Life in Austen’s England…sort of

On February 10, 2014February 3, 2014 By cherylmahoneyIn Reviews9 Comments

I first got interested in Austenland by Shannon Hale because I’ve enjoyed her fantasy novels so much. The movie’s release helped push me to finally pick up the book (though I still haven’t watched the movie…) One of my goals this year is to read sequels, so I recently read Midnight in Austenland too. Consider this a two-fer review!

Both books are set in Pembrook Park, which promises a true Austen experience to devoted fans. Women (it’s all women) come to the manor house for two weeks, where they dress up in period clothing, assume a character and interact with actors hired to entertain–and romance (in an Austen-appropriate way, of course).

Austenland centers on Jane, perennially unlucky in love and slightly too obsessed with the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice. She sees the trip to Pembrook Park as a kind of immersion therapy to finally kick the habit and move on. Once she arrives, though, she begins to wonder where the line between pretend-romance and real-romance actually lies (hint: not where she thinks it does!)

Midnight in Austenland takes a Northanger Abbey spin, bringing in a murder mystery to liven (deaden?) things up. The heroine this time around is Charlotte, trying to cope with her divorce (from her lying, cheating, remarried-to-his-mistress husband). She finds comfort in Austen’s novels, and hopes that a bit of pretend will help ready her for living real life again. But then Charlotte thinks she finds a real dead body–and the question becomes whether there could be a real murder behind a pretend-mystery. And there’s some romance too, of course!

I enjoyed both of these books quite a bit, but surprisingly enough I have to say I preferred the sequel! Of course, Northanger Abbey is my favorite Austen novel…

The first book focuses almost exclusively on Jane’s romances, which is entertaining but still a somewhat thin thread. There are also some themes around acting and reality. One of the biggest arcs is about letting go of unhealthy fantasies but the ending, well, up-ended that message completely, and left that all rather confusing. Leaving us pretty much with a light romance. Still, a fun if somewhat slight book.

And then we get to Midnight in Austenland. And there’s murder, and ghost stories, and a seriously brooding hero and a rather witty hero, and two truly unpleasant anti-heroes, and Charlotte’s struggle to find her confidence–which she does. Spectacularly, I might add. The romance was slightly out-of-left-field, but was sweet enough when it came that I’ll take it.

A few characters return from the first book, gaining more depth and becoming more sympathetic in the process. Pembrook Park itself got much more interesting too. Jane’s experience convinced me that I would be unutterably bored in Austen’s England (probably true). Guests during Jane’s visit primarily sit around, drink tea, and do needlepoint. Charlotte gets to play parlor games and go riding and take an excursion to a ruined castle. So much more fun!

I think you could probably pick up the sequel before the first one without too much trouble, though reading them in order will explain a few points in the second book. They’re really both worth reading anyway. I can’t figure out from Hale’s website if she’s planning a third book, but I hope so–maybe a send-up of Persuasion, with two former lovers meeting at Pembrook Park? I’d read it!

Author’s Site: http://www.squeetus.com/

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Buy them here: Austenland and Midnight in Austenland

Meeting a Ghost Girl Through a Twist in Time

On February 5, 2014January 26, 2014 By cherylmahoneyIn Juvenile, ReviewsLeave a comment

Between Narnia, Bloody Jack, Doctor Who and Agatha Christie, I seem to listen to a lot of audiobooks with British narrators. This is not a problem! The trend continued, more or less by accident, when I pulled A Twist in Time by Jean Ure off the shelf at the library.

Cosy (Cosima) has her life turn upside down when her emotionally fragile mother has to go into hospital, and Cosy is sent to a foster family. Quiet, introspective Cosy finds herself overwhelmed by the new house and new family, especially the boisterous girls Jade and Gemma. A new school and challenges with maths [sic] doesn’t help. Her one consolation is when she begins seeing a “ghost girl” in her room; Kathleen had the same room in the 1940s and, by reading her journal, Cosy realizes that Kathleen is seeing a “ghosty-person” too.

With lots of British slang or wording (like “maths” and “hospital” without “the” before it) this has a very strong British atmosphere that, for me, helped bring Cosy’s world to life. I expected the book to focus mostly on the ghost girl element, so I was surprised by how much it focused on Cosy’s present-day situation–but that was vivid and meaningful so even though it might not have drawn me to pick up the book to begin with, it ended up being a powerfully engaging story.

I always enjoy stories about shy heroines who have to find their courage, and Cosy is an excellent character of that type. She has particular nuances and complexities through her relationship with her mother, and her conflict between wanting to fit in with wild Jade and Gemma, and wanting to do well at school to keep her scholarship. Cosy struggles with her identity and her relationships, a story told in a very moving way. The situation with her mother is also delicately handled, revealing details slowly at the beginning of the book, and finally exploring more of that relationship through a fictional story Cosy writes.

