The Journey |
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Danielle Steel
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Pages: 480 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0552145068
Pub: Corgi Adult
Pub date: 2008-08-11
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 171942
Editorial Review:
Amazing to think that Journey is Danielle Steel's 50th novel. What's even more amazing is the high standard she has maintained throughout all her books: when an author is this prolific, there is usually a falling off in inspiration, but Steel seems able to add new elements to each book that keep the level of invention fresh. Journey uses elements familiar from earlier Steel best-sellers, but manages a totally fresh spin on the private problems of a very public marriage.
Madeleine and Jack Hunter are one of Washington's glittering couples. Jack is head of a TV network, while Maddy is an award-winning anchorwoman. All around people regard them as a golden couple: he advising the president on media issues, she at the top of the tree in her profession. Needless to say, the relationship we are shown behind closed doors in their lavish Georgetown home is far more troubled than the public ever sees. For as Maddy enjoys more and more career success, Jack's resentment and desire for control grows daily, and her life becomes hell in this fracturing marriage. Steel manages, as always, to convey character in concise paragraphs:
The diamond studs and her eight-carat engagement ring were her prize possessions. Not bad for a kid from a trailer park in Chattanooga, she often admitted to him, and he called her "poor white trash" when he wanted to really tease her. It was obvious that he thought calling her that was funny...When Maddy joins the president's wife in the latter's newly formed commission on violence against women, the grim stories she hears from other terrified wives starts her on a journey which will help her break the cycle of fear she is living through. Steel makes this situation resonant with a really strong emotional impact, and the dark marriage is painted with the kind of skill we have come to expect from her. When Bill Alexander, a high-flying scholar and diplomat, enters the narrative and realises what is happening in Maddy's marriage, the story is taken to a powerful new level, with their growing affection treated intelligently and sympathetically. --Barry Forshaw
Reader Reviews:
50th novel! (1/1 people found this helpful)
This is Danielle Steel's 50th novel amazing! It was written and published in 2000 so goodness knows how many she has written to date. I have been reading her books as light relief (not a criticism) since 1978, which is something of an achievement in itself!
She continues to produce novels that are always a relaxing and enjoyable read. For such a prolific author she continues to find new inspiration for her themes and this novel covers abuse. If you were not aware that mental abuse can be just as overpowering as physical abuse; you certainly will be by the end of this love story.
Maddy Hunter the heroine is a victim of life long abuse, though she currently believes this is firmly in her past. Her eyes are opened to the fact that life is not as rosy as she thought when she joins a Commission on violence against women.
Not just another story this one has a powerful message. (4/4 people found this helpful)
As the norm for Danielle Steel from page one you know you are in for a good read. By the end of Chapter one you know the characters involved and are turning the pages faster and faster. The only thing I found slightly tedious in the storyline was the repetitive message on abuse. I know the books storyline was on abuse but felt it made certain parts of the storyline flat. Yes Maddy was suffering abuse and the book covered so many different types of abuse but I felt it became overpowering at times. How often during this book could we feel sorry for Maddy? I really did despise Jack and could have hit him myself on numerous pages one especially when he treated the absence of Maddy so cavalier when she was buried underground when the mall collapsed and he was cheating on her. I am sure that this book will open the eye of many readers on the depth and breadth of abuse and the fact than no one is safe from these situations (even white trash - as Jack would quote!). Still one of my favorite authors and I look forward to her next book.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> General
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English