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The Passions of Emma Penelope Williamson Books

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The Passions of Emma Penelope Williamson Books

Geesh, this book is a downer. About ¾ of the way through I thought I was going to have to need an anti-depressant. It's just so SAD. The first half we suffer through the horrible loss of a young woman (Bria), nine months pregnant, dying of consumption (tuberculosis). She and her husband live in abject poverty, her husband works at whatever he can get his hands on, their children work in the mill for long hours, and they are seen as scum by the rich upper crust who own the town. Enter Emma.

Bria befriends Emma - who is from the rich side of town - and they become best friends - in 4 weeks - while Bria is dying and about to leave behind 3 small children, one a newborn. I found that hard to swallow. Emma, who is engaged to a man who is controlling and unaffectionate, and who lives her life in fear of doing "what simply isn't done," somehow manages to visit with Bria almost every day, on the wrong side of town, without appearing to raise anyone's suspicion. Found that hard to swallow, too.

In its treatment of Irish immigrants at the turn of the century, children working in mills, division of classes, and poverty, this book truly has some redeeming qualities. The description of the living conditions and the attitudes of the upper crust toward the working class were heart wrenching, and very realistic.

But as a love story, I was sorely disappointed. I was really drawn to the premise of the story, and eager to see how the whole love triangle thing played out. Certainly not your standard plot. But by the end, I thought Emma was very self-serving, and thought of no one but herself, and never thought how her actions would impact others. She even strings along her fiancé until the very last minute. He wasn't the right one for her, but he certainly deserved better than that. I just didn't like Emma very much.

And Bria? Sweetheart of a woman, and made of some really tough stuff. But she had to be a saint to put up with recognizing that Emma was hot for her husband while she lays there dying. I just didn't buy it. And I didn't buy her suggestion to her husband to marry Emma after she dies....it would be like suggesting a poor cotton farmer marry the belle of the country club. No one finds this to be a bit unworkable?

I had really looked forward to reading this- it has gotten such positive reviews. But it just wasn't what I thought it would be. It was hard for me to like Emma, even to the last page. I don't think she learned anything valuable. All she learned was that she could still have anything she wants - no matter what it did to others. Eh- not for me.


Tags : Amazon.com: The Passions of Emma (9780446605977): Penelope Williamson: Books,Penelope Williamson,The Passions of Emma,Grand Central Publishing,0446605972,Historical fiction,Love stories,Man-woman relationships,Rhode Island,Young women,FICTION Romance Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - Romance,Fiction-Romance,GENERAL,General Adult,Historical romance,Mill workers; Poverty; Working classes; Upper classes; Social classes; Dysfunctional families; Female friendship; Family relationships; Forbidden love; Mismatched lovers; Family conflicts,Romance - Historical - General,RomanceHistorical,Romance: Historical

The Passions of Emma Penelope Williamson Books Reviews

How can one summarize a story such as The Passions of Emma? Quite literally, I was genuinely moved. The raw emotions that were portrayed by each character were so thoroughly developed and exposed, I almost felt as if I knew them...or even I am reminded of someone I currently know! One of the most vulnerable actions an individual can make is to expose his/her heart's desires, fears, joys....This story explores the hearts' of people from different walks of life and how, in the end, they are connected and intertwined despite societal norms and protocol.
I loved that this was not your typical romance...there was actually more grieving on my part as I read it than any other emotion! I yearned for each character to find themselves, to forgive themselves and others - in essence be free with their heart's desires, wants, and needs. But as in reality there is always a sacrifice and this story incorporates that aspect. For me, this is one of my favorite books. It is more than a romance. It is life with all the love, grief, agony, and joy we all experience.
This is my fourth P. Williamson book I have read a wild yearning, the outsider, and heart of the west. An unbelievably talented author!
I'm a sucker for women that are afraid of going against what is expected and doing it anyway. Emma was born to privilege and luxury so what did she know of hard work and making her own choices? How could she love a penniless Irish emigrate fisherman? Fearlessly and with all her heart. The story of Shay and Eamme finding their way to that once in a lifetime love is a heartbreaking ,heart racing kind of story that is hard to find in romance novels today. This is one of a few stories that you never want to end. It makes you believe in love and the power of friendship.
I always know when I read a story by Penny Williamson that I'm going to feel deeply about the people she introduces me to and I know I'm going to be swept away to another time and a great love story. I knew I was in trouble with this one when I was in tears by page 20--but I could not put it down.

