Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
edited by Daniel Shealy
This review is for the annotated edition edited by Daniel Shealy. This massive book contains marginalia and beautiful photos and illustrations. In between these two covers is everything you ever need to know about Little Women. I didn't think I could possibly learn anything new, being a Louisa May Alcott devotee almost my whole life. I've read this book numerous times but I still had a lot to learn. Not only will you find out details about the writing of the novel, the life of the author, Louisa's idealistic views on marriage and the origins of popular words and phrases. You will also learn that this was the first novel for young people to feature characters who spoke like real girls - that is, using slang and colloquial expressions. I think that's why the story resonates with people even today because the characters are all so realistic.
I especially liked the historic photos of Concord, a town I know well. I also appreciated learning the etymology of words and phrases I knew the meaning of but not the origin. My favorite part was the gorgeous illustrations by well-known illustrators. I now have a few more books on my Holy Grail of book collecting list. (I've seen the first edition set but can't afford it).
This book is a must-read for fans of the novel, the 19th century and my personal hero, Louisa May Alcott herself.
What I Read in August 2015 Part VIII ...
When The Cookie Crumbles (Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery #3) by Virginia Lovell-- Cozy Mystery/contemporary romance
Livie is serving on the Chatterley Heights 250th birthday celebration under the eye of the mayor, Karen Evanson. Karen is obsessed with getting everything just right and making news in DC and Baltimore. So when Paine Chatterley, the last remaining legitimate descendant of Frederick P. Chatterley, the town's founder, shows up with his wife Hermione, the locals are shocked and furious. After 6 months of renovations with free labor donated by Lucas and his crew, the Chatterley mansion is fit to live in again and Paine Chatterley won't let anyone in or near the mansion. Despite Livie's attempts at reconciliation, Paine remains stubbornly opposed to socializing. The only person Paine shows a different side to is Maddie's Aunt Sadie, with whom he spent his happiest childhood memories. When Paine ends up dead in the bathtub, Sheriff Del determines foul play. Sure Paine was an awful old man who drank too much, but who could have wanted him dead? Was it his wife? Matthew Fabriziao, one of the construction crew who claims Chatterly descent on the wrong side of the blanket? Karen who is furious at having her masterly plans ruined? Quill, the town historian who seems to hold a grudge against Paine? Or someone else who may have heard rumors of the possible Chatterley cookie cutter collection? As the long-held secrets of the suspects come to life, it becomes clear this case will be a difficult one to solve.
Even though I stayed up too late finishing this book, I was really disappointed in the murderer. I was positive it was someone else entirely. I had a list of four suspects before the murder even happened and who did it barely crossed my radar. They had very little motive except a long-held grudge. That grudge doesn't make any sense in the real world. The writing was tighter on this one than the last. The story progresses quickly once the mystery begins, which is pretty early on. The serving wench/tavern wench costumes drove me batty. If Maddie's such a computer whiz, why didn't she find out what real people wore in the 18th century instead of perpetuating a ridiculous stereotype? You would think Karen and Quill would have insisted on realism.
The characters in this story are really realistic. I love Livie's rescue Yorkie Spunky and how the author makes sure the reader understands how the dog's past affects his present and how it takes time, patience and love to own a rescue but the owner is rewarded with unconditional love in return. He is my favorite character. My only quibble is that his great garbage find didn't put up any red flags for Livie. Why was it in the garbage? Later on it is revealed that Spunky's find could have been a clue or a red herring clue but that didn't even cross Livvie's mind. I also thought what else Livie saw in the trash was going to be a clue.
I still like Livie and Maddie managed not to drive me crazy, aside from the serving wench thing. I enjoy Livie's mom Ellie, though she is so different from me. She adds a bit of lightness to the story. I didn't like Karen any more than Livie did. Her type A personality was too abrasive to make her likable. Rosemarie and Heather annoyed me a lot trying to take advantage of Livie's relationship with Del. That's not right and they knew it. Livie fortunately has more sense than that. I liked the fleeting glimpse of Constance and I hope she's in future books. She's tough but likable. I wanted to like Quill, the historian. Despite the difference in our ages, we have a lot in common. He's a little cranky and standoffish though. Paine and Hermione Chatterley round out the new characters. Neither of them are particularly appealing. Hermione dinged warning bells in my head early on and I didn't like Livvie's attempts to befriend her. Paine was a nasty old man but he had a terrible childhood and perhaps like Olivia's dog, he could have been loving and kind if he had had someone to love him sooner. He was very nice to Aunt Sadie.
