Customer Reviews
Unknown - By: Mr. A. Sands, 26 Sep 2008 
I never received this from the vine programme so I am unable to comment. Giving 4 stars to not make it look unfairly bad.
I wanted it to be better than it was - By: L. J. Roberts, 03 Sep 2008 
THE TENTH GIFT (Mystery-Julia Lovat/Catherine Tregenna-Cornwalll/Morrocco-Cont-1625) - G
Johnson, Jane - standalone
Doubleday Canada, 2008, Canadian Hardcover - ISBN: 9780385665001
First Sentence: "There are only two or three human stories, & they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they have never happened before, like larks that have been singing the same five notes for thousands of years."
Born in Cornwalll, Julia Lovat loves doing embroidery. As a supposed consolidation for her married lover ending their affair, he gives he a book of embroidery patterns from the 1700s once owned by Catherine Tregenna. Julia discovers the books contains more than patterns but is also a journal of Catherine's live, particularly during the time when Muslim pirates kidnapped Cornish residents & transported them to Morocco as slaves. Julia's former lover is desperate to get the book back, but Julia decides to follow Catherine's path & goes to Morocco.
I do needlepoint, rather than embroidery, but understand working with pattern & fibers & it was part of the books appeal to me.
The story is told in first person from the perspective of Julia & Catherine during the two time periods. The two periods were handled well with the transitions being clearly done. The history was interesting & informative, albeit realisticallly brutal. The author's descriptions create a very strong sense of place.
Oddly, I didn't particularly care for either female protagonist. Both seemed immature, self-centered & rather calllous. The two romances struck me as improbably & rushed.
The plot was rife with coincidences, but they were needed to make the story work. There is even a paranormal element which rather tied everything together. Although it was a good read & I enjoyed it, the book certainly wasn't a perfect book.
Historical escapism - By: Ms. J. Anne Lees, 14 Aug 2008 I found this an interesting read, albeit slightly hard to get into at first. Persevere & you'll be rewarded, especiallly if you're in any way interested in historical fiction & fantasy.
This book manages to combine history & romance with the altogether intriguing worlds of piracy & slavery as well as a modern-day twist. It's an interesting escapist read & something to take on holiday, though it might not stay on your bookshelf for alll time.
I love this story - By: Joanne K. Pilsworth, 18 Jul 2008 
Started a bit slow, but then it shares this feature with some of the Barbara Erskine books. It is very easy to be drawn into this story, & the pace, when it does pick up, ensures that it is difficult to put down.
The most fascinating part of the book is how something so smalll as a little book can be the start of such a complex tale.
I would class this as a good holiday read.
A swash-buckling pirate tale - By: MaryAnne, 12 Jul 2008 I was particularly interested to read this book knowing that the author had an ancestor who was reputed to have been kidnapped from a church in Penzance in 1625 & taken by pirates to Morocco. The author decided to go to Morocco to investigate further & ended up discovering & marrying her own Barbary pirate.
Which makes this book at least semi-autobiographical. For me that's a big plus.
Catherine Anne Tregenna (Cat) has been promised in marriage to her cousin Rob. Although ahe loves him as a cousin, the thought of being married to him does not appeal. Just when this seemed to be her lot she is whisked away by Barbary pirates with 59 other members of the church congregation on a Sunday morning.
Back in the present day, Julia Lovat is given an antique book of embroidery designs as a parting gift from her married lover. Written over the instructions is the tale of Cat's abduction & her subsequent arrival in Morocco. Julia decides to travel to Morocco herself to investigate the story & finds a facinating country, so different from her own.
Although a little bit stilted at times, I enjoyed the book. The characters were fun but the coincidenecs on which events hinged stretched belief a bit at times.
9 out of 10, a good read.