This is one of the most moving historical romances I've read. If you've ever loved a man who loved a woman before you, or if you've ever loved a man you know you can never have...this is the romance for you! And even if you are not one of those, you will love this story.

Based in 1890 in Bristol, Rhode Island, it's the story of Emma, daughter of the wild and wealthy Tremayne family. With her father gone to live his own life, her sister in a wheelchair and her brother dead, Emma is her mother's "last hope" for continuation of their line of respectability. And it seems Emma will do her duty when she agrees to wed the staid but prosperous Geoffrey Alcott who has loved her "forever." But then a young Irish child dies in one of Geoffrey's mills and Emma's life is changed forever. She becomes involved in the lives of an Irish family and becomes the friend of an Irish woman, Bria, who while pregnant and dying of consumption, is still full of life and love for her man, Shay McKenna, and her two young girls. What Emma sees in their lives inspires her to defy her powerful family to fight for what is right and to become the woman she was meant to be. What she sees in Shay will cause her heart to break.

It's a wonderful story of the friendship between two women from very different backgrounds who become so important to each other they complete each other's lives. It's the story of a young woman of artistic talent and a wild and passionate nature who is confined to a life of meaningless duty and ritual, but is moved by love to make a different life, a better choice.

It's the story of two women who love one man--a man of great dreams and great passions who has had many troubles in his life both in Ireland and America, but manages to do the honorable thing. It's the story of men and women who take what life throws at them and still manage to live significant lives full of love.

Finally, it's the story of the Irish immigrants who have made America great and the sacrifices they made to build lives here. I could not put it down and I dare say you will not be disappointed. This one is a keeper and may be my all time favorite romance!

Other wonderful historical romances by this author

Beloved Rogue (May 1988)
Hearts Beguiled (June 1989)
A Wild Yearning (1991) - Winner of RITA Award
Keeper of the Dream (April 1992) - Winner of RITA Award
Once in a Blue Moon (May 1993)
Heart of the West (April 1995)
The Outsider (July 1996)
Geesh, this book is a downer. About ¾ of the way through I thought I was going to have to need an anti-depressant. It's just so SAD. The first half we suffer through the horrible loss of a young woman (Bria), nine months pregnant, dying of consumption (tuberculosis). She and her husband live in abject poverty, her husband works at whatever he can get his hands on, their children work in the mill for long hours, and they are seen as scum by the rich upper crust who own the town. Enter Emma.

Bria befriends Emma - who is from the rich side of town - and they become best friends - in 4 weeks - while Bria is dying and about to leave behind 3 small children, one a newborn. I found that hard to swallow. Emma, who is engaged to a man who is controlling and unaffectionate, and who lives her life in fear of doing "what simply isn't done," somehow manages to visit with Bria almost every day, on the wrong side of town, without appearing to raise anyone's suspicion. Found that hard to swallow, too.

In its treatment of Irish immigrants at the turn of the century, children working in mills, division of classes, and poverty, this book truly has some redeeming qualities. The description of the living conditions and the attitudes of the upper crust toward the working class were heart wrenching, and very realistic.

But as a love story, I was sorely disappointed. I was really drawn to the premise of the story, and eager to see how the whole love triangle thing played out. Certainly not your standard plot. But by the end, I thought Emma was very self-serving, and thought of no one but herself, and never thought how her actions would impact others. She even strings along her fiancé until the very last minute. He wasn't the right one for her, but he certainly deserved better than that. I just didn't like Emma very much.

And Bria? Sweetheart of a woman, and made of some really tough stuff. But she had to be a saint to put up with recognizing that Emma was hot for her husband while she lays there dying. I just didn't buy it. And I didn't buy her suggestion to her husband to marry Emma after she dies....it would be like suggesting a poor cotton farmer marry the belle of the country club. No one finds this to be a bit unworkable?

I had really looked forward to reading this- it has gotten such positive reviews. But it just wasn't what I thought it would be. It was hard for me to like Emma, even to the last page. I don't think she learned anything valuable. All she learned was that she could still have anything she wants - no matter what it did to others. Eh- not for me.