tantalizing legend that pulls you in to read more. If you enjoy these kind of books, I recommend 'Marianna'. One of my favorites of hers.
I received a digital copy of 'Bellewether' from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
For more reviews: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
Dec 17, 2018 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: kindle-books
Like so many of Kearsely's books, this was so beautifully done and told. I adore the slight paranormal elements and the back and forth through history. One of my favorites, although if I'm being honest, I love all her books so far. They are all just so well told and laid out.
Around the Year i...: Bellewether, by Susanna Kearsley 3 16 Jan 09, 2019 01:02PM
Historical > Historical Fiction
Romance > Historical Romance
About Susanna Kearsley
New York Times, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author Susanna Kearsley is a former museum curator who loves restoring the lost voices of real people to the page, interweaving romance and historical intrigue with modern adventure.
Her books, published in translation in more than 20 countries, have won the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize, RT Reviewers' Choice Awards, a RITA Award, and Nat New York Times, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author Susanna Kearsley is a former museum curator who loves restoring the lost voices of real people to the page, interweaving romance and historical intrigue with modern adventure.
Her books, published in translation in more than 20 countries, have won the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize, RT Reviewers' Choice Awards, a RITA Award, and National Readers' Choice Awards, and have finaled for the UK's Romantic Novel of the Year and the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel.
She lives near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(Aka Emma Cole, a pseudonym she used for one novel, Every Secret Thing, a thriller which at the time was intended to be the first of a trilogy featuring heroine Kate Murray, and which may yet be finished, some day. Meantime, Every Secret Thing has been reissued under Kearsley's name, and the Emma Cole pseudonym is no longer in use.) ...more
Books by Susanna Kearsley
Trivia About Bellewether
Quotes from Bellewether
"Outside, the night was soft and fresh. There was a half-moon shining brightly in a field of stars, a glowing ring of light surrounding it, and it had made a trail across the bay that showed in places through the darker screen of trees.
They walked in silence, and she breathed the mingled scents of wildflowers sleeping in the shadows, and the salt air of the sea.
He had not let go of her hand. She did not want him to. They did not leave the clearing but at length they reached its edge, where rustling branches stretched above them and the light and noise and music of the barn seemed far away. One heart-shaped leaf fell from a nearby tree and landed on his shoulder and unthinkingly she lifted her free hand to brush it off before it marked the white coat she had worked so hard and long to clean.
She felt him looking down at her, and glancing up self-consciously she started to explain. And lost the words.
And then he bent his head and kissed her.
Everything around her seemed to stop, and still, and cease to matter. She could not have said how long it lasted. Not long, probably. It was a gentle kiss but at the same time fierce and sure and full of all the pent-up feelings she herself had fought these past months, and now she knew he had felt them just as she had, and had fought them, too. It was a great release to give up fighting. Give up everything, and float in the sensation." — 1 likes
"Every family needs its own historian, someone to guard the stories, yes? Or else they will be lost." — 1 likes


The Buckeyes have won the 2024 Football National Championship
I have already declared that the Buckeyes have won the 2022 CFP National Championship. Also sprinkled in there, CJ stroud has won the 2022 Heisman. 60 passing TDs really set him apart from the field. Now that this upcoming season is already in the past, it is on to the future. THE Ohio State Buckeyes just became the number 1 recruiting class for 2023. So I don't even believe it is a stretch to say the Buckeyes have also won the 2024 Natty.
Ohio State recruiting the past 8 days….
6/20: Carnell Tate (#3 WR; #28 overall)
6/21: Brandon Inniss (#2 WR; #18 overall)
6/22: Noah Rogers (#9 WR; #50 overall)
6/27: Kayin Lee (#18 CB; #145 overall)
— BuckeyePlanet (@buckeyeplanet) June 28, 2022
On Ryan Days way to world domination (#1 recruiting class) he stomped over those pretentious assholes from South Bend, Indiana. The Norte Dame Fighting Irish had the top spot for a while but had a lower average recruit ranking than the Buckeyes the duration of their time at the top (Buckeyes: 94.15 Fighting Potatoes: 92.72). So it is more than fair to say that Notre Dames #1 spot was fraudulent. It's also fair to say that Notre Dames 2023 recruiting class rank is very similar to how most of there football seasons finish. The fighting leprechauns start the season undefeated and finally get some respect after going 6-0. They are ranked high but all the real college football fans know the crash and burn is coming and sure as shit the crash and burn happens. They lose to some academy school or Stanford and are exposed for the real frauds they are.
