Bridget Jones' Diary by Helen Fielding

Bridget Jones' Diary was our read for book club in February. It is a spin-off of Pride and Prejudice (win win win) told in a diary format by the weight-obsessed, striving-for-self-improvement (but never achieving), single Bridget Jones. She finds herself torn between the handsome, sexy, and possibly slimy boss for a boyfriend and the stiff, overly perfect, awkward but maybe handsome Mark Darcy. And of course, because this is a spinoff of P&P, she has a CRAZY family.

This was a quick read. It was entertaining. Bridget had moments where she irritated me (very neurotic, drinking herself into a stupor, making bad decisions) but she is also relatable in her honesty and imperfections. The Pride and Prejudice connection was at times tenuous, but it was fun to try and make the connections. And I appreciated that she talked about the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series.

I don't find I have over-much to say about it -- but it was a fun read and what I needed after a rough couple of days at work. I'll probably read the rest of the series.

3.5 stars

Warnings: Language, innuendo

Three Reviews

I first read the Mitford books in middle school. I was way too young to appreciate them, but I still have a general sense of fondness and comfort from reading them. A few years ago I started craving the coziness of those books and decided to reread. I've been tracing my way through them slowly. Recently, I finished the audiobook of These High Green Hills.

If you are unfamiliar with the Mitford books, they are the chronicle of an Episcopalian preacher in a small town in North Carolina. They are full of the charm of the South, delicious food, and enchanting characters. The books are not what one would call action-packed, but are instead a comforting place to exist for a while with old and new friends.

I love getting to know the characters in each book. I also love the way each experience by each main characters has poignancy to it. There are moments of pain and loss and moments of rejoicing, but each moment has a lesson and seems so relevant to life. I can't finish one of these books without feeling uplifted. However, despite the fact that the book is about a preacher, it never feels preachy. It is simply good, and edifying, and I love it. In a few weeks or months I will return to Mitford in the fourth book, and I can't wait.

4 stars

Warnings: None

Most of you are well-acquainted with my weakness for spin-offs, so when I saw Love, Tink on NetGalley I snatched it up, and was happy a few weeks later when a friend emailed me to recommend it. A spin-off of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, Love, Tink returns Peter to his home, which in this case is New York City -- but the love-struck Tinkerbell is compelled to follow him, resulting in an at times awkward, at times amusing transition from a fairy of Neverland to a teenage girl.

I loved the concept of Love, Tink. I think the idea of taking Tinkerbell and Peter out of Neverland was creative. Not to mention the fact that I adore Peter Pan. Love, Tink did well with keeping the plot bouncing along quickly. There were many twists and turns that kept me invested, and I read the book in less than a 36 hour span of time (which is pretty quick, when you're working full time and a mother to a 15-month old). However, the execution suffered a bit in my opinion. At times the writing was a bit childish (and yes, it was a YA book, but no, writing for young audiences does not mean the writing needs to be childish). Also, at times, the events were not believable within the world that Elle Strauss had built. Some of the decisions made by the characters were completely irrational and explained away with, "Fairies are different from people" and nothing more to back-up that concept.

Still, Love, Tink was a fun, romantic story. If you are a fan of Peter Pan and don't mind the fluffiness, Love, Tink makes for a quick, entertaining read.

3 stars

Warnings: None

I have this quirk -- I love to read books that are set in a place where I live, or where I am very familiar with the area. I love to be reading about a place and realize that I have walked down that street or driven past that building. It connects me more, I suppose. So Beautiful Ruins really hit the nail on the head for me, with Italy (which I haven't visited myself but where my husband lived for two years), Los Angeles (where I live now), and Idaho (where I grew up). That quite possibly might have been enough to make me love it, but Beautiful Ruins brought even more to the table -- romance, a unique story-telling format, and excellent writing.

I think one of my favorite things about Beautiful Ruins was the way each chapter was from a slightly different segment of one of the main characters' lives. Rather than telling the narrative in a linear fashion, Jess Walter gives us a series of snapshots that expose rather than inform a certain truth about one of the characters. Finally, everything comes together in the last few chapters. I also loved how some of the chapters, rather than strictly narrative, were a sort of multi-media -- a pitch for a movie, a play, the first chapter in a novel. It kept me interested in what would happen next (an essential for any book) without keeping too much from the reader (something that personally drives me bonkers). The flow was perfect, revealing the pieces of the story just slowly enough to tantalize.

The writing was also exceptional while managing to be highly readable. Many of the works touted as excellent literary fiction are impenetrable. And while I enjoy the occasional challenge of trying to figure out what an author is trying to say through the obscurity of their overwrought art, mostly, I like books to make sense. To make me think, yes, but also to make sense. And Beautiful Ruins does that excellently, keeping a lovely balance between artistry and, you know, making plain sense.

Also, the romance. It's been a while since I've really gotten caught up in a good romantic read. Some of the teen books seem far-fetched (find true love between your lunch hour and gym class), while many literary fiction books seem too hopeless. Beautiful Ruins struck a good balance -- yes, people are imperfect, and yes, circumstances may contrive to keep you apart, but you can find happiness with a lot of hard work and a little luck.

