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.

love it!

love it so much I listened to the story 3 times. and bought the book.

Narrator

The narrator's voice really added the er of the 1920's to the story well. I enjoyed the story line Danielle led us on, what an imagination she has.

yesterday and today.

I loved this and I hope more to follow. the past is very important and if not careful we can lose so much.

Outstanding

The creativity, character studies and feel of this book we're so good I didn't want it to end!

absolutely amazing loved loved loved this book lov

loved anything from the past intertwined with the present loved all the characters did not want it to end

One of her best!

Enjoyed every minute of this story. I loved each of the characters and the transition from yesteryear to current times was very smooth.

I LOVED it!!!!

Ms. Steel never disappoints! Although it is not her usual subject matter I found it to be most enjoyable and entertaining. I fell in love with all of the characters and felt envious that I was unable to be a physical part of this beautiful, heartwarming story. I was saddened to see it end. Thank you Ms. Steel for all of your writing and especially this beautiful story!