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April reads
May. 2nd, 2013 01:14 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
birdienl.livejournal.comMary Barton - Elizabeth Gaskell 3/5
In this first novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, we follow the life of Mary Barton, daughter of a mill-worker and union man, growing up in Manchester during a time of unrest between workers and employers.
Depecting many of the well-known themes of all of Gaskell's works (rich vs. poor, relationships between children and parents), this is a deeply realistic novel. It's not a pleasant read, with all the sorrow going on in the story, but I think in her (Gaskell's) time this was a novel that should be written, clearly depicting the social problems of the mid-19th century. It is a very Victorian novel, with among others typical high (melo)drama and noble 'savages' playing an important part. Comparing it to other Gaskell books I've read, I wasn't surprised finding out this was her first novel. The prose is a bit rusty and I think in her later books she comes more into her own with more realistic character development and better story pacing.
The Silent Governess - Julie Klassen 3/5
As Olivia Keene flees her own secret, she stumbles into the secret of the Bradley family. She is taken on as a governess by the Bradley's and finds there a place she would like to call home, but her past is catching up with her.
Another sweet and pleasant read from Christian Regency author Julie Klassen. Though this book did not have such a unique setting as the previous two I've read by her (a house for unmarried mothers and an apothecary) it was still interesting to read a tale of a governess. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the relations between everyone in an estate: indoor servants, outdoor servants, family and the isolated position of the governess. I thought the revelations at the end of the story a bit unrealistic, too many people who's parent did not turn out to be their parents etc.
LOTR: Return of the King - J.R.R. Tolkien (reread)
With this I finished my reread of Lord of the Rings, which I stretched over the last three years. What a joy it was to reread this, my favourite part of the trilogy! Tolkien's prose and world-building are just wonderful, getting me completely enthralled again, even though I knew exactly how the story goes and ends. Plus I also 'discovered' some new gems of scenes and quotes I didn't remember very well from my previous read. I think that's a sign of a good book, being able to discover something new with every reread.
I wrote a post about my reread at my journal here.
Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen 4/5
Claire Waverley has gotten used to being thought eccentric by everyone in her town. Her family has always been that way. She's satisfied with the life she's build for herself, a small catering business, her beloved garden. When her sister suddenly arrives at her doorstep after ten years and an interesting neighbour moves in next door, her life is about to be uprooted.
My first book by this author, who was highly praised and recommended by multiple people I know at LJ or blogs. I'm glad I picked up this book and will definitely read more by Allen. The magical realism in her novels is blended well with family dynamics and romance in an all-round pleasant read. I loved the characters of this book, but wish it would have been just a little bit longer, so they could have been somewhat more well-rounded. But as this is Allen's debut maybe she, like Elizabeth Gaskell, will come more into her own in her further novels.
God and Charles Dickens - Gary L. Colledge 3/5
An in-depth look at the faith of Charles Dickens and the reflection of this faith in his novels.
In-depth this book certainly was, maybe a bit too in-depth? I would even go so far as call it 'nitpicky': giving great meaning to the smallest sentence in one of Dickens' letters or books to derive what he exactly believed. There was also a lot of repetition in the book, some chapters really overlapped a lot. I mostly enjoyed the parts about what Dickens can teach Christians and the church today, I thought those conclusions were well done. The writing style was generally pleasant, I just wish the subject matter had been slightly differently chosen.
Books in April: 5
Books in 2013: 20
In this first novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, we follow the life of Mary Barton, daughter of a mill-worker and union man, growing up in Manchester during a time of unrest between workers and employers.
Depecting many of the well-known themes of all of Gaskell's works (rich vs. poor, relationships between children and parents), this is a deeply realistic novel. It's not a pleasant read, with all the sorrow going on in the story, but I think in her (Gaskell's) time this was a novel that should be written, clearly depicting the social problems of the mid-19th century. It is a very Victorian novel, with among others typical high (melo)drama and noble 'savages' playing an important part. Comparing it to other Gaskell books I've read, I wasn't surprised finding out this was her first novel. The prose is a bit rusty and I think in her later books she comes more into her own with more realistic character development and better story pacing.
The Silent Governess - Julie Klassen 3/5
As Olivia Keene flees her own secret, she stumbles into the secret of the Bradley family. She is taken on as a governess by the Bradley's and finds there a place she would like to call home, but her past is catching up with her.
Another sweet and pleasant read from Christian Regency author Julie Klassen. Though this book did not have such a unique setting as the previous two I've read by her (a house for unmarried mothers and an apothecary) it was still interesting to read a tale of a governess. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the relations between everyone in an estate: indoor servants, outdoor servants, family and the isolated position of the governess. I thought the revelations at the end of the story a bit unrealistic, too many people who's parent did not turn out to be their parents etc.
LOTR: Return of the King - J.R.R. Tolkien (reread)
With this I finished my reread of Lord of the Rings, which I stretched over the last three years. What a joy it was to reread this, my favourite part of the trilogy! Tolkien's prose and world-building are just wonderful, getting me completely enthralled again, even though I knew exactly how the story goes and ends. Plus I also 'discovered' some new gems of scenes and quotes I didn't remember very well from my previous read. I think that's a sign of a good book, being able to discover something new with every reread.
I wrote a post about my reread at my journal here.
Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen 4/5
Claire Waverley has gotten used to being thought eccentric by everyone in her town. Her family has always been that way. She's satisfied with the life she's build for herself, a small catering business, her beloved garden. When her sister suddenly arrives at her doorstep after ten years and an interesting neighbour moves in next door, her life is about to be uprooted.
My first book by this author, who was highly praised and recommended by multiple people I know at LJ or blogs. I'm glad I picked up this book and will definitely read more by Allen. The magical realism in her novels is blended well with family dynamics and romance in an all-round pleasant read. I loved the characters of this book, but wish it would have been just a little bit longer, so they could have been somewhat more well-rounded. But as this is Allen's debut maybe she, like Elizabeth Gaskell, will come more into her own in her further novels.
God and Charles Dickens - Gary L. Colledge 3/5
An in-depth look at the faith of Charles Dickens and the reflection of this faith in his novels.
In-depth this book certainly was, maybe a bit too in-depth? I would even go so far as call it 'nitpicky': giving great meaning to the smallest sentence in one of Dickens' letters or books to derive what he exactly believed. There was also a lot of repetition in the book, some chapters really overlapped a lot. I mostly enjoyed the parts about what Dickens can teach Christians and the church today, I thought those conclusions were well done. The writing style was generally pleasant, I just wish the subject matter had been slightly differently chosen.
Books in April: 5
Books in 2013: 20
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