Persuasion by Jane Austen

Ah yes, it is nearing the end of the year and I have not read any Austen until now. This is actually the first year since 1998 I have not read Pride & Prejudice. I'm actually ok with that.
Persuasion is becoming my favorite Austen novel. There's something about Anne that draws me and has continually done so; more now that I'm older. In Pride & Prejudice I liked the feistyness of the Elizabeth-Darcy relationship, and have been compared to having a Jane-Bingley relationship, but the Anne-Wentworth relationship comforts me the most. The fact that Anne still loves him after all those years, that he stayed faithful to her (though not intentionally) over all those years, that upon seeing her again, some of her beauty returned and her confidence. Oh! It's a very sweet story. It's very calm and quiet too, which is part of why I like it so much.
I really don't know what else to say about a book I've read so many times. Other than I love it, and there's something comforting about returning to characters one knows so well.

read, read, ready

The Glass of Time by Michael Cox, Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Queen Geek Social Club by Laura Preble, and None But You by Susan Kaye. Those are just the ones I can remember having read recently. There might be more but of course, my list is not anywhere convenient as I write this.
The Glass of Time is a fantastic story. I really enjoyed it (I was worried too much would hinge on having read The Meaning of Night--which I have but am unable to remember much of it--but it does not). Esperanza is a well drawn character with an interesting task before her. How many of us could have a task in which we are required to move from our home to another country, take a position that is beneath us (Esperanza is raised well but is required to become a lady's maid), all without questioning the purpose of being there. For there most definitely is a purpose. Esperanza is to accomplish the Great Task while working as Lady Tansor's lady's maid. Esperanza adjusts to her life in England fairly easily; she is enamored of one of her ladyship's sons (naturally) and most of the characters are well drawn and real. Perhaps Esperanza's implicit and unquestioning trust in her guardian, who sends her to Lady Tansor, is a little naive. But being 19, Esperanza treats it as an game of adventure and soon finds that it is no game. It's an exciting story as orphaned Esperanza discovers more about her past from her mother's journals and stories of her father's journeys through his friends, and when she puts the pieces together, Esperanza discovers who she is. And it's different from what she thought. There's a little in the book that relates to Edwin Glyvver, so those looking for a little more information on him won't be disappointed. Truthfully, parts of the story are rather predictable, but other parts throw the reader a bit of a loop. Definitely a worthwhile read.
Persuasion, book 6 of 6, and I have finally finished reading my Austen novels. It was even before the new year began. As with P&P, there's something wonderfully familiar about Persuasion and coming back to it is like spending time with a good friend. Anne Elliot is still one of my favorite heroines, Captain Wentworth a worthy and realistic hero. Of course he's still hurt that Anne did not follow through on her engagement with him. But he wants no other, and I think one of my favorite lines from literature is Anne saying, "The only privilege I claim for my sex is that of loving longest when all hope is gone" (I'm paraphrasing as I haven't the book in front of me). In my limited experience, that's been true. It's sigh worthy.
The Queen Geek Social Club is a fun book, though I question the motives of one of the characters. There are two other books with Shelby and Becca, and I certainly will read the next two. Shelby is a geek. She's pretty, funny, smart, kind, but just doesn't seem able to make many girl friends. She's a serial dater, dating simply to date, but unable to make a connection with any of the guys she goes out with (most likely because they're only interested in her breasts). Then Becca moves to town and almost immediately, she and Shelby hit it off. Shelby is content to have Becca, her very good friend, and that's all she really needs. But Becca ... Becca is different. She jokes about world domination, and decides to start the Queen Geek Social Club, so that she and Shelby will have others 'of their kind' to hang otu with and have an influence upon school society. Their first project is to feed models junkfood. Yes, they want to feed models Twinkies. At first Shelby thinks it's all a laugh but begins to worry that Becca's not interested in Shelby as a friend, that Shelby isn't good enough, and that she's just looking for a better friend. We've all had those kinds of insecurities. On top of it all, her widower Dad starts dating and she's becoming unusually obsessed with a guy--not something Shelby does. Naturally it all works out in the end, but there are enough questions about what happens next to get me interested in the next book, Queen Geeks in Love. I love my geeky chick lit.
None But You by Susan Kaye is the first part of a two part story of Persuasion from Captain Wentworth's point of view. The first book ends at Uppercross, just after Wentworth has dropped off Anne and Henrietta after the terrible news about Louisa. I enjoyed it because the reader gets to spend a bit more time with Wentworth's sister and brother-in-law as well as some of the occurrences on the Musgroves' side of things, their dread at sister-in-law Mary and the pleasure they take from Anne's company. I think the second book, For You Alone, is due to be released sometime in the spring. I'll keep my eye out for that one.
Finally I'm in the midst (and nearly middle) of reading At Face Value by Emily Franklin, a Cyrano de Bergerac tale starring Cyrie, and intelligent, witty, sometimes occasionally mean (she's really just dishing it back) high school senior with a larger & longer than average nose. She's planning on surgery to shrink it on her 18th birthday, which will be January 1st. It will be interesting to see if she goes through with it and how the relationship budding between her pretty friend Leyla and Cyrie's crush Eddie (everybody else calls him Rox) will work out. Definitely enjoying it so far.
So, until I've piled a pile of finished books, I remain,
the Savage librarian.

