Review by djr6090 -- Forgiven by Geoff Lawson

[djr6090]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Forgiven" by Geoff Lawson.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Forgiven by Geoffrey M Lawson is an adventure-romance set between 1883 and 1900, a time when the sun never set on the British Empire. The story follows the young lives of Richard Wilson, a farmer from New Zealand, and Rachael, his true love. The two are from such widely different backgrounds that a match between them was thought to be unsuitable under the strict code of Victoriana. To enhance his standing as a suitor, Richard resorts to one of the few avenues of social advancement available at the time, military service. He hopes to return from the South African campaign as a hero and a gentleman.

Rachael is the only daughter of a wealthy family. Beautiful and spirited, she has been the object of jealousy and malicious gossip within her own social circle. She meets Richard when she escapes to the country and is staying with her aunt. She has no doubts that Richard is the man for her. She encourages him to follow her back to the city and petition her father for permission to marry. However, Rachael’s father insists on an unreasonably long period of courtship, hoping that Rachael will lose interest. How little he knows his daughter. Even though Richard does not consult Rachael about serving with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles in South Africa, Rachael will endure any separation if it can fulfill their dreams.

This story is told from two perspectives on two different timelines. On the one hand, it follows Richard as he takes on dangerous assignments in the Cape Colony for the British high command. On the other hand, it covers his earlier romance and striving to win Rachael. Richard narrates the major part of the chronicle in first person, but a sizable portion of the plot is devoted to Rachael’s separate adventures at home, told in the third person.

Geoff Lawson has filled his book with such descriptive detail that you can’t help but get lost in the time period. The writer skips over any attempt to trace the history of the Anglo-Boer War, yet he makes you feel the dust of the plains, the rumble of the train transports, and the tedium of horseback patrols. His settings are alive with frame structures, wooden sidewalks, water troughs with handle pumps, telegraph offices, opera houses, livery stables, haberdashery shops, and tobacconists. His characters wear pith helmets or carry carpetbags. The officers drink from porcelain tea service carried on horseback in picnic hampers complete with dinner service for six. The author’s authentic description of the era’s firearms prompted more than one discussion with my husband as I read passages aloud to him. I appreciated the research that must have been required.

The one shortcoming in Forgiven is that shifts in perspective were not always set off as separate chapters or distinct sections. The transition from one character as the narrator to another, without warning, added an unpleasant jolt to an otherwise engaging experience. Other than that, the book was professionally edited, without a single typographical error, as far as I could tell.

The romance and adventure in the plots of Forgiven would play well for either male or female readers. A target age might be over 30 to recognize the self-sacrifice woven into the action. It would also be irresistible to readers who love the Victorian era. My rating is four out of four stars because I found Geoff Lawson’s Forgiven to be historically correct, romantically satisfying, and generously adventurous. It exceeded my expectations.

******
Forgiven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords

[Erin Painter Baker]

This sounds like a lovely Victorian era novel. It doesn't so much feel like a romance novel as a historical novel with romantic elements, from your review. I think it would be very interesting to read.

[Brendan Donaghy]

You've made this one sound interesting. I particularly like the way the history of the time and place seems to be .woven into the narrative. Great review!

[djr6090]

You've made this one sound interesting. I particularly like the way the history of the time and place seems to be .woven into the narrative. Great review!

I'm glad you liked it. Victorian era novels of foreign countries have always been a favorite of mine. The New Zealanders as subjects of the Crown was a new theme for me. I hope you find time to read the book

[djr6090]

This sounds like a lovely Victorian era novel. It doesn't so much feel like a romance novel as a historical novel with romantic elements, from your review. I think it would be very interesting to read.

It was very descriptive, with very little historical detail. It was more the atmosphere of the time which gave the narrative such a charming read. Thanks for your comments.

[Meg98]

This sounds very interesting and I like this particular genre. Great review! Well done:)

[djr6090]

This sounds very interesting and I like this particular genre. Great review! Well done:)

Thanks for your compliment. I was hoping to make the reader feel some of the ambience.

[Reader5698]

I was hesitant whether I should pick it up or not. Your review definitely makes me want to give it a try.

[djr6090]

I was hesitant whether I should pick it up or not. Your review definitely makes me want to give it a try.

By all means, give it a try. I'm a fan of reading to escape, and this is a vivid rendition. Enjoy!