Near 800 pages, but still an easy read. Emma Harte, in 1968, is a very wealthy woman. The book goes back to when she is 15 kitchen maid at the turn of the century, and tells how she gained her wealth, and what she lost along the way

Near 800 pages, but still an easy read. Emma Harte, in 1968, is a very wealthy woman. The book goes back to when she is 15 kitchen maid at the turn of the century, and tells how she gained her wealth, and what she lost along the way

wonderful historical fiction story. Keeps your interest throughout. ( )

wonderful historical fiction story. Keeps your interest throughout. ( )

Several decades ago Barbara Bradford was a leading author of women’s fiction. Her reoccurring theme involved the struggles women endured throughout the 20th century in their everyday lives. She is quoted (from Wikipedia) as saying "I write about mostly ordinary women who go on to achieve the extraordinary.”

"A Woman of Substance" is the epic story of Emma Harte. The narrative begins in 1968 when Emma is a 78 year old successful multi-millionaire, and owner of several businesses including department stores, clothing factories, and wool mills. She owns several estates in various parts of the world, and is the matriarch of the Harte family with 5 children and 9 grandchildren. Emma is horrified and disgusted to learn that several of her children are secretly plotting to take control of her business empire and sell everything. They are more interested in the immediate cash than preserving Emma’s legacy.

Just when Barbara Bradford captures the reader in the height of anticipation and curiosity, the narrative drops back to 1904 when Emma is 14 years old and working as a house servant for a wealthy family in England. Similar to the popular series "Downton Abbey", it depicts a lot of details about life from the servants quarters, and reveals a side of the wealthy residents that was all too often hidden from public view.

At that young age Emma was required to contribute to her low-income families household expenses. She worked 12 days straight and got every other week-end off to go home. Her duties included running errands, scrubbing floors, serving meals, and assisting the ladies of the house to dress for dinner receiving orders from a some-what sympathetic cook and a sadistic butler. She did it all to her own perfectionist standards, but while she toiled she daydreamed of being a woman of wealth and power. Emma always had big dreams, and was determined to make them her reality.

With hard work, self-sacrifice, scheming and planning, intelligent decisions, perseverance, self-confidence, and a little bit of luck, Emma achieves her goals. Her arduous journey encompasses times of gratification and euphoria, as well as loneliness and heart-break.

While a bit idealistic, and overly romantic - and predictable, the plot is still captivating, the writing style wonderful with vivid descriptions of scenery, houses, clothing and the colorful characters. "A Woman of Substance" was published in 1979 and was received with great enthusiasm which inspired Barbara Bradford to write 6 additional novels about the Harte family.

Rated 4 Stars April 11, 2021 ( )