Karen Joy Fowler

Hmmm. Torn between three and four and choosing to round down.

Interesting, sad, upsetting but somehow all oddly clinical and detached. I felt bad for just about everyone involved in this story and I liked the framework and the odd timeline but I did not enjoy the middle sections when Rosie was in college and getting into trouble with Harlow.

I wanted to know much much more about life with Fern.

I think I have to dig out my copy of Ape House (a book I bought but never actually read) and maybe some non-fiction about chimpanzees too.… (mais)

I've read the (very) negative reviews of this (there are many) and I have to say, I think a lot of people just didn't get this book. They wanted it to be plot-driven and fun (as so many Austen take-offs are), but this book is much more character-driven and contemplative. I learned a lot about Jane Austen from it (especially from the back matter) and it was a great way to continue to explore her work. It's also so gratifying for me to read about people who live for and through literature. The characters all seemed real to me. I enjoyed their back stories, their foibles, the glimpses into their psyches. Though not the most enthralling novel, this contains many little everyday life stories that are memorable and full of meaning.

To explain my favorite part of the book, I'll have to go into spoiler territory. In the chapter where the club discusses [b:Persuasion|2156|Persuasion|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298411870s/2156.jpg|2534720], Sylvia's husband writes her a great love letter. As you may know, the best thing about Persuasion is the love letter Wentworth sends to Anne in the end. Sigh. Is there anything better than a great love letter?

And, for fun, I decided who each character resembled in the world of Austen:

Prudie = Mrs. Bennet. You're not totally stupid, but you're super annoying and married to someone who's probably too good for you. Also, you are way too interested in young men.

Jocelyn = Elinor Dashwood. You're so together and sensible. But it seems like you're so worried about other people's happiness that you're going to let your own slip by the wayside.

Sylvia = Fanny Price. So annoying. You are not perfect! You try to be good and somehow end up making me really dislike you.

Allegra = Marianne Dashwood. Girl, you crazy. Even though you're the life of the party, you seem bound to end up with a dullsville mate.

Bernadette = Emma. I know Bernadette is old and Emma is young, but they both think they're the queen and we're the sorry people.

Grigg = Henry Tilney. So likable and clever with weird taste in women.

(You will notice only one of the characters from my favorite Austen novels, P&P and Persuasion, made it on the list. That's probably why the book got three stars instead of four.)
… (mais)