Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen May 25, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in recommendation, review.Tags: Blurb, book, Classic, Dashwood, Description, Edward Ferrars, Elinor, Jane Austen, Novel, Plot, recommendation, review, Sense and Sensibility, Willoughby
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Working my way through the works of Jane Austen I naturally have come to that great book; Sense and Sensibility.
The description is as follows:
“Unfairly deprived of their family inheritance by the grasping Mrs John Dashwood and her husband, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood and their mother find themselves in greatly reduced circumstances.
Compelled to leave Norland in Sussex for Barton Cottage in Devonshire, the two sisters are soon accepted into their new society. Marianne, whose sweet radiance and open nature charm the roguish John Willoughby, is soon deeply in love. Elinor, whose disposition is more cautious and considered, who carefully conceals her emotions, is suffering the loss of Edward Ferrars whom she has left behind.
Despite their very different personalities, both sisters experience great sorrows in their affairs of the heart: Marianne demonstrably wretched and Elinor allowing no one to see her private heartache. It is, however, the qualities common to them both – discernment, constancy and integrity in the face of the fecklessness of others – that allow them entry into a new life of peace and contentment.”
The plot of this classic novel follows the Dashwood sisters as their love is tried and tested and as they grow up to find that a fairy tale life is hard to find for anyone.
The narration primarily follows Elinor, whose nature is to shield her feelings and be nothing less than devoted to the happiness of her family. This style is really intriguing as it seems that Elinor’s love story is merely a sub-plot to her sister’s extravagant and emotional journey which her personality makes known to all and of course makes her the centre of attention.
Yet, it seems to me, that Elinor is still our (as the reader) main focus, for we learn to look deeper in to actions, words and empathy to understand how Elinor feels and this makes us much more intimate with her than we can be with Marianne, despite her being so much more open.
The characters thoughout this novel are extremely well developed and as the reader we learn to love and hate the whole cast of personalities as they meddle, interfere and generally disrupt the Dashwoods’ lives.
The style in which this book is written is very easy to fall into, despite the language being ye olde English, as you have the theme all distinguished authors possess of relating the reader to the main character and therefore making you feel connected with her. This, consequently, makes us feel the journey which Elinor follows that much more important, and makes us that much more emotionally attached to Elinor.
Bad points? oh how I hate this part of reviews! I think the only disappointment I had with the novel is that the ending is far too abrupt in my eyes – without giving any spoilers, I would have wanted it to be further developed. However, on that point I shall say no more in case you have not read the book yet.
I also became quickly confused with who was who, especially when they are all referred to by their last names! This is no criticism – as it is truthful of the times – but is something to be aware of when reading so as you do not get confused too!
In conclusion, Sense and Sensibility is a beautifully written book and one which I believe no one has a single excuse not to read! Elinor is an enchanting character and well worth accompanying for her journey throughout the novel.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen May 14, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in Novel, recommendation, review, theBookGirl.Tags: Blurb, book, Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen, KJ, Mr Darcy, Plot, Pride and Prejudice, recommendation, review, Style, theBookGirl, Themes
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Recently I reread that amazing classic; Pride and Prejudice.
It is a beautiful book perfect for a romantic such as I am, or equally for someone who loves a book which is stylistically and profoundly written.
The blurb of this book is:
“Elizabeth Bennet is young, clever and attractive, but her mother is a nightmare and she and her four sisters are in dire need of financial security and escape in the shape husbands.
The arrival of nice Mr Bingley and arrogant Mr Darcy in the neighbourhood turns all their lives upside down in this witty drama of friendship, rivalry, enmity and love.”
The plot follows Elizabeth Bennet, who you quickly relate to, as she tries to find herself and what she wants in a flurry of visitors. Love is at the heart of the story, but the necessity of finding a man who has the wealth to support her is equally important…and she could never marry someone who she does not love. Equally, you learn to have affection for her sister, Jane, who, too, must find herself a husband.
In this enchanting story you are introduced to the type of man that just aren’t around anymore – the wondeful gentlemanly type who is chivalrous and very amiable. The whole cast of gentlemen from Mr Wickham to the infamous Mr Darcy makes the love stories all the more gripping.
The tale, with many a twist and turns, enjoys the romance of the late Georgian era, where Lizzy learns to trust others and, too distrust others.
Bad points? Really, I don’t think I could criticise Austen’s style, plot, characters or themes. She’s awesome, and I’ll leave it at that.
Good points? All of the above.
Read it if you don’t want to miss out on one of Britain’s top novels!
PS there has been a slight lapse in posts recently, and that will continue, reluctantly for a while due to the sheer amount of work I have…
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding May 10, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in KJ, recommendation, review, theBookGirl.Tags: bestseller, Blurb, book, books, Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding, humour, KJ, Plot, Pride and Prejudice, recommendation, review, theBookGirl
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Twilight by Stephenie Meyer May 3, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in book, books, Novel, recommendation, review, theBookGirl, Young Adult.Tags: Bella Swan, bestseller, book, Edward Cullen, Forbidden Love, Forks, KJ, Love Story, Phoenix, recommendation, review, Romance, Stephenie Meyer, Style, theBookGirl, Twilight, Young Adult
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Twilight: the most talked about book in the world (quite possibly).