So, yeah, I would recommend Beautiful Ruins.

4 stars

Warnings: Language, non-graphic descriptions of sex and scandal, some drug use

Mini-Reviews: Fantasy Novels

Every Day by David Levithan

I read this book for the FYA book club, and to be honest, I didn't have very high expectations. Different people had told me that they didn't care for it, and the premise, a nameless, genderless spirit who occupies different bodies each day but falls in love, seemed bizarre and a little hokey. Still, I have never escaped my obedient school days in which I never failed to complete a reading assignment, and the lure of book club made me feel obligated (even though I didn't actually attend the meeting where the book was discussed). Also, all (two) of my experiences with David Levithan have been positive. He is pretty experimental, but he is also a fantastic writer, particularly at transmitting emotions. So, I gave it a chance.

And the verdict? I really enjoyed Every Day. A's transformation into different bodies each day was interesting, despite the bizarreness. In addition, despite the fact that the experience of possessing a different body each day is at the very least uncommon, the story still held powerful themes that almost anyone could relate to -- letting people go, making sacrifices for the people you love, what love really is. I think it's a worthwhile book that will bend your brain a bit.

4 stars

Warnings: Some language, brief drug references, brief referral to sex

Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier

If you've been reading this blog for the last year or so, you've probably gathered that Juliet Marillier can do no wrong in my opinion. Having recently finished her first Sevenwaters trilogy, I was very excited to dive into the second trilogy (although like the Jane Austen books, I can't stand the thought of being finished forever, so I am puttering around a bit). In Heir to Sevenwaters, Aisling and Sean have finally had a son -- only to have him ripped from them days later and replaced by a changeling creature of the forest. Meanwhile, unrest in the region is threatening Sevenwaters. Clodagh decides to rescue her brother by entering the land of the Fair Folk -- a land where nothing is certain and risks abound.

While I didn't love Clodagh as much as some other Sevenwaters heroines, this book just brutally shredded my heart. Motherhood is a theme in most of the Sevenwaters books, but for some reason it was particularly wrenching in Heir to Sevenwaters. There were scenes that literally felt as if I had been kicked repeatedly in the stomach. One of the reasons I love to read is to experience a powerful range of emotion, so I found Heir to Sevenwaters to be evocative and satisfying. I plan on reading every book Marillier has ever written, and I will probably reread all the Sevenwaters books. She is definitely elevated to favorite status.

4.5 stars

Warnings: Violence, referrals to sexuality (off the page)

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

I read the sequel to Princess of the Midnight Ball a long time ago, and you know me -- I can't leave anything unfinished. I actually enjoyed Princess of the Midnight Ball more than Princess of Glass, although it had a few moments of dullness for me. 

The story is a retelling of the twelve dancing princesses. Rose and her eleven sisters (all named after flowers -- I'm impressed that Jessica Day George came up with all the names) are forced to dance for an evil fairy king each night to pay off a family debt. They can't escape, and no one can help them, til a brave soldier and gardener, Galen, takes matters into his own hands. 

Initially, I felt that the story was slow moving and I found it hard to relate to the characters. The backstory dragged on a bit and I was ready to put the book down. However, in the second half the action picked up and I found myself eager to return to the adventures of Rose, Galen, and the rest of the princesses. I'm a sucker for a fairy tale retelling, and Princess of the Midnight Ball provided a light, enjoyable story. 

3 stars

Warnings: None

Sabriel by Garth Nix

This is another FYA book club assignment (but I did go to this meeting). I actually read this book when I was much younger, having randomly picked it off the shelf at Barnes and Noble when I had a giftcard. I remembered being completely unimpressed, but now, over ten years later, I knew that Sabriel had a huge fan base, and I was curious to see if maybe I had missed a gem. The good news is that I had! I think only rarely do fantasy books improve with time, but the book that left me completely unimpressed as a pre-teen charmed me (in as much as a story about the dead can be charming) as an adult. 

Sabriel and her father have the power to visit the land of the dead -- to help spirits go past the seventh gate to their eternal destiny. However, often spirits find their way to earth and cause harm -- and it has been happening a lot more frequently. Suddenly, a huge weight of responsibility rests on Sabriel's shoulders, and she has no idea what she is doing. 

I loved the world-building and the fact that the creatures could be considered zombies (closet zombie story lover). And while Sabriel herself was a bit stiff and unlovable, I respected her strength and her journey. There was even a bit of romance, albeit somewhat bumbling. I have the second book in the trilogy out from the library and I am curious to see what Garth Nix does next.

