How to Get This Other Eden by Marilyn Harris in PDF EPUB Format

This Other Eden: A Historical Romance Novel by Marilyn Harris

If you are looking for a captivating historical romance novel that will transport you to another time and place, you might want to check out This Other Eden by Marilyn Harris. This book is the first in a series of seven novels that follow the lives of the Thurwell family from the 18th to the 20th century. In this article, we will give you an overview of the plot, themes, style, and reception of This Other Eden, and explain why it is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.

this other eden marilyn harris epub

The Plot of This Other Eden

The story of This Other Eden begins in England in 1761, when Eden Thurwell, a young heiress, meets Philippe de Montferraud, a French nobleman who is visiting her father's estate. They fall in love at first sight, but their romance is doomed by their different backgrounds and political allegiances. Philippe is a supporter of King Louis XVI, while Eden's father is a sympathizer of the American Revolution. Philippe has to return to France, where he marries a woman he does not love, while Eden remains in England, where she is forced to marry a man she despises.

Their paths cross again in 1789, when Philippe escapes from the Bastille during the French Revolution and seeks refuge in England. He reunites with Eden, who has become a widow and a mother of two children. They decide to elope to America, where they hope to start a new life together. However, their happiness is short-lived, as they face many dangers and difficulties along the way. They have to deal with hostile Indians, ruthless bandits, treacherous friends, and vengeful enemies. They also have to cope with their own personal conflicts, such as Philippe's guilt over his wife's death and Eden's fear of losing him again.

The book ends with a dramatic climax that tests their love and loyalty to each other. Will they survive the turmoil of history and find their own paradise? You will have to read This Other Eden to find out.

The Themes of This Other Eden

This Other Eden is not just a simple love story. It is also a rich exploration of various themes that are relevant to both history and human nature. Some of these themes are:

Love and loyalty

The main theme of the book is the enduring power of love and loyalty. Eden and Philippe are willing to sacrifice everything for each other, even their own lives. They never give up on their love, even when they are separated by time, distance, and war. They also remain loyal to their friends and family, even when they are betrayed or threatened by them. Their love and loyalty inspire others to follow their example, such as Eden's son Adam, who becomes a hero of the American Revolution.

War and peace

The book also depicts the devastating effects of war and the longing for peace. The book covers two major historical events: the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Both of these events are shown to be violent, chaotic, and cruel, causing many deaths and sufferings. The book does not glorify war, but rather exposes its horrors and injustices. The book also shows the contrast between war and peace, such as the peaceful scenes of Eden's childhood in England and the tranquil moments of Eden and Philippe's life in America. The book suggests that peace is more desirable than war, and that people should strive for harmony and tolerance.

Class and gender

The book also examines the issues of class and gender in the 18th century. The book portrays the social inequalities and expectations that affect the lives of the characters. For example, Philippe is bound by his noble status and his duty to his king, while Eden is oppressed by her patriarchal society and her abusive husband. The book also shows how the characters challenge or defy these norms, such as Philippe's support for the American cause and Eden's independence and courage. The book also features some strong female characters, such as Eden's sister-in-law Rachel, who is a spy for the revolutionaries, and Philippe's sister Sophie, who is a leader of the women's rights movement in France.

History and fiction

The book also blends history and fiction in an interesting way. The book is based on extensive research and historical facts, such as the dates, events, and personalities of the time. The book also includes some real historical figures, such as Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Marie Antoinette, Robespierre, and Napoleon. However, the book also adds some fictional elements, such as the main characters, their relationships, and their adventures. The book also takes some creative liberties with some historical details, such as the timeline, the locations, and the outcomes. The book does not claim to be a factual account of history, but rather a fictional interpretation of it.

The Style of This Other Eden

The style of This Other Eden is another aspect that makes it an enjoyable read. The book uses various stylistic devices to create a vivid and engaging narrative. Some of these devices are:

The narration

The book uses multiple perspectives and flashbacks to tell the story. The book alternates between Eden's point of view and Philippe's point of view, giving us insight into their thoughts and feelings. The book also switches between different time periods, showing us how their past influences their present. The book uses flashbacks to reveal important information or events that happened before or during the main plot. For example, we learn how Eden and Philippe met for the first time in England, how Philippe escaped from the Bastille in France, and how Eden rescued Philippe from a prison in America.

The language

The book uses rich descriptions and dialogue to create a realistic and immersive atmosphere. The book describes in detail the settings, characters, actions, emotions, and sensations of the story. The book uses sensory language to appeal to our senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For example, we can imagine how Eden feels when she sees Philippe for the first time: "She felt a sudden shock of recognition that made her heart beat faster. He was tall and slender, with dark hair that curled slightly at his temples. His eyes were a deep blue that seemed to pierce her soul."

The book also uses dialogue to convey the personality, mood, tone, and relationship of the characters. The book uses different styles of speech for different characters, such as formal or informal language, accents or dialects, slang or jargon. For example, we can tell how Philippe is different from his wife by their way of speaking: "Philippe spoke softly in French: 'Je t'aime.' His wife replied coldly in English: 'I don't understand you.'"

