As this was my first time reading this classic, both the feelings of not believing I waited so long a“I like good strong words that mean something…..”
As this was my first time reading this classic, both the feelings of not believing I waited so long and the joy of the initial meeting of these characters were giving me a sense of duality. I was engrossed in this coming of age story from the start and couldn’t help, but adore this family. I listened to the fantastic audiobook version narrated by Laura Dern and a full cast.
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
My thoughts felt entwined with the story and the March family. I found myself thinking about these characters and the time period when I wasn’t reading. Books that call to me in this way stand out. Being fully engaged in a novel that takes place during a significant historical period lends weight to the challenges of that time. I found myself researching the clothing, furniture, customs and more.
“I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
Little Women delves into adolescence giving it a unique perspective and forging a connection for generations of readers. There aren’t many books that take place towards the end of the Civil War and afterward that focus on adolescent characters. Each of the four March sisters have distinct personalities and goals. Alcott demonstrated the importance of each sister’s life goals though they held different views. There was a clear message that there is no singular “right” way to become a fulfilled woman.
“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying love is all a woman is fit for.”
Alcott’s forward thinking upbringing by her transcendentalist parents is evident throughout. In fact, Little Women was written on a desk built by her father for her in an era when it was frowned upon and considered unladylike for a woman to have her own desk. It was a widely accepted belief that women should not be in the public eye and to encourage a woman to publish a book would move her from the private sphere to the public. Some physicians of the time also believed that “brain work” (writing) was detrimental to a woman’s health. The Alcott family disagreed and supported Louisa’s writing.
“I rather take coffee than compliments just now.”
This was a wonderful example of everyday life shining brighter than elaborate tales when shown through the lens of characters that so many relate to.
“…..for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.”
In the last book the focus shifted from Anne to her children and in this one there is a further departure as the story moves from the Blythe householdIn the last book the focus shifted from Anne to her children and in this one there is a further departure as the story moves from the Blythe household to the Meredith household. The narrative centers around the Meredith children who meet the Blythe children at Rainbow Valley becoming fast friends.
“We miss so much out of life if we do not love. The more we love the richer life is.”
A fine example of soulful storytelling that feeds the spirit.
An in depth character study of a Black and Jewish community in the 1930’s is the drivingA fine example of soulful storytelling that feeds the spirit.
An in depth character study of a Black and Jewish community in the 1930’s is the driving force of the novel while the mystery element which opens the book quickly becomes secondary. The writing style is conversational making it particularly immersive. The author doesn’t rush, it’s clear right from the opening that this is a book to be savored. It may seem meandering initially, but everything has a purpose and ties together. These characters felt relevant, raw, and real. I found the novel thought provoking and emotional to the point I had to take time to process my feelings afterward.
Incredible.
“Chona had never been one to play by the rules of American society. She did not experience the world as most people did. To her, the world was not a china closet where you admire this and don’t touch that. Rather, she saw it as a place where every act of living was a chance for tikkun olam, to improve the world.”
“I abhorred weakness of any kind but most particularly in my tea.”
A baffling mystery, a plucky heroine, and plenty of sparks-1887 in London has never “I abhorred weakness of any kind but most particularly in my tea.”
A baffling mystery, a plucky heroine, and plenty of sparks-1887 in London has never been so electric! This one had a slow start, but soon the plot ignited and I was wrapped up in this intriguing tale.
“I am quite determined to be the mistress of my own fate, Mrs. Clutterthorpe, but I do sympathize with how strange it must sound to you. It is not your fault that you are totally devoid of imagination. I blame your education.”
Veronica Speedwell has embarked on another adventure in search of butterflies to study and collect. When Veronica is nearly abducted during her travels, a baron helps foil the attack. He leaves her in the care of natural historian, Stoker.
“That is the hallmark of a good partnership, you know-when one partner sees the forest and the other studies the trees.”
Veronica is a woman in Victorian England, but she is forward thinking and determined to be in charge of her own life. It was refreshing to read how she handled the naysayers and judgmental notions leveled at her. She freely tossed about humor, pursued knowledge, and exhilaration. The more I read the more I like Miss Speedwell.