4 stars

Warnings: Scary images, violence, innuendo

Italian Folktales retold and edited by Italo Calvino

This was a beast for me to conquer, but it was enjoyable as well. I love mythology, fairy tales, folktales -- you name it. I saw this book mentioned and was intrigued for two reasons -- first of all, the Italian background, which intrigued me because my husband used to live in Italy, and second of all, the fact that it is by Italo Calvino, an author that I have always wanted to read because he is mentioned in my favorite book, Kartography. Checking in at 200 stories and well over 700 pages, it literally took me months to read, but it was rewarding. It was interesting to see the different take on traditional fairy tales as well as the similar threads and tropes running through the tales. It won't appeal to everyone, but I think Italian Folktales is a true masterpiece. I only wish I could remember more of the stories so I could share them with my children.

3.5 stars

Warnings: Fairy tale violence (evil stepmothers in boiling oil, cut off hands, etc.)

Book to Movie: Emma Movie Marathon

A few weeks ago, I finished reading Emma for the second time and decided to watch ALL THE MOVIES on Netflix based on this book. Here they are, in a nutshell.

Can you DNF a movie? I watched the first fifteen minutes of Aisha, a Bollywood musical based on Emma, but it wasn't working for me. I think I just wasn't in the mood for the zaniness of Bollywood, and there were other things I wanted to watch more. I might return to this one sometime, but I'm not sure.

Recently crowned champion of the "Teen Movie Madness" competition on Forever Young Adult, Clueless is definitely one of the most fun and quotable movies of the nineties. I'd actually only seen it in its entirety once before, and when I had watched it I was young enough to not know that it was based on Emma. Watching it with the new perspective made it much more entertaining, and I was impressed with how good an adaptation it actually was. Clueless is the perfect example of a spinoff -- it stays reasonably true to the original, while being entertaining in its own right. (And I love that Christian was Frank -- due to the "going to London for a haircut" incident, I'm sure). 

I had also seen this adaptation once before, but I hadn't enjoyed it very much. It was before I had ever read Emma, and my parents had picked it up at random to entertain my siblings and me when they went out for the night. This time around, I absolutely loved it -- I'm not sure if it is being out of elementary school or having read the book, but I thought the movie was beautiful and well done. I am a huge fan of Gwyneth Paltrow, so that was an automatic point in its favor, but I really thought all the actors did an amazing job. I'll probably watch this again.

In writing this post, I realized that I didn't really like any of these adaptations when I was younger, but love them now (with the exception of Aisha). I had the same feelings toward the book Emma when I first read it -- maybe there is a reason for all of this. I think when I was younger I couldn't appreciate the humor in Emma and felt that it wasn't especially romantic, just annoying. Now I can appreciate the subtle humor, and through that, enjoy the romance. 

Classics Club Meme: March 2013 (8)

This month's Classics Club question is:

Do you love Jane Austen or want to “dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone”? (Phrase borrowed from Mark Twain).

1. Why? (for either answer)?
2. Favorite and/or least favorite Austen novel?

The answer for me is a decided LOVE! I adore Jane Austen and have read all of her full novels except Northanger Abbey. I want to read it in the fall, but every year I resist, I think because I don't want to be done. I know there are plenty of spin-offs and juvenile unfinished writings, but being done with the core six novels will be saddening. 

The first Jane Austen I ever read was not Pride and Prejudice like most people, but Sense and Sensibility, and it remains my favorite. I always related to Marianne (it seems many people do, from what I see in the blogosphere) -- emotional, passionate, and a pianist. :) And as a teenager I was drawn to those stories that had a hint of tragedy in them (I was too young to see the romance of Colonel Brandon -- I get it now) (somewhat). 

My least favorite that I have read is Emma, and I think the only real reason for that is that I read it when I was pretty young and never went back to it. The other day I needed a mindless distraction and decided to watch Clueless while I fed my baby, and now I am thinking I need to reread Emma. 

Somewhat unrelated but also sparking a desire to reread another Jane Austen: Has anyone been watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries? MOST EXCELLENT. 

A Smattering of Regency Romances

Because it is Valentine's Day, I thought mini-reviews of some of the Regency romances I've read in the last few months would be appropriate.

Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange

A long time ago -- a couple of years or so -- there was a promotion in honor of Jane Austen where there were eight spin-offs of Pride and Prejudice free for Kindle. I snapped them all up and never looked at them again, until recently, shortly after having my baby, I decided I needed something mindless to read, and Mr. Darcy's Diary seemed to fit the bill. And, well, it did. While there was nothing wrong with the writing or the story itself, it just didn't entertain me. It was watered-down Pride and Prejudice without Jane Austen's stunning writing, from a slightly different point of view. I would rather have just reread Pride and Prejudice. 

2 stars

Warnings: None

The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James

I saw The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen on NetGalley last year and eagerly snapped it up. I hadn't read anything else by Syrie James, but I'd heard good things about her, and was intrigued by the premise of the story. I hadn't realized that the book would actually contain the full alleged missing manuscript, but it turned out to be my favorite part of the book. To be perfectly honest, the first forty or so pages bothered me, and I was considering DNFing the book, but once the story moved past the frame story and into the missing manuscript itself, I was swept up and really loved it. I think it is ambitious of the author to try and recreate an entire manuscript worthy of Jane Austen (although the manuscript is repeatedly qualified as being an early, unpolished attempt by Austen), but I was pleasantly surprised at how well she accomplished her aim. Despite a rocky beginning, I found The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen to be an entertaining and rewarding read.

