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Customer Reviews of The Wild Child

When Dominic's twin brother Kyle asks Dominic to pose as him while courting a woman, Dominic is naturally skeptical. Not only are the two estranged, they are also rivals. Dominic agrees after Kyle, the heir to the earldom, promises to give him property in return. Dominic sets out to woo Lady Meriel, the heiress madwoman.

After the murder of her family, Lady Meriel hasn't spoken for years. Her family naturally assumes she is mad. Living a sheltered life, Lady Meriel spends her days with animals and time in her beloved garden. When Dominic (posing as Kyle) comes to her home for an extended visit, she is skeptical. Eventually Dominic gains Meriel's trust and realizes that she isn't what she seems. Dominic falls madly in love with Meriel, eventually bringing her out of her shell.

With The Wild Child, Mary Jo Putney has written another great regency. The only complaint I had (although it didn't take away from the book one bit) is that once Meriel finally does begin to speak, it is almost as if she has spoken freely for the past 15 years and that she has undergone an education, which I don't believe would have been the case. Other than that, great book!

Putney At Her Best
Mary Jo Putney has made a name writing books that combine lyrical romance with strong characterization and social commentary. In THE WILD CHILD she is in top form. This historical tells the story of Meriel Grahme and Dominic Renbourne. Dominic is the younger of an earl's two sons--by ten minutes. Those few minutes make all the difference. Relaxed and friendly where his identical twin is formal, and independent where his twin is duty-bound, Dominic is hardly one to step to his brother's tune. But then Kyle, his brother, offers him the chance to realize a dream Dominic had thought beyond his grasp. In return, he must play Kyle in an odd charade that makes no real sense to him; he agrees to court his brother's betrothed, Meriel Grahame, a lovely, wealthy--and apparently mad heiress.

So begins a well-realized love story between two remarkable people. Putney creates a magical quality for Meriel's vast garden, where much of the story takes place. In some ways, THE WILD CHILD is an adult retelling on THE SECRET GARDEN, with the roles reversed. Here the woman needs to heal. Meriel is both strong and vulnerable, freed in some ways from the constraints on women in her culture, yet bound by the borders of her garden. Her gradual recovery makes an uplifting story. For all her silences and withdrawal, she often comes across as one of the most sensible people in her small world. The garden is beautifully realized, from vivid descriptions of the topiary to the enchanted quality of Meriel's tree house.

Dominic's burgeoning love touches a deep chord. I don't normally go for twin substitution stories, but this one works. His dilemma--coming to love with his brother's intended--avoids cliches. Rather than bogging down with discord or misunderstandings, the characters act with maturity, humor, and a refreshing dash of common sense. None are perfect; when Dominic isn't pretending to be his overly exacting twin, he is somewhat of a disorganized mess. His faults only increase his charm. His fundamental decency adds power to the conflict he faces when he realizes how he feels for Meriel.

With gentle stealth feminism, Putney comments on how labels such as "hysterical" and "mad" have been used to silence women's voices. Although this book is a historical, it has resonances with our own culture. The commentary is all the more effective because of the compassion Putney infuses into her work. She seems to care for all her characters, male and female, young and old, of all races, conservative or modern.

Putney fans may recognize Meriel as the descendant of another Merial in the novel UNCOMMON VOWS. Nor does the story arc end with THE WILD CHILD. Due out in summer 2000, THE CHINA BRIDE tells the story of Dominic's brother Kyle and an unusual, captivating woman who comes into his life.

THE WILD CHILD is well worth reading. It is Mary Jo Putney at her best. And that is good indeed

A bit slapdash
I totally agree with the Kirkus reviewer. The author has created supeb characters and the whole villain this is unsustained, confusing, predictable, and waters down what should be the terrific feel good ending to the novel.
Dominic is way too good to be true, in an interesting role reversal in which he tries to maintain his virtue in the face of her lust for him.
She is a bit too fey at times, and puts one in mind of cold Comfort Farm. The menagerie is adorable, and the only othr flaw I can find is the author working really hard to balance the heady romance aspect with the recovery aspect. Dom has the patience of a saint. It sort of drags on a bit as well, especially with her sticking henna all over everyone, and dressing in costumes like a child at play when she is 23 years old. No matter how traumatised she is, she would have more common sense. The pairing off of the supposed eunuch, as well as Dom's sister Lucia also makes for one couple too many in this rather short book.
I also have to say I did not like the sanctimonious Kyle at all, for all he is supposed to be in love with his mistress and helping her, and is set up as the hero of her next book China Bride with a really heavy hand. The fashion for twins in books is getting a bit much.
An uneven achievement at best, but read this book for Dom. He is FAB.