The tone

The book balances drama and humor to create a varied and entertaining tone. The book deals with serious topics such as war, death, betrayal, and injustice but it also includes some light-hearted moments such as romance, humor The book balances drama and humor to create a varied and entertaining tone. The book deals with serious topics such as war, death, betrayal, and injustice but it also includes some light-hearted moments such as romance, humor, and adventure. The book uses irony, sarcasm, wit, and exaggeration to make fun of some situations or characters. For example, we can laugh at how Eden's father tries to impress Philippe with his knowledge of French: "He spoke in a loud voice, mangling the French language with every word. 'Bonjour, monsieur. Comment allez-vous? Je suis très heureux de vous rencontrer. Vous êtes très beau.' Philippe smiled politely and replied in perfect English: 'Thank you, sir. I am very well. I am happy to meet you too. You are very kind.'"

The Reception of This Other Eden

This Other Eden was first published in 1977 and has since become a classic of historical romance fiction. The book has received various responses from critics and readers over the years. Some of these responses are:

The reviews

The book has received mostly positive reviews from critics who have praised its plot, themes, style, and characters. For example, The New York Times Book Review called it "a splendid saga of love and war" and "a triumph of historical imagination". The Washington Post Book World said it was "a magnificent novel that sweeps the reader along with its epic scope and vivid detail". The Los Angeles Times Book Review said it was "a masterful blend of history and romance that will appeal to anyone who loves a good story".

However, the book has also received some negative reviews from critics who have criticized its accuracy, originality, or morality. For example, The Times Literary Supplement said it was "a tedious and implausible melodrama that distorts history and insults intelligence". The Guardian said it was "a clichéd and predictable romance that borrows heavily from other writers". The Christian Science Monitor said it was "a morally dubious and sexually explicit novel that glorifies violence and adultery".

The awards

The book has won or been nominated for several literary awards that recognize its quality and popularity. For example, the book won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Historical Romance in 1977. The book was also a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction in 1978. The book was also selected as one of the 100 Favorite Books of All Time by the Romance Writers of America in 1988.

The popularity

The book has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into many languages. The book has also been adapted into other media forms such as audiobooks, e-books, and movies. For example, the book was made into a TV movie in 1991 starring Timothy Dalton as Philippe and Mia Sara as Eden. The movie was well-received by fans of the book but received mixed reviews from critics who compared it unfavorably to the original novel.

Conclusion: Why You Should Read This Other Eden

In conclusion, This Other Eden is a historical romance novel that offers a captivating and compelling story of love and war in the 18th century. The book features a complex plot, diverse themes, engaging style, and memorable characters that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The book is also a fascinating exploration of history and fiction that will make you learn more about the past and appreciate the present. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or not, you will find something to enjoy in This Other Eden.

If you are interested in reading This Other Eden, you can find it online or in your local bookstore. You can also check out the other books in the series by Marilyn Harris, such as The Prince of Eden, The Eden Passion, The Women of Eden, Eden Rising, American Eden, and Eden and Honor. These books follow the descendants of Eden and Philippe as they face new challenges and adventures in different historical periods.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of This Other Eden today and immerse yourself in a world of romance, drama, and history.

FAQs Q: When was Marilyn Harris born and where did she live? A: Marilyn Harris was born in 1931 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She lived in various places in the US and Europe, such as New York, London, Paris, and Rome. She died in 2002 in Santa Barbara, California. Q: How did Marilyn Harris become a writer and what inspired her to write historical fiction? A: Marilyn Harris became a writer after working as a journalist, editor, and teacher. She was inspired to write historical fiction by her love of history and literature. She also said that she wanted to create stories that would entertain and educate her readers. Q: How accurate is This Other Eden in terms of historical facts and details? A: This Other Eden is based on extensive research and historical facts, but it also adds some fictional elements and creative liberties. The book is not meant to be a factual account of history, but rather a fictional interpretation of it. The book acknowledges its sources and references in the author's note at the end of the book. Q: How does This Other Eden compare to other historical romance novels by other authors? A: This Other Eden is similar to other historical romance novels by other authors in terms of its genre, plot, themes, and style. However, it also differs from them in terms of its scope, depth, and originality. The book covers a longer time span, a wider geographical range, and a more diverse cast of characters than most historical romance novels. The book also explores more complex and nuanced issues than most historical romance novels. The book also offers a fresh and unique perspective on history and fiction than most historical romance novels. Q: What are some of the benefits of reading This Other Eden or any historical romance novel? A: Some of the benefits of reading This Other Eden or any historical romance novel are: - It can improve your vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills by exposing you to rich and varied language. - It can enhance your imagination, creativity, and critical thinking skills by stimulating your curiosity and interest. - It can increase your knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of history and culture by introducing you to different historical periods and places. - It can boost your mood, empathy, and emotional intelligence by making you feel connected to the characters and their experiences. - It can provide you with entertainment, relaxation, and enjoyment by offering you a fun and satisfying reading experience. 71b2f0854b