“In my experience it is far better to tell a man what he wants to hear then do as you please, than attempt to reason with him.”
The barely budding attraction between Veronica and Stoker puts the slow in slow burn, their witty dialogue is delicious. I laughed so much, the audiobook made an early morning trip bearable. Shoutout to banter!
I plan to continue this action packed series.
“I have known enough of women to understand that they are as duplicitous and vicious as men. If they are capable of being our equals in malice, why not in our better qualities as well? There are no masculine virtues, Veronica. And none sacred to women either. We are all of us just people, and most badly flawed ones at that.”...more
I wish I could write a review gushing about how I adored another volume of Anne and her friends’ adventures, but as always I’m honest and this novel fI wish I could write a review gushing about how I adored another volume of Anne and her friends’ adventures, but as always I’m honest and this novel failed to pique my interest or stir my spirit. It has never taken me this long to make it through one of these books. It wasn’t a mess, there just wasn’t much to grasp onto as a reader. Outside of the family many of the new characters are two dimensional presented more like lessons than people. The best characters have many sides and these do not. Gilbert has a family member that outstays her welcome and she’s rude and uninteresting as a character and no one has the backbone to put her in her place or ask her to leave. She even slaps one of their children and no one likes it, but they accept it in the name of family. I missed the fiery young Anne in those moments.
“….there is no such thing as a common day. EVERY day has something about it no other day has. Haven’t you noticed?”
After reading a novel titled Anne of Ingleside I should be able to fill pages with the details of Anne’s life at Ingleside. Well, I would be a miserable failure if the task were put before me. After finishing this book, all I can say is her life includes gossiping, some light parenting, and attending dinners. Anne has become a supporting character in a book that bares her name; Gilbert a mere afterthought. Susan their housekeeper has a larger role and speaks more than either of them.
“It’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to it.”
This book should have been presented as a collection of short stories because it lacks cohesiveness as a novel. It was difficult to sink into the story because of the abrupt changes in direction. There are adventures featuring Anne and Gilbert’s six children and Anne’s stories open and close the book. Anne’s stories were incredibly cookie cutter. It made me sad to read them. Seeing some of Anne’s personality traits pop up in the children was nice. However, the children are written pretty close to perfect in their thoughts and behavior. It reads flat after a while.
“Well, that was life. Gladness and pain….hope and fear ..and change. Always change! You could not help it. You had to let the old go and take the new into your heart…learn to love it then let it go in turn. Spring, lovely as it was must yield to summer and summer lose itself in autumn.”
There’s a lack of direction and the colorful characters are missing. Perhaps because although this is the sixth book in event chronology it was the last Montgomery penned. She died soon after this was written. However, the prose is as beautiful as ever.
“They would glorify the grey days that were bound to come. What would matter drifted snow and biting wind when love burned clear and bright, with spring beyond? And all the little sweetnesses of life sprinkling the road.”
There are smiles to be had in these pages and the lush descriptions of nature still paint quite the picture, but I couldn’t help missing some of the sparkle of the earlier installments.
“Oh, the old magic had not gone. The world was still full of it.”...more
Beautiful with a more somber tone than the previous novels, Anne’s House of Dreams, stole my heart, broke it, then mended it with the cracks still visBeautiful with a more somber tone than the previous novels, Anne’s House of Dreams, stole my heart, broke it, then mended it with the cracks still visible. It reminded me of the ups and downs we all experience. There was such life in these pages.
The story is one of newlyweds settling into their own space, which turns out to be much more than a house. It is a decades old home bursting with rich history and a promising future. Anne and the supporting characters love this little house of dreams and so it’s easy as the reader to feel its charm.
I adored the new characters. That’s not often the case with a series. However, Montgomery has a way of introducing new characters and making it feel like they belong, as though the story was just waiting for them to pop in.
This is an emotional novel. There’s a concentration of poignancy and despondency blended with happiness and humor. There’s the usual prose about nature, novels, and friendship, but this book delves deeper. There’s a look at what it takes to continue when life deals another harsh blow. Loss, unfair circumstances, and loneliness each situation is heartbreaking and is studied by looking at different characters in their unique turmoil and life stages. I found it to be a contemplative novel.
