Judith’s review of The Bastard by Brenda Novak.
To some men honor is just a word…
Jeannette Boucher, a young French beauty from a family left penniless by the revolution, must marry against her will to save them all from ruin. But almost immediately after the vows are spoken, she learns that her old English husband is impotent—and in his desire for an heir, he plans to compromise her in the worst way. Determined to escape such a fate, she stows away on one of His Majesty’s frigates. But a woman alone is in constant danger.
To Lieutenant Treynor, honor means everything…
Born a bastard to a wayward marquise, Lieutenant Crawford Treynor was given to a poor farmer to raise and was maltreated until he ran away to join the Royal Navy. Treynor is determined to prove he’s as good as any other man and rise to captain his own frigate. But once he finds Jeannette aboard The Tempest he must decide whether to return her to the man he knows would abuse her—or risk everything, even his life, to keep her safe.
The politics of the English aristocracy–and indeed, any aristocratic society of the past centuries–rests on the legitimacy of its inhabitants. Being born “on the wrong side of the blanket” was not an uncommon occurrence, but it was not a welcome one in high-born circles. Early 19th century English society was as starchy as they come, and being illegitimate or–as it was commonly thrown around–a bastard was the death knell for any kind of ascendancy professionally or acceptance of one’s worth. There was always a legitimate aristocrat around who was happy to step on a person’s knuckles or kick them in the ribs, or allow inuendo or rumor to do its dastardly work. The Royal Navy was particularly rife with this kind of inequity, so it was a credit to Lieutenant Treynor that he had even risen to officer rank of any kind.
Perhaps it was his early experiences as the recipient of abuse that made him more aware of the stresses that were the realities in the lives of his sailors. Because of his intelligence and his empathy, he was a favorite of his crew, much to the chagrin of another higher ranking officer whose knowledge of the sea and inherent leadership skills were largely missing. Yet because he was the son of a high ranking aristocratic family, he could make Treynor’s life miserable. Thus, Treynor’s championship of the bedraggled cabin boy who came aboard quite unexpectantly became the issue which gave the other officer means to remove Treynor from his hard-earned position.
Those who know Ms Novak’s writing in several romance genres know that she does not write simplistic novels. Her characters are complicated, usually caught up in situations that are seldom easy to understand or difficulties that are never easy to resolve. This novel is no exception. Treynor’s professional challenges were only a part of the burden he carried. His mother refused to tell him the identity of his father and the relationship they endured was laced with anger, resentment, and painful memories. Because of the terrible abuse he had to endure early in his life, he was determined that he would keep clear of the fairer sex except to “meet his needs” when they could no longer be ignored. Yet at his core he was always an honorable man who was even willing to take the flogging for a youngster (who was really the heroine) whose ignorance of naval law put him/her in danger.
This story is also based on the politics of marriage, the practice of securing “good marriages” for daughters in order to regain wealth or in Jeanette’s case, to regain lost aristocratic standing because of their misfortunes due to the French Revolution and having to flee for their lives, thereby losing everything. Being dependent on a distant English relative–being the never-appreciated poor relations–made it necessary for Jeannette to marry a well-heeled and high ranking aristocrat. Unlike Treynor, he was NOT a man of honor.
This novel will take time and effort to savor and enjoy. It is one of those novels that completely engages the mind and yet, through it all, is woven the love story of these two people who are both caught in the machinery and manipulations of the aristocracy. I know that some may see this as a novel wherein the author was trying to too much into it. I don’t see it that way. Life is messy and millions of people have lived with circumstances that, no matter how they try, just keep on getting worse, more complicated, and ultimately are overwhelming. So it appears with Treynor and Jeannette’s involvement with each other as well as their wider issues. There are lots of twists and turns, unexpected developments, and a hefty amount of surprise for the reader. It is never boring. But don’t expect a simplistic boy-meets-girl with the inevitable happily ever after. The reader will probably have to wait almost until the end to figure out how it’s all going to pan out.
Fans of really good historical romance will delight in this story. It is rich and intellectual, romantic and filled with sexual tension. The reader will have no difficulty feeling the deep emotions that are often a part of the narrative. Even the ultimate future of an unhappy stowaway becomes an important part of Treynor’s story. It is really a terrific book and one I will be re-reading. I don’t think it is possible to get it all the first time through.
I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5
You can read more from Judith at Dr J’s Book Place.
This book is available from Brenda Novak, Inc.. You can buy it here in e-format.