I'm happy to introduce you into the world that is The Paradise. A period drama filled with characters even a literary icon like Dickens would applaud!
Masterpiece Classic’s new period drama about the first
department store The Paradise is based on Emile Zoile’s novel with the same
name. The story centers on a Country girl, Denise Lovett, who takes a job at
large department store owned by John Moray. The series takes place in 1875 and
has all the makings of a Dickensesque drama. Among the trappings and allure of
the store Denise finds employment after her uncle’s drapers shop can’t employ
her because all the other businesses on High Street are fading under the
impressive footprint of the more glamorous Paradise.
Zoile’s characters have a Dickens appeal sure to lure
viewers through all the departments and the lives of the inhabitants of The Paradise.
Arthur a young boy, apparently a foundling, who performs all
manner of odd jobs at The Paradise seems to be the moral compass of out story,
telling Denise that anything she needs he can arrange for her and then the next
second indicating where he was born on the premises with no mention of who his
parents are. Throughout English literature the name Arthur was given to
first-born sons, I won’t make any conjectures here but he has to be someone’s
child, the question is whose?
Almost immediately we are introduced to the ‘clandestine’ Mr. Jonas who seems to be the one armed watchdog of our Byronic hero, John Moray. Mr. Jonas lurks, writing in his little black book and is the epitome of the sinister gothic henchman.
John Moray exhibits all the classic Byronic symptoms, a single-minded
determination toward his goal, a wife dead under mysterious circumstances, he
captures and then enraptures any females he comes in contact with, and has
a list of past sexual discretions. Moray is a gambler and salesman whose job is
to utterly hypnotize any one who even peaks through his beautifully embellished
storefront window. As a matter of fact that’s exactly where he catches his
first glimpse of the slightly disheveled young Denise. Moray’s motto ‘A stitch
does not make the blood rise,’ certainly applies here.
Miss Audrey is in charge of the women’s department and the
stern matriarch who says things like, “Quickly now, to the haberdashery,” as if
a customer’s life or death hangs on them acquiring the proper assortment of
hats. She is witty and observant, but she wasn’t a marketing major and without
Denise’s assistance she’s completely clueless about how to market the promotion
of Miss Pink Paradise.
Dudley a young man who grew up with Moray and acts as his
assistant tries to be the voice of reason when Moray doubles the inventory for a
one day sale. Moray believes that the sale will establish him as the foremost
retailer and also get him the loan he requires from Lord Glendenning, his
patron. Dudley
is a practical businessman of the day and acts as a counterpoint
to Moray’s idea to tempt them with 'cheaper and cheaper'.
Katherine Glendenning is a spoiled socialite used to having
her way. Moray is financially dependent on her father, Lord Glendenning.
Katherine is conniving and determined to marry Moray, we haven’t really seen
why she’s so in love with him, it’s as if she saw him in a store window and
must have him. Katherine asks her father for her mother’s engagement ring so
she can give it to Moray and ask Moray to ask her to marry him. I know, what
kind of woman would do that? A pushy one! Lord Glendenning says of his
daughter, “Darling, I wish your traps weren’t so delightful.” BUYER BEWARE
Katherine Glendenning has set a trap for Moray and she even let him rip open
her bodice in the dining room to set the snare.
We have an assortment of minor characters: the sarcastic, manipulative nemesis Clara who we soon learn had a thing for Moray and she probably should be taking some Prozac as a result. Sam, the kindhearted counter boy whose generosity soon lands him in trouble. Pauline the fun loving girl just looking to land a husband, any husband would do. And finally, Edmund Lovett, Denise’s disgruntled uncle whose sales philosophy of selling person to person is just a side effect of his dwindling draper business.
Last but not least, we have our heroine Denise
Lovett from small town of Peebles. Taking a job at The Paradise, Denise is seen by
Moray as a rising star to the annoyance of head of ladies fashion Miss Audrey
and shop girl Clara. She is good at what she does even selling Katherine her
first ready to wear dress, making fashionable displays that entice customers, and continually saving the day with fresh marketing ideas. When the one day
sale is a huge success and Moray is handing out everyone’s bonuses Denise looks
on adoringly, Pauline notices and reiterates her thoughts that Denise is indeed interested in Moray. Denise’s response, “I don’t want to be his wife, I want to
be him.” Denise is genuine to her self as any true Dickens heroine would be.
We have to wait and see just how long Denise can withstand the most seductive allure The Paradise holds, for Moray has a way of utterly hypnotizing all under his sway.
Join us each week as another author wraps up a week of The Paradise!
Make sure you see the Paradise Launch Party in the post below and enter our CONTEST!
Happy reading, reviewing, and drama making!
Elizabeth Marx