3.75 stars

Warnings: Language, mild innuendo

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

My mom brought Edenbrooke with her when she came to help me after I had the baby, and for most of the first week she was urging me to read it. I kept putting it off -- I was in the middle of two other books that I wasn't enjoying that much, but I felt like I needed to finish them. Once I finally settled down to reading Edenbrooke, I was sad that I had waited so long. Set in Regency-era England, Edenbrooke is the story of two sisters and the pursuit of a young and charming heir. The story was absolutely charming. I loved the slowly building romance, which constantly made me giggle with giddiness. I finished the book with a feeling of contentment and a sigh. It is a perfect book for Valentine's Day and will also please those who love Jane Austen for the romance of her novels.

4 stars

Warnings: None

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Title: Daughter of the Forest
Author: Juliet Marillier
Series: Sevenwaters #1
Genre: Fantasy, fairy-tale retelling
Publisher: Tor Books, 2001
Source: Gift from my mom
Read for: Alex Awards challenge, Chunkster challenge

Daughter of the Forest is a retelling of the six swans fairy tale. Sorcha is the seventh child of a seventh son and the only girl in her family. She loves her childhood with her six brothers, learning to heal and having strange encounters with the Fair Folk. However, Sorcha's life is turned upside down first when she encounters a Briton, sworn enemy of her people, and second when her father marries the beautiful but venomous Lady Oonagh. Her family torn apart, Sorcha begins a quest to save her brothers. However, her quest takes her places she could hardly have imagined.

I am not especially familiar with the fairy tale of the six swans, but I do know that Daughter of the Forest was a compelling and beautiful read, rich with descriptions and haunting mystery. I found myself completely enthralled in Sorcha's world and eager for the next installment of the trilogy.

I think one of the greatest strengths of Daughter of the Forest is the atmosphere. Marillier creates a world that is beautiful yet completely wild and untamable. The beliefs of Sorcha's family lend an eerie, mystical feel to the story. As Sorcha encounters the Britons, the atmosphere changes into more of the hearty, meat-and-potatoes, green countryside type of setting, but Sorcha keeps her haunting air of magic. The way the mood enveloped the story made it so powerful and entrancing.

Hand in hand with the atmosphere is the beauty of the writing. Marillier's voice is distinct and lovely, with vivid descriptions of the forests and the emotions of the characters. I felt completely invested, completely involved with Sorcha's tale. I think the ability to involve a person so deeply into a book that is so long and so different from my contemporary life demonstrates Marillier's remarkable skill as a writer, and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

Another aspect of Daughter of the forest that was extremely compelling to me was the depth of emotion in each of the characters. They do not experience flat, simple urges and reactions. Instead, their experiences are complicated and their sentiments are reflections of that complexity. I  felt strongly about what Sorcha was going through, experiencing moments of anguish and joy as if they were my own, even when the circumstances were situations I have never experienced. The sheer emotion of the characters were transmitted exquisitely through the writing.

Daughter of the Forest was a powerful and lovely book. As a fantasy novel it satisfied me by providing an interesting world with magic, but it also satisfied me simply because it stirred my emotions and was beautifully written. I am looking forward to reading the next book, Son of Shadows.

5 stars

Warnings: Violence, a scene of sexual abuse

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

Title: Death Comes to Pemberley
Author: P.D. James
Genre: Historical fiction, mystery, spin-off
Publisher: Knopf, 2011
Source: Library
Read for: Fun

It is the evening before the Darcy's annual ball in honor of Mr. Darcy's mother, Anne. Everything is going well, with the Bingleys in the house for a visit and a potential romance in the air for Georgiana -- until someone rides into the estate shouting about gunshots and a wounded man. The main suspect is none other than Darcy's enemy and brother-in-law, Wickham. As the case goes to trial, the question is raised -- who is the murderer, and will the Darcys' reputations forever be besmirched?

I was pretty excited to read Death Comes to Pemberley. Regular readers of this blog know that I really enjoy spin-offs (to an extent -- you won't see a review of 50 Shades of Grey here), as well as Jane Austen. I've actually never read anything that goes beyond the story of Pride and Prejudice -- I've read books with the plot in other settings and time periods, but never any sequels or prequels. I was excited to see what P.D. James would do with the beloved characters created by Jane Austen. However, I found Death Comes to Pemberley to be a weak and slow-paced novel.

The first issue I had was the pacing. The descriptions were interminable and plodding. I enjoy many books that are slowly paced -- I like Jane Austen and the subtleties that exist in the books that she has written. However, the mimicry of her style did not work when not paired with her genius. I think P.D. James did well in imitating the style of Jane Austen, but the content was not up to par, which resulted in a pace that was far too slow.

