A Victorian Rose

by Catherine Palmer

ISBN: 0842319573

Tyndale House, September, 2002

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A Victorian Rose is a wonderful English love story about a tortured young doctor who lives in seclusion treating the women of society who come to him in their shame. Shrouded in mystery and harsh rumours, Dr. Baine's existence is one of loneliness. When he encounters the pretty young Clemma Laird, feelings are awakened in him. But will this young women, who has obviously heard and believed the rumours surrounding him, change her impressions of him and seek to know him as a real person?

Young Clemma has suffered in her young life as well. Now she confines herself to her beloved greenhouse, devoting herself to her paintings. When her life is suddenly torn asunder by Dr. Baine, she must decide to make her own opinions of this man and treat him differently than everyone else in her society, or believing the black reputation that escorts him where ever he goes, banish him from her thoughts entirely. Will she learn to trust her own feelings in time to see the doctor for whom he really is?

This is a delightful love story! It has no real take away value other than the "feel good" feelings you exprience as you read the book. The characters are somewhat typical but when looking for a good, clean romance, that is what one expects. A handsome rogue and a delicate English lass has made many a romance and this one is no exception.

Set in Yorkshire, England, in the early 1800's, this story is Victorian through and through. I applaud the author's geniuneness and believability of the phrases and gestures of Victorian etiquette. I quite enjoyed many of her descriptions of facial and physical reactions. It was as if this novel was a play playing out on a stage in my mind. The characters are engaging, the dialogue witty, and the plot is quite interesting.

I was a little disappointed in the love story at one point when the author compares Dr. Baine's stature to young Clemma's father when encountering him in a dark hallway. That description immediately quelled any romantic feelings I was feeling at the moment. I think it would have been better left out. However, I understand the goal of 19th Century women to find a stable, sensible man who could provide for her like her own father has. Clemma might very well find the fact that he "resembled a much younger version of her dear papa! With a pair of spectacles perched upon his nose and an old cardigan..." (pg. 79)quite appealing. I, however, do not. A difference in tastes, perhaps.

This novel is full of captivating scenes and is hardly bland in any way. It weaves the theme of forgiveness from God for past sins as an act of grace rather than something that can be earned with the gentle love story between two lonely people.

What a lovely little novella this is! Just in time for Christmas too!