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Alas, My Love
Edith Layton Book Review

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Plot Summary of Alas, My Love
"Amyas St. Ives is a man desperate for a legitimate identity in 19th century England. He grew up in an orphanage and escaped to the slums of London as soon as he was able to, fearing the infamous workhouses of England. Soon after returning to England a self-made man after having been sent to the Antipodes for lifting a pound note as a child, he departs for Cornwall, hoping that his unique first name will lead him to his family.

In his search for his true identity, he happens upon the Tremellyn family in Cornwall. There, Amyas begins to believe in the success of his quest for respectability and belonging. Although himself a fishmonger and a member of the lower rungs of society, the widowed Hugo Tremellyn has built his fortune with his fishing ventures and is the most respected personage in his little seaside town. Thus, Amyas begins to court Hugo's biological daughter, Grace, although he is immediately attracted to Amber "No Name," who is the Tremellyn's "gift" from the sea--a foundling.

Amber is a warm, competent, loving woman, but like Amyas, suffers from the uncertainty and stigma of not knowing her biological family and true identity. She knows that Amyas is drawn to her, but questions why he courts her adopted sister instead of her. Amyas's attraction to Amber deepens into something more, but his desire to marry Grace and build a new identity outside of his street urchin and "criminal" past sidetracks him. But the two are forced to reconcile their lifelong dreams and present desires after Amyas is expelled from the Tremellyn home for revealing his past and Amber finally discovers her true identity. A rescue in France ensues, followed by the two protagonists' satisfying realization that they can build their future together."

L. Tran, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Alas, My Love
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story - 19th century
Inner struggle subplot Yes
Struggle with... - search for family/history
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Is really... - a criminal (possibly)
If one lover chases another... - he chases after her

Main Male Character
Profession/status: - wealthy
Age/status: - 20's-30's
How sexual is this person? - several sexual encounters
How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic
Sex has good effect on him Yes
Sex makes him - blissful
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - unemployed
How sexual is this person? - naive virgin
How romantic is this person? - not very romantic
Sex has good effect on her Yes
Effect of sexing - blissful
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related? - nearly 100%
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - descript of kissing - actual description of sex
Part of a series? Yes
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 1-2 sex acts
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Click here for more information about this book


Edith Layton Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
L. Watson  

SCHOLARS:
L. Tran  


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