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Dalila21504
Posted February 20, 2010
I Also Recommend:
The Glass of Time
Continuing the Victorian-style saga of hidden parentage, murder, espionage, revenge, and romance that Michael Cox began in "The Meaning of Night", "The Glass of Time" is an old fashioned "good read". It is well plotted, has rich period detail, and draws on the traditions of Wilkie Collins and the "sensation" novels of the Victorian era. Most of the plot twists do not come as a surprise, but that does not make them any less thrilling. This is the very best that "escape reading" has to offer.
The brisk reversals of fortune, a life lived in terms of houses and relationships rather than meaningless "work" (making beds and dressing the hair of one's "mistress" seems refreshingly adventurous to today's readers, most of whom have spent our entire lives in sterile offices), the secrets and surprises, are a world one could lose onesself in for quite a long time.
I would advise reading "The Meaning of Night" first.
And I hope that the story is continued in a third volume.3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Completely Enjoyable
This is the best book I have read in quite some time. The pacing of the story, the characters, the descriptions, the plot...I wish there could be more. Just today I learned the author passed a few weeks ago. I have but maybe 50 pages left in this gem, and it will be bittersweet to finish it knowing that a third is unlikely unless it is possibly written already. Best to the author's family.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted October 21, 2008
Brilliantly written!
Mr. Michael Cox has done it again. What a lovely book to read. I enjoyed
this book just as much as "The Meaning of the Night". My admiration goes to Miss. Gorst. Her courage to work for Lady Tansor. All the secrets she had to keep from anyone knowing who she is and what her purpose for working at Evenwood. But she finally does find out whose keeping the really secret. I could not put this book down, it really is brillant book
to read.3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Great!
I read Michael Cox's "The Meaning of Night" a while ago and loved it. I have just read "The Glass of Time" and I loved it even more if that's possible. If you love London in the 1800's, mystery, murder, unsavory characters and a plot that has you reading late into the night, this book is for you. You don't necessarily have to have read "The Meaning of Night" first even though that was a highly enjoyable book, but it would help because some of the characters show up in this book again. I think this book can stand on its own but it may be better to read the books in order. I was hooked from the very first page and read this book every spare second I had. I love the time period and the writing just drew me in. I loved Esperanza's character and how she discovered clues to her "Great Task" that she had to perform. I felt as though I was actually right beside her as she attended Lady Tansor and as she was unlocking doors and listening in on conversations to gather information. Again, a great read ... over 500 pages and I wished it would have gone on way beyond that!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2010
Dense novel with lots of detail and interesting convoluted plot.
This book is not a quick read, but the characters and plot are interesting and unusual, with occasional unexpected twists. I am a fast reader and it took me several days ( a plus in my opinion). Interesting period detail.
I enjoyed it a lot.2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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" A Gem"
Shortly after using the metaphor of a "Gem" to emphasize the persona of the work itself, I'm succumbed by the notion that the term falls midstream pertaining to what this book actually is, being no less than a diamond of numerous karats. The author, Mr. Michael Cox, within this book's predecessor (The meaning of night: A confession), redundantly illustrated a greedy and compassionless scenario during Victorian times in the mere heart of England, creating a point of origin setting in motion this colossal as well as beautifully fluent piece of contemporary literature. From its lively sceneries to its strong determined characters, this tale currently transcribed at the length of two volumes will exemplify a vivid recognition of revenge in all due splendor, as well as the slightest contemplation pertaining to the fact that in the end, love will consume each and every one of our beings.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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lbaat
Posted July 20, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Fabulous!!
This was a great book. Throughout the whole book there were clues for what would happen in the end. I thought I had figured out the ending, but I was surprised! I love when an author is clever enough to do this. Great!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Magnificent novel
Similar to "The Meaning of Night", Michael Cox does a superb job in the art of storytelling. He articulates each scene extremely well and plays to the senses. There are not too many twists or surprises, but enough to keep you second-guessing what the truth is. A lovely story, great follow-up to the first book, and a recommended reading to anyone who loves fiction.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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A beautifully penned sequel.
This book was almost as amazing as The Meaning of Night. I figured out quite a bit of what was going on before it was revealed but it was great nonetheless. I enjoyed this book very much.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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AvidAudioListner
Posted December 17, 2008
Great Story!
This is truly a great story! I actually listened to the audio version and had a hard time turning it off. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. This story had so many twists. Each time that I thought I had everything figured out it would go in a different direction. Great writing by Michael Cox and outstanding narration by Josephine Bailey!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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One of the best historical fiction writers you will find.
