Dec 22, 2002 04:55 PM
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(Updated Dec 22, 2002 04:55 PM)
Thurston House is a thick 407 page 'typical' Danielle Steel novel. Why I bought it - well it was a steal at Rs.50/- in perfect condition from the Book Fair - who could resist.
Chagrined - I actually finished the whole book reading from page to page, of course you can imagine, at that time I had nothing important in life to do.
The Plot:
The story starts with Jeremiah Thurston, a rich yet lonely miner in the Nepa Valley whose whole life revolves around his mines and the men who work in it. He's middle-aged yet never married, though once engaged, but his fiance died leaving his heart wounded forever (geez, I sound like a writer!).
His only escape is Mary Allen, however their unions are limited to only Saturday's when Mary's children are away. He doesn't love her, although her heart is devoted to him alone. She wishes to bear him children, but due to her physical conditions, it would be just like suicide.
Jeremiah visits California where he meets the young Camille, way too young for him and way too pretty for his fantasies. Rich and immature, she captures his heart and eventually, they marry. He builds the grand Thurston House for her - the most beautiful architectural wonder ever. She is smitten by its beauty and loves the grace, however, he soon finds out her true desires are connected with his money alone, and not the love for him.
Mary Allen is pregnant with Jeremiah's child and his guilt has no end. She nearly passes away with the child-birth, however the child is a stillborn. She proves her love for him, but he's too blind in Camille's artificial beauty and glamour to see that. He never sees Mary again, however sends her money to support her family.
Camille refuses to bear him any children and his disappointment rises by the day. Desperately, he forces her into it beyond her earnest wishes and becomes the proud father of Sabrina Thurston. Camille hates her and refuses to be associated with her. Jeremiah tries desperately to make things work, however in vain. Jeremiah meets Amelie on a train and falls in love with her, however knows his limits and leaves with a broken heart. They continue to be in touch, both wanting to be one, but can't because of their own commitments to life. Camille falls in love with a French man and runs away from home - the Thurston House leaving behind nothing but a few clothes and painful memories.
As Sabrina grows, Jeremiah tells her nothing of her mother, besides that she passed away. He seals the Thurston House never to return again. Sabrina grows up as an intellegent and beautiful young woman who is too wise for her tender age. She learns to love Amelie as a mother, even though she meets her once in a long while. Jeremiah passes away when Sabrina is still of mere 17 years. She is devastated. She falls in love with John Harte who is much older to her, once married without any children. They marry, live together at the Thurston House but he too passes away soon, leaving a pregnant Sabrina is much grief.
Sabrina gives birth to Jonathan Harte. He's her only hope for the future but he turns out to be a very big disappointment. He sucks up all her money and she runs into financial crisis. She sells off the mines and the lands, only left with the proud Thurston House. He also introduces Camille Thurston from the past to Sabrina devastating her world still further. However, things work out for Sabrina finally and she gets rid of the mother she never had.
She falls in love again with Andre, who has a son - Antoine. They too marry and she gets pregnant, but at her age she feels its too late and goes in for an abortion without Andre having the vaguest clue. Eventually he finds out and saves their baby and she gives birth to Dominique De Varnes. Antoine is overjoyed and Jonathan is disgusted. He doesn't care for his mother or her life. He wishes to marry Arden - a beautiful sensitive girl for she shall bring him much fortune and wealth. Antoine too loves Arden but stays silent for the sake of all.
Jonathan and Arden marry and Antoine leaves for war. Arden soon finds out the error of her ways when she realizes her husband's loyalty stands nowhere. Jonathan too goes to war, and gets killed.
The novel ends with Arden and Sabrina discussing Antoine's return and Arden confessing her love for Antoine.
The Characters
The characters are well-framed, however their stories are elongated to an extent where they tend to make you yawn. But thats very typical of Danielle Steel's writings. They tend to bore you and become very predictable if you've read enough.
Readership
According to me, the book should appeal best to readers above 17. Read it when you're travelling, it'll help you get those little naps. Not the kind of book you'd like to waste coffee with. Anyway - why would you read it, I told you the whole damn story! And how!
Concluding Remarks
Thurston House is very touching at certain places - must confess. But mostly it fails to gain your sympathies at the right places. For example - you don't seem to sympathize with Jeremiah when he regrets marrying Camille (which he doesn't until she leaves), for he had been a dimbulb to marry her at the first place because her portrayal from the beginning gave away the real her.
Anyway - Thurston House makes a good read for Danielle Steel fans - so go ahead, get a copy of it - but only if its priced at Rs.50/- ;)
