Ferney

I didn't love the book, but I didn't hate it either. The book left me thinking and running scenarios through my head. I was intrigued by this book from the start. The premise was somewhat unique and took some figuring out, and so the book does get 2-3 stars for that effort and ingenuity. But overall, the book saddened me and left me disheartened.***SPOILER ALERT***I mean the idea that 2 people over the centuries meet and become a couple and then die, are reincarnated into the next life and are able to recall their past lives together, and so they go in search of one another in each additional life time - yeah, I like that idea. WOW! What an interesting scenario! It sounds like a sweet, thought-provoking read, but it just didn't get delivered within these pages. It wasn't sweet; it was selfish. The whole idea of soul mates got taken to another level here. It wasn't romantic; it was creepy. It wasn't inspiring; it freaked me out.The idea of an 80-something-year-old man telling a woman in her twenties that they should be together because they've always been together throughout the centuries. And then telling her that they had agreed that if one of them died before the other that the other would take their own life so they could come back and be close once more. [Shiver!] That's the stuff of nightmares.

Pick up a reincarnation novel, and you know what to expect, right? Not with James Long's "Ferney," a complex story that defies your expectations at every turn. Written with a historian's attention to detail, this tale of love spanning fifteen centuries of English revolution keeps you guessing long after you finish the book.Spiritual/metaphysical content: Medium. Long plays with the idea of reincarnation in this unpredictable love story. What if, because they died together in the shadow of a mysterious stone in England's Dark Ages, a pair of lovers returns to the same place immediately after death, able to remember all their lives together? He side-steps the issue of reincarnation in general, focusing only on the experiences of Ferney and Gally. The "what ifs" allow him to pose a number of interesting questions, such as how would you behave differently if you retained all your memories? What if knowing your soul mate leads to moral dilemmas?My take: James Long's reasonably well-crafted novel demonstrates that even a formulaic reincarnation love story can be reframed in a fresh, startling way by a skilled storyteller. A murder, an incarnation that can't be accounted for, and other unexpected complications add to the complex plot that builds right to the end. The historical detail may prove tedious to some (particularly non-Anglophiles), but the depth of perception is often startling. Because Ferney can take the long perspective, he comments on aspects of human nature that reveal great insight. For instance, we widely assume that industrialization changed the world, but the real turning point came centuries earlier when time could be precisely measured. Another example is how rapid transit changed our perspective; you don't pollute a path you step upon every day. For me, the unexpected twists in what should have been a predictable reincarnation plot were worth the price of wading through the details of the multiple invasions of England. The great dilemma facing Gally and her husband as she helps the dying Ferney--her soul mate and fifty years her senior--kept me guessing even after I turned the last page and left me wishing for more.

Surely, James Long's novel of reincarnation, "Ferney" most refreshingly elevates the crossover science fiction/fiction genre to a near perfect state that will attract both men and women readers desiring an intelligent interplay of history and romance without the mawkish candlelit fantasy realm of the bodice ripper.For as long as she can remember, vividly gruesome nightmares have plummeted Gally, the twenty-something wife of university history lecturer, Mike Martin, into such an extreme emotional abyss that settling into what would seem a pleasant stress free life becomes tinged with an unbearable incongruity. Described as "a poem with a missing verse," Gally refuses to connect whole-heartedly with the real world until she and her husband happen upon Bagstone Farm, a rundown cottage in the bucolic village of Penselwood in the Somerset part of Britain famous for its tales of Arthur, Avalon and Glastonbury. After an impulsive purchase of the farm, phobias that have plagued her since childhood rationalize away with reasonable explanations that although oddly plentiful for so short a life point towards an ultimate reconciliation that defies her common sense and frightens her with its dire yet revelatory implications.Urging all these discoveries is not the place but the person of octogenarian Ferney who in search for his wife for nigh sixty years believes he has found her literally embodied by the ingenuous Gally. In countless ways that flare mundane husband Mike's suspicions and to his mind irrationally spark his jealousy, Ferney gradually convinces Gally to take him seriously and fully embrace the idea that not only had they lived a multitude of lives together as a couple but individually experienced the lonely discomfiture of which Gally was so aware unless the other was present. In order to prevent this sense of utter emptiness, the couple, throughout the ages, has promised to facilitate through means of suicide if necessary an existence together where they can best enjoy a simultaneous life span.The irony of Gally and Ferney's most blatant asynchronicity partly works to fuel James Long's exquisite plotline. Gally as the personification of feminine romanticism and Ferney as the epitome of male pragmatism capture most adequately the yin and yang of this forever tale to perfection. Either Long himself has had the blessing of remembering his past lives and has reaped the benefit of hundreds of years of experience or he is endowed with the sagacity and creativity to craft a believable character that actually could have lived out many existences and who has learned as many old and cagey codgers do to look back on his memories as the only historic milestones and not relive his past idealistic driven mistakes. It is this deliberate intention to not repeat or insanely replicate the errors of yesteryear that propels the storyline from the usual "unfinished business" theme of most reincarnation tales to one of insightful obsession where the main concern of the major characters is to wisely prepare for a world that waxes with Ferney-and-Gally-centricity facilitating only the ability to enjoy the moments of each other to the fullest with adequate wealth and anonymity.Happily, on a technical level, Long's language soars with poetic descriptions of a lyrically-rich part of Britain that literally stretches out across the novel's pages in miles of verdantly depicted hills and archaeological wonders that his clever long-dwelling protagonist shrugs off unappreciatively as just a mere changing-with-the-times backdrop. With the same expertise, he portrays Gally with the nervous energy of an insomniac suffering from all too vivid and realistic bouts of the psychological consequences of actively repressing unwanted memories. The ultimate acceptance of the characters to their fate succeeds with the reader wanting more of them--future and past, while the slightly cliffhanger ending segues nicely with the fact that author Long has been writing a welcome "part two" that should be published in hardback in 2009.Bottom line? James Long's "Ferney" constitutes an intelligent read that supersedes most other reincarnation-themed works of fiction. Long fashions his three main characters realistically while presenting a straightforward believable storyline buttressed by historic and village folklore anecdotes that lend credibility to the fantasy genre as true literature. Long's language and ability as a natural raconteur reminds this reader of fantasy greats Graham Joyce (The Limits of Enchantment) and Keith Donohue (The Stolen Child) who have the deftness to present an unbelievable topic with great verisimilitude. Recommended with great anticipation of its sequel.Diana Faillace Von Behren"reneofc"