The biggest complaint aside from the identity of the murderer is the lack of recipes! You can't write a book about gingerbread houses without including the recipe! Maddie uses meringue powder to make her royal icing so we can at least look up a recipe.
One Dead Cookie (Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery #4) by Virginia Lovell-- Cozy Mystery/contemporary romance
Maddie and Lucas are finally getting married and Livie has volunteered to make Maddie's cookie cake. She's pressed for time and worried about a series of local break-ins and neighboring shops. Livie had her hands full with a business to run so has hired a new clerk, a woman named Jennifer Elsworth, who excels at sales but is remarkably terse when it comes to her past. Livie feels uneasy hiring someone so unknown and tries to delve into Jennifer's background. Only Livie's brother Jason can provide the fact Jennie grew up in the next community, Twiterton and had a tough childhood. When the local vet's aunt Len, a former actress, invites a Hollywood celebrity to visit her in Chatterley Heights, the whole town is in a tizzy. Livie is less than impressed with soap star Trevor Lane and only slightly more so with Trevor's handler, Dougie Adair. It seems the pair grew up in Twiterton. Is there a connection to Jennifer, despite a big difference in their ages? When Trevor ends up dead and Livie and Maddie's childhood friend Stacey's ex-husband Wade is accused, Livie and Maddie feel honor bound to solve the mystery and keep the paparazzi from hounding Stacey and her kids.
This mystery was a little complicated. I figured out who the murderer was going to be before it happened but I wasn't positive. I had 3 major suspects and one seemed the most likely candidate. I stayed up late finishing the book and wasn't surprised. The "why" turned out to be more complicated than I expected. I thought I knew why Jennifer kept disappearing, especially when Trevor and Dougie showed up, but I guessed wrong. The background to this mystery is rather dark for this light mystery series.
The characters in this series are so vivid and seem like the types that live in small towns like Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls). In fact, Lucas is Luke and Lenora Tucker is Miss Patty. The characters you will love to hate are Binnie, the gossip newspaper/blog writer and her niece Ned. Binnie is so rude and obnoxious that I can't believe she isn't in jail. I love how Del is one step ahead of her at times. Del is starting to emerge as a full-fleshed person. He has a wry sense of humor and isn't a romantic but he loves Livie. Their relationship is similar to Ellie and Allan, Livie's mom and stepdad. Allan also appears in this novel instead of being just a mention. He and Ellie are such opposites, it's hard to believe they're married. Ellie sure loves to gossip but it's always well-meant. She seems like she would be flaky because she's a hippie, but she's sharp and perceptive. Maddie's ADHD brain drove me crazy again. She's continually being insensitive and rude but yet Livie loves her. Maddie is not a "hacker" for guessing her best friend's password. I know my best friend's password because she gave it to me but unlike Maddie, I respect her privacy and have only used it sparingly. Maddie is good at searching the Internet but next time, Livie should ask Heather, the librarian to teach her how to search effectively.
The new characters are Trevor, Dougie, Howie and Livie and Maddie's friend Stacey. I don't remember Stacey being in the series at all. I know Maddie is usually jealous of Livie's other friends but this time she's friendly with Stacey still. Stacey is a caring and protective woman but seems very different from Maddie and Livie. Like Livie, I wasn't impressed with Trevor and Dougie. I found Trevor sleazy and Dougie not much better for keeping Trevor out of trouble. Their backstory is horrifying and I can't believe they would have gotten away with what they did. Howie is instantly a character I hated. He holds a grudge against his childhood tormentors yet wants to be pals with them. He seems like a nasty, bitter man - Livie's dad refers to Howie as a brilliant sociopath who would do well in the corporate world. That's creepy!
Finally, there are recipes in this book! However, one of them is for Ellie's lemon chicken. Why is there a chicken recipe in a book about cookies? Where are Maddie's special lavender/lemon and rose/lemon wedding cookies? Only the rose cookie recipe is included.
Cookies and Scream (Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery #5) by Virginia Lovell-- Cozy Mystery/contemporary romance
Livie returns home early from vacation with the sense that something isn't quite right. Spunky senses it too from an unfamiliar scent on the floor. When she checks the store safe she finds it bursting with unfamiliar antique cookie cutters. The mystery is cleared up when her friend Constance calls to say former Chatterley Heights resident Greta Oskarson has returned and wants Livie to sell her antique cookie cutter collection to fund her retirement. Despite the fact Greta has outlived several wealthy husbands, Livie is glad to help an old friend of her mentor Clarisse. The night following The Gingerbread House's welcome party, Greta calls Livie in distress. Livie calls 911 but it's too late. Greta is dead. With Del away, Deputy Cody is in charge and though he's eager to prove himself, he's too inexperienced to sense something is wrong. Livie and Maddie's instincts are aroused though. They know a murder when they see one and they're going to do everything in their power to solve this one. When they hit up the local gossips, they discover there was more to Greta than meets the eye and she had any number of enemies who would want her dead. Meanwhile, Ellie is dealing with the arrival of Allan's cousin Calliope "call me Cal", a big, brash professional moocher and she seems to have her hooks on Jason.
