Product Description

In British India, Paul Eliot is a wealthy, powerful merchant. In nineteenth century England, where class is all-important, he takes quick offence at the easy self-assurance of men superior in rank, sensing disdain in every word. In revenge, he determines to seduce the beautiful wife of his well-born host and fellow merchant, Gerard Forston. Eliot and Eleanor flee to India, ignorant of the tragic, far-reaching consequence of their thoughtless elopement. Mirroring Paris’s escape with Helen of Troy, all those connected with the lovers will be affected as their families are torn apart.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #313635 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-05
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Synopsis
In British India, Paul Eliot is a wealthy, powerful merchant. In nineteenth century England, where class is all-important, he takes quick offence at the easy self-assurance of men superior in rank, sensing disdain in every word. In revenge, he determines to seduce the beautiful wife of his well-born host and fellow merchant, Gerard Forston. Eliot and Eleanor flee to India, ignorant of the tragic, far-reaching consequence of their thoughtless elopement. Mirroring Paris's escape with Helen of Troy, all those connected with the lovers will be affected as their families are torn apart.

About the Author
Caroline Stickland was born in 1955. She has an English and American Literature degree from the University of East Anglia and is involved in adult literacy tutoring.

Customer Reviews

A fascinating book
I am a oversea student from Taiwan, this is the first romatic novel I read here. I found it extremely fascinating. The author wrote it in an elegant and delicate style. I would recommand those who love Victorian romatic stories to read it. You will love it.
I especially like "The unfolding events in Greek myth, matched by the corresponding action in the novel". You can tell from this part how much effort the author thought the author gave to this novel and why it is so wonderful

Enthralling romance and more.
"He was wearing mourning. It was inappropriate for a bridegroom but no-one tried to persuade him to do otherwise. There were whispers , of course , and those who said that black gloves could not hide the blood on his hands."
This is the intriguing prologue to this thoroughly enjoyable book. I first picked up one of Caroline Stickland's novels because a friend told me she sets them in my home county of Dorset. I've enjoyed them all and The Kindly Ones is my favourite so far. It's different from the earlier books in two ways. Firstly,it isn't set just in Dorset. You're taken to India, Egypt and Damascus , all described in a way that brings each place to life . Secondly , Stickland has taken the Greek myth of Helen of Troy and reset it in the nineteenth century.
The story begins in a garden on a summer afternoon when Eleanor Forston/Helen and Paul Eliot/Paris first meet . The repercussions from the actions of these two shallow , selfish people set in train tragedy , passion and overwhelming love. The Greek myths have lived on because they are such absorbing stories and the author has translated the events into a believable , compelling Victorian novel with realistic characters struggling with the conventions of their times.
I read in Dorset Life magazine last month that this book was shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year . It's not only an enthralling romance but also a dramatic tale of murder and revenge . I'd recommend it to any lover of wonderfully told historical fiction.

Disappointed from Liverpool
I didn't get past the first chapter and found the language to be convoluted and florid. Very disappointing.