The Catholics won't have any hype or excitement this year when the Buckeyes curb stomp them week 1 in the shoe. I know they like there new coach for now but after daddy day waxes that ass by 50 they will do what they do best and cry for a new coach. While they are in turmoil, Ohio State will be on the way to a undefeated championship season.
Now back to the future. Ohio State secured the #1 recruiting class with three WR commitments and 4 star corner back. The wide receivers we have coming are truly something special. Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate are both 5 stars and a nice little 4 star named Noah Rodgers. I personally am a huge fan of the new strategy of get a gun slinging QB and the three best WRs in the country. It worked pretty well last year so let's keep running that play until it doesn't work. Side note. My favorite play of all time is when Ohio State ran counter with Zeke Elliot when beating Bama. 85 yards through the heart of the south. End of side note. I am being realistic when I say the Buckeyes win the 2024 championship because I don't want to be an arrogant asshole and think we win the championship the first year with the top recruiting class. As always, I represent the rational and fair fan base of THE Ohio State Buckeyes. Go Bucks.
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21 May 2013 | AR031CD/AR031VL | album | CD | LP | digital
Get Ready by The Hi-Fly Orchestra
"Although this is already our third album, recording it felt like something really fresh." The Hi-Fly Orchestra are excited when they talk about their new long-player "Get Ready". They have all rights to do so, with 12 original tracks covering a wide range from funk, brazil, soul and jazz, always in view of the groove: "We are no scientists, we are not on a mission. We are here to make you dance."
Florian Riedl, one of the two main songwriters in the Hi-Fly Orchestra, has a story to tell about "Get Ready": "We have always been a real band, right from the start in 2005. We love vintage recording techniques, all our gear crammed in one room and getting the music on tape in a jam session situation." The opening chords of "Uncle Green" already prove the point.
"Get Ready" is a journey in style. Think of Lonnie Smith's immediacy and rhythmic urgency circa "Move Your Hands", the casual spirituality of Horace Silver with a hint of Lee Dorsey's style of turning rhythm & blues into soul, even Vince Guaraldi's versatile, comforting jazz sound is somewhere in "Get Ready".
"'Get Ready' is all about the music we love. Take the title track, for example", Jerker Kluge, second half in Hi-Fly's songwriting team, says. "It has that certain New Orleans feeling. The band is going loose on the rhythm, while Karl Frierson's lyrics have a conscious, social dimension to them." Speaking of lyrics and Frierson's appearance (widely known from his success with De-Phazz), Florian Riedl is particularly proud of their guest vocalists. Paula Morelenbaum, wife of Brazilian producer and musician legend Jaques Morelenbaum appears on "Sambinha": "The little samba, as we call it, is our homage to Brazilian music. It is made for dancing. So it is kind of our motto." Same with "Jequibau", a showcase for the competent brass supplied by Florian Riedl's altosax and Johannes Herrlich's trombone. "I Got Hope", on the other hand, is a down-to-earth affair of a groove, featuring Julia Fehenberger, a well-known face in the lively jazz scene of Hi-Fly Orchestra's hometown Munich, moving in the right direction with the help of Chris Gall's piano. "Brother Sun Sister Moon" and the cool flute excursion "Sweet And Busy" takes us into classic dancefloor jazz territory. It's all about smooth moves here, Alexander Krampe's soothing voice will make you get down to the beat.