This is the best mystery of them all. It's unconventional and the plot twists really surprised me. I had no idea who the murderer was or why and the secrets kept coming out and shocking me. I did have a good guess as to the identity of Desiree. I was very close but not exact. Livie and Maddie annoyed me by going off investigating on their own but mostly I liked them. I love the quirky small town locals who always know the right gossip to steer an investigation in the right direction. Another bonus is that though Del is away, he keeps in contact with Livie and their romance seems to be progressing. He comes to a good realization in this book though she's still scarred from her divorce. I did not like how Bertha could recall a scene exactly though it's been years since that day. That always bugs me about mystery novels.
There aren't many new characters in this novel. They all ended up on my list of suspects, except Constance, who isn't new but has a larger role in this story. There's the mysterious Desiree who annoys Livie (and me) by acting like a ditzy teenager but seems to know more than she lets on. Then there's Olaf, another son of Swedish immigrants like Greta. He's a nasty old man and the one the reader will love to hate. Then there's Cal, Allan's cousin. She's big, loud and brash which is annoying. She ended up on my suspect list early on because it was obvious she had encountered Greta before. I felt bad that Ellie was so discomfited by her and their personalities are so different. Allan has retreated back to his computer so doesn't have a lot to say. Aunt Sadie plays a larger role in this story too. I like seeing her appear in the plot and taking on a larger role. I think she will end up being important to Livie as well as Maddie and The Gingerbread House.
I was disappointed Spunky didn't have as big a role to play in this story. He hardly appears at all and doesn't really move the action forward but when he's on page, he's very endearing.
The biggest disappointment is there is only one cookie recipe when two were specifically mentioned in the novel. Tangerine Cardamom Shortbread sounds a little strange but my whole family loved the Norwegian Christmas cookies I made last year with tangerine zest so maybe this one is good too.
What I Read in August 2015 Part VII ...
Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher #1) by Kerry Greenwood-- Historical Mystery
Phryne Fisher solves a mystery at a Society party in England and is asked by some guests to go to Australia and find out why their married daughter seems so healthy when she's visiting them but as soon as she returns home, she becomes sick again. Could her husband be poisoning her? Phryne returns to her native Australia, which she left in poverty as a child, now traveling First Class at her own expense. She travels with her good friend, the lady doctor Dr. MacMillan, who plans to work at a women's hospital in Melbourne. Upon arriving in Melbourne, Phryne discovers more mysteries to solve. There's a butcher of an abortionist on the loose despite raping and causing the deaths of several women. There's also a cocaine ring in Melbourne and no one knows who the Snow King is. She meets the exiled Russian Princesse de Grass and her grandchildren, Sasha and Ellie, talented ballet dancers, who are also searching for the cocaine dealer. Phryne is immediately attracted to Sasha but is wary that he wants more from her than she is willing to give. She's determined to solve all three mysteries with the help of her taxi driver friends Bert and Ces and Dr. MacMillan.
This plot has WAY too much going on. It didn't hold my interest very well and I ended up skipping and skimming to the end. There was way too much graphic content in this novel for my taste. Not only is there cocaine, there is also abortion, stabbings, sex, sexual content, shooting and seedy locations. Not to mention motor cars speeding around Melbourne, which I am not used to. I don't think this time period appeals to me or I prefer characters who simply don't know any of the bad stuff exists or it all happens off page. I prefer more cutesy cozy mysteries set in the staid drawing rooms of Regency and Victorian London. I wasn't entirely surprised by the identity of the Snow King. I did suspect another character. The character I suspected doesn't even have a role in the plot until the very end so I felt they were superfluous and added to the density of the plot.
I wasn't wild about Phryne. Though I appreciate Society women who buck the system, Phryne is a bit too free and loose for my reading tastes. She's also rather egotistical in believing herself capable of solving all the mysteries easily. She is also a bit cold. The story doesn't dig very deeply into her thoughts or feelings. Everything is told as a matter-of-fact.