The thread of wisdom woven throughout felt like a natural progression that forged a connection to the emotional components. Stunning ...more
This was my first time reading Gabrielle Meyer and I came away with my expectations exceeded and a desire to read more of her work. This novel takes hThis was my first time reading Gabrielle Meyer and I came away with my expectations exceeded and a desire to read more of her work. This novel takes historical fiction, Christian fiction, and time travel an odd combination and makes it work. Pure curiosity drove me to read this and I’m so glad I took a chance on a unique premise.
The main character, Libby’s, life functions as a time slip. On one timeline she lives in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1774-1775. Williamsburg was significant during this time period because it was a center of political activity prior to the American Revolution. The other time period Libby lives is in 1914-1915 England and New York. Libby’s involvement in women’s suffrage is featured in the second timeline. As a rule, time slips in novels can be difficult to navigate, but here the flow feels effortless. I never found it confusing.
Her lives are in complete opposition in many areas. Her 1774 family struggles financially, but is full of love. However, Libby’s 1914 family is the picture of opulence and societal expectations. Libby knows that she will not live on a dual timeline forever, on her twenty-first birthday she must choose which year to remain in permanently.
The careful plotting became evident as events began to unfold. There were characters I liked and ones I loathed, but I thought the novel was smart. The dual timelines were a creative tool for showing rich historic detail and also provided thought provoking moments. I found myself surprised by the ending which I loved so much that it increased my rating from a four to a five. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...more
This is the fourth book in the series if reading according to event chronology, although it was the seventh written.
The novel covers a three year perThis is the fourth book in the series if reading according to event chronology, although it was the seventh written.
The novel covers a three year period of the characters’ lives and quite a bit of it is epistolary. Anne’s personality shone through her words in her letters to Gilbert. Could you imagine receiving letters from someone as whimsical, imaginative, and outgoing as Anne and hearing about her adventures? I’d be thrilled!
Anne has a new job as the principal of Summerside High School in the quaint town of Windy Poplars. She finds unique lodging and friendships in a house known as Windy Willows. Its inhabitants Aunt Kate, Aunt Chatty, and Rebecca Dew were written wonderfully to play off of Anne and each other.
Not everyone in town is thrilled that Anne received the principal position.
One of the highlights for me was that Anne went back to Green Gables for the Christmas ...more
I remember being a child and feeling like Anne and the supporting characters were people I knew and Avonlea was a place so familiar almost as though II remember being a child and feeling like Anne and the supporting characters were people I knew and Avonlea was a place so familiar almost as though I could close my eyes and visit just that quick. I’ve forgotten most of the minor details so the stories read like they are new to me, but the landmarks, places, and the gut feeling of experiencing something incredible gives me a wonderful sense of deja vu.
Big changes are in store for Anne Shirley as she heads toward her future, attending Redmond College. I had a moment of thinking back on how far Anne has come and was so proud for her character. While visiting, she is hit with the realization that life in Avonlea doesn’t stop when she’s away.
The quirks get real when, Anne experiences living with roommates from different walks of life. I loved the scenes in the little cottage they rent. Multiple suitors come to call. The way the author used these scenes was brilliant because she showed Anne’s growth, added humor, and further developed the plot all through introducing a few suitors. The writing of these scenes is smooth and flows nicely with the other plot lines, but Montgomery accomplished a lot without adding tons of chapters.
I soaked this beautiful novel bursting with life in and had to remind myself to savor it, otherwise I believe I would’ve devoured it in a single sitting. I didn’t want to miss any details and the prose is too lovely to rush through.
These novels cause my heart to ache one moment and soar the next with well placed laughter somewhere in the middle.
Treasure Island published in 1883, has aged like the finest bottle of rum.
I try to read a few classics each year, and Treasure Island is one of my soTreasure Island published in 1883, has aged like the finest bottle of rum.
I try to read a few classics each year, and Treasure Island is one of my son’s favorites, I chose it so we could discuss it. Well, I was WOWED! This is one classic that has stood the test of time. I could see how much it has influenced films and other stories throughout pop culture.
