Book Review: Adam Bede by George Elliot

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It is a profoundly thought-provoking, yet simple story, set at the turn of the century in Regency England. The characters are all very real - not at all 'smoothed out' or glorified at all. The plot moves slowly, but it matches the slow-moving working life of the setting. Sleepy farms and villiages populated with common people - who prove not-so-common on closer inspection. The story is quite gripping, though. As I neared the climax, I just couldn't put it down. One of the things I came to think about most was how one tiny action by one character can have a life changing effect on the life on another, and how we must be so careful to make sure we are on the right path before we run forward.

Anyhow - I highly reccommend this to fans of historical novels and period dramas.

Main Characters:

Adam Bede - a talented and intelligent young carpenter who is well respected for his honesty and strength of character and opinions. Can often be a bit too stubborn and harsh. In love with Hetty.

Hetty Sorrel - a farm girl of uncommon beauty whose vanity and thoughtlessness causes more greif than she ever could have imagined.

Arthur Donnithorne - grandson of the local Squire and captain in the milita. A gentleman of 20 who is well liked and admired by all the tentants for his cheerful character and genuine concern for their welfare. His worst faults are self-indulgence and a wavering conscience.

Seth Bede - Adam's younger brother. Strong and gentle. In love with Dinah.

Dinah Morris - a deeply religious and selfless young woman who is a comfortor to all she meets. Determined not to marry so she can devote her life to the Lord's work.

I read Elliot's 'Silas Marner' several years ago, and found it quite good too. Has anyone every seen the BBC versions of either Adam Bede or Silas Marner? I am quite curious to see them now. :^)

Book Review: King Raven Trilogy

by Stephen R. Lawhead

The traditional Robin Hood Story, but set in Wales during the rule of William Rufus (son of William the Conquerer).

A young Welsh prince named Bran suffers a horrific tragedy, loses his father's kingdom to the Ffrenic (Norman) usurpers and is forced to flee into the ancient forrest. There his life is saved by a mysterious elderly woman named Angharad. She gives him hope and courage to fight back against his enemies against all odds. Bran slowly gathers a rag-tag band of Welsh peasants who have also lost everything to the Ffrenic rule. They use the forest and their deadly long-bows to best advantage and trust in God to give them justice in the end.

The three book titles are Hood, Scarlet, and Tuck. I found Scarlet to be the most edge-of-your-seat and Tuck the most enjoyable read. The plot grows more complicated with each book, and the ending was not what I was expecting!

The story line was compelling, but the writing style I didn't care for so much. I never could feel as involved in the story as I wished, somehow. Also several key characters seemed to remain distant (most notably Bran and Merian). There were also some rather gory descriptions, and a lot of 'Medieval' cursing that I could have done without.

I would say ages 16 and up for these books. Parents might wish to read them first for younger kids.

Actually whatI liked best were the historical notes found in the back of the book. Here the author explains why he chose to set the story in Wales, and in the earlier time period than most Robin Hood stories. The notes several Medieval legends and the facts that led him to make those desicions. Very interesting!

Has anyone else read these?

Thoughts on 'Emma'

Just finished watching Romola Garai’s ‘Emma’ for the second time last night. On the first viewing I wasn’t too impressed. This time, however, I have some rather improved, different thoughts.

Romola Garai as Emma was so luminous and beautiful. At first Emma’s mannerisms seemed completely over the top for the 19th c. But seeing them a second time made me realize they were purposely showing a very immature young girl – who had always been the darling of the town and the center of attention – she naturally would thrive on attention, and didn’t mind being a bit overly dramatic or saying outrageous things. (especially to annoy her old friend, Mr. K)

She seemed to attempt to act a bit more mature when Harriet was near to ‘set a good example’. And after the failure of Mr. Elton, she realized a bit what thoughtless behavior had brought about, and was much improved for the rest of the film – except when Frank Churchill was around. Which – true to the book – he does not bring out the best of behavior in her, but the worst, which Mr. Knightly sadly notices.

