Last Princess

Wealthy Lily Humphreys falls in love with brash Harry Kohle touching off a passionate affair that rocks New York's high society and sweeps from glamorous Hollywood to the Israeli desert

A rote, cookie-cutter approach to plot and character development turns Freeman's most recent novel since Seasons of the Heart into a largely unintriguing exercise in the school of instant success. Lily Goodhue is a wealthy New York debutante slated for a good match in the marriage market when she unexpectedly falls in love with Harry Kohle, son of a rich Jewish banker. Cut off by the stern disapproval of both families, the two retire to a small farm, where Lilywho's never had to lift a fingersettles happily into gardening, canning and raising a family, while her exceedingly self-absorbed husband burns up the typewriter keys with one astounding bestseller after the next. His agent and close friend Ellis moons after Lily from afar and watches with alternating pain and satisfaction as the Kohles's marriage takes a series of tragic turns. The outward trappings of fortune and fame never bring these two much joy, and, despite a bittersweet reconciliation between the couple, it proves difficult to drum up much empathy or enthusiasm for their travails. Doubleday Book Club Main selection; Literary Guild alternate.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

It is love at first sight between Lily Goodhue, beautiful, neglected daughter of a wealthy industrialist, and socialite playboy Harry Kohle, brilliant, rebellious son of a Jewish merchant-banking family. Disowned by both families, she for marrying a Jew instead of the fiancee chosen for her, and he for marrying a Gentile, they retreat to a farm so Harry can devote himself to writing. As children arrive and Harry's career takes off from bestsellers to Hollywood to Pulitzer Prize, they grow apart, suffering the usual dramatic confrontations and reconciliations common to all Freeman's heroes and heroines. Fans will clamour for this. Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, Mass.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.