Jim Hawkins finds a REAL X marks the spot treasure map. Sure, there’s a mountain of obstacles between him and Treasure Island. Not to mention, the bloodthirsty pirates after the very map in his possession. Now, young Jim has quite a bit of gumption and an equal measure of luck if you ask me, but will that be enough to make to the island and back in one piece?
I breezed through this in a day. The larger than life characters were wonderfully imagined and made me smile. It didn’t matter if they were friend or foe, I thought the characterization was brilliant and I just soaked this novel right up. The settings were lush, gritty, and realistic. I felt like I was right there swatting mosquitoes alongside the travelers, to be this absorbed in a story is a blast! (The gift of no bug bites is a plus.)
Audible’s dramatized version is simply outstanding!
It is an indescribable feeling to begin a book with no expectations and be carried away to another time and place, a wondrous escape.
I love these beautifully written novels. Anne of Avonlea tells the story of Anne from the ages of sixteen through eighteen. She has put off attending I love these beautifully written novels. Anne of Avonlea tells the story of Anne from the ages of sixteen through eighteen. She has put off attending college for the time being to help at Green Gables and takes a job teaching at the local school.
Marilla takes in a set of orphaned twins, Davy and Dora. The twins have complete opposite personalities. I wondered why the author made Dora’s character so overlooked by the other characters. Especially, as the children’s mother had just died. No one seemed to look past her quiet exterior and try to get her to come out of her shell, nor did imaginative Anne consider that quiet Dora might be an imaginative soul on the inside. It just seemed like she was in the background. It bothered me. Rambunctious Davy, on the other hand, gets loads of attention in a case of the squeaky wheel getting the grease. He showed a lack of understanding that other people had feelings or mattered at times. He was written over the top. The other characters talk about how he’s their favorite twin and that he needs them more. It just sounded misguided to me. It showed me the characters’ flaws for sure and also made me think about the expectations people had for the behavior of boys and girls.
Anne has some growing pains as a teacher. It was interesting to see her struggle through finding a balance between ideals and reality. Haven’t we all been there?
We also see she hasn’t lost her lovely imagination or the ability to see beauty and joy in nature and friendship. I love how she and Diana call all the outdoor landmarks names that sound straight out of a fairy tale just like when they first named them in Anne of Green Gables. It makes me want to name my pond. ...more
This audiobook dramatization is an exquisite rendering of a classic that has delighted readers for generations. Audible did an amazing job on the prodThis audiobook dramatization is an exquisite rendering of a classic that has delighted readers for generations. Audible did an amazing job on the production and brought the world of Avonlea to life with flair. I felt transported to another time and place. From the moment I began to listen, I knew this was special and my expectations were exceeded by a mile.
I’ve often considered this to be one of those stories that is the total package because it appeals to a wide range of ages and depending on where I’ve been in my own life I’ve pulled different items of importance from the narrative. There’s beautiful yet, accessible writing. The story evokes a plethora of emotions from laughter to tears. Anne is a memorable character with her positive attitude, huge heart, vibrant imagination, and vulnerabilities.
I spent hours as a child within Avonlea and what a gift it was to revisit the familiar story in a fresh manner....more
Marie Benedict brings to light another woman of historical significance that time has forgotten in the Audible Original, Agent 355. No one knows the aMarie Benedict brings to light another woman of historical significance that time has forgotten in the Audible Original, Agent 355. No one knows the actual identity of Agent 355, but America owes her a debt of gratitude for her incredible bravery and courage. Agent 355 worked in George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring during the Revolutionary War. Her real historical contributions are no small matter. (I won’t list them in case you aren’t familiar. No spoilers) She was involved in subterfuge, espionage, and general badassery in a time when women were expected to do needlework, giggle, and appear unassuming.
Benedict’s version of Agent 355, is of course fictional, but she did an excellent job capturing the rebellious spirit of this character. I can’t wrap my brain around how difficult it must’ve been for a woman of this time period to accomplish the tasks that she did.
The afterword was so interesting, I listened to it twice. Then I played it for my son, who loves all things historical.
The overall production and narration of this audiobook is excellent.
I hope Benedict continues to tell the stories of these fascinating unsung women of history.
