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The Tenth Gift: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Jane Johnson
Publisher: Crown
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $8.95
You Save: $17.00 (66%)
New (33) from $8.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 59386
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 400
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.4
ISBN: 0307405222
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780307405227
ASIN: 0307405222
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The art of embroidery uncannily links two fascinating women of different eras and their equally passionate love stories
In an expensive London restaurant, Julia Lovat receives a gift that will change her life. At first glance it is a book of exquisite seventeenth-century embroidery patterns belonging to a woman named Catherine Ann Tregenna. Yet in its margins are the faintest diary entries; they reveal that “Cat” and others were stolen from their Cornish church in 1625 by Muslim pirates and taken on a brutal voyage to Morocco to be auctioned off as slaves. Captivated by this dramatic discovery, Julia sets off to North Africa to determine the authenticity of the book and to uncover more of Cat’s mesmerizing story. There, in the company of a charismatic Moroccan guide, amid the sultry heat, the spice markets, and exotic ruins, Julia will discover buried secrets. And in Morocco—just as Cat did before her—she will lose her heart.
Set almost 400 years apart, the stories of these two women converge in an extraordinary and haunting manner that will make readers wonder—is history fated to repeat itself?
A literary mystery, historical adventure, and dual love story, The Tenth Gift literally crosses genres with narrative ease and prose that is as captivating as the characters who people this unforgettable tale.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
Catherine loves historic fiction August 14, 2008
I just finished the book and turned it over to my husband, it will follow to our daughter and possibly our son as it becomes a topic for discussion.
Having family roots in Cornwall that we recently discovered with 3 generations of women traveling together to discover our cornish family this sory rang to my heart as my memory traveled to the many locations mentioned that were a part of my grandfather and cousins daily travels.
Aside from my personal interest I found the historical events to be accurate and the contrast between Muslim and Christian beliefs to be a timely conversation for our present world. It did not bother me that the inevitable happened for Cat, she was a gifted person by birth, skill and fate. Why would we doubt that there could be a happy ending to a string of tragedy?
As a wannbe writer I can really appreciate that this came as a result of finding a wonderful family treasure (history) and then presenting it as a vehicle to transport any reader to another time and possibilty.
Well done Jane!
Catherine of the Wallis clan of Cornwall
Intriguing Tale of Past and Present July 20, 2008
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Jane Johnson's first novel, The Tenth Gift, flies back and forth between the present and the past, woven together through a small book used as a journal by one woman and given to another as a parting gift for a failed relationship. In the present time, Julia Lovat finds the handwritten words of Catherine Tregenna inside the small book of needlepoint; through Cat's thoughts Julia discovers that Cat was kidnapped from her Cornish home in 1625 by Moroccan raiders to be thrust into slavery. It is only as Julia's ex realizes his costly mistake--he'd meant to give her another book; this one is obviously an historical treasure--that she finds herself going to Morocco to learn more of the life of the young girl who had yearned for adventure and found so much more.
This is an exciting book, and the chapters written from Cat's point of view are especially well done. I knew very little about life in Morocco during this time period, and Cat's untamed character was not only believable, it was her salvation. The present day characters were far less appealing; Julia's seven year affair with her best friend's husband, who is something of a cad, set the stage for my not liking her, and while I could understand her need to experience something new, I just didn't connect with her as well. The mystical elements are good but far between; just when I'd forgotten they were even involved in this tale, they'd come at me again unexpectedly (and not necessarily naturally). However, this unusual tale is entertaining, and to lovers of dual points of view and historical fiction, it is a gem. Be prepared to love Cat and her choices.
 Started out really well but then... July 16, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I just finished this book about 15 minutes ago. I'm left with a feeling of disappointment. In order not to ruin the book for anyone who hasn't read it yet I'll just say that one of the very few good and decent characters in the book turns out to be the only really "evil" character at the end. Wierd, when other characters are torturing, killing and maiming women and children. I really enjoyed the scenerey descriptions and the information about embroidery. I wanted to love this book but the strange modern day politically correct swing that the ending took made absolutely no sense to me. When the author mentioned Guantanamo Bay I literally had to groan and roll my eyes. Not a bad choice for a light summer read, but definitely not in the same category as a book by Diana Gabaldon or Sara Donati.
 A really, really good read! July 16, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Julia Lovat's life is falling apart. Her long-time affair with her former best friend's husband is ending, her cousin's husband apparently committed suicide, and she is tired of running the little needlework store she inherited. As a parting gift, her one-time lover gives her an antique book of Jacobean embroidery that she is delighted with. But it isn't just an embroidery book. All along the edges is a diary of sorts from a young woman, Cat who survives being kidnapped by Barbary pirates and taken from her home in Cornwall to Morocco as a slave. Now four hundred years later, Julia discovers a connection between herself and Cat, and travels to Morocco to research the story she is uncovering in the book. But Morocco holds more than the answers to the mystery, it may hold Julia's future.
This book is a delightful duel story of two women, four hundred years apart, who travel to Morocco under vastly different circumstances to find their future. The sections about Cat are not just the diary entries but are told from Cat's perspective. The parallels Julia discovers in her life to Cat's life, and the fact that they may be distant relatives, adds to the intrigue. The tale of the Barbary pirates kidnapping people from the coast of Cornwall is based on a real event that happened in the 1600s, author Johnson's version is very believable. Even Julia's story holds some elements of truth as it is loosely based on the author's own journey to Morocco to explore her ancestor's story for a book.
I was completely enthralled from the start of the story to the end of the book. I found it next to impossible to put down and stayed up well past my bedtime to finish the book in one day. The story is so compelling I couldn't tell when it was fiction and when it was real. I feel like I have personally traveled to Morocco along with Julia.
Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended to any lover of historical fiction, contemporary fiction, romantic suspense, or just anyone just wanting a really good book to read!
Rare & interesting read July 12, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I don't normally read authors with a first novel but when I saw that Diana Gabaldon had given a good review I had to try it. This book is in the same vein as Gabaldon's 7 series books, as The Love Letter and Possession. It is a wonderful trip through the eyes of a 1625 diary of a young girl. If you enjoyed Gabaldon then you will like this book. I was sorry when it ended and will definately look for Ms. Johnson's next books. Give it a try.
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