First and foremost, though, The Hi-Fly Orchestra is a tried and tested, tight live unit. Following the release of two acclaimed albums – "Samboogaloo" (2007) and "Mambo Atomico" (2008) released on Tramp Records and a number of 7inch vinyls on renowned labels like Record Kicks or Ajabu! – the band toured extensively around Europe visiting Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Sweden und even Estonia along the way. While being serious about what they do, the fun factor is never far away: "'Nerd's Dancefloor' looks at club culture with a smile. It's about us really, especially Jerker and me, doing weird moves on the floor. Not really what you could call a lesson in cool," Florian Riedl admits. "But it has this tricky 5/4 bar which makes it a special treat." Right on: The expert rhythm section of Jerker Kluge on double-bass and Hajo von Hadeln on drums knows about a smart groove. Having experienced sound experts like Jan "Mastermix" Krause (Beanfield, Poets Of Rhythm) on the controls and Willy Löster (LaBrassBanda, Trikont) in the mix makes "Get Ready" authentic, enjoyable and very international.
With "Get Ready" the Hi-Fly Orchestra is coming home. They know what they do, where they come from and where they want to go. "So please don't think of us a pseudo-hip, young newcomer jazz band," Florian Riedl asks, "we are here to stay." Don't worry guys, with "Get Ready" the Hi-Fly Orchestra will not be misunderstood. Please meet a bunch of real musicians from the real world, spreading a real message …


Life Beyond Horizons
lifebeyondhorizons.com
Prayer Requests, Questions, Comments
On Observing the Times
by Terry James, courtesy of Terry James Prophecy Line
Jesus looked directly and deeply into the eyes of the pious religionists and elitist-legalists (the Pharisees and Sadducees). His omniscient, penetrating, piercing, eyes saw into their very souls. These religious zealots and lawyers sought to disprove the claims by His followers that He was sent from God. They wanted Him to immediately perform a private miracle for them, thinking, no doubt, that He would fail, giving them fodder for their attacks against Him.
Jesus, in answer to their probing demands that He show them a sign to prove His commission from Heaven, said:
Jesus replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16: 2-3 NIV)
The Pharisees, in particular, were supposed to know, in-depth, God's Word to Jews. Yet, these not only didn't recognize the fact that the Messiah was among them, but they also mocked Him and wanted to–and eventually did—kill Him.
Jesus had performed miracle after miracle. The signals were in every direction that He was who He was–the very Messiah for whom all of believing Israel longed.
Rather than embracing their future King, they mocked, harassed, and ultimately murdered Him, with the help of the Roman government.
They wanted a "sign" from Him, yet He had done wonders that everyone in Israel knew about except, seemingly, these Pharisees and Sadducees who confronted Him.
This man of Galilee represented a threat to their authority of being religionists and legalists who ran things. They couldn't have their controlling apple cart turned upside down. Theirs was a very lucrative business, and they wanted no Messiah ruining their money-making enterprises.
Saul of Tarsus, of course, was, before his Damascus Road experience, one of the chief prosecutors/persecutors who sought to end the lives of those who followed Jesus–the one whom religionists and legalists considered an imposter, but whom His followers believed and claimed to be Israel's Messiah.
We must wonder today about those, particularly among the so-called clergy—who cannot or will not discern the times. These totally ignore, or refuse to accept, God's Word on things to come. They spiritualize or allegorize prophecy yet future concerning Christ's soon return to put an end to this rebellious world system.
Would Jesus say the same to these today as he said of the religionists of that day?
"O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"
The Bible consists of–as my friend, the late Chuck Missler, used to inform—about 27 percent prophecy. Of that, approximately 14 percent is yet to be fulfilled. Yet only a very few pastors in the pulpits will touch on the prophetic portions. If they do, they spiritualize it or allegorize it to such an extent that they give their congregations little indication that these are things to come, in a literal sense. They certainly don't examine the prophetic portions about prophecies yet to be fulfilled, checking on and including issues and events of the times that are unfolding–times that even a modicum of examination and exploration would divulge are absolutely ripe with prophesied things on the very cusp of taking place.
Such things to come are bulging at the proverbial seams, trying to burst forth.
Looking at the political situation in America today, as well as at the moral comportment of so many, what discerner from a believer's perspective can deny that evil men and seducers are growing worse and worse?
Seeing the battles, with the nation divided almost down the middle, who with a discerning spirit can deny that rebellion against the God of Heaven is raging, or that that same God, the Holy Spirit, is acting as never before as Restrainer against the evil that is ramping up moment by moment?