I also took issue with the characterization. I didn't want to fall into the trap of disliking the story just because the characters were not exactly how I would picture Jane Austen's beloved cast of Pride and Prejudice -- but I must say I didn't think the way they were portrayed was how Jane Austen would have cast them. Elizabeth was mainly in the background, and frankly discusses the fact that Darcy's money was a primary motivation in her marriage to Darcy. She also bemoans the fact that they didn't have a romantic courtship. Really? I appreciate that perhaps P.D. James was trying to do something unique, but I thought these deviations were not in character with the original characters.

I did think the mystery was interesting, although somewhat predictable. I don't read many mysteries, because I think it is hard to find a good balance between a solution that is completely obscure and one that is too predictable, but I think Death Comes to Pemberley did fairly well with this. I also thought that, while some of the characters were not consistent with their inspirations from Pride and Prejudice, Wickham's future was very believable and consistent with his original character. I thought James was insightful into his personality. I also enjoyed the little connections to Jane Austen's other works. I'd never before considered the idea that Austen's characters were contemporaries in different parts of England and that they could have had acquaintances in common.

Overall, while Death Comes to Pemberley had an intriguing premise, the execution was lacking for me. It is clear that P.D. James is a talented writer, but this novel was a miss for me.

2 stars

Warnings: Some violence, talk of affairs

YA Friday: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, spinoffs, YA
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, 2012
Source: Library
Read for: Once Upon a Time Challenge

Cinder is a mechanic in what was once China and is now an amalgamation of Asian countries. Reviled by her stepmother and neighbors for being a cyborg, she contents herself with working on machines -- a skill for which she is renowned -- and spending time with her two friends, android Iko and stepsister Peony. However, Cinder's life changes when Prince Kai ducks into her shop. Suddenly she is mixed up in interplanetary politics. Oh, and there's a plague.

Okay, I have to attribute the last line of that summary to Marissa Meyer herself, who came to the Provo Library on the Fierce Reads tour. When she was describing her book, she went into most of the details and then added, "Oh, and there's a plague," at the end like an afterthought. 'Twas amusing. But I digress.

If you haven't figured it out yet, Cinder is a futuristic, machine-filled retelling of Cinderella. There's a ball, a wicked stepsister out to get the prince, and an appendage left on the stairs at midnight. However, Cinder incorporates many other fascinating elements into the plot. I was impressed with the way Marissa Meyer managed to use the framework of the popular fairy tale while creating such a unique and unexpected story.

I enjoyed Cinder immensely. She is completely down to earth, not expecting anything out of the ordinary out of herself because of the fact that she is a lowly cyborg (although I don't know why they are lowly. They have so many extra talents that the "normal" people don't have!). Even when she begins to learn secrets about her past that indicate that she is actually as extraordinary as a person could be, she is straightforward and likable.

I also liked Kai. I'll admit part of that is because of his name -- it definitely came up when my husband and I were discussing boys' names for our baby. However, I also appreciated that he was not a snob, that he valued skill (thus, seeking out Cinder when he needed a job to be performed well) and that he wasn't a snob about who he made friends with. It was also interesting to see him grow from a relatively carefree prince to someone with responsibility for millions of people. His willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of others was endearing and made him truly a worthwhile character.

I did not love Levana. You might be thinking, "NO kidding," but I do have a penchant for enjoying the odd nastily written character. However, for me Levana was not a character that I loved to hate. I know the powerful, glamour-shrouded queen of the Lunars was essential to the plot of the story, but I despised every moment she was on the page. She was the epitome of sliminess.

My main complaint with Cinder (other than the utter repulsiveness of Levana) was that the story ended in a messy spot. I know that with series, authors tend to cut off at pivotal points. However, in general (and I know there are many, many exceptions to this rule) there is some sense of closure -- or at least, I appreciate when there is. Cinder leaves us hanging in the middle of everything, with nothing resolved. The ending wasn't such that I was throwing the book across the room like some certain trilogies, or that I was so desperate for more that I could have cried at the wait. I was more just confused, thinking, "That was it?" I know that more will happen as the series continued, but I did wish the ending was tied up a bit more nicely.

Overall, however, Cinder is a fun and refreshing take on an old fairy-tale, using a completely original tactic to tell the story. If you love unique fairytale retellings, you won't want to miss Cinder or the remaining books in the series.

3.5 stars

Warnings: Maybe a bit of violence? I am having difficulty remembering anything, so there must not be much to warn about.

Short Story Spotlight: "Snow, Glass, Apples" by Neil Gaiman

I'll tell you up front that "Snow, Glass, Apples" is the only thing by Neil Gaiman that I have ever read (shame on me). I actually read it a while ago and never posted anything about it. When the short story I read for this month's post left me completely cold, I found myself thinking of this creepy little story again, and decided it was more deserving of mention than the book I read.

"Snow, Glass, Apples" is a retelling of Snow White from the "evil" queen's point of view. For some reason, the princess holds a strange fixation for people, particularly for men, but her young stepmother sees beyond the princess's strange allure to a lurking darkness within.