You have to have been living on planet Zog to not have heard about the chick-lit young adult love story of Bella Swan, your typical teenage girl falling for the sexiest and most gentlemanly vampire in the history of literature…
The plot? Bella Swan is the new kid in town as she moves from sunny place-to-be Phoenix, Arizona where her Mum previously lived, to rainy, small town dullsville Forks, Washington where her dad, cheif cop Charlie, has always lived.
Bella dreads her first day of school, despite having a swanky new car, sorry, beat up old Chevvy Truck.
There she spots the sex God, archangel, embodiment of all things a girl desires, Edward Cullen *swoon*
Unfortunately, he’s a bad-guy-vampire (but with a conscience) and wants to drink her blood. Cue the most passionate and intense forbidden love story since Lizzy Bennett and Mr. Dashing Darcy.
Soon enough Bella has to suss out exactly what Edward is and then fight a battle with herself about what she wants, and what he might want.
This story is epic, written well, despite criticism, as Meyer manages to really get the reader to be Bella. Soon enough you will find yourself trapped in the frightening and fast-paced world of Bella Swan, and you will be rooting for her the whole way.
The story manages to dramatically capture exactly what a dream guy would be like for many a girl (too bad that to be this perfect he has to be immortal). This beautiful story stays with you far beyon the too few pages, even after the three equally awesome sequels.
To live as Bella and see these events unfold through her eyes is an unforgettable journey, especially with the perfect, sigh-enducing, fangirl-screaming lines Edward oh so casually drops, where in the real world would be so out of place, but are what many a girl would love to be told.
Bad points? Well, to start there are far, far too many typos throughout the book – seriously, the editor should have checked through this one more time!
On the style? Well Bella is developed, but there is room for more – she does complain an awful lot, where if I were her I would be dancing and giggling my life away. Also, the book focusses a little too much on looks – people are shallow but most people would want personality over looks; especially in a friend, but this isn’t always how Bella seems to feel.
Anyway, to summarise, Twilight is a light and funny novel, perfect for a summer read on the beach. It’s great for all ages (above 13 I would say, if you go on to read the whole series) and although Meyer is nowhere near being the next Austen, she has potential. She has potential.
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy April 27, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in book, GCSE, girl, KJ, Mystery, read, recommendation, review, theBookGirl, Young Adult.Tags: Anne Cassidy, Blurb, book, Crime, KJ, Looking for JJ, Murder, Mystery, recommendation, theBookGirl, Young Adult
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“Three children walked away from the cottages on the edge of the town towards Berwick Waters. Later that day only two of them came back…”
Looking for JJ is a book which has stayed with me for years, I first picked it up when I was about 13, looking for something new and different in my local library and found the exciting new world of Young Adult. That’s where I cam across a beautiful book which on the inside flap read:
“Alice Tully knows exactly what happened that spring day six years ago – though it’s still hard for her to believe it’s real. The images, the sounds and the aftermath are imprinted on her memory. She’ll never be able to forget, even though she’s trying to lead a normal life – she has a job, friends and a boyfriend whom she adores. She’s making a go of things, putting her past behind her at last. But Alice’s past is dangerous, and violent, and sad – and it’s about to rip her new life apart
A gripping and emotionally searing novel from an accomplished author. Anne Cassidy has tackled a terrifying subject with subtlety and imagination – Looking for JJ will not let you go.”
That blurb captivated me straight away, and as soon as I got home I just read and read and read. A few years later I came across it again whilst volunteering in Oxfam. I immediately bought it, remembering how much I loved it, and read it over the next few days; impressed that it wasn’t just good to a tween.
The book covers the story of Alice Tully, a girl who has to face the usual uncertainties and problems in life which everybody has…but with the added difficulty of a horrific past. She has deep problems and conflicts rooted from the past, which she has to try to overcome.
It’s an epic story of beating the odds, survival in an unforgiving world and being misunderstood. It deals with living with the consequences of your actions and not being able to sorry to the person you hurt.
This book really does absorb you, the reader, and also makes you really consider everything you do, and the actions.
Bad points, I suppose, are that some areas of Alice’s life could be developed a little more, so we see mor eof who she really is. Also, without writing a spoiler, I was a little disappointed with the ending because it didn’t quite seem to fit with Alice’s personality.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in a crime novel, filled with chilling secrets and uncertainties. If you want to read something deep which can still communictae with you on a more basic level, this is definitely the way to go.
Be warned, throughout this story I did need tissues.
KJ
theBookGirl
Marley and Me by John Grogan April 21, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in book, KJ, read, recommendation, review, theBookGirl.Tags: bestseller, books, dog, humour, John Grogan, KJ, Marley and Me, recommendation, review, theBookGirl
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To Kill a Mockingbird March 12, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in book, books, GCSE, History, KJ, read, reading, recommendation, review, theBookGirl.Tags: Analysis, book, GCSE, Histroy, Racism, recommendation, Reviwe, theBookGirl
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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas March 10, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in book, books, KJ, read, reading, recommendation, review, theBookGirl.Tags: book, History, recommendation, review, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, theBookGirl
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Heya,
The Devil Wears Prada March 8, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in book, books, KJ, read, recommendation, review, theBookGirl.Tags: book, recommendation, review, The Devil Wears Prada, theBookGirl
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Hello,
Introduction March 8, 2009
Posted by KJ theBookGirl in book, books, Breaking Dawn, girl, introduction, KJ, read, reading, recommendation, review, the, theBookGirl.1 comment so far
Hello Lovely People of the World*,