The characters I really liked were Bert and Cec, the Communist taxi drivers. They provide the comic relief and another mystery to solve. (Which didn't need to be in story at all). I also liked Phryne's new maid, Dot. She is a tough girl but also sweet and devoted to Phryne.
I will read the next book in the series and see how I like it.
Flying Too High (Phryne Fisher #2) by Kerry Greenwood-- Historical Mystery
Phryne Fisher is a full-fledged private investigator now, which is why she is completely annoyed when the Police Inspector assigned to her latest case dismisses her because she's a woman. She was asked specifically by Mrs. McNoughton to keep her son from killing her husband. Now the husband is dead and the son is accused of murder. Phryne is certain that Bill didn't do it, bully though he may be like his father. No one denies that Mr. McNoughton deserved death but Phryne is determined to figure out the case. When she's called upon to investigate the kidnapping of an aviator's six-year-old daughter, she leaves the McNoughton case in the capable hands of Bert and Cec and turns her attentions to the mystery of Candida. She may be a difficult 6 year old but her parents are beside themselves with worry and can't wait to get her back but fear the villains may harm the child if they make a movie. Never fear! Phryne Fisher is on the job with several friends to assist.
I liked this mystery better than the first one. I would have liked it a lot more if it didn't contain 2 graphic sexual encounters, child molesters, period correct racist language (there's no need for a modern writer to include that, accurate though it may be) and a heroine who doesn't seem to let herself feel any sort of emotion. I never figured out the McNoughton case at all. I was completely off-base with my theories. The kidnapping case was more interesting but the reader is taken along with Candida so we know who did it and why, we just have to wait until Phryne discovers the clues. How she rescued the child was brilliant -far fetched but entertaining and interesting. I had a hard time putting this one down.
Phryne still annoys me. She's cold and analytical. She's also too intelligent to be believable. she solves the McNoughton case pretty much right away. She just needs proof. She coldly seduces an awkward young doctor just for fun and has another sexual encounter that I can not forgive. She was not only working, she knew what he was like and she knew he was engaged to her client! Who does that?
There are some new characters here. There's the dysfunctional McNoughton family. I felt bad for Mrs. McNoughton, who is bullied by her husband and is overcome with nerves after finding his dead body. I feel worse for Amelia who was the real victim in the family. She seems strong and I liked her and the way she took control of her future. Bill seems like a copy of his father but slightly toned down. I think in the future he'll learn from his father's mistakes and be a little more kind. Then there's six-year-old Candida Alice Maldon. I hate children in novels but I liked Candida. She's smart, brave and one of those wise, precocious kids. She reminded me a little of my nieces who are around the same age. I also loved Candida's unintentional way of fending off her kidnapper. She added a bit of lightness into the dark plot. I wasn't enthused with her parents but they were preoccupied by moving and the baby. I didn't get the impression they cared too much about Candida until she was gone. Then I liked the Maldons better. There's one more new character that I couldn't help but like for their kindness. They didn't seem that bright and found themselves mixed up in something that was over their head.
The villains in this story are very evil, with the exception of one. I didn't like just how evil the chief villain was. Though his sin was mentioned in passing, it became more tangible at the end and I didn't really understand or like Phryne's solution. The female villain was a pill but I don't know if she was evil.
I probably won't read more of this series but I may check out the TV show.
What I Read in August 2015 Part VI ...
Al Capone Does My Homework by Gennifer Choldenko-- Middle Grades Historical Fiction
January 1936: Moose's dad has been promoted to Associate Warden - ahead of Darby Trixel. Darby was sure he'd get that promotion and he is super mad. Moose knows he has to look out for his dad and protect him against Trixel and the cons, but how can he do that and be a normal kid? He also has to look after Natalie, who is home on vacation. Natalie is supposed to be working on eye contact and she stubbornly refuses to do it. Moose is frustrated by his sister's "funny business" but he's quick to defend her when their apartment burns and fingers point to Natalie as the arsonist. Moose knows his sister didn't do it but a niggling thought in the back of his mind fears she DID do it and they'll all get kicked off the island and Natalie won't be allowed back at school. On top of all this, there's a mysterious note in Al Capone's handwriting on Moose's essay and Annie is turning from "one of the boys gal pal" into a beautiful young woman. He's sort of Piper's boyfriend, or is he? What's she up to anyway acting so unusual? Moose has a lot on his shoulders!
The plot of this story was a little less compelling than the previous two. I figured out the mystery pretty much right away. I thought it was mentioned in the beginning and I connected the dots. There are some surprises in the plot though.I was a little surprised by the final reveal. I was frustrated by the attempts to force Natalie to make eye contact and act out of her comfort zone. I know this is hard work. The Mrs. Kelly reveals the reason why and it made sense. This story focuses less on Natalie and more on Moose, Annie, Jimmy and Piper. Theresa appears for comic relief and Natalie does play a larger role as the story goes on.