Harriet seemed about right as the pretty, gullible, not-overly-bright best friend. Someone who Emma is quite understandably annoyed with by the end of the story. (of course she was the one who created the ‘monster’ so to speak, but yeah)

Frank Churchill was fairly charming I have to admit – and he did flirt outrageously with Emma. Poor Jane Fairfax! She wasn’t so easy to relate to as the Jane Fairfax in the Kate Beckinsdale Emma, you never really felt anything for her – but then you really aren’t supposed to. Emma never could warm to her or understand her until the secret engagement came out. She also seemed young and naïve enough to fall for the unworthy Frank Churchill.

Mr. Elton was perfect! Handsome – but horridly melodramatic and slimy.

And Mrs. Elton was beautiful – but rightly obnoxious and controlling. Her showy, overdone clothing fitted her well.

Mr. Woodhouse was very humorous. Although he didn’t look much like an invalid…:^)

Mr. Knightly was good. Funny, thoughtful, serious, blunt. Concerned for everyone. The perfect gentleman in every way – and his arguments with Emma were so cute. Though I didn’t like the blue and green velvet coats he wore. I thought he looked much more dashing when he was in black at the ball.

This Miss Bates wasn’t as hilarious at the Sophie Thomson version. Though she brought more depth to the character – she was still annoying, but in a sad sort of way….

I liked that with the longer running time we got to see more detail into the storyline and lives of the characters. Although – it seemed strange that they copied the Kate Beckinsdale version with the ‘daydreams’ that Emma has about Jane Fairfax and Mr. Dixon and Mr. Knightly. The Highbury ball was very well done, though. I like getting to see full dances, and not just bits and pieces.

The costumes were quite lovely. (finally we get to see some new Regency stuff !) Several of Emma’s dresses I want to recreate – the orange and green print dress she wear’s to Miss Taylor’s wedding, her yellow/gold honeymoon dress, her pink/gold Box Hill Dress, and a cute brown print sheer dress. Oh – and that darling little pale yellow bodice over the green dress. Love it. Some of Harriet’s were very nice too. I appreciated the fact that they kept most of the necklines from being too revealing. The only thing I didn’t care for were the white blouses that Emma and Harriet wore much of the time under short sleeve dresses.

Quite a lovely movie overall. I will most assuredly be getting this one on DVD.
Screen caps here.

Book Review: Just Jane

My dear friend Cari recently sent me a book she thought I would like. (and she must know me pretty well - because I loved it!)

The book chronicles the life of Jane Austen, beginning when she is a young woman of twenty looking forward to an upcoming engagement. It is told from her point of view - so the reader is privy to all her deepest thoughs and wishes. At times the 'random thoughts' point of view got just a little grating - but really it was hardly noticeable, as the story moved along fairly quick. All of her family members and friends were very well portrayed and fleshed out. The author skillfully guides the reader along the various paths of her everyday life, Jane's fictional written characters, her friends and family, and her dissapointed love interests. It seemed very well researched and very minute on points of detail that I found very interesting. It even included excerpts from some of Jane's actual letters. There was also a nice section of historical notes, detailing what was fact and what was fiction in the back of the book, which I appreciated very much. Reading this book really helped me to see how much Jane Austen really drew on her own life experiences and knowlege of the people around her and translated these into her writing and  characters. Now I want to read some of her books again, armed with my new knowledge and vision of the author!

Highly recommend for any Jane Austen fan!

Also go check out the slideshow tour of Jane Austen's home currently on the Masterpeice website.
Be sure to enter the Jane Austen DVD giveaway on the main page as well!

New Cook Books!

For Christmas I recieved a set of wonderful little books by Barbara Swell. I would highly recommend them to anyone who loves cooking, history, and all things old-timey! Besides being full of great recipes (many unchanged from the original recipes handed down from generation to generation), every page is gorgeously decorated with tintypes, CDVs, and black-and-white illustrations pulled from old fashioned books and ladies magazines. So it's great - I can look for a new recipe, and do costume research at the same time!
The author also includes various tidbits of old-time lore and Southern wisdom - and little true stories that often have me laughing out loud. Excellent for just a good read by the woodstove - and for a great recipe resource! Published by Native Ground.