by Louisa May Alcott

Summary

Rosamond Vivian wants to flee her tedious and unhappy life with her cold grandfather. When Phillip Tempest comes, she is fascinated by him and falls deeply and quickly in love. In a game of chance, Phillip forces her grandfather to stake Rosamond. Phillip wins, and takes Rosamond on his yacht. When she insists that they be married, he consents, and a ceremony takes place. For a year, they are happy. At Valrosa, Tempest’s villa, dark hints begin to worry Rosamond. Strange visitors come and go. Meanwhile, Rosamond is mystified by Ippolito, Tempest’s servant boy. His face is oddly familiar, but she cannot place it. Ippolito disappears, and Rosamond believes that Tempest has killed him in rage. When Tempest receives a visitor late at night, Rosamond overhears their conversation and finds out that the Phillip Tempest she thought she knew is a fraud and a deceitful villain. His past becomes clear to her, and in revulsion and misery, she flees the house. Over the next year, she runs and Tempest stalks. During this journey, Rosamond continues to uncover truths about this man, and her danger becomes ever greater.

Characters

Rosamond Vivian-- 18 years old at start of story, heroine, wishes for more exciting life, is fascinated by mysterious Phillip Tempest, but with a strong will of her own, and firm values and morals. Both of her parents are dead, and at the beginning of the story she lives with her grandfather on a lonely island.

Phillip Tempest-- 35 years old at start of story, takes Rosamond away from her monotonous life with her grandfather, winning her away in a game of chance. After she finds out his deceit, she flees, and he haunts her for the rest of her life.

Grandfather-- the father of Rosamond’s mother. He is paralyzed. Since he is very reserved, Rosamond believes he doesn’t care about her.

Ippolito--a young Greek boy who serves Tempest. Rosamond is mystified by his appearance—he reminds her of someone, but whom is it?

Willoughby--someone who knows the truth about Tempest’s past. Tempest is threatened by him and so sees the need to remove him from the scene.

Baptiste--Tempest’s personal servant, extremely devoted, also very clever and quick.

Marion--a mysterious woman from Tempest’s past. To her Rosamond runs when she is seeking refuge from Tempest. Willoughby informed Marion of Tempest’s marriage with Rosamond. It is a conversation between Marion and Phillip that causes Rosamond to flee.

Pauline Laurent--seamstress and friend to Rosamond, she helps hide her after a narrow escape from Tempest.

Honorine--actress, and place of refuge for the fleeing Rosamond. She helps her get out of the country and promises aid whenever needed.

Mother Ursula--the Superior in a convent where Rosamond hides. She keeps Rosamond’s secret faithfully until her deathbed, where she confides it to her successor.

Father Ignatius--a priest belonging to the convent. Rosamond fears that he will betray her, but he turns out to be her greatest protector and friend. He falls in love with her, but aspires to keep his feelings in check.

Father Dominic--another priest. Rosamond trusts him like a father, only to find out that he has given information to Tempest and manipulated her into a meeting with him.

Sister Magdalene--Mother Ursula’s successor. She dislikes Rosamond and helps Tempest get to her.

Comte de Luneville--a man living near the convent, widower, with one daughter whom Rosamond nurses back to health. To escape Tempest, she goes with them to Wiesbaden, Germany. There she consents to marry the Comte, but Tempest appears and causes trouble.

Natalie--the Comte’s daughter. She loves Rosamond like a mother.

Manton--a kindly nurse at the insane asylum where Tempest places Rosamond.

Dr. Gérard--the doctor placed in charge of Rosamond at the asylum. His harsh treatment causes her health to fail.

My Thoughts

I went through this book very quickly, and it is very gripping. Never monotonous, it moves forward with speed and keeps its reader interested. There are some interesting allusions to Shakespeare and Greek mythology, it really helps to look up information about Shakespeare's "The Tempest."
I would never have believed that the author of "Little Women" could have produced a novel like this, and I look forward to reading more of her works along this line. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast-moving, intriguing diversion. You will enjoy it!

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