Who that has been given discernment by that same Holy Spirit can but recognize that worldwide hatred for Israel is coming to a head, just as the prophet Zechariah foretold?
All prophetic signs are in process of converging at this very moment during these strange and troubling, although exciting, times; they are exciting because it all means the Lord Jesus Christ must be about to call all believers into the clouds of glory to be with Himself.
The believer that Jesus Christ is who God's Word says He is must be dedicated to observing these matters unfolding so near the time of His return to establish His righteous kingdom on this rebellious earth. It's time for Christians to be discerners.
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV)
Winter of Discontent November 3, 2022
The Great Divide August 16, 2021
Love Thy Neighbor August 5, 2021
Autocratic Gaslighting July 25, 2021
The First Martyr July 16, 2021
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Winter of Discontent
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The First Martyr
Missing in Action – America in the End Times
In Times like These…
Cancel You, Cancel Me
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The Battle Line is drawn
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Home / Posts tagged "environment"
Scientology's Hollywood Cleanup Brightens Streets and Lives
Linda Wieland
Church of Scientology volunteers bring happiness to the streets of Hollywood. Dirty streets are a common complaint of Hollywood residents and care of the homeless is a top concern. Volunteers from the Church...
Nashville Church of Scientology and The Way to Happiness Collaborate at Sustainable Fashion Conference
Kelly Frazier
Church of Scientology helping to promote sustainable living on World Environment Day. On June 5, in observation of World Environment Day, The Way to Happiness Association and the Church of Scientology...
Pope Francis Defends Environment By Attacking The Oil Industry
Pope Franics Told Oil Executives They Need To Care About The Environment Pope Francis, on June 9, warned influential oil executives and other top bosses of energy companies that the change in climate...
Why Catholic Women Could Transform America and The Church
WRN Editorial Staff
WRN Interviewed Kerry Weber, the executive editor of America Magazine, on a startling new survey of Catholic women and its implication for America Whenever we are presented with new information we have...
My Daughter's Words Summed Up My Whole Purpose as a Scientology Parent
Tad Reeves
You can learn a lot by exploring the world around you. I spend a lot of time outdoors with my kids. Some might say too much. But while there are a lot of lessons one can learn about life at school or from...
Religious Leaders Are Protesting A Coal Mine in Australia
Religious leaders demand environmental minister withdrawal support for coal mine. Josh Frydenberg, the federal environmental minister of Australia had a tough morning when religious leaders from different...
Pope Francis Condemns "Populist Rhetoric" and Stresses Need to Take Care of the Environment
Pope calls for softening up our attitudes towards immigrants; reflects on how creation is reminiscent of Christ's resurrection. The Pope's Tuesday address was devoted to the issue of immigration,...
Pope Focuses on Climate; Says It Is a Sin To Destroy Nature
Nathan Glover
The Supreme Pontiff urges Christians to beg for God's forgiveness for destroying the environment. In what can be called a very drastic and radical departure from traditional Catholic concepts...
Green Community Plan Faces Opposition from LDS Church
Alison Lesley
LDS opposes Mormon businessman's vision to create environmentally-friendly communities. A Mormon multimillionaire's vision of a pro-green community has been opposed strongly by the Church of Jesus...
Spotify Launches Ad Campaign Featuring Pope Francis
Spotify's campaign showcasing Pope Francis aims to broaden its audience to an older generation. Spotify, one of the top music-streaming services that targets the whims of music-loving millennials,...


National Advisory Committee
Open Arms' National Advisory Committee (NAC) meets three times a year. The NAC provides the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel with independent advice on the needs of the veteran community and how these can be addressed through Open Arms.
Each Open Arms region holds at least two Regional Advisory Forums (RAF) annually. The forums give key stakeholders an opportunity to meet representatives of Open Arms to discuss regional service delivery issues and community needs. Issues raised from these forums are considered by the NAC.
The role of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) is to:
1. Provide independent and distinctive advice to the Minister on the needs of the veteran community and the ways in which these can be delivered by Open Arms.
