Summary
Danielle Steel's The Ghost follows Charles Waterston, an architect dealing with a failed marriage and career changes in the late 20th century. He travels through New England, seeking escape. During his journey, he discovers a remote chateau with the diaries of Sarah Ferguson, a woman from the 18th century. Her story parallels Waterston's own path toward recovery. The dual narrative explores themes of resilience and change.
Plot
Danielle Steel's novel The Ghost features a dual narrative linking two centuries. In the late 20th-century timeline, the story follows Charles Waterston, an architect experiencing personal turmoil. The other timeline focuses on Sarah Ferguson, who flees her abusive marriage in England to make a life for herself in post-revolutionary America.
Charles Waterston is an architect facing a sudden divorce and an unexpected career shift from London to New York. In search of solace, he travels through New England. During a storm, he finds shelter in a Massachusetts town where an elderly widow offers him a stay in a lakeside chateau. Here, he discovers Sarah Ferguson’s diaries, sparking a connection and a path toward personal recovery.
Through the diaries, Charles learns about Sarah Ferguson, who fled an unhappy marriage in England to settle in 18th-century America. In Massachusetts, she becomes entangled in the conflicts of the time, engaging with François de Pellerin, a French nobleman. Their relationship challenges the norms of their era. Sarah's tale of perseverance offers Charles insights into resilience and mirrors his own struggles.
Sarah's diaries offer Charles the courage to face his challenges and consider new possibilities for love. Their stories examine themes of love, personal growth, and redemption, showing how historical events impact current lives. Together, these narratives illustrate the timeless pursuit of renewal and transformation.
Characters
Charles Waterston: An architect from London facing personal and professional upheaval. He travels through New England, discovering a historical narrative that impacts his life.
Sarah Ferguson: An 18th-century figure whose diaries detail her journey from England to America in search of independence. Her story influences Charles during his struggles.