What an absence it's been.

Forgive the great absence, dear readers, but I've been a bit slow reading this past month. I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month and so have been a bit distracted by my so-called novel.
In trying to remember what I have read recently, I had to go back and check to see the last book I updated on.
O my. I've finished Airhead by Meg Cabot, Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd, Blood Alone by James Benn, and I just finished Pride & Prejudice last night (book 5 of 6, woohoo!). I may or may not have read something else in between some of those, for I have them written down somewhere (just not anywhere convenient). I can tell you I started reading Savvy by Ingrid Law, but could not finish it. It had a wonderful story, but the voice of Mibs, the main character, drove me to distraction. On the thirteenth birthday of each member of her family, the person receives their savvy, or special talent. Her grandfather could create land (the family lived between Kansas and Nebraska on the land he created), her brother Fish had power over the rain, her other brother Rocket was electrically charged, and her mother did everything perfectly (even when she screwed up). Mibs is waiting for her savvy when her father is in a car accident. Her mother and Rocket are away from the family and so Mibs turns 13 with all the people in town she does not like. That's about as far as I got before I stopped reading because Mibs's "aw shucks" voice was entirely too distracting from the story. I know other librarians who have enjoyed the story and ordinarily I think I would too but I did not have the patience to attempt it.
Airhead, the first of a new Meg Cabot series, was a fluffy, interesting read. A supermodel, a normal girl, and a whole body transplant. I love that Cabot can mix the girly with the sci-fi and that Em learns it's not easy being a supermodel.
Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd is a story about Ireland in the 80s. Fergus finds a preserved child in the bog; a scientist comes to excavate (who happens to have a teenage daughter) and Fergus dreams/thinks about the child's past and her story. I like that Dowd did so well weaving the historical aspect with the modern day (modern day to the story that is). Fergus's older brother is in jail and joins a hunger strike in the prison and the whole family do what they can to convince him not to do it. It's a coming of age story but during a time and in a place that most US readers aren't familiar with it. I looked a little into the history of Ireland during the 80's so I would have a slight idea of what was going on when some of the political terms were mentioned. You can certainly read it without that, but it may not make as much sense.
Blood Alone by James Benn is the third Billy Boyle mystery. I may or may not have said it before, but I am not a big mystery fan. They're just not my types of books. But I have found two mystery writers I enjoy, James Benn being one. I don't know if it's the WWII setting that I enjoy, or the great way he develops characters, but I'm kind of dreading the end of the war because what stories will Billy have to share with us then? It's fall of 1944, I think, and the book begins with Billy having lost his memory. A fantastic series. I think he just keeps getting better.
Is it even necessary for me to mention Pride & Prejudice? There is something comforting about reading a book you're familiar with; it's nice to have a story that you know, you know what will happen, but it's still a pleasure and a delight to take that journey with the characters again. I love the story. I love watching Elizabeth change. I love watching Lydia frustratingly stay the same. I love thinking how different things might have been had Mr. Collins chosen Mary instead of Charlotte. I love the interactions and the social niceties and Lady Catherine and the Gardiners, and Jane and Bingley, oh it's just so wonderful. Only Persuasion remains for me to read this year. I like that book and it feels appropriate, saving it for last.
Forgive the brief reviews, but I just wanted to have something out there to be read. Currently reading The Glass of Time by Michael Cox, a continuation of a sort of his The Meaning of Night. I'm only 27 pages in, so I haven't too much of an opinion yet. But Cox has a great way of drawing a person in.
So until I update again (hopefully not a month later), I remain,
the Savage Librarian.
Have happy holidays, all.

