Another delightful jaunt through town in this second book in the Mitford Years series. So endlessly cute and humorous. And I always appreciate a read where the author can continually surprise me. They don’t have to be big, flashy surprises, but even cleverly simple ones keep me engaged and on my toes. I like not being able to predict everything the story or a character is going to say or do next.
When a novel can make you slap it closed and literally hug it after you’ve finished it, something definitely went right.
When a novel can make you slap it closed and literally hug it after you’ve finished it, something definitely went right.
Angie doesn’t relate a loud, racy, speedy, or sappy account about herself and Jack. The story’s mellow essence and beautiful descriptions take you right into the warmth and leisure of a summer that is soon saturated with emotion, experience, and reflection without disturbing the ease of it all.
Angie’s particular reflection about a wonderful oddity at the end of June is what most made me remember the book from my adolescence to my adulthood.
"And the thought in my mind was as warm and mellow as the sunlight. How odd, I thought. How wonderfully, wonderfully odd to be kissed in the middle of the afternoon."
Angie’s particular reflection about a wonderful oddity at the end of June is what most made me remember the book from my adolescence to my adulthood.
"And the thought in my mind was as warm and mellow as the sunlight. How odd, I thought. How wonderfully, wonderfully odd to be kissed in the middle of the afternoon."
Some of the absolute funniest reading of my life!
Oh, sure, a few parts of the humor hinge on things one might roll her eyes at and say, “Right. Like that really would’ve happened,” but the fact that Hildreth wasn’t afraid to let loose and get a little ridiculous made me appreciate the series all the more.
Note, though, that what I appreciate most about the books is that they aren’t just all silliness and giggles, as Hildreth gives her heroine some serious lessons to learn, all without bogging the story down with sermons detached from the plot. Excellent!
Oh, sure, a few parts of the humor hinge on things one might roll her eyes at and say, “Right. Like that really would’ve happened,” but the fact that Hildreth wasn’t afraid to let loose and get a little ridiculous made me appreciate the series all the more.
Note, though, that what I appreciate most about the books is that they aren’t just all silliness and giggles, as Hildreth gives her heroine some serious lessons to learn, all without bogging the story down with sermons detached from the plot. Excellent!
This is the first novel I read by Henry James, and I was utterly fascinated by it. Not only by Isabel’s complex story, which I did enjoy, but by the way in which James told the story with such a command of English.
To an extent which I hadn’t experienced before reading James’s writing, I became unafraid of words, even ones that are woven together in lengthy sentences, multiple-page-long paragraphs, or coupled with a number of adverbs.
The detail of ideas was engaging, and I found nothing dull or drudging about learning these characters in-depth.
To an extent which I hadn’t experienced before reading James’s writing, I became unafraid of words, even ones that are woven together in lengthy sentences, multiple-page-long paragraphs, or coupled with a number of adverbs.
The detail of ideas was engaging, and I found nothing dull or drudging about learning these characters in-depth.
My first journey with an epic poem in its entirety, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Too many lines of good verses to name–phrases that inspired me for their deft command of language–and a great amount of passages that left me feeling triumphant. One of the simplest lines I liked the most, spoken to the Son: “Two days are therefore pass’d, the third is thine”; and a favorite passage, sung to the Creator: “Who seeks To lessen thee, against his purpose serves To manifest the more thy might: his evil Thou usest, and from thence creat’st more good.”
I was impressed with what creativity the characters’ experiences and emotions were developed. Story-wise, my favorite character is the Son, the unmatched warrior amid all the hosts of heaven who compassionately serves as intercessor for fallen humankind. This classic presents a challenge to me, both as a poet and as a novelist.
Too many lines of good verses to name–phrases that inspired me for their deft command of language–and a great amount of passages that left me feeling triumphant. One of the simplest lines I liked the most, spoken to the Son: “Two days are therefore pass’d, the third is thine”; and a favorite passage, sung to the Creator: “Who seeks To lessen thee, against his purpose serves To manifest the more thy might: his evil Thou usest, and from thence creat’st more good.”
I was impressed with what creativity the characters’ experiences and emotions were developed. Story-wise, my favorite character is the Son, the unmatched warrior amid all the hosts of heaven who compassionately serves as intercessor for fallen humankind. This classic presents a challenge to me, both as a poet and as a novelist.
In all honesty, I enjoyed it more and read it faster than I thought I would.
My favorite line of Eliot’s came at the end: “…for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
My favorite line of Eliot’s came at the end: “…for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
A joy to finally read, after seeing the 1933 and (the best) 1994 versions of the movie several times. I ate it up, cover to cover.
I’m glad the novel gives more about the sisters’ lives after their marriages than either of the movies do, and while the families are clearly happy, Alcott does not tie up the conclusion with a perfect “not-a-care-in-the-world-and-happily-ever-after” bow.
I’m glad the novel gives more about the sisters’ lives after their marriages than either of the movies do, and while the families are clearly happy, Alcott does not tie up the conclusion with a perfect “not-a-care-in-the-world-and-happily-ever-after” bow.
Admittedly, seeing “spooky” snapshots of various Jane Eyre films made me reluctant to read this novel for years. But when I finally took the plunge, the book didn’t feel quite as spooky and dark as the film snapshots looked.
Going into it, I didn’t expect to admire Jane so much, but, ah! She’s quite a cookie! What a head on her shoulders. She’s not just some dull bore sitting off in a corner with dull thoughts, but she’s quick as all get out, with a well of desires along with her resolve.
She doesn’t have the face of a Miss Blanche to make her interesting, but the fact that Jane doesn’t need that in order to be subtly fascinating is what makes her…fascinating. It’s what makes her classic.
Going into it, I didn’t expect to admire Jane so much, but, ah! She’s quite a cookie! What a head on her shoulders. She’s not just some dull bore sitting off in a corner with dull thoughts, but she’s quick as all get out, with a well of desires along with her resolve.
She doesn’t have the face of a Miss Blanche to make her interesting, but the fact that Jane doesn’t need that in order to be subtly fascinating is what makes her…fascinating. It’s what makes her classic.
I wasn’t prepared for the humor and mystery in this novel. Wemmick’s Castle and home life brought such comforting respite. Provis was no angel or do-gooder, and he didn’t need to be.
In the end, I personally could have done with or without Estella’s return, but, oh, that faithful, awkward, dearest of Joes was irreplaceable!
I was thrice brought to tears while reading about Pip and his two father-like figures in the last few chapters. And it was quite refreshing to see Pip come to himself.
In the end, I personally could have done with or without Estella’s return, but, oh, that faithful, awkward, dearest of Joes was irreplaceable!
I was thrice brought to tears while reading about Pip and his two father-like figures in the last few chapters. And it was quite refreshing to see Pip come to himself.
Moving, relatable, entertaining, thought-provoking.
Beautiful.
Charity Tahmaseb: I wish your book had existed when I was fifteen.
Beautiful.
Charity Tahmaseb: I wish your book had existed when I was fifteen.
An esteemed classic series, and rightly so.
I thought to myself as I read this one, "Karon truly has a gift." A novel like this could be so totally corny and thoroughly predictable, but this isn't. It's hilarious here, tender there, romantic without being sappy, and delightful without everything being quick and easy and perfect for the characters.
Yes, Mitford has its share of small-town quirks and quirky folks, but the stuff happening to these people is real-life stuff. I had laughs, I had tears, and moments when I had to pause and let certain events sink in.
Gee. It's one of my favorite novels of the series so far.