TEST
Wild at Heart has a most unusual romantic premise … and a hero who is not only heroic, but endearing as well. Patricia Gaffney’s writing is virtually word perfect, and simply glows. This is a very, very nice book.
It’s 1893 Chicago, site of the World’s Fair. Sydney Darrow (I just loved her name), is the widowed daughter of a rather non-committal, absent-minded anthropologist, Dr. Winter. A young man has been captured after having lived alone in the wilds of Canada for nearly twenty years. This “lost man” has been brought to Dr. Winter for study. Because he doesn’t speak and has been isolated from humans since childhood, it is felt The Ontario Man is the perfect specimen on which to study the altruistic tendencies which humans, and other animals, often exhibit. Is it learned behavior to sacrifice one’s own best interests for the benefit of another, or is it intrinsic? Oblivious to his subject’s humanity, Dr. Winter and his assistant, Charles (Sydney’s fiancé wanna-be), set up a series of experiments to try to answer that question.
When the experiments on him fail to produce results, and it is discovered that their subject can speak, his value to science is lost. So, what to do with a grown man with the social skills of a wolf (not a bad thing, by the way) in turn-of-the-century Chicago? Having been virtually abandoned at this point by Dr. Winter, Sydney decides to make Michael MacNeil part of the family … socialize him, educate him, fall in love with him (ah, an unanticipated side-effect of having a tall, handsome, honest-hearted, intelligent, lusty-minded male in the house).
The story itself, though unique in its premise, is not particularly complex, and is, in fact, predictable. You suspect what’s going to happen, then, sure enough, it does. It is author Gaffney’s intelligent dialogue and character development that really makes Wild at Heart work so beautifully. Michael’s thoughts on the “civilized” world are wonderful, insightful, and provide sharp commentary on what makes us think we are so much better than the “animals” we often view simply as commodities. This book has been well-researched and animal and human behavior is presented in an informative and interesting way, serving to enhance the plot, rather than detract from it. Budding writers should give this book a read just to see how masterfully it can be done.
The sexual tension between Sydney and Michael is immediate, constant, consistent, and finally, gratifying for all concerned. The relationship between these two people is completely believable and there is no question they were made to love each other.
I liked the fact that Gaffney didn’t throw away Sydney’s late husband, as so often happens in second-time-around romances. He was a good and honest man, and Sydney loved him. But, he died, and it’s time for Syd to move on. Sam and Phillip, Sydney’s brothers, are well-drawn, complex individuals, as well as her father, and “the aunt” as Michael thinks of her, a repressed, social-climbing spinster who is just as human as the rest. This is an excellent cast of secondaries who add dimension and depth to the story.
This book made me smile, it made me think, it made me feel good. Above all, it is Michael’s sweetness that comes through, and thoroughly charmed me. His interactions not only with Sydney, but with the entire Winter family are tender, honest, and often poignant. If the story itself had been less predictable and had been tightened up a bit in the middle, it would have come pretty close to being perfect. It’s a personal keeper for me though, because I am just not ready to let Michael go.
Grade: B+
Book Type: American Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 10/09/98
Publication Date: 1997
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.