Book Review Year 6 No 4
May. 20th, 2020 04:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitWith everything else that's going on I'm still reading - and my To Be Read pile is a little lower!
The Victorian Domestic Servant by Trevor May
This was a Christmas present from a friend and part of the Shire Classics. All very relevant for Sherlock Holmes, and an interesting read.
Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
This was a![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ushobwri recommendation. I can see why it might appeal, but it wasn't for me. It's set in the Regency period and very upper class. But to me the attitudes are modern ones and don't sit correctly in the era. And Colin Bridgerton is very much a poor little rich guy who doesn't realise his privilege, but we're supposed to sympathise with him. The heroine is feisty but sadly isn't permitted to stand on her own two feet.
Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris
Another cozy mystery in the series. I can imagine many would say this wouldn't appeal to them. I didn't think this was as good as some in the series, maybe because it was obvious the direction it was heading in from partway through.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Recommended by Ivory Silk atushobwri I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. I wanted to know what would happen, and really liked the way Sophie Hatter, Calcifer, Michael and Howl were portrayed. There's great world building, humour, and growing relationships. And a very clear message that people shouldn't be judged from the outside, not in a preaching sense, but showing the different characters learning it.
The Victorian Domestic Servant by Trevor May
This was a Christmas present from a friend and part of the Shire Classics. All very relevant for Sherlock Holmes, and an interesting read.
Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
This was a
ushobwri recommendation. I can see why it might appeal, but it wasn't for me. It's set in the Regency period and very upper class. But to me the attitudes are modern ones and don't sit correctly in the era. And Colin Bridgerton is very much a poor little rich guy who doesn't realise his privilege, but we're supposed to sympathise with him. The heroine is feisty but sadly isn't permitted to stand on her own two feet.Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris
Another cozy mystery in the series. I can imagine many would say this wouldn't appeal to them. I didn't think this was as good as some in the series, maybe because it was obvious the direction it was heading in from partway through.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Recommended by Ivory Silk at
ushobwri I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters. I wanted to know what would happen, and really liked the way Sophie Hatter, Calcifer, Michael and Howl were portrayed. There's great world building, humour, and growing relationships. And a very clear message that people shouldn't be judged from the outside, not in a preaching sense, but showing the different characters learning it.
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Date: 2020-05-20 04:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-05-20 05:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-05-20 05:16 pm (UTC)I think I have tried Julia Quinn before as well and wasn't that fussed on her novels. I can forgive historical romance novels if they have modern leanings as long as the characters and relationship are really compelling, but if that is not the case than the small things tend to really stick out. If you are looking to read regency romance may I suggest Mary Balogh or Carla Kelly, I prefer Balogh's novels about mature heroines, and Kelly is good with character's emotional work. I was also a big fan of Donna Lea Simpson back in the day, I believe she no longer publishes, but there are re-releases of her novels online.
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Date: 2020-05-20 05:31 pm (UTC)I'm not that much of a fan of regency romances - this was more on my 'read widely' list of books. I do occasionally read Georgette Heyer, who I prefer, and have another on my shelf waiting patiently.
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Date: 2020-05-20 05:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-05-20 06:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-05-20 08:16 pm (UTC)The modern attitudes in historical fiction is big reason why I don't read more in that genre romance wise, even when a plot sounds interesting.
Super how you are progressing through your book bingo x
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Date: 2020-05-20 09:38 pm (UTC)Yes - it's not just an odd thing, which I could ignore, but when its wholesale import of modern attitudes it doesn't work for me.
Thank you :)
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Date: 2020-05-23 01:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-05-23 01:57 pm (UTC)