Every literary era is defined by works that attempt to challenge or document current human experiences. The Changeling (Daughters of England, #15) by Philippa Carr enters the domain with an intriguing premise, balancing diverse structural viewpoints to achieve a stable 3.97 average review score. Spanning approximately a variable layout of text, this edition invites analytical minds to break down its narrative mechanics and conceptual layout.
Rebecca Mandeville
The story of The Changelingis told by Angelet's daughter, Rebecca, who was born in Benedict Lansdon's grandfather's house in an Australian gold-mining township. Before Rebecca was born, her father had died saving another man's life. She had always looked up to him as a great hero and when she heard that her mother was to marry Benedict Lansdon, she was deeply shocked.
The prolific British author of historical romances (The Pool of St. Branok) continues her lavishly entwined narrative of the families connected to Benedict Lansdon, now a recently bereaved widower, absentee father and wealthy seeker of a Parliament seat. Narrated by Benedict's aggrieved stepdaughter, Rebecca, this complex tale of love and betrayal concerns a three-cornered sibling relationship involving Rebecca, her half-sister, Belinda, and Lucie, a country waif informally adopted by Rebecca. Aware that her father blames her for her mother's death in childbirth, Belinda takes refuge in michievous behavior. Placid Lucie, however, fits in well with the family, though her lineage is suspect and clouded with mysterious events at St. Branok's pool. Although Belinda seems the most obvious "changeling", Carr sustains an air of doubt and intrigue. The ambience of the Cornish countryside and of Victorian London permeate this piquantly Gothic family saga.
Ultimately, the broader cultural and intellectual impact of The Changeling (Daughters of England, #15) lies in its ability to foster continued dialogue long after the final page is turned. Philippa Carr has successfully assembled a distinct print architecture that elevates the current standards of writing. For those seeking an immersive intellectual framework, this volume remains a highly recommended discovery.
Reader Critical Response Manifest
Evaluator Hash: 5fa6d946...★ 4/5
It is not too difficult to guess who the "changeling" is, but knowing in advance does not spoil the satisfaction of seeing what direction things take. Set in Victorian London and Cornwall.
Evaluator Hash: cdc18146...★ 5/5
One of my favorite books from high school, this is the story of childhood sweethearts from Cornwall, a suitably dramatic setting for this gothic tale! This book has everything: deaths, ghosts, babies switched at birth, ravishments in old castles . . . and yet it's all very demurely done. I liked that quite a bit, it was very reminiscent of something like Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Affairs and other scandalous matters were spoken of with veiled comments and euphemisms that were in keeping with the time period. The mysteries (there are a couple) are well done, as are the romances (there are a couple of those, too).
Evaluator Hash: 4bdc9c38...★ 3/5
*** "The Changeling" by Philippa Carr aka Victoria Holt is an old-fashioned kiss-less romance in Victorian England, entangled in servant gossip and rising political ambition, with children and adults who can behave both well and ill. I had heard of Rebecca de Mandeville, but mistakenly connected with the story called Rebecca. Becca is born in Australia in the same fine house as Pedrek, and when her father dies saving his in a mine accident, both grow up in Cornwall, childhood sweethearts. I do not think I have read the story before, just that the author leaves pointed clues so we are ahead of the characters to decipher a mysterious adoption, attack, and disappearance.
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