Merged review:
Marie Benedict brings to light another woman of historical significance that time has forgotten in the Audible Original, Agent 355. No one knows the actual identity of Agent 355, but America owes her a debt of gratitude for her incredible bravery and courage. Agent 355 worked in George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring during the Revolutionary War. Her real historical contributions are no small matter. (I won’t list them in case you aren’t familiar. No spoilers) She was involved in subterfuge, espionage, and general badassery in a time when women were expected to do needlework, giggle, and appear unassuming.
Benedict’s version of Agent 355, is of course fictional, but she did an excellent job capturing the rebellious spirit of this character. I can’t wrap my brain around how difficult it must’ve been for a woman of this time period to accomplish the tasks that she did.
The afterword was so interesting, I listened to it twice. Then I played it for my son, who loves all things historical.
The overall production and narration of this audiobook is excellent.
I hope Benedict continues to tell the stories of these fascinating unsung women of history....more
If you’ve ever seen a young child dive into a dress up trunk and emerge simultaneously clad head to toe in astronaut gear, a princess crown, and cowboIf you’ve ever seen a young child dive into a dress up trunk and emerge simultaneously clad head to toe in astronaut gear, a princess crown, and cowboy boots looking pleased as punch then you have an idea of what reading this felt like. Unfortunately, what’s adorable behavior for children doesn’t work for putting novels together.
This novel is trying to be too many things at once and misses the mark on being a cohesive strong book in the process. It has its moments, hence the three star rating, but it could’ve been brilliant. As a result of too much being crammed into one narrative, many threads felt rushed. There were hodgepodge happenings throughout the story that should’ve either been edited out or further developed. Left as they were they slowed down the pacing. I wavered between thinking the book should’ve been expanded into a duology or edited down tighter. The non-linear dual timeline felt like an awkward way to tell the story. I think it was presented this way to build suspense surrounding certain threads, but it read as clunky and I was reordering the timeline mentally as I read. There’s a lot of tangents explored that felt extraneous. The tone jumps around a lot. My issue isn’t that there’s great variation in the overall tone because that’s realistic to life. It’s that the transitions from one tone to another feel choppy and unnatural.
Josephine and Penny are WWII vets planning a trip to Paris to receive the Légion d’ Honneur accompanied by their nephew Archie. The nonagenarians prove with clever minds still intact their training is still at their fingertips. I loved the character of Archie. The way he was written as a bright, caring, man, who goes out of his way to improve the quality of life for his aunts is impressive. Did I mention he’s gay? Yep. What I love most about Archie’s characterization is that he has a wonderful, thoughtful, intelligent personality outside of his sexual orientation. Him being gay isn’t shied away from, but it isn’t his sole personality trait either (pet peeve of mine in other books). I cannot applaud the author enough for this.
OSE, WRENS, FANY ➡️ My inner historical fiction fangirl was thrilled to see all three in one book. She wanted an in depth look, of course she didn’t get that, but alas we can’t have it all it seems.
The Excitements is being billed as a ‘one last heist’ type of story…and I gotta be honest if you’re looking for an Ocean’s elderly edition with a lot of laughs or something along those lines this ain’t it. It’s less a heist story and more a sleight of hand rinse and repeat for multiple chapters.
There’s a lot of feels in this story of two brave women who faced a horrible war and forged a sisterly bond over the years through laughter and tears. The “Excitements” (adventures) they shared with Archie as a child making them larger than life in his eyes and in turn him taking them on “Excitements” ,in their later years, coming to suspect they may be bigger heroes than he ever realized are a fun addition. The idea that life doesn’t stop as a person ages is something that I’ve found invigorating since I was still in my teens.
Here’s to excitement and adventure being ageless ...more
Tom Lake is a story within a story to get lost in. It took me a moment to get into the premise because my mind kept hanging up on issues. I had to remTom Lake is a story within a story to get lost in. It took me a moment to get into the premise because my mind kept hanging up on issues. I had to remind myself that it is fiction and to give it a chance. I’m glad I pressed on despite my initial hang-ups, it’s beautifully written. I ended up enjoying the journey overall.