I LOVED FERNEY!!! An implausible but very believable story for the ages....literally!! If you want to be swept away, this is the book for you!!!

I have read this novel many times and it's a favorite.

What a lovely novel. I like books about time when they are almost-scifi, and don't normally read romances. However, this book is far from scifi but I found it was a book that I just couldn't put down. Describing it as time-slip might be a bit of a distraction - it is like nothing I have ever read and it was absolutely wonderful.It helps if you like a bit of history, although it is not imperative. I also think it will appeal most to those who live in England or at least like England - there is something very English about it.Suffice to say, I read it avidly to the end and then felt very sad that it was over. I found there is a sequel, so have immediately gone to buy that. However, it is a complete story in itself so there is no cliffhanger, hook or need to buy the second book - Ferney is a complete, wonderful novel in itself.

This is a love story that spans centuries. Gally and Ferney have been together for many centuries reincarnated into different bodies. As far as they know they are alone in this. Sometimes their lives are out of sync with one person older than the other and sometimes one of them forgets their past and needs a reminder.The book is set in 1990 and opens with Gally and Mike accidentally coming upon a rundown cottage in Somerset that immediately feels like the perfect country home they've been looking for. They meet an 83yr old man called Ferney, and Gally feels a connection to him but doesn't know why; Ferney knows that she needs reminding about her past lives. He also knows that she has nightmares because she can't remember.The book is about Ferney helping Gally to remember the past, so that she'll understand the strength of their love. I really enjoyed the stories about their past and loved the idea of a love that spans time.

One of the best timeslip books I have ever read. Stays with you even after you've read it. I couldn't put the book down, just had to find out what happened. Now I have another of this author's book, again of a similar ilk and also has a link to Ferny so it's going to be good. Living in the South West also adds to the interest of this lovely story. You won't be disappointed.

A time slip novel with a difference that I just lost myself in. Beautifully written I sat up half the night totally engrossed. Gally struggles to cope with life consumed by nightmares and fears she cannot understand. Her husband Mike is endlessly patient and kind but nothing works until she meets an old countryman Ferney, who seems to know her. Gradually he helps her to understand their connection that spans centuries and lifetimes. A beautiful love story that I can completely recommend. Reading it I lost myself in their world and was able to visualise the scenes so easily. I really did not want it to end.

A book one needs to keep with to the end - a time-slip novel covering many periods for Ferney and Gally with a very surprising ending.

I really enjoyed reading this book which takes you through several time zones although based in the present day. Well written . I have also read the follow up to this book which I enjoyed even more. Makes you understand that life may have been more brutal at times in the past, but its a lot more complicated now.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a 'time-slip' novel, but this blew me away. I can't think of any way of reviewing it without giving away elements of the plot, so I'm keeping schtum. Its awesome. Read it. Preferably when you've got a free weekend and won't get disturbed. Enjoy.

simply one of the best books I have ever read, it remains a favourite to this day. It's a simple story, beautifully told, with some fascinating glimpses into history. The characters are realistic, the plot arc is gentle but keeps one turning the page, It's also romantic without being mawkish. There's also is a twist in the tale that should satisfy any reader. James Long is one of my favourite authors and this book proves why. Recommended.

An intriguing and interesting concept, but very clunky writing style. I almost gave up after a few pages due to the latter, which reads like Mills & Boon - but on balance it was worth persevering as it's an imaginative story.

its just a fabulous tale, full of love, yet with sadness and heartache, and touches on the belief that we are connected as souls beyond time and space and have special connections with other souls who we reconnect with in each of our lives... its a great story...it was recommended to me, i loved it, bought a copy for someone else and passed a copy to another....enjoy!!

Very unusual tale of love that transcends time but not in an over sentimental way !

A fascinating book, plenty of historical content interwoven with a beautiful love story. Have now bought the sequel. Highly recommended.

This is my favorite book. Loved the story. I even took a trip to Penselwood to see if I could locate the cottage it intrigued me so much. A beautiful place.

This was recommended to me and I am so glad it was. I was liking it an awful lot for most of the way through and then the last few chapters elevated it to a big fat 5 stars. I just had to keep going to find out how it would all turn out.

This is one of my favourite books. It is basically a romance across several centuries between two people who get 'reborn' and then meet up again. This was Ok until the develpment of travel- cars- trains which meant that each time they were 'reborn' they ran the risk of not finding each other again. I couldnt put the book down