The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier is an in depth character study of Joy Harkness, a Henry James scholar and professor at Columbia who moves from NYC to Amherst Massachusets, buys an old house that needs a lot of work, and finds herself becoming part of a community, against her better judgement.
We are taken on Joy's journey with her as she learns to slowly open herself up to the people around her and let them in- to her life, her home and eventually her heart.
This is a beautifully written novel. I found Joy's character entirely believable and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Weird Sisters
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown is a wonderful and witty and truly unique novel.
It follows the lives of three sisters who have moved back home at ages 27-33, all for different reasons. Their father is a Shakespearean scholar who speaks almost entirely in verse. This could have been a silly ploy, but in Brown's deft hands the result is nothing short of brilliant.
I loved all the characters and didn't want this book to end. This is about a family of readers and I was blissfuly happy sharing their journey from the first page. Highly recommended.
It follows the lives of three sisters who have moved back home at ages 27-33, all for different reasons. Their father is a Shakespearean scholar who speaks almost entirely in verse. This could have been a silly ploy, but in Brown's deft hands the result is nothing short of brilliant.
I loved all the characters and didn't want this book to end. This is about a family of readers and I was blissfuly happy sharing their journey from the first page. Highly recommended.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Lady of the Butterflies
Finally, a book I can really sink my teeth into! Lady of the Butterflies by Fiona Mountain is a wonderful novel. It is historical fiction based on the life of naturalist Eleanor Glanville in the late 17th century.
She was accused of being insane at the time for her interest in the natural world and her preoccupation with butterflies. These were acceptable things for a man, but not a woman. This is the story of a remarkable woman who defied convention at the risk of her very life.
The daughter of a wealthy Puritan landowner, Eleanor grew up in the Moors around Somerset. She found much beauty in this natural environment, which led to her love of butterflies. In later life her husband (who she had been passionately in love with) and her eldest son, tried to have her declared insane to gain control of her land.
There are remarkable descriptions of the environment, of the plants that apothecaries we're learning to use to treat illness, of the coffeehouses in London where men (only) would gather to have intellectual discussions, as well as the religous battles and civil war of the times.
This book is rich in detail, well written, and it is the story of an amazing woman. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
She was accused of being insane at the time for her interest in the natural world and her preoccupation with butterflies. These were acceptable things for a man, but not a woman. This is the story of a remarkable woman who defied convention at the risk of her very life.
The daughter of a wealthy Puritan landowner, Eleanor grew up in the Moors around Somerset. She found much beauty in this natural environment, which led to her love of butterflies. In later life her husband (who she had been passionately in love with) and her eldest son, tried to have her declared insane to gain control of her land.
There are remarkable descriptions of the environment, of the plants that apothecaries we're learning to use to treat illness, of the coffeehouses in London where men (only) would gather to have intellectual discussions, as well as the religous battles and civil war of the times.
This book is rich in detail, well written, and it is the story of an amazing woman. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Men and Dogs
Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch is a quick, mostly forgettable book. It is well written, and drew me in for sure, I just never really cared that much about the characters, and nothing much happened.
Hannah, a 35 year old woman who drinks too much and has made a mess of her marriage, returns home to the South to look for her missing father who disappeared 20 years ago. The book centers on her search for questions that have been unanswered her whole life. She's not particularly likable, and nothing much is resolved.
I also think the title is misleading, but it is a decent enough summertime read.
Hannah, a 35 year old woman who drinks too much and has made a mess of her marriage, returns home to the South to look for her missing father who disappeared 20 years ago. The book centers on her search for questions that have been unanswered her whole life. She's not particularly likable, and nothing much is resolved.
I also think the title is misleading, but it is a decent enough summertime read.
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