I know that I will enjoy Gaiman's other works just from the beauty of the language he uses in "Snow, Glass, Apples." The words evoke images that are descriptive not in the sugary, sentimental way but with a sharp, diamond-cut cleanness. The story is not beautiful and romantic like a traditional fairy tale; it is disturbing but poignant, and the images do not fade quickly.

The creativity of the story is also powerful. I don't want to give away the crux of it, what Snow White really is, because figuring that out was part of the fun of reading the story, but I will say that I was amazed by how Neil Gaiman took the elements of the fairy tale and twisted them neatly so that they told a completely different story without being corrupted at all.

Don't read this story when you are alone at night -- it is very creepy. Also bear in mind that with that creepiness, there are some mature themes in the story. However, it is a brilliant and well-written retelling of Snow White, and one that is worth reading.

Persuasion: A Latter-day Tale by Rebecca Jamison

Title: Persuasion: A Latter Day Tale
Author: Rebecca H. Jamison
Genre: Religious fiction, contemporary fiction, spin-off
Publisher: Cedar Fort, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Read for: Review

When Anne broke off her engagement with Neil Wentworth, she thought she was making the right decision. They were so young, he didn't seem to have a very solid future, and her parents had just gone through a messy divorce. However, after eight years of lukewarm relationships, when Neil's brother buys Anne's father's home -- and she finds out that Neil is still single -- Anne can't help but be interested. However, will their relationship be rekindled, or has the passage of time (and the hurt that she caused when she ended the relationship) doomed them to a life apart?

I have mentioned before that in general, I don't like religious fiction. It isn't because I don't like religion -- my religion is part of my every day life. However, usually when I find it in fiction form, it seems really stilted, almost as if they are trying too hard. However, this spin-off of Jane Austen's Persuasion was actually pretty good. Anne, the main character, discusses her faith pretty consistently throughout the book, but it doesn't seem overly forced in most instances. The main characters in this book are LDS (also known as "Mormon") and refer quite a bit to LDS culture, so while I think the general story will be enjoyable to a wide range of readers, some of the details may be confusing to those unfamiliar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I think the best part of this story was the way the plot (for the most part) closely followed the main story of Persuasion by Jane Austen, but with details that are more commonplace and were completely relatable to me. Instead of a soldier, Wentworth is a police officer with a heroic record. Anne's hypochondriac sister, Mary, is instead a pregnant lady on bedrest. The major change in the story is that Mr. William Elliott, Anne's rich relative in the Jane Austen original, is a rich businessman in this modern retelling who helps Anne's father find employment after losing his job. Instead of being cynical when Anne rejects him, in an intense but exciting deviation from the original novel he becomes a crazy stalker determined to get Anne to stay in a relationship with him. The Will segment was definitely the most different from the Jane Austen novel, but I thought it was an interesting idea and definitely made the story more exciting.

The characters weren't particularly well-developed, with perhaps the exception of Anne, who we have the opportunity to become well-acquainted with because the story is narrated in first person. The main purpose of this book was clearly the plot and the connection with the original story. However, because I was reading it due to my love of the original story, I wasn't overly bothered by this -- my attention was more heavily focused on how the two stories differed and were the same, which I think is usually the point of a spin-off story.

I was somewhat impressed by Jamison's writing. Usually in a spin-off, contemporary romance, type of novel I expect the writing to be bland and weak. While the style wasn't particularly literary, Jamison's writing was pleasant to read and did not distract me at all. I felt pulled into the story and had vivid images in my mind of the action.

For lovers of Persuasion by Jane Austen, this new spin-off will be an enjoyable read. It is a light, Christian romance with a little prayer and a few dramatic twists dropped in.

3.5 stars

Warnings: Some mild violence (think punching of stalkers, etc.) That's about it.

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Title: Midnight in Austenland
Author: Shannon Hale
Series: Austenland #2
Genre: Romance, spinoff, contemporary fiction
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Read for: Review, European Reading Challenge

Charlotte's life has been a disaster lately. Despite her successful business and her two beloved children, her marriage has imploded, and now her ex-husband is married to a woman named Justice who reads the same cliched chick-lit book over and over again (and whom he was seeing for years before she found out). After immersing herself in Jane Austen novels gives her some escape from her woes, she decides she deserves a vacation, and she chooses Austenland -- a secluded estate complete with corsets, bad English food, and a handsome love interest. However, Charlotte finds a disturbing mystery hanging about the dignified English estate, and she is unable to determine if it is a real mystery or just part of the vacation.

I should preface this by saying that I really was unqualified to read this book. I never read Austenland, and I haven't read Northanger Abbey, on which the story is loosely based, either. However, neither of these frightful omissions diminished my enjoyment of the story.

Midnight in Austenland is a light read that doesn't have much substance, but as I was going into the story looking for entertainment, I was pleasantly rewarded. As far as light, fluffy reads go, this one had everything I could have asked for -- an unusual setting, some mysterious thrills, and more than one handsome love interest. The plot has several twists that I was not expecting, making the mystery more exciting and the romance more unexpected. I was thoroughly entertained throughout the story.

