Have you read any of Sara Donati's previous novels? If so, how does this one compare? Which other authors or books would you recommend as similar in style or content?

Have you read any of Sara Donati's previous novels? If so, how does this one compare? Which other authors or books would you recommend as similar in style or content?

I liked how it unfolded through letters, news clippings and courtroom transcription. It let me piece the story together along the way.

I have not read any other Sara Donati's books. Since this is the second book in a series I was concerned that i would not have the needed background information. I LOVED how Donati began this book with news clips and other sources of information about the back story of the characters. It was fun reading and by the time the actual story began I already cared deeply about the characters. Brilliant opening! I have ordered The Gilded Hour and plan to read it soon.

Yes, I read the first book in the series, which prompted me to request participation in this book review. It's funny how different things appeal to readers and that some enjoyed the use of letters and news clippings. I was a bit distracted by the sheer number of these items and would have preferred fewer.

I would like to read some of Donati's other books. I really enjoy how she creates compelling characters and builds a sense of place and time.

No, I have not read any her other works. I was not aware that this was the second book in a series, and it took me a bit to figure that out. I would definitely read the third one in her proposed trio, as I liked the characters and the time period/setting, but I'm not sure I would go back and read the first one now. I think the jacket copy should have made that fact clearer; although the author did a fairly good job of filling in clueless readers like myself who had not read the first book, there were still some gaps.

I read her Wilderness series years ago which was a recommended series to read while waiting for Diana Gabaldon's next installment of the Outlander series. I would recommend either of these series to anyone who enjoyed this book or enjoys getting lost in a family saga over many years.

Just the fact that this one is set in a different time than the Wilderness series makes it hard to compare; but the stories both revolve around family and others who come into that family whether married into it or joined in friendship. With each book having an underlying issue that needs to be resolved.

I had not read the first book in this series and, as someone else mentioned, would have liked to have that mentioned somewhere - the cover, the “other books by this author” section, or the title page inside. The cover says “by the author of The Gilded Hour” but never mentioned the two books are part of a series. When I started coming across passages in the text that clearly referred to a previous story, I looked for information about the first book and found none. (I know, I could easily look up that information online but it should be on the book itself.)

I think this book would have required less energy remembering who was who if I had read the previous book first. However, I liked the characters and the story and have put The Gilded Hour on my TBR list, and look forward to reading the next book if this is indeed a trilogy.

I have not read other titles by Sara Donati. When I saw this title offered, I mistook her name for that of another author I have read - British author Sarah Durant. Imagine my surprise when the book arrived. I had some difficulty early on keeping everyone straight - so many characters and places to visit in this book - but the more I read, the more closely I felt connected to these women. Such struggles! What an amazing plot line and so much historical information is offered. I will go back to read The Gilded Hour for certain, and I am going to bet that at some point novel number three in this series will come along. I look forward to that with great hope!

No,I haven't and agree with those who've said it would have been helpful to have known this is part of a series. Might not have found this book so difficult to follow if I'd read the first. Not sure I will go back to that one or not, since I didn't love this book or the characters

I have not this was my first novel. I did thoroughly enjoy the book so much so that I ordered the Gilded Hour from the library to read next. I really liked her style of writing and it felt like I was right in the story with the characters.

I had not, but am going to order The Gilded Hour - I like her writing and detail and I didn't know that this was the second in a series, but didn't find that an issue. May also try the Wilderness series as well.

No, I have not. I wish I had read the first book in this series. It would have helped a lot when reading this book. If there is aother book in this series, I will be reading it.

I had no idea this was a second book in a series until I read some of the posts on this site. I had a terrible time not only getting into the book, but many times getting lost within the story. Believe me, the front pages giving characters and family trees took a beating. I needed them often. Still this was a hard book to read. It certainly was not a stand-alone novel. I found myself putting the book down with confusion. The story was interesting when continuing without too many characters.

I began reading Sarah Donati with my husband after he somehow came home with INTO THE WILDERNESS. He started reading it and after about 100 pages insisted that I read it with him. We followed Elizabeth and Daniel Bonner through the first six or seven books, reading aloud together. Hearing him read and reading aloud myself somehow made the books come alive and made some wonderful memories for me to hold onto now that he is gone. When we got to the final book that included Elizabeth, he refused to read any more. The thought of losing her and the extended family was too emotional for him.

I know of no other author who even comes close to the INTO THE WILDERNESS series!