Review: Romantic tale of love, deceit, and forgiveness in New France
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 21, 2011
Brief Synopsis: This story is set in the early 1700's in New France.  Robert, a miller, and Emilie are engaged to be married.  Unfortunately, the sweet and innocent Emilie has attracted the attentions of Seigneur Richard Tonnaceur, a ruthless and wealthy young man who uses his influence to threaten the priest not to marry them.  On the morning of their wedding, they realize there will be no wedding and learn that Emilie is in danger.  Seigneur Richard will stop at nothing to have Emilie for his own.  Blackmail, kidnapping, and other actions follow involving a cast of characters whose lives are hopelessly intertwined.The Good: The plot is so complex, with many twists and turns, that it is a rather quick read.  Although I don't typically read books set in this time period (or locale), I very much enjoyed the story.  The setting comes alive, and I wanted to cry during the smallpox epidemic.  The young lovers find difficulty at every turn, and it's hard not to cheer for them and hope they will be reunited in the end.  I very much enjoy the way the book alternates point of view.  Although always told in the third person, the action shifts from character to character, revealing their innermost thoughts.  This provides a well balanced portrayal of a timeless romance.  (Think Romeo and Juliet, minus the tragic ending.)  The author's writing style is easy and natural.  She is a natural storyteller.The Bad: I'm hard-pressed to find much criticism in The Blighted Troth, but I did find myself utterly frustrated with graphic scenes involving La Bonne Soeur.  Most readers possess an avid imagination and are capable of imagining her weaknesses without requiring such vivid scenes.  In fact, it did not seem that they belonged in this novel at all, so different were they in tone from the rest of the book.  Fortunately, they are minimal in comparison with the read as a whole.The Verdict: A solid 4.5 stars for crafting such an intriguing and romantic look at a difficult period in history.  The ending is satisfying without feeling rushed or trite.  At first, it seems the characters are type-cast but don't judge it too soon, because each character grows and changes during the story and gains a complexity that will have you remembering them long after you've turned the last page.  (Well, with the exception of the "yellow" priest, that is.  It's worth reading just for his character.)