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When Europa Rode The Bull
by Barbara Berot

Published: 2004-08-04
Paperback : 664 pages
17 members reading this now
7 clubs reading this now
2 members have read this book
When Europa Rode the Bull is an erotic tale of betrayal and loss that spans two decades and traverses two continents. It is a suspenseful, often heartbreaking story that explores the mercurial nature of love and commitment, and what can happen when a man and a woman married to other ...
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Introduction

When Europa Rode the Bull is an erotic tale of betrayal and loss that spans two decades and traverses two continents. It is a suspenseful, often heartbreaking story that explores the mercurial nature of love and commitment, and what can happen when a man and a woman married to other people rediscover the abiding passion of their lives.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Chapter 1
When Annie d’Inard looked back upon that day, she realized that she had been delivered an omen.

It was going to be another one of those meetings, with a smug client encouraged into obnoxiousness by her asskissing colleagues. They had asked for her, they had sought her creative talent for their ad campaign, but that wouldn’t stop them.
... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions for: When Europa Rode the Bull


When Annie decides to leave Mike and go to Scotland, is she running away from her problems, or is this a wise decision, given the state of their marriage?

When she travels to Scotland the first time, she is also on the heels of a traumatic episode. Was she running away from that event, or searching for something?

Once there, her relationship with Adam deteriorates quickly. Is her indifference to his feelings understandable given his reticence to reveal them, or is she simply callous and selfish? (Remember, he does push her toward Patrick.)

Andrew's reticence intrigues and charms Annie, however. Why is that?

When Andrew finally admits his feelings, he continues to hold back. Is this an understandable situation, given his background, his tenuous relationship with his father, and the commitment he has already made? Or should he disregard all these things and act on his feelings despite the consequences?

Annie's attraction to Susannah is a first for her. Does it represent anything more than just an aberration, or is it indicative of something else within her?

Is Susannah correct in the decision she makes to keep Andrew's secret?

John's arrival and subsequent request for a lift back to Oxford set in motion a whole chain of events. Should Annie have foreseen this, or was the outcome inevitable, given Andrew's distance?

Once in France, Annie writes to Andrew but makes no mention of what had happened. Is she merely deluding herself at this point, or does she truly believe that he will forgive and want to be with her, despite her actions?

When they meet again, why is Andrew so angry with her?

Is Janet's decision not to stand in her husband's way wise? Did she have any other choice?

Why has Mike kept such important information from Annie?

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

Author's Insight:

The recurring nightmare that haunts Annie throughout her adult life disturbs some readers, as does the actual event in the Sherwood Forest. But it has particular significance and serves as an important metaphor, with its clang of the iron gates, and her pleading desire to be allowed in.

The love and friendship she finds in St. Andrews make it Paradise for Annie, and when she leaves she is cast out into an evil and frightening world. The lorry driver lurking in the woods and the sensation she has of being raped by a snake, the Neanderthal garage mechanics with their hound from hell, even the violent storm that comes in the night after she separates from Andrew, destroying the gardens and battering the roses at the Whaum, all speak to a classic theme of Paradise Lost. Her arrival in Paris and encounter with the isolated Phillipe, drive home the importance of friendship and love, and of belonging somewhere-with someone. And when she leaves Phillipe behind to face the irate Frenchman, she is fleeing what she fears could be her destiny: “Racing toward the Mediterranean that morning, Annie was certainly also running-away from Paris, away from loneliness and anonymity-like someone who had committed a heinous crime and was now being pursued by the relentless hounds of justice.” She is now in search of redemption, and will be so for the rest of her life.

Annie is a modern Eve who rejects the edicts of masculine rule and does things women are not supposed to do, like buying a motorcycle and taking off on her own, and having an affair when she is married. But her strong-willed nature is undermined by her neediness and desire for love, and this aspect of her personality will always leave her vulnerable to missteps and heartbreak.

Will she ever find redemption? Could a reunion with Andrew bring the happiness and fulfillment she longs for, or is their relationship already doomed?

Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "A definite page turner..."by Janet C. (see profile) 05/12/08

I was loaned this book for a trip I was taking out west. I couldnt' put the book down. I became enveloped in a fantasy world wishing I was Annie D'Inard; the good parts only. If you haven't bought the... (read more)

 
  "Great book. Very engaging. However, must read sequel in order to feel like there's any ending."by Marie S. (see profile) 04/05/08

 
  "Liked it as much as The Crimson Petal And The White, and that is really saying something!!!!!"by jo ann h. (see profile) 10/21/07

I could not put this book down. Loved her writing, so easy to read. My mind did not start thinking of something else, she never bored me. Plus, she made me forget whatever I had to feel sad about in my... (read more)

 
  "Interesting story line, but the writing....."by Sarah B. (see profile) 04/26/07

I really disliked this book from the first chapter - couldn't like the main character Annie at all since she was cheating on her husband. Later events made me understand why, up to a point, but not enough... (read more)

 
  "This book is a real page-turner. I could not put the book down and cannot wait for the sequel. It was a wonderful adventure to follow Annie on her quest for love and fulfillment. Will she meet up agai"by Debbie S. (see profile) 01/24/07

This book was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed the adventures of Annie through Scotland and Europe. But most of all, I relished sharing the emotional struggles of Annie from her youth well... (read more)

 
  ""I believe Opra Needs to include this in her book club!""by gwynne b. (see profile) 08/17/06

I am not a book club member but this was the most brilliantly written love story I have read in a long time.
It shows wonderful characters, adventure and so many significant meanings portra
... (read more)

 
  "A must read - great setting, well developed characters and some surprising twists."by Glynnis T. (see profile) 07/25/06

I have visited Scotland many times, including St. Andrews, and Barbara Berot does a great job of capturing the essence which serves as a platform for the intense feelings of the characters. ... (read more)

 
  "Compelling characters, engaging setting....."by Maria E. (see profile) 07/25/06

The beauty of Scotland, the complexity of characters, both past and present -- truly an engrossing story told in a can't-put-it-down style. Barbara makes you care about them all and wish you... (read more)

 
  "Page turning, stay up late novel"by Rebecca B. (see profile) 07/25/06

Great book. A page turning, interesting story over a 20 year + history. The characters were all very interesting. For a 600+ page book, it was a FAST read. Very hard to put the book down. Detailed... (read more)

 
  "Our Favorite Book Club Pick!!"by Laurie F. (see profile) 06/10/06

Europa is such a wonderful historical romance that takes you on an emotional and intoxicating ride. We have 10 people in our club and we unanimously agreed that this is our favorite read of the year!... (read more)

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