Finally read this as it's been on my TBR for a long time.

I felt that it was slow.. Also the summary on the jacket cover is a bit misleading. I really didn't feel a connection with Hy... but it was ok.

The story spans several years in the life of the "heroine" and gave a lot of background info.. i felt it dragged some. Then once I hit the middle of the book it went into the actual plot, but again she dragged it several years. I felt there should have been better resolutions for certain issues, but otherwise it was good.

Another great story by Belva Plain, I recommend it. ( )

This was a good, easy read. It was a step-up from the regular romance book, although it is a love story-of sorts. It is the universal tale of love lost, the grief, the losing of ones children, etc. Normally I only read classics or history, but this was a good break from those books. ( )

this is the best novel by Belva Plain, it is social and realistic, I recommend it very much. ( )

Gerald and Hyacinth had the type of marriage others envied. She was a talented artist. He was a brilliant plastic surgeon. Theirs was a comfortable, happy home with two wonderful children. Then whispers of betrayal tainted Hy's perfect marriage. And in one terrible night she commits an act that she will regret for the rest of her life. An act that gives Gerald the ultimate weapon: blackmail.

The price of his silence is uncontested custody of their two children. When her angry mother wants to know why Hyacinth won't fight for custody, she can give no satisfactory answers. But deep in her heart, Hyacinth knows that there is one question she must answer if she wants to free herself from a life of lies: What really happened that terrible night? Only then can she reclaim her children, her pride, her life - at last.

I think that Belva Plain is a really gifted storyteller, and After the Fire is yet another example of what a terrific storyteller she is. I was drawn into the story from the first page, and really wanted to know how Hyacinth would deal with her dilemma. I give this book an A+! ( )