I liked Moose a little better in this book now he's stopped mooning over Piper. His worries are valid this time though I still wish he would confide in an adult. He always feels better once he does! The Al Capone business is very minor in this one compared to the previous two books. It doesn't really make a lot of sense until Moose suddenly figures it out. His growing feelings for Annie develop very slowly and the romance is very sweet and almost non-existent.
Piper is less annoying but she does something stupid she should have known not to do. I didn't really feel that bad for her. Jimmy's new scientific study is on cockroaches. It's pretty gross but funny and ingenious.
The Trixels are the most awful people. Their actions go from bad to worse in this novel. I just hate them. The villain I didn't like them from the first and suspected that everything was connected. Moose had a niggling suspicion too but wanted to like this person and with everything else he was going through, just didn't figure it out. This character is the only new character central to the story. Annie's dad and Theresa and Jimmy's dad make cameo appearances and there are some new cons but we don't get to know them too well.
I like the reader for this book. He doesn't sound 13 but he pitches his voice differently for each character and makes me believe he's a woman, a girl and a 13 year old boy.
The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly-- Middle Grades Historical Fiction
Callie Vee, the endearing heroine from The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is back. It's spring 1900 and Callie Vee has high hopes for the new year and new century. She continues her scientific studies but it isn't always easy with her younger brother Travis tagging along. Travis loves nature too, but his love comes in the form of obsession with animals. He's searching for the perfect pet and Callie knows that Travis's idea of a perfect pet may get him in trouble and she can't let that happen. After a devastating tragedy, Callie's cousin Aggie comes to stay and Callie has high hopes Aggie will be the older sister she never had. Along with Aggie, the tragedy introduces Callie Vee to someone new who will influence her future life plans. Her parents of course, have other ideas.
I didn't quite enjoy this story as much as the first. The primary reason being Callie's scientific studies have progressed to dissection. Being more like Travis, I'm a real animal lover and squeamish about blood and guts. I did enjoy the science project ideas and if this book had been around when I was a kid, I may have been a bit more enthusiastic about science. I also enjoyed the history of scientific study and how the processes we take for granted were quite new in 1900. There's also a great description of the largest natural disaster in U.S. history. Young readers may make the connection to a certain natural disaster that occurred 10 years ago. The story features less of Grandpa and Callie and Grandpa's relationship, which is what made the first book so special.
Callie is as spunky as ever. Her vocabulary is growing bigger and she narrates her story in a scientific manner. She does occasionally act like a normal 12 year old girl which is funny and makes her sympathetic. She faces challenges as a girl and as a girl who wants to be a scientist. I think girls interested in STEM will relate but at least no one expects a girl today to limit her expectations to marriage. I really felt for Callie. It was tough to be her in this story and I would love to see her succeed some day.
The story is largely about Travis. Travis is a sweet, warm-hearted boy whose heart is bigger than his common sense. I both loved and cringed at his numerous adopted pets. As an adult I know better. As a child I probably wouldn't have crossed my parents but it wouldn't have stopped me from wanting to try. His adventures are sweet and funny.
Aggie is one of two new characters introduced in this story. I was hoping she would be an unexpected ally for Callie. Callie learns a few things from her cousin but largely I found Aggie predictable and stereotypical. Callie is a more interesting character. Dr. Pritzker, a veterinarian, is the second new character in the novel. At first he isn't any different from any other man of his day but as he comes to know Callie and her grandfather, he becomes more interesting. I found the scenes with his actually practicing veterinary medicine a bit too graphic.
Fans of the first book will enjoy this one too and if you haven't read the first one, this works OK as a stand-alone.
The Grand Sophy
by Georgette Heyer
Lady Ombersley is overcome by her brother's plea to welcome his "little Sophy" into her home while he is away on a diplomatic mission to Brazil. Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy is quite a force and Lady Ombersley does feel sorry for her poor motherless niece. When "little Sophy" arrives, she does so in full force. Sophy is neither little nor to be pitied for being motherless. She is an immediate hit with the children for bringing them an exotic pet and for her lively and open manner. Charles, the heir, however, is less than impressed. He holds the purse strings in the family and is engaged to a very proper lady. He can't have Sophy's wild ways ruining his family and his relationship. Sophy has other plans for Charles and for the entire family. She sees they are badly in need of someone to rearrange their lives and Sophy is just the person to do it. The madcap "Grand Sophy," sets London on it's ear and manages to charm everyone, except Charles and his fiance, Eugenia.
