Book Review: Cashelmara by Susan Howatch
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Own.
I cannot recommend it. It is set in the early 1800s and plot points are based on the reigns of Edward I, II, and III, but I hope not very closely. While the writing is superb, it was dark and disturbing … and sordid. The book has all kinds of torture from physical to psychological. I did like the discussion of England and Ireland and the relationship between the gentry and the populace. But it was so dark that I didn’t really sleep one night and felt the horror of the situation. What really disturbs me is that I read this for the first time as a High Schooler, wrote a paper on it, found it in the school library, and am pretty sure didn’t understand it then.
Actually, "Cashelmara" is set between 1859 and 1890. Although it is my least favorite of Susan Howatch's family sagas, I would still recommend it. The novel is a very well written story filled with complicated characters.
It's well written but VERY dark. The darkness is my issue in recommending to my audience.