2. Support Open Arms to develop programs and services that are:
responsive to the mental health needs of Australian veterans and their families
based on a health and wellness approach
coordinated with other mental health agencies
consistent with the government's mental health policy, enabling Open Arms to be a key component of the Department of Veterans' Affairs delivery of community based mental health care.
3. Provide guidance to Open Arms on:
issues and needs within the veteran and defence communities that impact on the delivery of Open Arms programs
strategic service delivery partnerships that will enable Open Arms to link with other providers in an integrated approach to mental health care.
4. Assess and report to the Minister on the operations and quality of outcomes delivered to the veteran community through Open Arms programs.
Appointment to the NAC is for three years. Ministerial appointments to the committee are made on the basis that while committee members may be members of interested organisations they do not serve on the committee as representatives of those organisations.
The NAC meets three times a year at Open Arms locations across the country. Secretariat support is provided by the Open Arms National Operations team.
At each meeting, the NAC facilitates and engages in consultation with the local Open Arms client community to learn first-hand about how Open Arms is serving their communities and areas for potential improvement. The NAC consolidates these learnings and uses this to inform the advice they provide to the Minister.
You can read the minutes from previous meetings.
Your feedback guides Open Arms. We want and value your feedback, ideas and suggestions to ensure Open Arms continues to meet the needs of the community we serve. You can openarms.coord [at] dva.gov.au (email the NAC via the Secretariat), or:
Open Arms NAC Secretariat
Brisbane QLD 4001.


Two Coto interior designers help with the…
Two Coto interior designers help with the Philharmonic Society's House of Design
DESIGNER BILLIARDS: Susan Wesley of Coto de Caza designed the interior of the sports bar and billiards room in the Philharmonic Society of Orange County's House of Design.
BEDROOM ROMANTIC: Lori Hankins of Coto de Caza designed the interior of the master bedroom of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County's House of Design.
HOUSE OF DESIGN: The Philharmonic Society's House of Design located in Crystal Cove community of Newport Coast.
By Mark Eades | meades@scng.com | Orange County Register
Two designers from Coto de Caza took part in designing the interior spaces of the 2008 Philharmonic House of Design for the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.
The house was developed to showcase different design techniques of members of the American Society of Interior Designers – Orange County Chapter.
The two designers from Coto de Caza were: Susan Wesley and Lori Hankins.
Hankins designed the master bedroom using plaster with inlaid decorative artwork as a backdrop for custom appliquéd and embroidered drapery and pillows to create a romantic setting.
Wesley worked on the sports bar and billiard room. Behind the antique billiards table Wesley commissioned and original piece of art by Sandra Jones to compliment the gaming setting.
Revenues raised by visitor admission fees go towards funding the Philharmonic Society's Youth Program.
The house is located in the prestigious Crystal Cove custom home community of Newport Coast.
Contact the writer: meades@ocregister.com or 949-454-7352
Mark Eades
Mark Eades is currently a multi-media reporter for the Orange County Register. He has covered the theme park industry since 2009. He has also covered breaking news and for three years, covered Orange County's canyons and the community of Coto de Caza. Prior to working at the Orange County Register, he worked at the Orange County Newschannel for nearly five years. Prior to that he worked as a writer and producer in the theme park design business. In fact, he was a Disney Imagineer from 1982 to 1993 where he worked on many projects for Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Follow Mark Eades	@markaaedes


Enthusiast Specials Offer Rare View Of The Churnet Valley
10/05/2012 (7 years ago) Offers, Events
Passengers on the Churnet Valley Railway are in for a rare treat when the heritage attraction runs Enthusiast Specials on four days later this month.
The special trains will offer the chance to travel along the line south of Froghall to Oakamoor as well as making a return trip to Cauldon Lowe, a 30-mile journey in total. The CVR's resident heritage Dieseul Multiple Unit (DMU) will be used for the excursions offering unrestricted views of the line.
The excusions will be operated over two weekends, Saturday & Sunday May 19 & 20, and May 26 & 27, with the special trains departing Kingsley & Froghall Station at either 10:10or 13:25 each day.
CVR Chairman Anthony Hancock said the excursions were being organised to give shareholders and visitors the chance to experience the full extent of the Railway's current track. "Our services normally terminate at Kingsley & Froghall although the track continues down the valley towards Oakamoor. This is a very rare opportunity to enjoy quite a secluded part of the Churnet Valley – very few people have seen that section of the track and certainly not travelled along it."