This is one of Georgette Heyer's best novels and the zaniest of all the Regencies. I'd give it somewhere between 4-5 stars - 4 3/4 maybe. The plot starts off slow but picks up quickly once Sophy arrives. Her adventures are very funny and there are a few plot twists and surprises along the way. A lot of people say an Anti-Semitic comment ruins the book for them. I wasn't terribly bothered by it. The first time I read it, I missed the adjective describing the villain's nose and thought it was just a typical depiction of a villain - kind of cartoonish. Take out that one word and you pretty much have the same description of Severus Snape. As an historian I know that an author doesn't exist in a vacuum. They are real humans who lived at a certain time and were influenced by external factors. Combine this with the time period the novel takes place. I would have expected vastly more racist and Anti-Semitic remarks. Other authors of the same generation, writing around the same time, used much worse language and the farther back in time a book was written, the less politically correct it's going to be. (Numerous Victorian novels refer to "red Indians" from America in contrast to "blacks" from the Indian subcontinent, not to mention dropping the n-word and other terms in common usage at that time). I've read way worse so I move on to see what happens next. The next scene is largely improbable but it's so much fun that I enjoyed it. The ending keeps me from giving this book a full 5 stars. It's not romantic and it's very abrupt. I can guess where her lover falls in love with her but not the other way around, if she's in love at all. It's a little more ambiguous than some of the other novels.
Sophy is like a tornado in full force, coming in and picking everyone up and tossing them back down again. Tornado though she may be, she has plans for everyone and she knows what she's doing. She does what she does out of the purest motives and has a generous and loving heart. That makes her one of Heyer's more endearing and memorable heroines. I liked her very much though like Charles, if she were my cousin, I would want to throttle her.
I like the Rivenhall family, except for Lord O. He's a rackety sort of fellow. Though Lady O is nervous, has spasms and overly cautious at times, she seems to be a loving mother and is willing to be a kind, surrogate mother to Sophy when asked. Cecilia and Hubert are young and rather silly at times. Cecilia is a little annoying in her infatuation with a ridiculous poet. Hubert has some growing up to do but he acknowledges this like a man and some of the blame falls to Charles. The little ones appear and disappear randomly but they're very lively and loud little children. Amabel is the only one who gets scenes all to herself but she doesn't really get fleshed out. I'm not a huge fan of Charles. He has a nasty temper but he defends his family, including his cousin and he has more of a sense of humor than he cares to admit. He's just not at all romantic.
Other wonderful characters include a lazy Spanish Marquesa and a foppish poet (who is hilarious and steals every scene he's in, especially at the end). Lord Charlbury, who is Cecilia's beau, seems like a nice man. He's too old for her and I don't really get why he's so insistent he's in love with a 19 year old girl.
Then there's Eugenia, the fiance of Charles. She's annoying, pedantic, snobby and rude. Yet, I feel sorry for her because she was brought up to be like her mother (who is clearly a very awful person who thinks too highly of herself) and now Eugenia is at a certain age where the suitors have mostly gone away. She needs to marry Charles because she can't be sure of getting another proposal. She's been taught to think too highly of herself and can't understand why others don't view her as exceptional and take her advice. That makes her truly annoying and a character readers love to hate.
If you're new to Heyer, I wouldn't necessarily start here but if you're a fan of her other Regency novels, you'll love this one too.
What I Read in April 2015 Part I ...
The Girl in Blue by P.G. Wodehouse--Historical Fiction/Romance
Homer Pyle’s sister Bernadette has been caught shoplifting at a top department store in New York and needs a place to go to get out of the way. Homer is traveling to Brussels to the P.E.N conference so he brings his sister to England to stay at Mellingham Hall, the estate of Mr. Crispin Stokes. Crispin’s younger brother Willoughby, a wealthy solicitor, is excited to show off his new purchase, a Gainsborough miniature of his great-great (possibly great) grandmother. Gerald West meets Jane at jury duty and falls madly in love, but love is ever complicated. For one thing, he’s engaged to the gold-digging Vera Bradshaw and for another, he doesn’t know Jane’s name. When he learns her identity, he’s convinced they will be star-crossed lovers. Meanwhile, back at Mellingham Hall, the Woman in Blue goes missing and everyone is on the hunt in return for a generous reward, including Chippendale, a most unusual butler.