The ghost girl has her own story, which we catch glimpses of. Even though she wasn’t as prominent an element as I expected, she added some interest to the story as well. There are also some subtle indications that seeing the ghost girl is doing more for Cosy than it appears on the surface. The obvious surface help the ghost girl provides is to help Cosy with her maths–which is sending Cosy into fits of crying and frustration.

I do remember how life-and-death homework could feel at eleven years old (especially since Cosy worries about losing her scholarship) but at the same time it occasionally feels overdramatic. However, I’m inclined to believe that maths is not really maths, and Cosy’s tears, while set off by algebra, are more about her larger situation. From that perspective, the whole thing makes more emotional sense, and the ghost girl’s role has far more meaning.

I was impressed especially by the audiobook reading as well, done by Kim Hicks. Though everyone sounds British, Hicks gives different accents to different characters. It’s not taken to an exaggerated extreme, but Cosy (who’s teased about talking posh) does sound different than her working-class foster parents. In fact, Auntie sounds remarkably like Jackie from Doctor Who, which makes a good deal of sense!

If you enjoy a bit of British flavor, a shy heroine and just a little magic (or is it science fiction?) then I definitely recommend this story.

Author’s Site: http://www.jeanure.com

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Buy it here: A Twist In Time

If Heaven Had a Telephone

On February 3, 2014February 3, 2014 By cherylmahoneyIn Reviews1 Comment

I don’t generally think of Mitch Albom when I think of authors I read–but when I do think about it, I’ve read and enjoyed a good bit of his writing. So when I heard he had a new book out, I got into the (long) library hold list for The First Phone Call from Heaven. I am happy to report that this is probably my favorite Albom book yet.

In a small Michigan town, several residents begin receiving phone calls from deceased loved ones. All are deeply moved, and one feels compelled to share with her church community. Soon word gets out around town, and then around the country, turning into a media frenzy. The town becomes a pilgrim destination for believers and skeptics alike. One town resident, Sully Harding, a widower with a young son, is convinced this must be a hoax, and sets out to investigate for the truth.

I love the plotline here, and how the story unfolds. It’s half inspirational and half mystery. One nice thing was knowing that Albom had written novels with fantasy/afterlife elements in them before, so it felt equally plausible that the phone calls could be real, or that they could be a hoax, so I was right along with Sully and the other characters in wondering. I won’t give it away, but I will say that I found the conclusion to be as satisfying and feel-good as I would have expected from Albom.

There are a lot of characters, and it took me a little while to get everyone sorted in my head (Is this the one getting the calls from her mother, or the one whose sister is calling…?) The premise was strong enough to keep me engaged until I got more of the characters fixed. It did smooth out by the second half of the book, as the ensemble cast developed more individuality, and clearer paths they were walking.

Most characters are individual portraits of grief, very moving while not being depressing. By the time you reach the end of the book, it becomes clear that each character has been on his/her own journey through the experience. If there’s one main character it’s Sully, but really this is an ensemble cast that ultimately has many messages about life, death and the people we love.

As seems to be usual for Albom, this is a seemingly simple book, not very long, that is ultimately quite heartwarming.

Author’s Site: http://mitchalbom.com/

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Buy it here: The First Phone Call from Heaven

The Silver Chair

On January 29, 2014January 20, 2014 By cherylmahoneyIn Fantasy, Juvenile, Reviews4 Comments

Next in line on my adventure through the Chronicles of Narnia on audiobook is The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis, read by Jeremy Northam. This one feels like a more direct sequel to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, following most closely on those events and characters.

The Silver Chair begins in our world, at the very dreadful school, Experiment House. Eustace Clarence Scrubb (much improved and no longer deserving his name) attends here, along with Jill Pole. Fleeing from a pack of bullies, the two children find an open door in the school wall—and go through into Aslan’s Country. Despite some mishaps, Aslan sends them to Narnia, charged with finding the missing Prince Rillian. In Narnia, they learn that Rillian is the son of the aged King Caspian. They set off into Giant Country in search of Rillian, guided by Puddleglum the Marshwiggle.

This is reminiscent of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, as a journey story, but it has a much tighter focus on the quest. Even when not immediately apparent, the various adventures (like being taken captive first by giants, and then by subterranean “earth men”) all lead towards the rescue of Prince Rillian.

Eustace and Jill are satisfying lead characters, not as noble as the Pevensies perhaps but good-hearted on the whole. I enjoy characters who are good people trying to do the right thing, but who still descend to bickering and complaints when trudging through a snowstorm. It’s very human, without making the characters unlikable.

My favorite character may be the non-human one, Puddleglum the Marshwiggle. His name fits him perfectly, as he’s hopelessly doleful and apt to predict the worst. Even though he seems like a wet blanket Eeyore at first, he comes through as courageous, sensible and dedicated.

My favorite scene is well along in the book, so spoilers beware! After they find Rillian, there’s a confrontation with the witch who has been holding him captive. It’s a wonderful, tense scene with an enemy who doesn’t swing a sword but uses words instead. She uses magic, too, but the fascinating part is her mind-twisting arguments that the world above must not really exist.

