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michellebookaddict's Reviews (822)
204 review
Pemberley by the Sea by Abigail Reynolds 4.5★♥
(The Woods Hole Quartet)
"If someone ever discovered a way to bottle essence of Calder Westing, she would be an addict." ~ Dr. Cassandra "Cassie" Boulton
This is a good Austen-inspired 21st century romance story and a favorite. It's very modern as there is some sex scenes. But it's not too graphic and it doesn't take away from this nice story. There is a lot of miscommunication and at times that I though finally a happy ending, wasn't so. The character development was good and I felt connected to them. Cassie and Calder were my favorites, but of course since it was their story.
I liked having Calder's point of view in this story. He is today's Mr. Darcy and having his thoughts brought a new light to the Pride and Prejudice story.
Cassie is a research scientist, so there is a lot of Marine Science mentioned in this. It's been ages since my last science class, so a lot of the terminology flew right pat me. It didn't take me away from the story much though.
This is a favorite Austen-inspired book for me, but not a complete 5 stars. I felt that, though it was very realistic, Cassie and Calder's relationship was very frustrating at times. I thouhht they'd get together at the beginning, but it's not that easy.
Pemberley by the Sea by Abigail Reynolds 4.5★♥
(The Woods Hole Quartet)
"If someone ever discovered a way to bottle essence of Calder Westing, she would be an addict." ~ Dr. Cassandra "Cassie" Boulton
This is a good Austen-inspired 21st century romance story and a favorite. It's very modern as there is some sex scenes. But it's not too graphic and it doesn't take away from this nice story. There is a lot of miscommunication and at times that I though finally a happy ending, wasn't so. The character development was good and I felt connected to them. Cassie and Calder were my favorites, but of course since it was their story.
I liked having Calder's point of view in this story. He is today's Mr. Darcy and having his thoughts brought a new light to the Pride and Prejudice story.
Cassie is a research scientist, so there is a lot of Marine Science mentioned in this. It's been ages since my last science class, so a lot of the terminology flew right pat me. It didn't take me away from the story much though.
This is a favorite Austen-inspired book for me, but not a complete 5 stars. I felt that, though it was very realistic, Cassie and Calder's relationship was very frustrating at times. I thouhht they'd get together at the beginning, but it's not that easy.
2004
Jane Austen's writing, in my opinion, allowed woman to speak their mind. Her writing of society and balls being drab and the heroine wanting to break away from what a woman should be is feminism. The heroine enjoyed taking longer walks than they "should." They didn't succumb to petty giggling and gossips.
Fanny Price is all this and more in "Mansfield Park." She isn't afraid to talk about politics and slavery. Something woman at this time didn't discuss with men. But Fanny does.
Fanny's family is of middle class with a large family. Too large a family (9 children - Fanny is 2nd eldest) that the parents had to send Fanny away at age 10 to relatives for her reception into a society lifestyle. The 8 years that Fanny lives with the Bertrams, she shows to be more responsible and intelligent.
The Bertrams are very wealthy because of a slavery business they own. Tom and Edward Bertram are complete opposites. Tom is a free spirit with some drinking and gambling problems. Edward wants to become a clergyman. Their sister, Maria, is a romantic. She marries Mr. Rushworth for his money but is still hopelessly involved with the rake Henry Crawford. No surprise that the youngest sister, Julia, is jealous of Maria. But she learns from Maria and uses the sister's mistakes to her own advantages (marries a man her father doesn't approve of).
The Bertram children (except for Edward) are all spoiled and selfish. The father, Sir Thomas, is rightfully ashamed of their actions. The eldest son, Tom, however is the only one who changes his life for the better. The two daughters still remain selfish and spoiled (Mrs. Norris, the aunt, encourages this behavior).
This is a well written Austen book. I would very much recommend.
Jane Austen's writing, in my opinion, allowed woman to speak their mind. Her writing of society and balls being drab and the heroine wanting to break away from what a woman should be is feminism. The heroine enjoyed taking longer walks than they "should." They didn't succumb to petty giggling and gossips.
Fanny Price is all this and more in "Mansfield Park." She isn't afraid to talk about politics and slavery. Something woman at this time didn't discuss with men. But Fanny does.
Fanny's family is of middle class with a large family. Too large a family (9 children - Fanny is 2nd eldest) that the parents had to send Fanny away at age 10 to relatives for her reception into a society lifestyle. The 8 years that Fanny lives with the Bertrams, she shows to be more responsible and intelligent.
