The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh-Review and Giveaway
The Fever Tree
by Jennifer McVeigh
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 2013
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository
In London she was caged by society.
In South Africa, she is dangerously free.
Frances Irvine, left destitute in the wake of her father’s sudden death, has been forced to abandon her life of wealth and privilege in London and emigrate to the Southern Cape of Africa. 1880 South Africa is a country torn apart by greed. In this remote and inhospitable land she becomes entangled with two very different men—one driven by ambition, the other by his ideals. Only when the rumor of a smallpox epidemic takes her into the dark heart of the diamond mines does she see her path to happiness. But this is a ruthless world of avarice and exploitation, where the spoils of the rich come at a terrible human cost and powerful men will go to any lengths to keep the mines in operation. Removed from civilization and disillusioned by her isolation, Frances must choose between passion and integrity, a decision that has devastating consequences. The Fever Tree is a compelling portrait of colonial South Africa, its raw beauty and deprivation alive in equal measure. But above all it is a love story about how—just when we need it most—fear can blind us to the truth.
•••••••••••••••••••
Using simple words to describe a masterpiece is difficult, but I will try. The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh is a masterfully written story of a young “Victorian” age girl in England, whose father is a self-made businessman. He created an industry of furniture making and became very wealthy.
Typical of this era, women were kept in a “bubble” of social acceptability and “protected” from the day to day transactions of life. The only talents needed by the wealthy women were how to dress, who to talk with, all that silly inconsequential stuff. So, is it any wonder they were unable to survive if anything happened to their father/husband keepers?
This is the setting for Frances Irvine, daughter of the previously mentioned furniture and businessman. It seems he is of Irish decent and so not “acceptable” to the wealthy English society members. He met and married one such wonderful lady, who was promptly disowned by her family. She sickened and died when Frances was a young girl. In keeping with the times her father raised her with tutors and a governess that taught her the world pretty much revolves around only her. She was once offered marriage by a young doctor that her father let spend some time in his household when the doctor was a boy of sixteen.
When her father dies, she is left without resources and assumes her uncle will take her in. She fails to recognize that she is not wanted by her family on her mother’s side. Her father’s sister will take her in as a nurse for her children, but Frances feels this is totally beneath her and does not wish to live in Manchester or as an employee of her aunt. Her choice, if given one, would be to live with her mother’s family. The rest of the story revolves around her “arranged” marriage to Dr. Matthews, now living in South Africa, near the diamond mines.
This is the place where I have to stop now…to explain more would give away just too much.
As I said earlier, this is a masterpiece. If I were to compare it, I would have to use a story like … The Thorn Birds. Yes, it’s that powerful and more. If someone doesn’t make this into a mini-series for TV, they’ve missed the opportunity of a lifetime. To write something this powerful and compelling as your first novel is so incredible. This novel is one you really mustn’t miss, if you like historical stories at all. It’s well written, the characters are so real and the story twists and twists…and for me the very best is the magnificent ending (although I would have liked a bit more). One caution, don’t expect to be able to put this down easily. I started it in the morning and finished it the next morning (around 2:30am). Just couldn’t stop reading.
It’s an epic ladies! Get a glass of your favorite beverage, park yourself in a comfortable place and enjoy, I did! And I will again…this is one that I’ll re-read (maybe I’ll be able to take it slower…about the third time).
Copy supplied by the publisher
Reviewed by Georgianna
_______________
Follow: Website/ Goodreads/ Facebook/ Twitter
Jennifer graduated from Oxford University in 2002 with a First in English Literature. She went on to work in film, television, radio and publishing, before leaving her day job to do an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. She graduated in 2011 with a Distinction.
She has travelled in wilderness areas of East Africa and Southern Africa, often in off-road vehicles, driving and camping along the way. The Fever Tree is her first novel.
__________________
Penguin Publishing is offering a paper copy of THE FEVER TREE to one lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
1. If you have not registered, please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.
2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.
3. Giveaway is OPEN to USA only.
4. Giveaway runs from January 29 to February 1, 2014
An awesome review, Georgie. I see some of the other praises for this book when it was released in Europe, such as the producer of Downton Abbey. Sounds like a great read.
Barb, I saw them too, when asked to do the review…I actually thought…yeah right…Yes, they were!
Masterpiece… okay, that makes me want to read this. Powerful words…
I didn’t think it could be so powerful…first novel and all. Boy was I wrong! LOL And happy to be so surprised.
This really does sound like a great book and I would love to win “Fever Tree” to read and enjoy it. Thanks for the great giveaway!
It’s a keeper! Probably read it many times!
Awesome review!
sgibby1642@yahoo.com
Thanks again, Scarlett!
Excellent review Georgie . Sounds like a winner , I am writing the name down now . Thanks
It’s a lovely read, hope you like it!
WHAT AN ODD TITLE JEN, NOW YOU HAVE ME CURIOUS! LOL
I wondered about that as well…but it’s in the story!
Thanks for the giveaway. This sounds like a very intriguing book and I am looking forward to reading it!
cguidroz2@cox.net
It is…very well written and a really in depth look at the times and society of that period.
OH my!! My daughter and I so want to read this
It’s excellent, depending on your daughter’s age – I highly recommend it for any new adult or adult.
Great review Georgianna. Sounds like an amazing book!
Sassy, it’s one fine read! Hope you get a chance to try it out!
Terrific review. I love the sound of a masterpiece, and this does sound like a good and different read for me.
Something along the line of “Out of Africa” but the story is different…more romantic and a bit more dangerous.
Great review Georgianna. Must be quite the storyline to be called a Masterpiece. Thanks for the giveaway.
Especially for a first novel…to start out this good … do you think that’s a sign of more to come, it may be hard to top this…
Sounds interesting. I’ve not read a book about Africa before.
It’s a different side of Africa…no so much the jungle as the dry plains. The diamond mines in this are just horrible…but this is really well researched.
This book sounds great. I will check into this.
You won’t regret it!
The review has me very interested in reading this story.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
It was a marvelously entertaining read for me, hope it is for you as well!
Georgianna this one sounds like a must read. I really love to read Historical novels so I intend to put The Fever Tree on my TBR list. The name of this book is certainly an interesting one.
It is most interesting…the farther in, the better it gets!
Sounds great!
It’s definitely a worthwhile read! Good luck!
shayalford31@gmail.com
please enter me into the giveaway. Thanks!
AWESOME review….I am on the tour for February 21.
I am really enjoying the book.
Have a great weekend.
THANKS for sharing your thoughts. Giveaways on my blog if you want to stop by.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com