Through a Glass Darkly

by Karleen Koen

Book Overview

A magnificent tapestry of a grand and glorious era... as opulent and passionate as the 18th century it celebrates. "Through a Glass Darkly" will sweep you away to the splendors of a lost era. Like "Gone with the Wind", it is rich with characters so vivid -- from aristocrats to scoundrels--they create their own immortality Here is the story of a great family ruled by a dowager of extraordinary power: of a young woman seeking love in a world of English...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394553780
• ISBN13: 9780394553788
• Release Date: July 1986
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 738 Pages
• Weight: 2.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Heartbreak, adventure

Top notch better than romance. I am buying the rest of the series this is so good.

What a tangeled web we weave...

The strange, obscure sounding title of "Through A Glass Darkly" refers to the lenses through which people see things, the expectations and emotions that color all our emotions relating to the people around us. The book is full of disappointing things happening to people because they saw "through a glass darkly" instead of seeing things for what they really are. The books main characters is fifteen year old Barbra Alderly, who is sold in marriage at the beginning of the book to forty six year old Roger Devane, who wants to develop the land given to her as a dowry. This isn't a problem for Barbra whose been in love with Roger ever since she can remember and thinks she can make him love her, but Roger has no thoughts at all for his young bride, and he has a skeleton in the closet that will threaten all of their happiness. Set against the lush backdrop of early eighteenth century England and France this book is a visual feast. Ms. Koen is so adept at describing scenery, food and fabrics it's hard to remember that you're even reading a book. Her way of allowing the characters thoughts to roam across the page as real thoughts do is most impressive, I'd never seen train of thought used more effectively in a novel. But still, the book has its faults. All the characters, from young, rash and beautiful Barbra to her domineering and grouchy loveable grandmother are a little too typical. They seem to be cast from molds when we first meet them, and only gradually through the book do they become non-stereotypes. Roger is probably the best example of this. It's a pleasant surprise to realize that the characters really don't fit the molds our culture oriented minds readily cast them in. This book is charming, beautiful written, and so sad its heart breaking. The illusions people cast for themselves over the course of the book will frustrate you, and make you want to yell at them to see the truth. It's what makes this novel so good, and so compelling. I'd recommend it to anyone. It's not only an example of great historical fiction; it's just a good book. My only problem with this book is that there is a couple of missing years that are eluded to but never explained in detail. For further reading track down the sequel, now Face To Face.

More than just a normal romance novel...

Even though i've been an avid reader of romance novels for some time, I've usually found something lacking. But in this novel it definintly has it all. The heroine and hero is actually portrayed as actual flawed human beings also capable of great love. This story will sweep you back to a time of great decadence and scandel, and how this stories characters live in it is very accurate. Even some of the characters trully existed! Barbara Aderley is a charming women living in a very dysfunctunal family. And even in the face of utter betrayel still finds the strength to love. The feelings between her and her cousin is among my favorite parts of the book. Karleen Koen very eloquently wrote this book and stirred my emotions more than any other novel has and, believe me, and i've read many. The second part of this novel was also very well written but i felt it lacked much of the emotions the first one had. I feel there will be a third installment before the story of Barbara and her search for true happiness is found. This is the greatest of books and a definite classic. Ms. Koen, thanks for giving us this book. AND PLEASE WRITE MORE!!

This book made me cry...

...it is a terrific love story, really a bunch of love stories, all poignant. The relationship between Barbara and her grandmother is beautiful, the relationship between Barbara and her husband, DeVane, is tragic. Someone else called this the story of a dysfunctional family---that was an understatement! Set against the intrigues of the French court in the early 1700's and the South Sea Bubble venture, this is the story of a headstrong young woman who's determined to marry a man clearly not right for her, a man whose romantic and sexual past will come back to haunt the girl he marries. Koen pulls no punches. People die, children become ill, fortunes disappear, lives are ruined, love affairs turn out badly, but the wonderful Barbara will get through it all and emerge a stronger, better woman. Get out your handkerchiefs! The biggest problem I have with Karleen Koen's great big terrific historical novels is that she writes so few of them. She can give the more prolific Diana Gabaldon a good run for her money!

~~Enchanting Novel Finds Loyal Fan~~

Seven years ago, when I was fourteen years old, I picked up this novel and absolutely fell in love with it. The style and detail of each character made the reader care not only about Barabara's fate but everyone as well. As an aspiring writer myself, I understand the importance of establishing a strong connection between the reader and the characters. This in effect allows there to be a level of suspense which carries the reader from beginning to end. The ability to create that sort of relationship is not an easy task. If you are unfamiliar with Koen's work, Through A Glass Darkly is the perfect introduction. She takes the time for you to understand the main characters and let's the drama unfold for itself. This is not merely a romance, but an interesting historical critique which revolves around the dynamics of a very dysfuntional family. Overall, I have always considered Karleen Koen to be an amazing author because she has taken the time and effort to polish her craft. The only disappointment is the little amount of information known about her, and the small number of novels published. To my knowledge,I have read all the books she has published thus far:Through A Glass Darkly & Now Face to Face. If there are any other publications of her work I eagerly await to read them.

Koen's books are much meatier than the fluffy romance fare.

On the surface, Karleen Koen's books may appear to be nothing more than historical romance fluff. You know, the typical muscle-clad hero meets independent but distressed damsel; the two parry and thrust (if you will excuse the phrase) and then, finally, succumb to the throes of passion. Natuarally, this all occurs in some exotic, historical loacle. Koen's books have the fluffy exterior but the interior is much,much meatier than any historical romance I have ever read. "Through a Glass Darkly" is set in 18th century England and France. The main character, or heroine, is a young girl in love with an older, fatherly type gentleman. As is the case with most young , headstrong girls, the heroine's passions rule her actions and cloud her judgement. After marrying the man of her dreams, she learns the shocking and devestating truth about his character. Because I hold this book in such I high esteem, and because I would like you to enjoy it as heartily as I did, I will not divulge any more of the plot. I will say that there are more turns and twists in this novel, and the sequel "Now Face To Face," than the most harrowing and breathtaking of rollercoaster rides! As trite as it may sound, expect the unexpected in these books. The hero and heroine's are not nearly as pretty, the locales not nearly as exotic. Nevertheless, there is more substance to this book than any fluffy Harelequin. If you love history, and Koen loads her books with fascinating historical anecdotes and trivia, then you will love these books. However, if you are looking for the formulaic boy meets girl and lives happily ever after in fairyland, don't even consider these books. The characters are colorful, diabolical, interesting, and admirable...far from formulaic. Happy Reading. Let me know what you think