The Heroine's Sister

by Frances Murray

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345250044
• ISBN13: 9780345250049
• Release Date: February 1976
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Romance set during the Austrian Occupation of Venice.

Historical romance set in Occupied Venice in 1868. Venice is a hotbed of intrigue, resistance and revolt aimed at the despised Austrian invaders. Mary serves as dresser, accompanionist and general dogsbody to her Opera singer sister, Flora. The sister recognizes that her talent/future as a singer is limited and elopes with an Austrian Army Officer. She does not take Mary with her. Flora leaves Mary a sapphire and pearl pendant and the suggestion that she may sell it and use the money for her return to England. Mary, as honest and virtuous as her sister is not, returns the pendant to the Venetian Nobleman admirer, Todaro del Doria. Abandoned Mary struggles to survive by offering instruction in Music and English. She augments this income by selling scenic watercolor paintings. While painting one day she becomes the rescuer of a young Venetian rebel when she hides him from Austrian soldiers. This rescue brings her again to the attention of the Nobleman, del Doria. He offers Mary the position of Governess to his sister's children. Mary finds herself involved in intrigue and danger in the Murano household. This is a very enjoyable romance with a view of 19th century Venice that is very interesting and enlightening. The characters are well defined and realistic. This romance adventure is fast-paced and well plotted. Recommended.

Deliberately funny with an unusual setting

We find the heroine sketching, in Venice, wearing a hooped skirt. The hero, pursued by the authorities, comes along and ducks under her hoops. The sister is a not-so-excellent operatic soprano (which is why she's a "heroine" of course). The rest of the family can make high drama out of burned toast. This book is refreshingly different from the average run of romance novels.