The writing as well is light and charming. I have enjoyed Hale's writing in The Books of Bayern, which I am slowly working through. In those books, she is illustrative and focused mainly on maintaining the world she created. In Midnight in Austenland, she is humorous and slightly more adult, poking fun at Pap smears and blind dates with the divorced set. I loved seeing this new side of Hale's writing.

The characters were somewhat cliche, not diving far below the surface of their actions and experiences. However, as this book had a focus on entertainment rather than uncovering deep and novel truths about the human soul, it was something I was willing to pass up.

Midnight in Austenland will appeal to those looking for a charming romantic mystery to while away an afternoon or fans of Austen who enjoy light-hearted spin-offs. This would be an excellent vacation read.

3.5 stars

Warnings: A few mild swears, some references to breasts and Pap smears

YA Friday: New Girl by Paige Harbison

Title: New Girl
Author: Paige Harbison
Genre: YA, contemporary, spin-off
Publisher: Harlequin Teen, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Read for: Review

Becca Normandy queened over the other students at her boarding school, Manderley -- especially the male students. However, she mysteriously disappeared one night and now she has been replaced by a new girl (henceforth referred to as NG). NG has the same roommate, the slightly disturbed Dana Veers, the same bedroom, and for whatever reason, people think she is trying to copy Becca. Matters get more complicated when Becca's boyfriend, Max, shows an interest in her. The pressure and the tension in the school are driving NG insane, while the mystery of what happened to Becca continues to hover over the school.

At the beginning of this modern retelling of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, I had many doubts. For some reason, I had the perception that it would be silly, trivializing the story I loved. I was wrong about that -- New Girl was just as dark as Rebecca and considerably more graphic. However, while it wasn't the silly story I feared, it didn't quite click with me.

New Girl did have some great elements, however. I thought the way Harbison integrated elements of Rebecca was clever. She hit several points, both large and trivial -- NG dreamed of Manderley after seeing it in a book, just like Mrs. DeWinter dreamed of it after seeing it on a postcard. NG was good at art. She had a dog named Jasper (although this dog was always NG's, not Max's, and it stayed home when she went to boarding school). And of course, there was Dana Veers, aka Mrs. Danvers, and her obsessive love for Becca/Rebecca, symbolized by the way she keeps Becca's sheets on the bed and won't take down any of her pictures.

There was also more character development and exploration in New Girl, giving some new perspectives on the characters. Johnny isn't a pervert trying to steal Becca away; he is a good guy, conflicted, but always nice to those around him. NG starts out as a passive person afraid of others' opinions, but by the end of the book she grows into herself, learning to ignore criticism and live her own life. Dana Veers is disturbed and pushed to the edge more than once, but we get perspectives into her past that help us understand why she is the way she is.

However, certain aspects of the characters' behavior didn't make sense to me, and as they were important plot points, the story fell rather flat. For example, Max's attraction to Becca seemed completely implausible. In Rebecca, there were clear motives for Maxim and Rebecca to be together. In New Girl, they were not clear; the only reason I could really glean from Max's vague allusions to her was that she was hot and he was drawn in. Also, the whole reason NG went to Manderley was too cheesy for my taste; she wanted to go to boarding school because she loved the Harry Potter books, forgot about the dream, and then was whisked away when a spot opened her senior year.

Another thing that bothered me was the writing. While there weren't many grammatical errors, the style was superficial and at times rather flat. The tone of the book was also immature, and this is definitely not a YA book that should be aimed toward younger teens. It deals with some serious issues, like rape, casual sex, and teen pregnancy, but the writing seemed superficial compared with the heavy subject matter. And the issues were rather overwrought for me as well -- I definitely preferred the subtlety of Rebecca.

My experience of New Girl was mixed. While I think the idea was interesting and certain parallels were well done, in general the writing and some of the plot events were too contrived. While it is interesting due to its connection with Rebecca, it isn't a book I'd recommend unless you are a die-hard Rebecca fan.

2 stars

Warnings: Descriptions of hooking up, discussion of rape

Wide Sargasso Sea

Wide Sargasso Sea is a spin-off. And we all know how I love spin-offs. That is to say, generally quite well. Better yet, this is a spin-off of Jane Eyre. Who didn't wonder about the mysterious woman in Mr. Rochester's attic and how she came to be there? Jean Rhys conveniently gives us a highly emotional answer.

Antoinette, the woman who becomes Bertha Mason (questions? Yeah, me too. I'll explain in a second) lives in Jamaica shortly after slavery has ended. Her parents were slaveholders, and also her father was perfidious and libidinous (and the father of many others, if you know what I mean), so Antoinette's now-widowed mother, herself, and her disabled brother are the objects of the former slaves' hatred. And because this is Jamaica, the hatred doesn't just results in gossip and dirty looks. It also includes black magic, poison, and violence. And it all occurs in a steaming, dark jungle.

So Antoinette is hated, but also very rich and very beautiful. And Mr. Rochester is in desperate need of money, and new to the area. So he doesn't know about Antoinette's dark past, of which slave-holding relatives are not the only secret. (I.e., hereditary insanity. Fast-forward to the attic).