After Oakamoor section, the excursions will head up through the Churnet Valley to Leekbrook and then join the recently restored Cauldon branch to take the comparatively steep incline onto moorland towards Ipstones and finally Cauldon Lowe.
"It will be the longest round-trip the Railway has offered and a taster for even bigger things to come in the future," Mr Hancock added.
Churnet Valley Railway's normal passenger timetable will also operate over both weekends, including stops at Consall and Cheddleton Stations.
Ticket prices for the special excursions are adults £20, children £12 (no concessions.
North Staffordshire Railway Company Awar...
Children Free Over May Bank Holiday


Home SEND SENCo Trainee teachers rate SEN as one of poorest aspects of their training
SENCo, Teacher Training
Trainee teachers rate SEN as one of poorest aspects of their training
By Tania Tirraoro October 23, 2014 August 20, 2020
Learning how to teach children with special educational needs is one of the lowest-rated aspects of teacher training for primary school trainees, according to new statistics.
The Newly Qualified Teachers Annual Survey 2014 reveals that of the 2,883 primary-trained NQTs in the last year, 40% rated this aspect of their training as good (40%) and 24% as very good. The two figures of 64% compares to 68% in the 2013 survey, described in the report as a, "small but statistically significant decrease." This difference relates mostly to good ratings, with a decrease of five percentage points although over time, since 2010, there is an increase in the proportion of positive responses to this question.
From The Annual Survey of Teacher Training 2014
Those training for teaching in Higher Education were the least likely to say that their training was good which is concerning, considering the fact that the new Education, Health and Care Plan doesn't cover HE. And, although the cuts to DSA have been put on hold until after the election (as if we're fooled by that), there is no guarantee that the next government won't shred it to pieces as soon as they think the coast is clear.
This means that SEND students who have successfully achieved GCSEs, A-levels and university entry, will not only to miss out on statutory support that a peer who has chosen a paid apprenticeship will have, they will also be taught by lecturers who don't know how to identify or support them.
Some primary school teacher trainees commented that not enough time was given by their training provider to prepare them to teach children with special educational needs, while others did not have the necessary experience in their placement schools.
"Aware of P levels on training. However felt totally unprepared on how to plan and set work for SEN children." (SCITT, postgraduate)
"The thing that has let me down most with the training was not knowing enough about intervention strategies and dealing with SEN. We had 3 major sessions at college but it wasn't practical enough in helping you deal with 6 SEN children with very different needs in a class of 29 with very little TA support!"
"The school I trained at had a low level of SEN too which meant I wasn't exposed to this in a major way." (EBITT, postgraduate)
"A real lack of compulsory training on special educational needs in [this area], especially when considering the significant proportion of sen in [this area]" (HEI, undergraduate)
"Perhaps more extra workshops on topics such as SEN and EAL with practical examples of how to help these pupils in your class." (HEI, postgraduate)
"I ticked satisfactory for some points on Standard 5 because neither of my placements allowed me to teach children in these groups. I am aware that we experienced one day in different SEN and EAL schools to provide this opportunity, however don't feel that this was sufficient time to prepare me." (HEI, postgraduate)
However some trainees responded with positive comments about the strength of their training and support offered in placements. One in partiular had had training in an SEN school:
"School placement in SEN school for 3 weeks at the end of the final placement has totally altered my career! This was a outstanding opportunity and should be made compulsory, so more people have understanding and knowledge of how to work with pupils with sen/ behaviour." (HEI, postgraduate)
"The specialist training received as part of the [SCITT] was particularly strong and relevant to my current role. Both [trainers], who delivered much of the SEN training, provided a high level of expertise and were also very supportive. amount of time spent on placement was also very useful and I feel there was a good amount of time spent both in schools and in the classroom. The opportunity to train in a special school was particularly useful and has had a great impact on my success in my current role as a special needs teacher. (SCITT, postgraduate)
The reason, clearly, that these two trainees had so much positive to say is that they actually trained in special schools so it would be astonishing if they didn't gain good experience! In fact, the first positive commenter said that s/he feels it should be compulsory!
