Review: Deeply Unforgettable
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 15, 2013
Vivian Roycroft had me at "scandal."The first few paragraphs, and I'm already smiling in recognition of these scenes, both new and familiar to me, of the kind of romance that makes Jane Austen's fans swoon. At its heart, the plot of `Scandal on Half-moon Street' is simple enough to "get" at first glance: there's a beautiful girl in love with who is supposedly the perfect man, but her mother disapproves. On the other hand, another man, "popular" for not exactly the most savory of reasons, shows a less-than-passing interest in her. So begins the "dance," the love triangle, with all its delicious, juicy intrigues, its gripping, delightfully entertaining narrative, and luscious colors.Roycroft crafts this tale with an unrelenting--the word "anal" comes to mind--attention to detail. That's why it is so addictive to inhabit its world. The way the characters are built-up or developed makes them utterly believable and compelling--Ernst Anton Oldenburg, for one, leads a fascinating, colorful life, and he reminds me of, say, Laurence Olivier in his prime, or some better version of Hugh Grant. Anne Kirkhoven is adorable, despite her human weaknesses, and putting her through the "meat-grinder" that is the Duke and his moves, with her future happiness at stake, makes the story all the more un-put-down-able.Sure, there are a few minor anachronisms--this is stated right in the Foreword--but such is the liberty a writer is allowed to take for the sake of the grand plot. And I'm not complaining--`Scandal on Half-moon Street' is an achievement in its own way, and the way the story ends (I won't be spilling out the spoilers) leaves me hoping the "scoundrel" finds more adventures in future sequels. Five stars, this one.