Book Reviews of After the Fire

Very provocative about a shattered marriage. Enjoyed very much

Great story; a real page-turner. Typical Belva Plain style; fabulous read!

When young artist Hyacinth falls in love with and marries Gerald, a medical student, she thinks she has found heaven. But like many marriages, this one founders. Then one night in desperation Hyacinth commits an act for which she will pay dearly, giving Gerald the reason he needs to gain uncontested custody of their two young children. However, despite the anguish over her children and her broken marriage, Hyacinth takes a fashion design course and quickly rises to the top of her profession. Although known and admired for her portrayals of families in all their complexity, Plain's (Legacy of Silence) characters in this book fail to be convincing. The combination of Hyacinth's na?vet? and meteoric assent in the fashion business strains believability. The author's strength, however, lies in her ability to sustain suspense throughout the story, leaving listeners wondering about "the secret" until the end. Kate Harper reads with skill and emotion, rendering both male and female voices effectively.

Good read

Another good book from Belva Plain. I like everything she writes

Doesn't everyone like Belva Plain novels? this is a particularly good page turner. great for plane or beach this summer

i didnt like it as i did others but it was ok

Wow! This is my FIRST Belva Plain read. It is a SERIOUS page-turner. I could not put it down. It is an amazing story about one woman's struggle through an ugly divorce and the hope and will to continue on for her children. I LOVE stories of hope and courage, this is one of those.

It was heart-wrenching because the author teases you with the idea that the woman, Hyacinth, is starting to find her way and the past resurfaces and keeps her from having the happiness you SO long for her to have.

The hardest part was the author withheld the secret until the absolute END of the book! I don't recall having to wait that long in anything I have read in the past, which makes it a real page-turner, you just won't be able to put it down until you find out! Definite must-read! This book has made me feel eager to read another book by Belva Plain.

fast read

After using his wife and her family to launch his career, a successful plastic surgeon dumps her and blackmails her into giving up custody of their children.

ny times bestselling author. great storyteller. quote from the jacket "what happens when the picture perfect marriage dissolves"

very good reading.

I really liked this book. This is the type of book you want to read again.
It's about a woman who puts her life back together and becomes extremely successful in doing so.

Gerald and Hyacinth had the kind of marriage others envied. A beautiful artist and a brilliant plastic surgeon, with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal taint the perfect union. In one terrible night, Hy commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life and gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. What really happened that terrible night? Will she ever be able to claim her children?

Gerald and Hyacinth had the kind of marriage others envied. She was a beautiful artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy's perfect marriage. And in one terrible night she commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children. When her own beautiful, angry mother wants to know why she won't fight for custody, Hy can give no answers. But deep in her heart, Hy knows there is one question she must answer if she wants to free herself from a life of lies: What really happened that terrible night? Only then can she reclaim her children, her pride, her life--at last.

Gerald and Hyacinth had the kind of marriage others envied. She was a beautiful artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy's perfect marriage. And in one terrible night she commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children.

An artist, a surgeon, and blackmail...what happens when the marriage dissolves....

Gerald and Hy had the kind of marriage others envied. She was a beautiful artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy'd perfect marriage. And in one terrible night, she commits an act she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail. The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children. When her own beautiful, angry mother wants to know why she won't fight for custody, Hy can give no answers. But deep in her heart, Hy knows there is one question she must answer if she wants to free herself from a life of lies: What really happened that terrible night? Only then can she reclaim her children, her pride, her life --- at last.