4 of 6

I finished Mansfield Park, Jane Austen book four of six. I'm nearing the end. And am still really enjoying it. Though every time I read this book, I wonder what had happened to Austen or what made her think she had to make Crawford such the cad she made him. Or perhaps it's just that I get suckered into his charm (not easily, not quickly; I take the cautious approach like Fanny) every time, even though I know what he's going to do. Austen has written him so well as to guide the reader to think that it's quite possible, indeed, it's likely that Henry Crawford is changing, that he's endeavoring to become worthy of Fanny Price, that her patience and steadiness and deep feelings are more than just playthings to him and he is determined to show that he is what she wants. He goes so far as to visit Fanny in Portsmouth, to offer her a means to return to Mansfield, to show he cares enough about her to seek her, to be the gentleman with her. You think, through his attentions, that he truly is changing.
And then he sleeps with Maria Rushworth.
It always seems to me a shoddy thing, that it had to happen last minute to get Crawford out of the way, but as I read I think that perhaps Austen wanted Fanny to be with Crawford, but something about her great desire to pair her with Edmund causes her to make Crawford do the most horrendous thing he could have done to lose Fanny. Perhaps Austen believed we couldn't change; we are who we are born and there is nothing we can do to change that. Crawford was born a cad (though she makes enough remarks about education and the influence of others, so I can't satisfy myself that that's the case) and he was to remain a cad. Part of me is always just a tiny bit disappointed that this happens, but I'm usually pleased that Fanny ends up with Edmund. Not someone I would like to end up with. Edmund doesn't assume that Fanny will always agree with him and be submissive to him, but he did form her tastes and education and so the likelihood that they would disagree is not very high.
Trying to read a short book (Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things) between now and my vacation (with the goal of vacation to be reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight) and am very excited by the sequel to Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening by Michael Carroll (fabulous teen book about the disappearance of superheros and their reappeance years later); the new one is Quantum Prophecy: The Gathering. Psyched to read it.
If I don't finish anything before vacation, keep reading.
I remain, the Savage Librarian.

3 of 6

In my slow going goal this year of reading all 6 Austen novels, I've just reached my half way point. I finished Sense and Sensibility over the weekend and I'm amazed at how fast it went. For some reason the first couple times I tried to read it, I simply could not get through it. I didn't eventually read it all the way through once and was fairly determined not to read it again. But if I'm going to read them, I've got to read all of them. Something about this book has risen in my estimation, or for some reason I have more patience with it than I have had previously. I like the story, particularly Elinor and the situation she finds herself in, and it was less painful than anticipated. There are parts in the book that are not in the movie version Emma Thompson was in, and it was nice to have those tiny fresh reminders that movies indeed are definitely not the books. Elinor forgave Willoughby awfully easily in my mind; I do not forgive easily when it comes to people hurting my family or my close friends. Elinor is supposed to pity him because he has no money or was too spendy with it in the past? He put himself in this whole. Granted, he won't be happy in his marriage, but as Marianne reflects, if he had married her and had no money, he would not have necessarily been happy either. The Middletons and Mrs Jenkins are most certainly nosy and entertaining to read about (I certainly wouldn't want to spend a great deal of time in company with people continuously prying into my private life). I used to steer people away from Sense and Sensibility because I had such a difficult time reading it, but I think that perhaps I will amend my status on this Austen novel.
The remaining three I have to read are: Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Pride and Prejudice. I have read each of these at least twice before (P&P I've read every year since 1998) and am only debating on which novel I should end. Persuasion is slowly becoming quite a favorite with me; is it possibly it could overtake P&P? I am not yet certain. Though there is something about Anne Elliott I identify with perhaps more than Elizabeth Bennet. Friends have placed me as a Jane Bennet in regards to the Bennet sisters, and I see that as accurate. But Anne--! I identify with Anne, especially as I am someone who holds on to affection even when it appears there's no chance of it succeeding. As does Jane Bennet, come to think of it, and Elinor Dashwood to an extent. Picking up on a pattern?
Still waiting for Stop in the Name of Pants! In the meantime I've picked up a gigantically daunting history book, Sovereing Ladies: The Six Reigning Queens of England by Maureen Waller and while it is a subject I knew I would enjoy, I have to say that I am most impressed with the writing style. As much as I love history, I have a difficult time getting through history books they're usually written in such a dry, dull style (I am sorry to pain history writers, but in my limited experience it's true, and I usually dig my heels in and get through the books because the topics themselves are fascinating) but Waller tells a story and she tells it well. I'm getting through it at a surprising pace for myself and certainly am enjoying. Only on Queen Elizabeth I thus far. Waller brings up many good points about Mary I without absolving her of blame. Before I get too far however, I'll finish the book first.
Steeped in reading, I remain, your Savage Librarian.

