Ann-Marie MacDonald

This was a re-read after more than 20 years. This book was, for those years, in my top three fiction reads of all time. Not sure it's still there, but I loved it all over again. Despite remembering almost every aspect of t he plot. The writing carried me through, as did the compelling characters (Mercedes is particularly well written) and the story. I also enjoyed the many cultural references that evoked so many memories (the author and I are almost the same age).

Ms. MacDonald controls revelations so that there are surprises nearly up to the end of the book. She writes in clear style, but not graphic. Her revelations are subtle until you are smacked in the fact by your own understanding.

There are so many themes here. This time, I found myself reflecting on the contract in coping mechanisms -- and consequences -- for Frances vs. Mercedes. And I'm not sure I fully understand why Frances so badly wanted a baby.

Excellent book.… (more)

This is, in my opinion, great literature. Multiple themes and storylines that the author weave together so well. Strong, completely believable characters. Truth and lies. Lies that are harmless, until they are not. Guilt and innocence -- of children, of the times. Sometimes difficult to read because of the subject matter but always provocative and insightful.

I loved the setting and got swept up in memories of my own childhood.

I loved the issues probed by the story, such as the moral cost of the space program in Canada and U.S. And especially Jack's struggle in determining whether to condemn an innocent child to prison for the greater good of national security.

Maybe a bit long...it took a while for the story to get moving; on the other hand, I got totally immersed in the time and place of the story. There is a big jump in the story from Madeleine as a child to an adult. The t transition wasn't well managed and it took me a while to care about the adult Madeleine. But overall, a great read.… (more)

Fayne is as close to literary magic as it gets. What an incredibly complex and well-written book! It is epic. After the last page, which I read at 4 am cause I just couldn't put this down, I thought this deserved a standing ovation.
Fayne is massive, more than 700 pages, and like the isolated estate whose name it bears, it is full of secrets and mystery. It is by no means perfect, but nature prefers making things different, not perfect by human standards, as one of the characters states in the book.

Charlotte Bell is a daughter of a seclusive aristocrat growing up on this ancient estate in the late 19th century, hidden from the world due to her "condition". She grows up thirsty for knowledge, hoping to one day be admitted to a university where she could continue her studies despite such a thing being unheard of for women of her social class. Charlotte's mother is a rich American heiress, who we learn about in letters she wrote as a young bride. She supposedly died after giving birth to Charlotte, soon after the death of her elder brother Charles. Other characters living at Fayne and Charlotte's spinster aunt living in Edinburgh also have their secrets that will slowly start to unfold.

There are many characters in the story, all very well-developed. There are also some great, unexpected twists. The big twist concerning the main character was not that difficult to guess, but it didn't take away the magic of the story. The atmosphere is phenomenal, almost gothic and fairytale-like at the same time while at Fayne, but we are often pulled out and thrown into the real world.

The range of topics Fayne covers is very broad, in the tradition of great Victorian novels; science, social class, traditional roles, class, morality, marriage, education... Had there been trigger warnings about it, I might have never picked it up. Some parts were very difficult to read due to the emotion bursting from the pages. But, I am so glad I did.… (more)