This isn’t a new favorite of mine in the series (that’s still a toss-up between The Magician’s Nephew and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader). It is a solid installment with a compelling plot and likable (but not too likable!) characters, and some nice creepy moments from truly dangerous villains.

Only the last book in the series left, the appropriately named The Last Battle. Coming up soon (with a very exciting reader, by the way…)

Author’s Site: https://www.cslewis.com/

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Buy it here: The Silver Chair

Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy

On January 27, 2014January 20, 2014 By cherylmahoneyIn Reviews, Science Fiction2 Comments

I’ve spent a lot of time in the Star Trek universe these past two months for the Sci Fi Experience, but I also spent some time in another major sci fi franchise, rereading Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy. These three books are set about five years after Return of the Jedi and, I believe, largely set the stage for the Star Wars Expanded Universe in the books. The story begins in Heir to the Empire and continues in Dark Force Rising and The Last Command.

Following the victory at Endor, the Rebel Alliance has pushed the Empire back into the fringes of the galaxy. They have retaken Coruscant and set up the New Republic in the old Imperial Palace. Trouble begins brewing with rumors of a new and brilliant tactician leading the Imperial forces. Grand Admiral Thrawn is frighteningly intuitive with a flair for multi-layered plans and intrigue. Meanwhile on Coruscant, Leia and Han are expecting Force-strong twins, and Luke worries about someday training them to be Jedi. More immediate worries arise when Leia becomes the target of repeated kidnapping attempts. And then we also have thrown into the mix Joruus C’baoth, a dangerously unstable Jedi Master with an obsession about Luke and Leia; the Noghri, a gray-skinned alien race with a complex and tragic history; and Mara Jade, second-in-command to smuggler Talon Karrde, with a mysterious history and a burning enmity for Luke Skywalker.

As you can see, lots going on here! The complex web of plot stretches through all three books, and keeps the action tense and the excitement high. There are clever twists to the plot and usually some kind of complicated strategy going on at Thrawn’s direction at any time. In some ways it becomes a galactic chess match, with moves and counter-moves, victories and defeats for both the New Republic and the Empire. Or maybe it’s more like poker, considering there’s plenty of bluffing and psychology at work too.

The plot is solid, and the characters are equally good. Luke, Leia and Han are all strongly present, feeling very much like the movie characters, plus more insight and depth that’s hard to show on film. Lando and Chewie also get plenty to do and some very nice moments. C3PO and RT-DT felt a little under-represented, though they are definitely present. More impressive, perhaps, even some minor (but important) characters from the film, like Mon Mothma, Admiral Ackbar and Wedge Antilles, have their stories continue here.

Many of the new characters are just as strong and compelling as the familiar ones, Mara Jade in particular. With her shadowy past and Force-sensitivity, she’s complex and hard-edged yet still sympathetic–which is saying a lot, considering one of her driving goals (stated, at least) is to kill Luke.

Thrawn is a brilliant villain, very different from the Emperor or Vader. The terrifying thing about Thrawn is that he is not mindlessly evil. I think it’s telling that he wears a white uniform. Vader is famous for strangling subordinates if they make any mistake; Zahn does a nice play on that. Thrawn does kill one subordinate for a mistake–and in a later scene commends another for original thinking, even though the man’s effort failed. Thrawn thinks before he acts–though when he acts, he is ruthless and cold. We always see Thrawn through the eyes of his second-in-command, Captain Pellaeon. He’s a fascinating character too, a good soldier who really believes in the Empire. He can be a little contemptuous at times, but there’s nothing really villainous about Pellaeon. He’s just on the wrong side.

Seeing the continuing lives of familiar characters is of course a strong appeal here. Having seen other franchises go into bizarre places with characters, I think I owe thanks to Timothy Zahn. At the end of Return of the Jedi, I (most of us?) want Leia and Han to get married, and Luke to become the new leader of the returning Jedis. And that’s what happens in the Expanded Universe books, I think because Zahn set it up in these three. There might instead have been new romantic triangles for Leia and Han, beloved characters could have gone over to the Dark Side, someone might have been tragically killed…and all of that would have created plot and drama, but I’m so glad Zahn found his plot in other ways, and sent the characters down the path I for one feel they should have the opportunity to walk.

Beyond the plot and the characters we also have the universe. In three books, there’s enough time to visit many planets, and I love that. We get little glimpses into many, many different cultures and civilizations. It doesn’t generally get into the kind of depth that Star Trek offers, but in a way I like the sampling. It gives a sense of the vastness and variety of the galaxy. It actually reminds me of The Magician’s Nephew or The Lives of Christopher Chant, with the opportunity to travel to many different worlds, whether in different planes of existence or just different star systems!

The usual rule (in Star Trek, at least, and I think elsewhere) is that for cross-medium franchises, film counts as officially canon while books do not. For my personal canon of the Star Wars universe, the status of the prequel trilogy is decidedly iffy, but these three books are definitely accepted. I’ve read many good Star Wars books, but I recommend this trilogy as the must-read for fans!

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Buy it here: Thrawn Trilogy