"Two women separated by a century discover long-buried secrets in an Australian manor house. In 1876, Tilly, a recently married young English woman, is reeling with shock and guilt after her tempestuous marriage ends in horrific circumstances on the remote Channel Islands. Determined to get as far from England as she can, she takes on a new identity and a job on Ember Island in Moreton Bay, Australia, where she becomes the governess to a prison superintendent's young daughter, Nell. Tilly fights her attraction to the superintendent, Sterling Holt, and befriends one the few female inmates, Hettie Thorpe, and a dangerous relationship develops. She doesn't know that Nell is watching her every move and writing it all down, hiding tiny journals all over Starwater, her rambling manor home. More than 100 years later, bestselling novelist Nina Jones is struggling with writer's block and her disappointing personal life. Her poet boyfriend has recently broken up with her, and a reporter who is digging into her past insists on speaking to Nina about her great-grandmother, Nell. There are some secrets Nina may no longer be able to hide. Retreating to Starwater, she discovers Nell's diary pages hidden in the old walls and becomes determined to solve the mystery. Though Tilly and Nina are separated by many years, Starwater House will change both their lives."--
When my grandmother was a child she had a doll. She was playing with this doll while work was being done on her home. She set her toy down but when she returned it had been walled in, never to be seen again. This what first came to mind upon the discovery of Nell's Diary.
I wish I could continue this elegant, thoughtful reminiscence but as time went on, I began to think of this:
A complete 360 I know but my point being is that beyond the frozen banana stand there is more than meets the eye. This was the case in Ember Island. The diaries were much more in-depth than the insurance policy Gob forgot to send but no less important.
Although, when I fell into Tilly's story, I was reminded of Lillie Langtry. Yes, I know she was a real person but for now I will refer to the 1970s mini-series.
Why did I go from crazy Arrested Development to classy Lillie Langtry. Both Tilly and Lillie (I swear I didn't choose that comparison because it rhymes). believed they were in love, marrying an image and felt it an ideal way to get out of their current situation. Soon after, Lillie and Tilly realize the life altering decision they have made and the dire straits it has put them in. Even if for a little while they find solace in their ways and find the strenght to free themselves.
Despite all these odd comparisons, Ember Island is a Gothic tale and like myself, was divulged to a modern reader.
I received a copy from the publisher
Reading updates
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6 June, 2014:
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6 June, 2014:
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