A Distant Hero

by Emma Drummond

Book Overview

As the 20th century begins, the proud, talented Ashleighs struggle to escape the stern influence of their grandfather, General Sir Gilliard Ashleigh, who, ensconced in the family manor, is obsessed... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312171773
• ISBN13: 9780312171773
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 424 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.9" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Dynamic historical family saga

As the twentieth century is about to begin, family patriarch Sir Gilliard Asleigh, makes it abundantly clear that he loathes his four surviving grandchildren. In the mind of their martinet grandfather, they cannot live up to the legendary ghost of their now deceased oldest brother, who allegedly died while attempting to rescue General Gordon at Khartoum. Nothing any of the four siblings do ever satisfies the senior citizen. The eldest living member of the foursome, Vere, duplicates his older brother by his valor on the battlefield. However, he mistakenly survives the mission in the Suden, refuses to rejoin a regiment, and turns to art leaves him (as usual) disappointing Gilliard. Valentine is in utter disgrace because he has been unfairly accused of rape. Margaret simply runs away with her Italian lover. Finally, imperfect Charlotte abused over a deformed leg) marries a commoner. Failure is all the patriarch sees for posterity. A DISTANT HERO is a dynamic turn of the century family drama filled with superb characterizations that bring alive the strict social class system of England. The sequel to A QUESTION OF HONOUR is a top rate that will bring plenty of new fans beating to the drum of Emma Drummond. Harriet Klausner