Past Perfect

By: Danielle Steel

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

From number one New York Times best-selling author Danielle Steel, Past Perfect is a spellbinding story of two families living 100 years apart who come together in time in a startling moment, opening the doors to rare friendship and major events in early 20th-century history.

Sybil and Blake Gregory have established a predictable, well-ordered Manhattan life - she as a cutting-edge design authority and museum consultant, he in high tech investments - raising their teenagers, Andrew and Caroline, and six-year-old Charlie. But everything changes when Blake is offered a dream job he can't resist as CEO of a start-up in San Francisco. He accepts it without consulting his wife and buys a magnificent, irresistibly underpriced historic Pacific Heights mansion as their new home.

Shocked by an earthquake the night they arrive, the past and present suddenly collide for them in the elegant mansion filled with tender memories and haunting portraits. The original inhabitants suddenly appear for a few brief minutes. In the ensuing days, they meet the large and lively family who lived there a century ago: distinguished Bertrand Butterfield and his gracious wife, Gwyneth; their sons Josiah and little Magnus; daughters Bettina and Lucy; formidable Scottish matriarch Augusta; and her eccentric brother, Angus. All long since dead. All very much alive in spirit - and visible to the Gregorys and no one else.

The two families are delighted to share elegant dinners and warm friendship. They have much to teach each other, as the Gregorys watch the past unfold while living their own modern-day lives. Within these enchanted rooms, it is at once 1917 and a century later, where the Gregorys realize they have been given a perfect gift - beloved friends and the wisdom to shape their own future with gratitude and grace from a fascinating past.

Past Perfect is Danielle Steel at her bewitching best, a novel for the ages. Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with over 650 million copies of her novels in print. Her many international best sellers include Magic, Blue, Undercover, Country, Prodigal Son, Pegasus, A Perfect Life, Power Play, Winners, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's book Pretty Minnie in Paris.

©2017 Danielle Steel (P)2017 Recorded Books

tedious

the writing seemed so stilted. I know Steele is a best seller and that her plot lines are interesting, but the writing is so lackluster. I guess I prefer a different style.

Past perfect

As the book pages turned, I was drawn into the story. I enjoyed it and was happy to have listened. The narrator did a good job.

Great!

Never a disappointment with Ms Steel, she brings her stories and characters to life. I feel like I’m part of the story.

Past Perfect

An odd story about a haunted house and the people who live there now and who lived 100 years ago.

disappointed with book. hard to follow

very disappointed that this was a danielle steele book. couldn't follow. had to reread too much

Interesting read

Found this to be an entertaining and interesting read. Yes it is different from her usual stories but having the comparison of 100 years ago too today a reminder of how far we have come but somethings remain the same.

Excellent reading!

This book was so interesting. It is so different from her other books. I could not put the book down as it drew me into the story. You felt as though you were part of the family!

Very entertaining, completely enjoyed it, highly recommend and the narrative is extraordinary.

Very entertaining, completely enjoyed it, highly recommended.
San Francisco is a place that has been in my heart even before I visited...perhaps there are ties from my past life?
Q

Unusual Story

I am rather new to DS. This is an unusual, whimsical story. It was interesting to an extent, but I did get a little bored. The narrator did a good job, however.

Love it!

Great story, very engaging. I didn’t want it to end. Great characters and the setting is very detailed like I was in the mansion