This information is timely as feedback is currently being considered from a DfE consultation on Initial Teacher Training that closed last month. It's to be hoped that a bright spark at the DfE will notice these findings, flag them up and actually do something about them. Just in case, this is it being flagged up! (Of course, I'm not a bright young thing, I'm just a gnarly old SEND parent, so what do I know?
How do you think ITT should be changed to be more suitable for teaching children and young people with SEND?
Tania Tirraoro
Founder, Co-Director at Special Needs Jungle
Founder of Special Needs Jungle. (She/Her) Parent of two young adults with autism. New grandma. Tania, who is autistic, is a leading SEND advisor, working with the Special Education Consortium, Ofsted, and Whole School SEND. She is also an Advisory Board member of the Royal Holloway, University of London Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and an Editorial Board member of Springer Nature Gene Therapy journal.
Tania is an experienced broadcast and print journalist & author. She also runs a PR, web & social media consultancy, SocialOro Media.
Tania is a rare disease & chronic pain patient advocate with Ehlers Danlos syndrome.
Latest posts by Tania Tirraoro (see all)
Why the SEND Review MUST extend EHCPs to disabled students in higher education - January 6, 2022
Sensory, inclusive, accessible theatre fun for all - December 15, 2021
The great SNJ Christmas cheer GIVEAWAY! - December 7, 2021
Author: Tania Tirraoro
Founder of Special Needs Jungle. (She/Her) Parent of two young adults with autism. New grandma. Tania, who is autistic, is a leading SEND advisor, working with the Special Education Consortium, Ofsted, and Whole School SEND. She is also an Advisory Board member of the Royal Holloway, University of London Centre of Gene and Cell Therapy and an Editorial Board member of Springer Nature Gene Therapy journal. Tania is an experienced broadcast and print journalist & author. She also runs a PR, web & social media consultancy, SocialOro Media. Tania is a rare disease & chronic pain patient advocate with Ehlers Danlos syndrome.
View all posts by Tania Tirraoro →
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Home > Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations > 184
The Intelligible Creator-God and the Intelligent Soul of the Cosmos in Plato's Theology and Metaphysics
Jason G. Rheins, University of PennsylvaniaFollow
Charles H. Kahn
Susan Sauvé Meyer
Third Advisor
Paul D. Guyer
Jason G. Rheins
Charles H. Kahn and Susan Sauvé Meyer
When Plato discusses the World-soul, cosmic intellect (nous), and the Demiurge, he approaches them theologically, i.e. as being the subjects of an account of the nature of the gods, but few works in the last half-century or more have addressed the 'players' in Plato's theology as such. The major strata in the hierarchy of divine beings were referred to in the Neo-Platonist tradition as "hypostases". My question is this: between intellect, the World-soul, the Demiurge, and even the Forms how many hypostases did Plato posit, what were their nature, and what overall functions did they play in his philosophical system?
I analyze Plato's various accounts of those divine things that are immanent in the world of change (e.g. the World-soul) and those that are said to be transcendent intelligibles (e.g. the Forms and the Demiurge) in order to determine what Plato's gods are, and what roles they play in his system. I examine the entire Platonic corpus, but I focus on Plato's late dialogues, in which theology and cosmology receive considerably more extensive and significant treatment than they do in his earlier works. My central texts are the Philebus, Timaeus, and book X of the Laws, supplemented secondarily by the Phaedo, Phaedrus, Republic, Statesman, and Epistle VII. I also make cautious use of the testimonia regarding Plato's so-called "unwritten doctrines".
The invention of the World-soul is revealed to be Plato's way of instantiating intellect in the cosmos in order to suit the demands of his natural and moral philosophy, while his esoteric account of the Demiurge resolves any tensions between his immanent theology and his metaphysics, and suggests, semi-literally, the role that timeless, intelligible goodness plays in organizing the sensible world of change.
Rheins, Jason G., "The Intelligible Creator-God and the Intelligent Soul of the Cosmos in Plato's Theology and Metaphysics" (2010). Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations. 184.
https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/184
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