The Reef follows the fancies of George Darrow, a young diplomat en route from London to France, intent on proposing to the widowed Anna Leath. Unsettled by Anna's reticence, Darrow drifts into an affair with Sophy Viner, a charmingly naïve and impecunious young woman whose relations with Darrow and Anna's family threaten his prospects for success. The affair becomes the reef on which four lives are in danger of foundering: two of them innocent, and two of them burdened with experience and tinged with desperation.
A challenge to the moral climate of the day, this story of the drastic effects of a casual sexual betrayal offers a clear-eyed assessment of the possibilities and limitations of human love.
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"I have to review this book, because it is my absolute favorite, guilty pleasure, summer read of all time. If you are looking for a quick read that will transport you to the Caribbean (or something to read while you are on the beaches there) pick up this book. It has enough suspense and witty banter to keep you turning the pages, and the characters are well developed and smart and sympathetic for a romance novel. With sunscreen and an icy mojito, it just can't be beat." — Joanna (4 out of 5 stars)
"I have to review this book, because it is my absolute favorite, guilty pleasure, summer read of all time. If you are looking for a quick read that will transport you to the Caribbean (or something to read while you are on the beaches there) pick up this book. It has enough suspense and witty banter to keep you turning the pages, and the characters are well developed and smart and sympathetic for a romance novel. With sunscreen and an icy mojito, it just can't be beat."
“The novel…was most enthusiastically admired by Henry James, and one can see why, for it is most Jamesian…It marks the peak of her most brilliant period of creativity…And for us it is a chance to see what can be achieved in the pursuit of moral truths.”
“Underwood does a stellar job of interpreting the characters, deftly giving each a distinct voice and allowing the tension between characters to seem natural—and inevitable—due to their personalities…With her graceful, well paced reading, Underwood gives it the attention it deserves.”
“The Reef exemplifies [Wharton’s] close observation of Americans in France, their inner lives and social conflicts.”
“A complex, subtle, and moving story of the ways in which people torment one another and the awful power of retrospective jealousy.”
" Prob my fav NR book, which says alot since I think I've read almost all her books. Loved the setting and the history of the story. "
" I love it and I want more like it!! "
" This novel gives the reader a real sense of being in the Caribbean, scuba diving along with its main characters. The plot takes place in the past, as well as the present, and has both a heart-wrenching love story and twisted mystery. "
" I rarely read Nora Roberts but the book trader had this on the $1 shelf and yesterday was a perfect day for hanging out inside and reading. It was OK, about what I expected. "
" Awesome. Loved the history intertwined with the subplots. Of course, true to Nora Roberts form, you get to a point and you just cannot put it down. Loved it!!! "
" Yes I am reading another Nora Roberts book... hehe "
" My favorite Nora Roberts book. "
" Listened to the Audio version. "
" good. Solid NR. "
" Under water salvage story. Watch out for all the bad language. When I couldn't take it any longer, I skipped to the end to see how the story ended. As a snorkeler, I enjoyed the underwater images. "
" Amazing book! Loved the marine archeology aspect of the book. Also loved the romance storyline. Very entertaining. "
" I enjoyed this book! Made me realize how much I miss diving! She did a great job in her description of the undersea experience. Exciting treasure hunting with a love story and action! Easy read! "
" This was the first Nora Roberts book I ever read, so I love it!! "
" Absolutely loved this book. I loved the couple at the center of the story, how they broke up and came back together. I loved the treasure hunt. And the villain was particularly villainous. All in all, a wonderful Nora book! "
" Good book whats not to like a treasure hunt with a little romance. "
" I enjoy reading Nora Roberts' books. The descriptions she gives make me think I am actually present at the places her books take place. "
" Engaging romance. Not really into that totally make believe world where the guy is so perfect. A good fairy tale. "
" Enjoyable...not her best, but still good chick-lit! "
" Fun book, especially if you're a scuba diver. "
" It was written by Nora Roberts, so of course I really liked it. But the characters did drive me up the walls sometimes... oh well. Great suspense, murder, mystery, treasure-hunting - made for a fun read! "
" This is my favorite Nora Roberts book of all time. I suppose a sea swept romance is just my cup of tea. I think I shall re-read it soon. "
" This was a book about diving/treasure hunting. As always, I enjoyed it and I love that Nora Roberts gives her characters a depth. She still continues to suprise me. "
" Suspenseful!! I loved reading about diving into the ocean, seeing the coral reefs and finding sunken treasure. Nora Roberts did a good job keeping her readers interest in this one ... with lots of passionate characters. This is one of her best. "
" If you like Nora Roberts as much as i do you'll love this one. It has an interesting nephew/uncle angle kinda like the sister angle in Montanna Sky. I would say even guys might like this one because the main characher is the nephew and not a female. "
" Loved this book. It made me want to jump in a boat and disappear from it all. "
" I read this on vacation. It was a perfect book to read over the course of a week. The plot is interesting and the characters memorable as always in a Nora Roberts book. "
" I enjoyed this book as I do most of Nora Roberts novels. I would not consider this book one of my favorites of hers or one of my least favorites. Just a nice solid romance story with a bit of suspense. A very good vacation / plane read. "
" I tried... This is to remind myself to just say NO. "
" I started this book, but didn,t finish it, it just couldnt keep my attention. I had to keep reading the same pages over and over. I will try again but not for a while. "
" Initially found it difficult to read the 'old' English but persevered. Gave it two stars as I didn't care for one of the main characters (George Darrow) and the ending was unsatisfactory. "
" Wharton seems to specialise in tragic romantic fiction. "
" This is the only Edith Wharton book I've ever liked. I found this story of a struggling relationship very raw, honest, and moving, unlike the other books of hers I've read. "
" Another superb Wharton novel, though maybe a little claustrophobic and limited, compared to The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth. "
" Yeah, of course Henry James would have liked it. "
" I'd rank this one below Age of Innocence but about even with Custom of the Country. Not one of her depressing ones, at least. "
" Daring novel, published in 1912, which follows the complicated love lives of four Americans in France. Dramatised by Penny Leicester. Starring Jodhi May and Sian Thomas. "
" Can you believe that Nora Roberts had the NERVE to name one of her books THE REEF! Edith Wharton folks, this is the one you want. Not as juicy as The House of Mirth, but excellent. "
Ghizela Rowe has worked in broadcast television for thirty years on a broad range of programming. Her specialization is in music. She helps run the Copyright Group, an extensive collection of master recording rights, and has lent her voice to many audiobooks, including The Poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Elizabeth Gaskell: The Short Stories, and The Romantics: An Introduction.
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