Customer Reviews
Edge of your seat drama - brilliant! - By: Mrs. A. L. Maddocks, 11 Aug 2008 
Wow! What a good book. The first Vincenzi I've read & I can safely say I'll be reading morein the near future.
There were loads of characters for you to love & hate & then hate & love, feel sorry for, take pleasurein seeing them get the just deserts etc. What a cocktail.
If you like reading about family saga's you will love this book, particularly if you like the "from riches to rags" motif.
Brilliant characterization - By: Sissel M. Østdahl, 06 Jul 2008 Not a new book this one. However, I just recently discovered Penny Vincenzi & have now been through most of her production. Sadly, I may say, since I have so hugely enjoyed myself.
I have previously reviewed a couple of her books, both fives, but have not expereinced any particular "standing out's" inviting special attention after that - until "The Dilemma".
The story about Francesca marrying business tycoon Bard Channing, 20 years her senior, is the story of a love marriage, nonetheless leading Francesca into a sheltered, glamorous, highly indulgent life style.
There are the usual all year staffed houses (in London, the country, Greece), cars, horses, boats - huge parties, charities - & children.
As wife Number three, & the mother of two small children, Francesca is also stepmother of four children from her husband's two previous marriages, with all the complications this entails.
Francesca herself, starts out as an undoubtedly charming & highly likeable person. However, this saintly young woman, supporting her dominant, self sentered husband to the hilt, does slowly lose some of her appeal as the story unfolds. Spunk, spirit - even anger - is noticeably lacking. As is confronting her demanding husband & craving explanations & sharing. Begging & pleading, offering understanding & a couple of tears will simply not do.
Francesca withdraws to her roomin silence. Sulking. Hurt. Abandoned. While her undoubtedly spoilt husband continues his solitary whirlwind pattern, excluding his wife & children,in spite of finding himselfin an extremely difficult, rather disasterous, business crisis.
Bard's mother, Jess, is the book's finest character. A born & true socialist (labelling Tony Blair a fine Tory) with loads of firm principles & unbeatable common sence, stands refreshingly out among the silliness & vanity of the self righteous upper classes, their endless lunches & proper pearls. Jess Channing is strong & honest, a rare delight.
Bard Channing's partners, employees & his grown children. Good, & not so good, friends & members of the Press. Francesca's domain, Nanny, the domestic staff, her few loyal friends. Altogether, a most colourful assembly of very different peoplein very different circumstances - cleverly described by the author.
In the end, Francesca is put to the ultimate test. To stand up & face her life, whatever she might chose to do.
My copy has lots of underlinings & notes scribbledin it. It's that sort of book. Superbly researched & told, & very much recommended.
Repitition of words - By: E. M. Richards, 26 Sep 2006 
Great story but, as with all of her others, major over-use of the word 'extremely'. After a while, it really grates.
Decent Stopgap - By: M., 30 Apr 2006 
I am a huge Penny Vincenzi fan. The Spoils of Time trilogy introduced me to her work, & I suppose its because they were so unbelievably good, I find some of her other work a little disappointing. Although I enjoyed this book, I wasn't sneaking upstairs for a little read, a true sign for me of a gripping story. Francesca Channing being the main character, for me lacked substance. Her mother made for a much more fascinating character (similar to Grandmotherin "Sheer Abandon"). Maybe I feel that a strong willed, glamorous character, (Celia?) is someone I want to read about rather than a "not beautiful, but attractive" wimp like Francesca.
I'd recommend this book, but like I said, I felt it was a stopgap. I'm a few pages into Windfall, & so far so good, we'll see......
Worth It! - By: , 02 Nov 2000 The Dilemma was my first book by Penny Vincenzi, which,in fact, made me seek a chance to read all the books she wrote. Franchesca, a smart & independent woman, when marries an overpowering real-estate tycoon Bard Channing confronts his possessive & selfish attitude to save her marriage & love. You start reading one story, but gradually with all various absorbing plot strings ultimately find yourself reading several stories at a time that do not distract you from the main line. It is not at all like a typical romance story centered round the only perfect woman, whichin the end gets what she wants likein Danielle Steel's novels. A true-to-life narration involves a great number of diverse characters, which are not episodic, but integral, especially, Kate, a sensual & vivacious red-haired girl being confused & misledin her life by her tycoon-father's blind rage & trying to re-establish herself & regain her self-esteem. The reading is such a mellow & pleasant experience, which spares you the biggest fear of a reader that the pleasure will end up all too soon.