When I describe this book, I find myself wanting to like it all over again. It has depth and complexity. It is original, and the world Rhys has created is very engrossing. The characters' motives are so convoluted, they themselves don't understand them. They do horrible things to each other without knowing why, and leave it up to us to analyze, How could you possibly do that? I think that is where the book lost its appeal for me. No matter how artistic or beautifully complex, I don't like to read about people destroying each others' lives, at least not without something to redeem our faith in human nature. Because as dark as real life can be, I think there is always something redeeming. But that is a rant for another time.

Anyway, to sum it all up, here are the things I liked:
* I was worried I would hate Mr. Rochester. I didn't. He definitely did terrible things in this story, but it is clear that he is not just a villain.
* I liked that Antoinette's madness was not simply explained by her parents' mental health history. There are many contributing factors, and Rhys leaves it to the reader to decide which factors truly caused Antoinette to leave reality.

Here's what I disliked:
* As aforementioned, the horribleness.
* The narrative was hard to follow, pretty much all the time. It was a little stream-of-conscious-y, and sometimes it was hard to pick up what the narrator left off. Sometimes the narrators randomly changed, without warning. Also, many points in the plot were only insinuated. While I understand that this was probably part of the complexity and darkness surrounding Antoinette's madness, I felt that some things would have been more clear if we had been permitted into the scene, instead of just trying to figure it out from the scattered thoughts of whomever was narrating.
* Mr. Rochester starts calling Antoinette Bertha. What? Ok, so names are a big theme in the novel, and calling Antoinette by Mr. Rochester's favorite lady name is a symbol of how he is trying to turn her into something he wants instead of accepting her for who she is. Still seemed too gimmicky and forced to me. Her name should have just been Bertha in the first place.*

I really wanted to love this book, but I did not. I am sure it is brilliant and everything, but it just didn't win my heart or my mind. Or my enjoyment. Or much else. Although it did win some of my money, because I keep forgetting to take it back to the library. 2.5/5.

*It has been a looong time since I read Jane Eyre, so if her name actually was Antoinette and Mr. Rochester actually did change it, please correct me!

Before Green Gables

I am a die-hard Lucy Maud Montgomery fan (I mean, look at my blog title). I have read every novel she has written and a fair chunk of her short stories. So if she thought she had given enough details concerning Anne's prior life, who are we to question it?

But at the same time, I have a guilty addiction to spin-offs. I loved (and recently discovered one about Rhett called Rhett Butler's People. Dying to read it. Even though no one seems to have liked it). I read the frightfully depressing sequel to Rebecca about Mrs. Dewinter just because it was more of the story. And Jean Rhys' The Wide Sargasso Sea is definitely on hold for me at the library. So I couldn't resist this one when I came across it in the Winco checkout line, even though I think Lucy Maud Montgomery is less spinoffable then other authors I love.

But with all those disclaimers out of the way, this was an entertaining read. In Anne of Green Gables, you get hints about Anne's past. (My favorite is her constant, out-of-breath telling of how Mrs. Hammond had "three sets of twins in succession!"). I always felt familiar with these characters even though I wasn't given much background information. I always saw Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Hammond as mean, slave-driving women. They didn't want to keep Anne (who is everyone's darling), so how could they have a shred of humanity about them?

The most redeeming quality of this book is the way it gives depth to these lesser known, stereotyped as bad characters. You see that Mrs. Thomas loved Anne's parents, even though she is harsh and angry. You see that her drunk husband tries desperately to overcome his addictions. You experience in painful detail just what having twins three times in succession is like.

The least redeeming quality is the way Budge tries to cleverly explain so many details of Anne's life. I am not sure why this bugged me, exactly. I just felt like it was too contrived. For example, Anne's teacher gives her a bottle of ipecac. "Then she gave Anne a small bottle containing a dark liquid. [...] Then Miss Henderson told Anne exactly what croup was, and exactly how to use the medicine." (pg 209). Insert knowing wink here. Honestly, this shows a great attention to detail and trying to make the book seem like it fit, but it seemed too obvious, too puzzle-perfect. Kind of like how in Harry Potter, once they learn a new spell, fifteen pages later the perfect opportunity to use it appears.

Another thing that bothered me was that there were some new significant players in Anne's life, such as previous teachers, a daughter of Mrs. Thomas, etc. Some of these people played very significant roles in the story, but obviously never appear in the real Anne books. There is a sort of blanket sweep at the end where as Anne sees Prince Edward Island rising before her, she decides to forget all her previous unhappiness and wipe it out of her mind. But this didn't seem very believable to me either.

With all that said, it was an entertaining book. I'm glad I checked it out from the library instead of buying it at Winco. But I enjoyed it. Writing a prequel or sequel to a classic is no easy undertaking, and Budge Wilson definitely paid attention to detail and developed some characters that previously had been one sided. For that I commend her. For the cheesy wink wink moments? Not so much. 3 stars.