I guess I wasn’t in the mood for Wodehouse because I couldn’t concentrate on this story. I found it difficult to keep track of the cast of characters and I didn’t like knowing where the miniature was. It took some of the fun out of it. There are a couple of really funny scenes and some surprise plot twists but overall, this isn’t one of Wodehouse’s best. My favorite character was Chippendale, the butler. He is a typical quirky Wodehousian character who stole every scene he was in. He’s not a likeable person but he’s funny. Bernadette is another good character. She makes a nice change from Wodehouse’s lovesick maidens. Jane is also an atypical Wodehouse heroine. Possibly these women reflect the women’s lib movement which makes them different from the 1920s women I’m used to reading about. If you’re a dedicated Wodehouse fan, then be sure to read this book. If you’re just beginning, don’t judge him by this one novel. He was at the end of his life when he wrote it.
Hot Water by P.G. Wodehouse -- Historical Fiction/Romance
J. Wellington Gedge hates the chateau in southern France his wife made them rent. He misses his old life back in California but Mrs. Gedge has other plans that involve staying in France. She needs the help of Senator Opal, a teetotal tyrant who tries to bully everyone, including his daughter Jane. Jane is secretly engaged to a penniless novelist her father would never approve of. What happens when Packy Franklyn, ex-Yale football star and bon vivant is let loose in St. Roque without his stuffy fiance? A solution to Jane's problem, a boozy French Viscomte, a couple of crooks and a zany plan that just might work... if everyone plays their role correctly.
There is so much going on in this book. It was hard to get into and moved so slowly that I didn't really get into the story until it was almost over. The plot is very similar to early Blandings Castle stories but not quite as well written. It's hard to keep track of who's who and who is pretending to be what and who has which job to do. The story lacks a true screwball scene but has some unexpected plot twists. I wondered which one would prove to be a certain someone but was surprised at who it was.
None of the characters are likable except Jane. She refuses to be bullied by her father. She knows her own mind and is determined to do things her way. She doesn't get discouraged or dismal like the Blandings ladies. She's delightful in every scene and there aren't enough of them. In this novel the women are the stronger characters. The men are weak and stupid.
What I Read in April 2015 Part II ...
Captain Cupid Calls the Shots by Elisabeth Fairchild--Regency Romance
Captain Alexander Shelbourne aka "Cupid" returns to England with his friends weary of war and trying to battle the voices in his head. While his friend Val takes comfort in the bottle and his other friend Oscar in finishing, Cupid just wants to settle down into a comfortable life. When he arrives in the village with Val and Oscar, he is intrigued by the mysterious Miss Penny Foster, the one whom Val calls "tough-me-not." Val claims Penny let him touch her all too easily and she allowed him to seduce her. Cupid isn't so sure Val is telling the truth but if he is, perhaps Miss Foster will open up for him too. Of course his intentions are honorable... aren't they? Penny is raising a young girl, Felicity, about 5 years old, born just after Val left for the Continent. Could there be some truth to Val's boasts? When he's paired with Penny for a quaint Valentine's Day custom, he tries to get to know her better. She remains a bit of a mystery and Val is determined to solve the mystery. Penny Foster has spent her life the subject of ill rumors and gossip in the village. Her mother ran off with Gypsies and she herself bore an illegitimate child. Penny doesn't put a stop to the rumors for it may jeopardize all she holds dear, however, her Valentine's wish is to have the world's eyes opened to who she really is. When she finds herself falling for the gallant ex-soldier she places her trust in him. What happens when he finds out the truth?
Wow this story is really depressing. It deals with many difficult topics that showcase the seedier side of the Regency era: PTSD, alcoholism, postpartum depression, illegitimacy, infidelity, what happens to "strumpets", death in childbirth, death of a child, gossip, innuendo, farming problems and legal issues. Woosh. I think the story could have focused on one or two of the issues. It's just all a bit too much. I cried a bit towards the end but that doesn't mean I enjoyed the plot. I did not at all like the "romance." It's built largely on lust and physical attraction. The hero thinks some pretty dirty thoughts about the heroine and it went a bit too far at times. His thoughts really turned me off the romance. Without it, if the characters had built a trusting friendship over time, the story would have worked better. The hero and heroine both need someone to trust and to help them overcome their issues. The best part of the book was the local wedding customs but that goes on too long and is irrelevant to the story.
Alex aka Cupid is a complex character. He was a sharpshooter during the war and suffers from PTSD. He just wants a calm and quiet life. It's been too long since he has been with a woman or something because he's just too eager for Penny. He half believes his friend's disgusting boasts and village rumors, even after falling in love. His heart sort of tells him one thing but his head another. The misunderstanding is stupid and a little communication would have been nice. For these reasons I could not like him all that much. I liked him infinitely better than Val, who is a disgusting libertine BEFORE the war and worse after since he deals with his PTSD through drinking himself to death. Oscar is a better friend. He's quiet and observant. He helps direct the action where it needs to go when the plot gets too tedious.