Tom Lake takes place on a dual timeline the first is the spring of 2020, COVID-19 is wreaking havoc and the adult Nelson daughters have returned home to the family’s cherry orchard during the lockdown. The second timeline occurs when Lara, the mother, is much younger. She tells her daughters about the summer she spent playing Emily in ,Our Town, at Tom Lake, and her romance with Peter Duke. Duke would go on to become a famous actor.
There is a lack of conflict throughout the entire novel that rings false, but the writing is amazing and just carried me along as a reader. That’s the only way I can describe the feeling of being swept away into this story.
The setup here is designed to let Lara off the hook everywhere Duke is concerned in the present, to reinforce the idea that she loves her husband and their marriage is solid, but still tell the story. Convenient? Yep. Joe tells the girls about Lara’s relationship with Duke in passing years ago like it’s no big deal. The daughters beg Lara for the details. But, there happens to be several of Duke’s movies in their house the girls have watched a million times growing up…why? Joe is Lara’s husband and his behavior is saint like throughout the entire book. He is a secure man, but he reads superhuman at times. I liked his character, his quiet presence felt like an anchor for the family. I just didn’t buy into the idea that anyone would want to endure days worth of their spouse telling stories to their kids about an ex. As for the daughters, not even one out three adult women thought this behavior was odd. Seriously? Typical sibling behavior dictates that there is ALWAYS at least one that would perceive this as disrespectful towards her father or strange at the very least. Morbid curiosity might bring her back in the next scene to listen, but again no conflict. I was surprised that not one daughter called BS even momentarily.
Although I enjoyed the sections that focused on the past, again the lack of conflict was a glaring constant. Huge wrongs were never addressed.
Dipping into the past was more interesting and talk about colorful characters! There’s a lot of focus on Lara and Duke’s romance. Duke is a typical charismatic, unhinged, creative type. He is self-absorbed and self-destructive. The supporting characters that brought beauty and life to this part of the story stole my heart. I kept wishing for a little of their backstories. The rich atmosphere emanates raw electric energy in these sections. There were moments I felt like I could see the stage, characters, and the lake. Fabulous!
There is such appeal to Patchett’s work whether it’s the fully fleshed out characters, lively settings, or plots that draw you in. The Nelson family became endearing to me despite our rocky beginning and the past was alive with possibilities. Patchett writes solid character driven novels deftly weaving twists into the narrative. Meryl Streep narrates the audiobook and just, Wow! The longer I listened the more attached I became. At the end, I found it difficult to leave the family and the orchard behind. There is remarkable depth and lovely symmetry in this tale of past and present.
A Few Quotes ⬇️
“ We clump together in our sorrow. In joy we may wander off in our separate directions, but in sorrow we prefer to hold hands.”
“The rage dissipates along with the love, and all we’re left with is a story.”
“The stories that are familiar will always be our favorites.”
Take the opera, Der Rosenkavalier, rework the details and set it in New York during the roaring ‘20’s add in a cold case and that’s the basic idea behTake the opera, Der Rosenkavalier, rework the details and set it in New York during the roaring ‘20’s add in a cold case and that’s the basic idea behind this novel.
How much is having the right last name worth?
Old money versus new money Youth and beauty versus a fabulous brilliant woman of a certain age there’s a lot of ideas to explore throughout this novel.
In the 1920’s America began to witness a divide between tradition and modern ideas. Women started to consider independence, employment, and more freedom in their fashion. Automobiles were changing things. Prohibition was alive and well and so were the parties, speak-easies, and bathtub gin.
Isn’t everything more daring and fun when it’s off limits?
New York in the 1920’s what a potential setting, and it was scarcely utilized. The historical fiction aspects took a back seat to an awkward love triangle. I wasn’t invested in either lady winning Octavian’s heart. In fact, I longed to see the younger of the two pursue her engineering dreams. There was a lot of “tell” in the development of these characters and not enough “show”. I didn’t buy into the chemistry or love at all.
Although the novel does take readers into a speak-easy and glamorous parties the experience isn’t an immersive one. The ambience isn’t explored and didn’t make an impression. A 1920’s speak-easy should feel alive when you read about it, and it didn’t.
A lot of the action takes place off the page throughout the novel which I thought was an odd choice. We get the lead up and the aftermath, but not the event. It was like reading twice the pages for half the information in some sections.
