So I love Susanna Kearsley. Like, LOVE HER, love her. She wrote The Winter Sea, which is incredible, but honestly all of her books are excellent (even if some feel a little 90’s now). They’re a blend of history, time travel, and romance, with smart, independent heroines and dreamy supportive heroes. Well researched historical fiction with strong romantic elements? Take all my money!
When I love an author like this, I don’t go out and read everything they’ve written in a month. I take my time and savor them. Pick them up when I’m in a rough patch as they always brighten my days a little. So when I received two more Kearsley’s for Christmas I read one pretty much right away, but saved Mariana for when I needed her. I just wish I had liked her more.
Mariana is the story of Julia (and Mariana), a young artist who believes in destiny. Julia ends up buying a house in the country based on a strong pull to there, and settles into a quaint rural life. Until she starts going back in time. And reliving the life of Mariana Farr, a restoration era woman (English restoration so 1660’s). At first Julia can’t control the time travel, but as time goes on she begins purposefully going back, and allowing the past to take over her present.
It’s the story of soulmates (which I often love), but this one just didn’t connect like all of her others for me in the same way. Julia felt very young, in the immature and superficial kind of ways. I definitely prefer Ms. Kearsley’s older heroines. Also the love interest in the past and present were supposed to be the same soul, but there was zero resemblance in the two. It all felt a little rushed and forced, especially at the end.
All of this is to say, it’s not a bad book, but definitely not a favorite. I have now read half a dozen Kearsleys and this is definitely my least favorite. Read if you’re a completist, or when you go in have some expectations that not everything will make complete sense. Also, if you’ve never read her go read The Winter Sea. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
The Winter Sea is wonderful! Based on the Kearsleys I’ve read, I keep picking up her books when they’re on sale (I do have a weakness for an e-book sale), but I gather from reviews online that some of her earlier works are less awesome than her later books. I suspect Mariana may be in this category. This is one of the ones languishing on my shelves, that I have yet to read. I shall temper my expectations accordingly when I do read it.