#10: Covers 1789 to 1795: the French Revolution; wars with France; beginning of the industrial revolution
When we left the Morland Family in The Flood Tide, the French revolution was just starting. In The Tangled Thread, the Revolution is in full swing, with Henri taking sides with the revolutionaries and his daughter Heloise marrying a well-known revolutionary. In England, at Morland Place, Jemima’s children have grown, but none has married. Later, war with the French looms, as Henry looses his head during the bloodbath in Paris, and Heloise comes to England.
There are two distinct story lines going on here, and that which takes place in Paris during the Revolution is infinitely more interesting than the domestic affairs of the Morlands in York. Heloise is a charming young heroine, brave; and despite the adversity she faces, never let anything get her down. Jemima is a less-vibrant then many of the other characters, but maybe because the other characters’ stories are in the forefront here.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles has an annoying habit of having her characters declaim about major events of English history (it usually starts with another character saying, “tell us the news…”), but the story of the Morland family is, as always, entertaining to read. The wars with France are just about to really get going, and I’m looking forward to reading what’s next for the Morlands.
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