The headings for each chapter are derived from Helen Rowland’s Column “Reflections of a Bachelor Girl”. This column was written over a century ago and can be found today both in book and audiobook form. The witty snippets opening the chapters fit the subject matter of the novel.
“Marriage is like twirling a baton, turning handsprings, or eating with chopsticks. It looks easy until you try it.” -Rowland
Beatriz Williams is a fabulous author, but this novel fails to capture the essence of the 1920’s. There were a lot of hanging plot threads and extraneous scenes. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. I wish it had breathed life into this intriguing historical era.
The Dutch House spoke to my very bones. Ann Patchett has a beautiful grasp of human nature and the cyclical nature of families. Tom Hanks is an absoluThe Dutch House spoke to my very bones. Ann Patchett has a beautiful grasp of human nature and the cyclical nature of families. Tom Hanks is an absolute dream as a narrator.
Told over five decades, this is the story of three generations of the Conroy family, told from the POV of Danny Conroy. Cyril and Elna Conroy are Irish immigrants. Cyril becomes successful in real estate after WWII, Elna doesn’t realize this. She believes them to be poor. She wears “poor” like it’s her identity. He surprises her and their young daughter Maeve with The Dutch House, a gorgeous, estate complete with household help. Elna is uncomfortable in the plush surroundings. Cyril oblivious, is laser focused on work. His focus on his job becomes a double edged sword both lifting his family out of poverty and becoming a convenient excuse to ignore them. He had an issue with not realizing who the people around him actually were to the detriment of the family unit as a whole .
Eventually, Andrea the “Evil” stepmother enters the story with her eye on Cyril and even more-so on the house. She brings two kind daughters into the fold. The children all get along. The adults are the source of the drama. When Cyril dies the Conroy heirs are put out of the house by Andrea. Maeve has completed college, but Danny is still a high school student. Danny is left with only a trust for his education from his father. Maeve steps in to meet with the family attorney on his behalf. Through the trust, she sets him up at a boarding school so Danny has a place to live.
Danny and his sister Maeve have a Velcro close bond that intensifies each time life deals them a blow. Maeve is a cornerstone for Danny in many ways. They not only hold close to one another, but also to the past counting the slights and losses together.
As someone who was abandoned by a parent myself, I understood the full range of emotions Danny experienced. His thought process on the subject was realistic. Danny’s love for Maeve was palpable. It came across in full color and made her larger than life.
Maeve being the older of the two when their mother abandoned them left her with deep longing instead of anger because she had good memories to hold on to whereas Danny had nothing. She also had to grow up faster because she was taking on more responsibilities at a young age. Maeve is an easy character to love not only because we see her through Danny’s eyes and he loves her, but she reminds me of the best in people despite her flaws. Maeve makes a genuine effort at each stage of her life on others’ behalf in the midst of whatever difficulties she might be facing. She is incredible.
The past, present, and a sliver of hope looking forward kept me captivated throughout this brilliant character driven novel. Spectacular. All. The. Stars.⭐️
A few quotes I loved ⬇️
“We had made a fetish out of our misfortune, fallen in love with it. “
“She was a magnificent child, and the whole world was laid out in front of her, covered in stars.”
“You have to serve those who need to be served. Not just those who make you feel good about yourself.”...more
A book that stands out is one that ignites thoughts and emotions forging connections between the characters on the page to the world around the readerA book that stands out is one that ignites thoughts and emotions forging connections between the characters on the page to the world around the reader regardless of place or time. Few novels have the potential it takes to become a well worn favorite that flops open on a lap, releasing that intrinsic magic, yielding another gem to ponder. There are simply not enough stars to rate such a book, Sense and Sensibility embodies these qualities and countless more.
Published anonymously in 1811, simply “By A Lady” was listed in the place where the author’s name would have been. No matter, Jane Austen’s debut went on to sell out its first printing. I listened to the audiobook version for the first time and was left speechless! Rosamund Pike’s (Gone Girl) captivating performance brought something special to the world of Jane Austen.