Royal Stories Flourish

I have a combination of materials to discuss this morning, 2 dvds and 2 books (I've sped through them). Let's start with the movies:
I watched Wallis & Edward earlier this week, starring Joely Richardson (of Nip/Tuck) as Wallis Simpson. Most accounts I've heard or read or seen of the Edward VIII and Mrs. Simpson story paint Mrs. Simpson in a most unflattering light. (I have not heard/read/seen many versions of the story, though I do own Edward VIII's book, A King's Story, which I have yet to read.) This film was interesting because it showed a very tender, loving relationship between Edward and Mrs. Simpson, she being more concerned with his happiness than herself. Edward VIII is painted as needy and slightly controlling as well as very very stubborn. She continues to tell Edward VIII not to give up his birthright for her, that they don't need to be married, that she'll leave the country, anything to help him focus on his duty as King. Edward VIII will not be deterred. He wants her as a wife and is willing to abdicate to get her. Which is precisely what occurred. Most of the stories paint Mrs. Simpson as being the one who forced Edward VIII to abdicate, that it was entirely her fault, that her influence caused him to quit the throne, to support Nazis, etc, etc. But Wallis & Edward portrays Edward as the more forceful character in the relationship. It was definitely an interesting film and pretty good. I recommend.
I know this is a loose connection to royalty, but the next film out on dvd is Persepolis (it talks a little bit about the Iranian royalty--yes, that's my flimsy connection). Based on Marjane Satrapi's two graphic novels, Persepolis and Persepolis 2, the film tells her story of growing up in Iran during the revolution and war. The film is beautiful, staying true to the tone and story of the books (well, definitely the first book, I haven't read the second one yet), is touching and funny, heartbreaking and angering. Marji is close to her parents and grandmother and it must have been a confusing time to grow up, revolutions, the danger faced by family members who oppose the government, the slow tightening restrictions placed on women in Iran. Her parents eventually send her to Vienna, to get her out of the country. Vienna is not the place for Marji and she spends a miserable time there, only to return to her family and Iran. She struggles to make it work in that country, where her family is, where she bases her identity. But disagreeing with much of what is happening in the country (as well as having had a taste of what was happening elsewhere in the world) make it difficult for Marji to find herself at home. A brilliant film. I highly recommend.
On to the books! Finished Yxta Maya Murray's The King's Gold, the second in the Red Lion series, taking place 2 years after The Queen Jade. Once I got a bit beyond the odd way Lola gets involved with this adventure. A man shows up at Lola's bookshop, waving a letter from about 1554 at her, from Antonio Medici who claims to have taken some of Montezuma's gold back to Italy. He is writing the letter to his nephew Cosimo, whom Antonio has little affection for. In the letter, he challenges Cosimo to follow the clues in 4 cities to find this vast trove of gold. Lola, being Lola, simply can't resist. The mystery man is actually Marco Moreno, the son of Colonel Moreno, one of the men chasing after Lola, Erik, and Yolanda in Guatemala. Marco is ... not a nice man. Charming, certainly. Intelligent, definitely. Dangerous, without a doubt. And yet Lola goes with him and his two bodyguards, Domenic and Blasej (big beefy intimidating guys), to Italy to decipher this strange letter, to determine if it is authentic and if she could somehow possibly help find Montezuma's gold. Forget the fact that she and Erik are getting married in two weeks. Minor details. Lola arrives in Florence with Marco, wanting to be there, knowing who Marco is and what he intends to do to her and her family should she not help him. And it's definitely not nice. Erik, concerned by Lola's crazy rambling text-messages she managed to send to him before Domenico broke her phone, jumps on a plane to Florence himself and meets her where she and Marco have gone to authetincate the letter. Erik gets caught up in the mystery (and the threats) and the five of them start to the first city, the first clue. Perilous traps have been laid by Antonio for his nephew Cosimo, and danger is in every step of the way. It wouldn't be a Red Lion book if the whole family wasn't around, so of course, Yolanda shows up to help Lola track, and Juana and Manuel show up because they like adventure. Nothing is quite straightforward in Murray's novels, so the treasure that awaits them at the end is not entirely what was expected. Definitely good and there's a lead in to the next novel which hopefully won't be too long in the writing.
Finally, I got around to reading The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett, the book I was so triumphant in finding for one of my patrons about Queen Elizabeth II walking her dogs. The Queen falls in love with reading in this novella ("One has always read," she says), and her duties fall a little to the wayside. She would much rather be reading (wouldn't we all). She tries to discuss her new found passion with visiting heads of state as well as asking people in the crowds what they're reading. It stumps them all. She determines that reading is too passive and that one must write, but she must now determine what it is she's going to write. An interesting short read. Passable.
I've started Sense & Sensibility (book 3 of my Austen year) and keep thinking it might go faster than it has in the past (for some reason I had such a difficult time getting through this book--before I read it all the way through, I must have started it at least twice). I'm only about 20 pages in, so it could be too early to say. I started this one because I'm waiting for Louise Rennison's Stop in the Name of Pants! to come in at the library. I must know what's happened with Georgia! Dave the Laugh, Massimo, AND Robbie?? What's a girl to do?? And her titles really do suit me; I laugh at them all the time.
As I continue to wait (impatiently), I shall remain your Savage Librarian.