The Meaning of Night was one of my favorite books in a long time, so to find out a sequel was coming out was great. The book picks up 22 yrs after the Meaning of Night and builds upon the great story that it created. The characters are so well written its easy to forget its a novel. Highly recommended for anyone that likes character driven books.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted November 15, 2008
I Also Recommend:
Great Follow-Up Story
I read the Meaning of Night and enjoyed it more and more as it went on. This book picked up right where it left off. I absololutely loved it even more than the first one. The characters are well defined and the story original. Some mysteries you will figure out, but others you will be surprised at in the end. This has become one of my favorite books. It's a must read if you enjoy character driven stories.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 1, 2012
good book
easily kept interest up, a lot of characters with old English names that are hard to keep track of, but still a worthwhile read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted March 21, 2010
I Also Recommend:
A unexpected but welcome sequel.
The characters in this book were very engaging and the plot was tremendous, although I do recommend reading "The Meaning of Night" first, as I feel that would give all elements of the book more meaning to the reader. Like the first, the most interesting element of the book to me was the Victorian drama of the ends versus the means, or the struggle between personal feeling and strength of will. I only bread the book recently and am saddened to find that the author has passed away and that there will be no more writing from Mr. Cox. I am glad we received from him what we could and echo the sentiments of a previous reviewer: Bravo, sir!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Sue77
Posted February 3, 2010
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Wonderfully absorbing page clicker!
Just think if Austen's heroine had opened that chest in Northanger Abbey and had found some wonderfully Gothic diary or documents to match her expectations and vivid imagination! This book is a wonderful mish mash of 19th century influences...imagine Dickens and the Bronte sisters collaborating ...on speed. A wonderful read for a rainy day or any day, with a Dickensian feel, characters who are made memorable by their habits or/and features, no matter how small their part in the proceedings are. A masterful blend of mystery, adventure and Victorian derring-do comprising, of course, a heroine, a moody hero and a murky past peopled from all walks of life already broached in "The Meaning of Night". Murder, mystery and mayhem abounds. Read "The Meaning of Night" and then follow with this sequel. The only problem for me is that now I'm at a loss as to what to read next! It's a fun hectic roller coaster ride created by an expert in 19th century writings, and who, by turns, affectionately emulates the strengths of descriptive writing of the age and also affectionate pokes at some of the excesses of the same. Loved it and eagerly await another novel from Mr. Cox! Bravo, sir.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Worthy Sequel to The Meaning of Night
Michael Cox does it again, with a riveting and atmospheric suspense tale in a Victorian setting. Suspend disbelief at a wildly improbable plan that is put into motion, and simply enjoy the train of events and the Dickensian characters. Slightly less dark than the first novel, this is a great and serpentine tale with plenty of twists, turns, and secrets.
I have removed the offending spoiler (which was unintentional). Hopefully this lapse in judgment will not result in being "banned" as suggested!1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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ishgh
Posted December 29, 2009
As good as his first book
A victorian thriller, with twists and turns, the second generation takes care of business. that started in the first book, The Meaning of Night.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 27, 2009
Michael Cox's Final Legacy to Literature
The Glass in Time is an excellent sequel to The Meaning of Darkness.
These two books were my best 'read' of not only 2009 but, indeed of this 1st decade of the new millenium. Mr. Cox superbly draws we readers into the mid -19th century and carries us there for a a more than 1300 page journey.....far too short in my mind. These two books represent Mr. Cox's life-long desire to write the great Victorian era novel. He succeeds immensely and more's the pity with his untimely death in early 2009 we, the reader, will see no more of his brilliance.1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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ChristelAnastasia
Posted November 14, 2009
What a wonderful and intriguing story!
It was one of the most beautiful and satisfying mysteries I have ever read. It depicts the time and the people of that era so well, it transforms you there. For those, who have already read "The Meaning of Night" by the same author, this book will be extremely satisfying, since it brings a closure to the story that started in the first book.
However, this book can be read independently as well.1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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"A Gem"
Shortly after using the metaphor of a "Gem" to emphasize the persona of the work itself, I'm succumbed by the notion that the term falls midstream pertaining to what this book actually is, being no less than a diamond of numerous karats. The author, Mr. Michael Cox, within this book's predecessor (The meaning of night: A confession), redundantly illustrated a greedy and compassionless scenario during Victorian times in the mere heart of England, creating a point of origin setting in motion this colossal as well as beautifully fluent piece of contemporary literature. From its lively sceneries to its strong determined characters, this tale currently transcribed at the length of two volumes will exemplify a vivid recognition of revenge in all due splendor, as well as the slightest contemplation pertaining to the fact that in the end, love will consume each and every one of our beings.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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