tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post6573354322458836510..comments2023-10-08T05:53:31.844-07:00Comments on Frigate to Utopia: Six Standouts from Six MonthsLit~Lasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371293247684677108noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-25014720540274342852013-05-28T20:19:16.546-07:002013-05-28T20:19:16.546-07:00If both you and Caroline recommend it, then it goe...If both you and Caroline recommend it, then it goes higher up on my TBR. Luckily my library has a copy, since I've been buying way too many books lately. Lit~Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05371293247684677108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-62266502712186965252013-05-24T07:41:10.222-07:002013-05-24T07:41:10.222-07:00I would second the recommendation for JS&MN. ...I would second the recommendation for JS&MN. I recently reread it, so I should probably write a review (the most I managed after my reread was incoherent raving about how powerful it is).ibmillerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16914380316134426353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-39486237030932690862013-01-31T16:15:18.763-08:002013-01-31T16:15:18.763-08:00Not in the near future, I think. I have got the bo...Not in the near future, I think. I have got the book but I didn't get beyond a few chapters, because to my horror I discovered that some concepts I'd written in my own story a year ago before I'd even read the book were strikingly similar to what Susanna Clarke had written, and I didn't want to unconsciously plagiarise her. The concepts I made up were actually adapted from Diana Wynne Jones' books, so I wonder if Susanna Clarke was influenced by Diana Wynne Jones as well? She uses Regency spelling and phrases - it seems she's an Austen fan. Which is why I'm focusing less on epic magic in my story and more on character development. But once I come up with a coherent theme, I might go back to Susanna Clarke.Caroline Helstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04922512642158974870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-25791868460962971912013-01-28T19:57:47.571-08:002013-01-28T19:57:47.571-08:00Haven't heard of it, but it sounds good. I'...Haven't heard of it, but it sounds good. I'll add it to my TBR. Are you going to review it on your blog? Lit~Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05371293247684677108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-22866177363622849742013-01-24T13:56:13.906-08:002013-01-24T13:56:13.906-08:00Speaking of Jane Austen have you tried reading Jon...Speaking of Jane Austen have you tried reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke? It's set in an alternate Regency era and the language is superb and convincing (but I haven't got through far). Lord Byron and the Duke of Wellington feature in it too. Recently they announced the BBC is going to adapt the book into a miniseries. Can't wait to watch it!Caroline Helstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04922512642158974870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-75656549484722776942013-01-10T18:15:08.658-08:002013-01-10T18:15:08.658-08:00Caroline, you're so good at getting me thinkin...Caroline, you're so good at getting me thinking... and ranting. This time about how we perceive community in Victorian novels, which I think I'll add to the (monster!) letter. (I got really sick after Christmas, and am trying to catch up on everything. Otherwise I would've replied by now.)<br /><br />Yes, of course as a Christian I come from a culture that condemns the "sexually permissive society" that you mentioned. But that's no excuse for a man to take advantage of any woman... no matter what her reputation, or how she was dressed or behaving.<br /><br />Actually, I'm not planning to read the Narnia series this year. I don't know all that much about it, so don't have much to build my curiosity on. It's Lewis' Christian apologetic works and spiritual biography ("Surprised by Joy")that interest me most. I have a cousin who loves "Mere Christianity" and I read some of it with her during the summer; it had a very Austenesque sensibility which appealed to me. Naturally. ;)Lit~Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05371293247684677108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-16374951531061334522013-01-10T18:06:32.741-08:002013-01-10T18:06:32.741-08:00So glad to have you comment, Jillian. I've rea...So glad to have you comment, Jillian. I've read your (excellent!) blog posts on Jane Eyre and I too appreciate knowing a kindred spirit in the love of Jane Eyre! I understand you're also a Christian. JE is special to me because of its intelligent Christian perspective, which I've written a bit about on this blog.<br /><br />I see on your blog that the bio of Charlotte Bronte was by Lyndall Gordon. Another friend has recommended that one to me too, so I'll definitely be reading it (soonish). Shortly after I first discovered JE I read Rebecca Fraser's bio, which I remember as quite absorbing. <br /><br />Oh, yes, everyone should read Middlemarch. It's long, but so rewarding when you immerse yourself in its world.<br /><br />Lit~Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05371293247684677108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-82166421463011749732013-01-07T20:34:53.389-08:002013-01-07T20:34:53.389-08:00I love meeting fellow women who cite Jane Eyre as ...I love meeting fellow women who cite Jane Eyre as the emotional love of their life. You are so correct... every time I read it, I discover something new and eye-opening. I discovered Jane when I was 11 and have read it at least 10 times in the last 14 years. I also collect copies, though I do not have the one you mention. I've written a lot about Jane on my blog... and just finished an exceptional biography on Charlotte Bronte that revealed so much more about the novel and her writings. I MUST read Middlemarch.. it's been on my to-do list for a long time. Sounds like you had some good reading experiences!Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11905232092734897933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-31261030308789916482013-01-07T14:02:11.552-08:002013-01-07T14:02:11.552-08:00Ooh, I love the world of George Eliot - you know, ...Ooh, I love the world of George Eliot - you know, the cosy, Victorian, tea-drinking of close community sort of thing. Just like Mrs Gaskell or Charlotte Bronte's Shirley (unusually community-like for a Bronte novel). I've actually got the same copy of Jane Eyre, bought for A-Levels. Ugh, one thing I hate about today's culture is that men think they have a right to sexually abuse women. It's like they take advantage of a sexually permissive society to accuse women of tempting them. <br /><br />Look forward to reading your thoughts of CS Lewis. I never got round to reading the Narnia series (I prefer longer novels) and somehow got distracted by other things. Caroline Helstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04922512642158974870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-90048854691363104202013-01-07T13:06:25.459-08:002013-01-07T13:06:25.459-08:00I'll enjoy hearing your thoughts if you read a...I'll enjoy hearing your thoughts if you read any of them, Samantha! Lit~Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05371293247684677108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188363566174884239.post-33759484483031141412013-01-06T19:46:54.807-08:002013-01-06T19:46:54.807-08:00Better late than never! Thanks for sharing. I...Better late than never! Thanks for sharing. I'm not familiar with most of those on your list and always appreciate good recommendations. Hope you've had happy holidays!Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04233753953845020779noreply@blogger.com