There’s a vein of cautionary tale that running through Austen’s romances. In Sense and Sensibility there’s warnings about impulsive decision making, the dangers of placing value on appearance above substance in matters of the heart, and the wickedness of greed. She also shows the lack of options afforded to women beyond marriage. And how money is the driving force behind which people are considered suitable matches regardless of their personal feelings towards each other in the society she’s brought to life. The subject is in depth and entertaining when shown through the lens of familial pressure, local matchmaking busybodies, and societal gossip. Austen’s incredible grasp of human nature coupled with her breathtaking writing technique adds layers to her characters both the ones we love and the ones we love to hate.
The promise of great romance is what draws most to Austen’s work (for good reason), but I have a confession to make. It’s her wit, that pulls me in. That unapologetic flair for handling undesirables using the most clever, eloquent language I’ve ever read in my entire life while maintaining an air of unshakable class. She is in a word ‘glorious’. Honestly, the snappy dialogue is alone is enough. It’s beautiful and so perfectly executed. The stunning prose, commentary on society, brilliant use of irony, characterization, charm, plot twists are each strong enough to earn a five star rating. Simultaneously, residing in the same book shows at least partially why this is a beloved classic.
Sense and Sensibility is at its heart the story of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Their father has recently died and thanks to their loser brother and his selfish wife their financial situation has become unfavorable. The sisters represent opposite ends of an emotional spectrum when the book begins. Marianne wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s the more emotional sister. If Marianne loves someone it would be with her entire being. I most related to how quickly Marianne sought out libraries during gatherings. Elinor represents a more practical personality. She’s more reserved even when distressed. I adored her quick wit. I related to how quickly she fell into caregiver mode. These teenage sisters experience a myriad of emotions throughout the story. Although the way they each handle both love and heartbreak are as different as their personalities would indicate.
Will the sisters learn the value of a more balanced approach to love?
Greed is the name of the game in the society Austen has placed her heroines in. It rears its head in gossip, marriage, decision making, and even families. I give Austen a tip of the hat for including a male gold digger and a husband easily manipulated by his wife’s selfish whims. This novel is filled with characters who have inherited money, married for money, but few with any desire to prosper independently.
It’s noticeable that Sense and Sensibility lacks strong dashing male characters. Yes, there’s love interests, but frankly, they’re rather bland. Don’t open this expecting a Darcy. The focus of the material is the sisters’ relationship and it’s a stronger novel for it. The reader receives a less distracted view of the society Austen has displayed. The realization that women had so few options grieved me. The discontentment must have been frustrating for those women who longed for more. In my opinion, the romance taking a backseat benefits the novel because the both sisters’ character arcs experience nice individual growth and it opens up the plot making multiple threads and plot twists possible creating a more memorable read.
Elinor and Marianne demonstrate how important it is to strike a balance between living a life of passion and practicality. Too far in either direction can have a negative impact.
Beloved characters simply don’t dissipate like phantoms in a fog. They have staying power. When I imagine the Dashwood sisters, I don’t envision them as hazy outlines from some bygone era. I see them as plain as day, together, making witty remarks over tea.
Agatha Christie as a WWII spy? (*immediately puts on headphones)
This is a short audiobook crossover of characters from Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code and Agatha Christie as a WWII spy? (*immediately puts on headphones)
This is a short audiobook crossover of characters from Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code and Marie Benedict’s The Mystery of Mrs. Christie.
When talented British Code Breaker Osla reads Agatha Christie’s novel N or M, she notices something odd that she simply must discuss with the author. There are moments in this story when the snappy dialogue shines and steals the spotlight.
Who would have ever imagined, Osla, a former debutante, a code breaker? Talk about the perfect camouflage, I can’t imagine a better way to be disregarded faster.
This is a story of women determined to make a difference despite the odds being stacked against them.
The narrators were a great choice.
Let’s step away from fiction and into the past momentarily, to touch upon one of the reasons why I was so curious to listen to this. I wanted to see where the writers would take this storyline because I knew Agatha had actually been investigated by MI5 after N or M was published. In the novel she named an undesirable character Major Bletchley. So they reasoned it might have been possible that she had a spy inside Britain’s famed undercover code breaking Bletchley Park. However, Christie reportedly claimed to have used that name after being delayed there so long while traveling by train.
The story presented here is fictional and differs some from actual events, but either way it’s quite thought provoking....more
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