Penny is nearly as annoying as the male characters. She's too self- sacrificing for no good reason at all. She allows gossip to flourish and keeps to herself which only encourages gossip. She has a bizarre obsession with a 16th century noblewoman, Lady Anne, whom she thinks of as a hero, a saint and a godlike figure. She sends up prayers to Lady Anne. Why? I don't know. She starts to fall in love with Alex, only the second man to ever kiss her, for no good reason. She trusts him before he earns that trust and mistrusts him when she should have faith in him. She doesn't communicate with him very well either. There's too much lusting going on for the romance to properly develop.
This story wasn't really my cup of tea.
For those wondering ... spoilers ahead:
Penny has no legal right to Felicity and even if she was the girl's biological mother, she still wouldn't have a legal right to her own child. Everyone would consider it right that the child go with the father. That is unfortunately the way the law worked at the time. I think Val wanted Felicity to punish Penny for not letting his disgusting self touch her.
The one thing that doesn't make sense is why does he call her "touch-me-not" when he thinks he had sex with her?
The Unlikely Rivals by Megan Daniel-- Regency Romance
Saskia Van Hooten has enough to do looking after her romance novelist mother and 4 younger siblings so when her eccentric great-aunt demands Saskia come to Bath, Saskia goes reluctantly, hoping her aunt will make Saskia her heir. Derek Rowbridge spent his life at sea fighting the French and now a half-pay officer, he has little money to pay off his father and grandfather's enormous gambling debts. He's not afraid of hard work, but when he receives a summons from a previously unknown great-aunt, he has hopes for some money coming his way. When he encounters Saskia at an inn on the road to Bath, he feels self-conscious about his shabbiness and thinks Saskia is haughty. She thinks he's a rudesby for noticing her noticing him and he insulted the Dutch besides! Sparks fly when they discover they share the same eccentric great-aunt. Their aunt, who has traveled the world and outlived three husbands, is bored in Bath and wants the young people to go sleuthing and discover how she can purchase Rowbridge Manor, her family's ancestral home. The house was purchases years ago by a mysterious Mr. Banks who refuses to sell. Saskia's hands are full escorting her sister Beatrix, the new belle of Bath and crossing verbal swords with Derek whenever they meet. Yet when Derek begins paying a lot of attention to Trix, Saskia feels strange. What can this feeling be? When Derek's Captain pays court to Saskia, he finds himself facing an enemy worse than the French - jealousy. Saskia could never marry a penniless man like Derek so he should just set his feelings aside and hope to win his aunt's money.
This is a really cute story. I borrowed it from openlibrary.org and I am glad I did. The writing style is very good. It flows smoothly and the plot goes along at a good pace. It's super predictable but even so, I wanted to know how it turned out and stayed up late to finish. There are a lot of Pride and Prejudice references and a clergyman who rivals Mr. Collins in absurdity. What I especially like about the story is Saskia's Dutch heritage. Though I was unfamiliar with many of the terms, the inclusion of Dutch phrases, pet names and foods made the story so real.
The characters are near to being top-notch. I'm not sure they're long-lasting memorable but I enjoyed them. I loved Saskia's cozy, crazy family. They were all so unique and yet they love each other. Trix is a little too Jane Bennet kind for me but she's sweet and I wouldn't want to exclude her from the plot. Saskia is a tart-tongued, outspoken young lady who compares herself to Elizabeth Bennet. She's not quite as nice as Elizabeth. She's proud and headstrong at times. I liked her though despite her faults. They made her seem more real and gave the romance some spark. Derek is also proud and honorable. He's a little stuffy at first but he has a sense of humor and he's very kind. I especially loved the eccentric aunt. She was quite a surprise and very funny though she has a bit of a cruel sense of humor. I also loved Cornelia, Saskia's mother, who writes romance novels to support the family. She's a little vague but funny. Jannie, the Dutch housekeeper, has a small role but I liked her immensely. She adds warmth and heart to the story and provides Saskia with a mother figure. The fact she speaks only Dutch makes the family unit seem more realistic and more cozy because they use Dutch pet names with Jannie. Opa is a bit of a stock character. Nothing about him surprised me at all except for the initial introduction.
This is one of the better early Regencies and an unknown one. I highly recommend it to those who like classic Regency love stories, Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.