The Bertrams are very wealthy because of a slavery business they own. Tom and Edward Bertram are complete opposites. Tom is a free spirit with some drinking and gambling problems. Edward wants to become a clergyman. Their sister, Maria, is a romantic. She marries Mr. Rushworth for his money but is still hopelessly involved with the rake Henry Crawford. No surprise that the youngest sister, Julia, is jealous of Maria. But she learns from Maria and uses the sister's mistakes to her own advantages (marries a man her father doesn't approve of).
The Bertram children (except for Edward) are all spoiled and selfish. The father, Sir Thomas, is rightfully ashamed of their actions. The eldest son, Tom, however is the only one who changes his life for the better. The two daughters still remain selfish and spoiled (Mrs. Norris, the aunt, encourages this behavior).
This is a well written Austen book. I would very much recommend.
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Favorite Austen. A great satire to Gothic Romance.
"Northanger Abbey" does make a mockery of Gothic Romance. But Jane Austen shows that you can be passionate towards fiction literature without making fiction reality. The heroine, Catherine, learns that not everything in reality has a Gothic fiction story. That fiction is just that.
Catherine Morland (17) goes to Bath with friends. She then meets Henry Tilney, whom invites her to his family's home - Northanger Abbey. Catherine expected a Gothic Abbey to match with the novels she reads (mainly Ann Radcliffe the creator of Gothic Romance). The comedy is that the Abbey, Henry and the Tilney's are just the opposite. They are wealthy "English Christians."
There are other subtext to parody of social marriages and manners. Jane Austen's books all have this comedic point if view.
I would recommend this novel.
"Northanger Abbey" does make a mockery of Gothic Romance. But Jane Austen shows that you can be passionate towards fiction literature without making fiction reality. The heroine, Catherine, learns that not everything in reality has a Gothic fiction story. That fiction is just that.
Catherine Morland (17) goes to Bath with friends. She then meets Henry Tilney, whom invites her to his family's home - Northanger Abbey. Catherine expected a Gothic Abbey to match with the novels she reads (mainly Ann Radcliffe the creator of Gothic Romance). The comedy is that the Abbey, Henry and the Tilney's are just the opposite. They are wealthy "English Christians."
There are other subtext to parody of social marriages and manners. Jane Austen's books all have this comedic point if view.
I would recommend this novel.
✔ North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell 4.5★♥
I saw the BBC film with Richard Armitage and loved it. I got the ebook for free on my kindle when I first got it 3 years ago. So it's been on my tbr list forever. It's a good story and similar to Pride and Prejudice. This case being prejudices of social environments vs the North and South of England in the 19th century. Farm-life vs Mill Factories. And I think it's more realistic than Jane Austen, for while Jane uses society as a parody, Elizabeth uses it in a realistic way. And it's interesting to have both the heroine and heroes points-of-view (while still in 3rd person). Really loved John Thornton!!
I saw the BBC film with Richard Armitage and loved it. I got the ebook for free on my kindle when I first got it 3 years ago. So it's been on my tbr list forever. It's a good story and similar to Pride and Prejudice. This case being prejudices of social environments vs the North and South of England in the 19th century. Farm-life vs Mill Factories. And I think it's more realistic than Jane Austen, for while Jane uses society as a parody, Elizabeth uses it in a realistic way. And it's interesting to have both the heroine and heroes points-of-view (while still in 3rd person). Really loved John Thornton!!
Love this book. Radcliffe is the best of Gothic Romance. Ann Radcliffe started gothic romance. It was thought that her death was caused from her ghosts' in her stories that made her mad. Other author's have praised her in their own stoties. Alexander Dumas quotes her work in his book - 'The Man in the Iron Mask' pg. 163. Jane Austen refers to her time and again in 'Northanger Abby' like Radcliffe was a goddess. Edgar E. Poe was said to have found her works inspiring.
That said, this is my first (and so far only) book that I've read by Radcliffe. I found the writing to be haunting and spellbinding. It's a long story, but it was beautiful. The romance was shown perfectly. And the Gothic themes was just enough. No overkill horrors like zombies and other sci-fi gore.
Radcliffe is so far my favorite all time Gothic Romance writer.
I've recommended time and again.
That said, this is my first (and so far only) book that I've read by Radcliffe. I found the writing to be haunting and spellbinding. It's a long story, but it was beautiful. The romance was shown perfectly. And the Gothic themes was just enough. No overkill horrors like zombies and other sci-fi gore.
Radcliffe is so far my favorite all time Gothic Romance writer.
I've recommended time and again.
