AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN by JULIA QUINN (2001 - the third Bridgerton novel) 
bed in the original edition published by the American
Avon Books (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers). In Italy, the novel was published it Novels Mondadori with the title of "The proposal of a Gentleman" .
Warning: spoilers.
The tribute to Cinderella does not take off the plot, which is frayed and has very little pulp. The use of the story, here in a more blatant than usual, makes up a Julia Quinn less inspired. Perhaps Benedict Bridgerton had a personality too vague and indefinite than Anthony and Colin, perhaps the author has been unable to find for him the crucial starting point.
Benedict suffers the burden of being still largely identifiable as a Bridgerton, of which has all the traits, both physical and behavioral, but to be crushed between the firstborn and the charming younger brother. Benedict affirms this with resigned irony: he is for all "number two". Not Benedict, not Ben, but a Bridgerton and only the "number two".
The novel is not supported by the usual backbone of bickering comic spirit is missing the irony abounds in self-pity with which you strongly unfortunate Sophia Beckett. She not only is the illegitimate daughter of a count who has never recognized as such and granted only education under his roof as his pupil, but on her father's death, the strikes' wickedness of acid Araminta stepmother. A name, a program. She had married the Earl of Penwood some time before, with the task of giving him the male heir, but had failed miserably and was aggravated with all the awkward presence of their two daughters, Posy, who experiences a kind of sympathy for Sophie , but it shall not prove it because he fears the wrath of Araminta, Rosamund is as much as the harpy mother.
Sophie's life, up to ten years, was that of a child alone, but spoiled by the servants and educated by a governess in all subjects that characterize the education of a girl in high places. With the arrival of the stepmother and the subsequent death of the Count, had become a nightmare slave forced to work more tiring and demeaning and suffer the most cruel oppression. Clean, toil, be insulted, do not see anything in the world. Not being able to dream. Araminta had kept her at home because the late Earl of Penwood Sophie had tied an annuity that the witch would have lost if he had not dealt with the girl until she had reached the age of majority. But Sophie was not really deal with the ropes Araminta, more than anything else could destroy it and take advantage of the services to make its case. And so we find the poor Sophie and most of the novel we are constantly reminded of the plight of his bastard who can only aspire to become the maid of a rich and, perhaps, generous lady.
The turning point in the life of Sophie occurs when the domestic Penwood House agree that the girl deserves a fine night, and, like Cinderella , prosecutors clothes and a carriage for a masquerade ball held in Bridgerton House and which have already directed Araminta and her daughters. It 'a play innocent and Sophie will have to return the carriage at midnight, before it goes back to resume her stepmother. At the dance, her face hidden by a mask and wrapped in a silver dress discovered in a trunk that belonged to the mother of the late Earl of Penwood, Sophie turns up in a cloud of mystery and Benedict Bridgerton is forever captured by his angelic appearance and sincere smile that lights up.
Both feel something special and a bond that draws them toward each other. But Sophie knows that his is just a brief escape from reality and that will never dare to aspire to become the wife of a respectable member of
ton. She is just the bastard of an earl and his place is the servants' wing. When strikes midnight and the spell must come to its proverbial end, Sophie disappears and Benedict is desperate, but, despite having no trace the identity of the lady who has stolen his heart, he determined to seek it and make her his. The search will last weeks, months, years ...
Two years later, Benedict's soul is still haunted by the vision of the girl dressed in silver. But somehow his life only goes in boredom and remembrance, hope to see you again. Until, at a party at the home of his acquaintances, not the fate puts in our hands the task of saving the rape a waitress. The young son of the owners and his worthy friends had decided to have a good time with the poor girl, now struggling in the midst of the terrified ruffians. Benedict, which, as Bridgerton, pasta is made of an entirely different, intimidating, and drive away the attackers and takes away the maiden who, incidentally, is Sophie. She recognizes him, obviously. He can not recognize her. The initial idea is to find a place among the staff of his mother's house, but first the door in his cottage, which is not far and in which he was already willing to spend a few days. A heavy rain and cold catches them en route and Benedict, who was recovering from a cold, it busca a terrible fever. The couple who keep the cottages are temporarily absent, so Sophie is shocking and embarrassing situation of having to care for a man in a feverish frenzy, trying not to think that this is the one that has troubled her dreams that dance in masks two years earlier. Mr. and Mrs. Crabtree, the custodians, they return to base and take matters in hand home, but Benedict has so pleasantly accustomed to the care of sweet Sophie, who deliberately prolonged his convalescence. The memory of his mysterious love is still there, but this girl makes him feel good, makes it almost happy, indeed it seems to him to feel very similar to those he had felt for each other. We can understand why, but he will know until the end of the novel ...
The fact that Benedict now still want to see Sophie, and with a little act of coercion (for a good purpose!), The gateway to London and get in his mother's house, where he finds employment as a maid of her sisters. Greeted with a special affection from housewives Bridgerton, Sophie discovers for the first time in his life the warmth of a family. The problem is that Benedict wants it for himself, but the rules of his social status and not allow him to marry her, but loving it, rejects the position of a lover, not wanting his own son may never suffer the sad fate of her illegitimate.
The push and pull on that drags a bit 'too long, waiting for you to reach large number of pages set before the events take a turn for the happy ending. The two protagonists of the novel are told that shown, are each surrounded by living, but not the ride, do not capture our attention. We experience the emotions that the author seeks to inculcate the story of a martyred heroine, but the fabric is drawn too often and not very engaging. Weak, strained.
The surge of bad luck that the final rages on Sophie only worsens the feeling of a story written just to not leave a hole in the saga of Bridgerton. Fortunately, this novel has many moments when we know further the other members of the family and the whole is an important element to make it more and more bitter. The design of this legendary family, and the aura of uniqueness that surrounds it in the panorama of London ton is an ingenious idea by Julia Quinn. Bridgerton I do not need anything or anyone, are rich and can afford quite a lot of love marriages "alternative" to the canons of the society in which they live. They will always be the most admired, the most desired, but not big-headed, because their family is a bastion of values \u200b\u200band feelings for each other indestructible. A kind of "Mill White" regency.
In AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN Julia Quinn lingering romantic fairytale appearance beyond his usual dose, but in some passages gives us unexpected touches of laughter and lightness that remind us why we love it so much his style. It 's his trademark: the writing smiling, a gift that makes it special.
The final book, as the tradition of the early novels of the saga, one wonders about the mysterious identity of the woman who knows all the secrets in advance of London society. Now, having carefully read between the lines, we are discerning readers we have already had an idea of \u200b\u200bwho is concealed under the pseudonym of Lady Whistledown. It seems to us to guess we'll find out his fate in the next novel ...
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