Past Perfect - Danielle Steel

Past Perfect

By Danielle Steel

  • Release Date: 2017-11-28
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4
4
From 267 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Past Perfect is a spellbinding story of two families living a hundred years apart who come together in time in a startling moment, opening the door to rare friendship and major events in early-twentieth-century history.

Sybil and Blake Gregory have established a predictable, well-ordered Manhattan life—she as a cutting-edge design authority and museum consultant, he in high-tech investments—raising their teenagers Andrew and Caroline and six-year-old Charlie. But everything changes when Blake is offered a dream job he can’t resist as CEO of a start-up in San Francisco. He accepts it without consulting his wife and buys a magnificent, irresistibly underpriced historic Pacific Heights mansion as their new home.

The past and present suddenly collide for them in the elegant mansion filled with tender memories and haunting portraits when an earthquake shocks them the night they arrive. The original inhabitants appear for a few brief minutes. In the ensuing days, the Gregorys meet the large and lively family who lived there a century ago: distinguished Bertrand Butterfield and his gracious wife Gwyneth, their sons Josiah and little Magnus, daughters Bettina and Lucy, formidable Scottish matriarch Augusta and her eccentric brother Angus.

All long since dead. All very much alive in spirit—and visible to the Gregorys and no one else. The two families are delighted to share elegant dinners and warm friendship. They have much to teach each other, as the Gregorys watch the past unfold while living their own modern-day lives. Within these enchanted rooms, it is at once 1917 and a century later, where the Gregorys gratefully realize they have been given a perfect gift—beloved friends and the wisdom to shape their own future with grace from a fascinating past.

Past Perfect is Danielle Steel at her bewitching best, a novel for the ages.

Reviews

  • Past Perfect

    2
    By patcarjen
    Very slow start and hard to keep my interest. Not a typical Danielle Steel book
  • Generational history

    5
    By Gladys CPA
    Intriguing story on the possibilities of past meeting with future generations
  • It was odd but...

    3
    By kswift821
    I have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, it doesn’t really make any kind of sense (you can’t tell me EVERYONE just happily accepted the ghosts without any questions because I have a lot of questions) and there were several times I put it down and said “what am I doing reading this silly book” and yet, when I finished (I always try to finish, regardless) I was happy for the characters. Personally I wouldn’t recommend it but I also didn’t hate it (completely).
  • I want more!

    5
    By BRANDEEBAMS
    I loved this book. I was a bit skeptical at first but quickly became obsessed with the characters and storylines. I hope there is a sequel in the near future!
  • Past perfect

    5
    By Krufyrufy
    Very entertaining. Enjoyed the book very much, kept me interested as I couldn’t put the book down.
  • Couldn’t even start

    1
    By Debby McD
    Her “Dear Reader” in the beginning was snarky and sounded very jealous of Diana Gabaldon and her famed Outlander series. Just because it is not your “thing” Ms. Steel, doesn’t mean it’s not superb. I enjoy her writing so much more than what yours has become through the years. Perhaps it’s time to retire now. Signed, Once a fan
  • I did not like it. Loved every book she wrote, read everyone

    1
    By G Mom.
    that she had written, hope her next one will not be like that. After spending almost $16. To read on I pad, I read it all. Thanks.
  • Past Perfect

    5
    By DLary
    This book was, indeed very different, however; I enjoyed reading it. It took a little concentration to get into the right century at times. Very interesting book.
  • Past perfect

    4
    By M.A. in History
    Contra to other reviews my wife and I liked this novel! We liked the characters and the interweaving of past and present. Who can say what is possible? Shakespeare wrote, “there are more things in heaven and upon earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy, Horacio”. We had difficulty, however, with the dining of ghosts and live people together: how nutritious is ghost food or how do ghosts digest live persons’ food? American military action in WWI is flawed: the first American death was 11/2/1917. Basically we fought during the final 6 months of the war, may to November 1918. From Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood to the Meuse Argonne Offensive Sept to Nov 1918. Only in Sept did the US act as a separate army and suffered the 100,000deaths. So Josiah and Tony would have been killed a year later.
  • Last book out about ghosts

    1
    By Monalisapro
    Did not enjoy this book at all. I have read everyone of your books and can never put them down but this one I had a hard time reading. Hope to won’t write like that again. I enjoy your books too much. Mona Provencher

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