This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

287 pages

Published by Scribner in 1920

New York, NY

This Side of Paradise was F. Scott Fitzgerald's first novel. He penned it with the sole purpose of and desire for success. It was his belief that if he wrote a novel and had it published he would become a successful author and it would cause his lost love to return to him. Interestingly enough that is exactly what happened. Scribner published This Side of Paradise on March 26, 1920 and the book sold out within three days. Shortly after his lost love, Zelda Sayre returned and they were married April 3, 1920.

Unfortunately for Amory Blaine, the protagonist of This Side of Paradise, there wasn't such a "happy" ending to his story, but then it doesn't appear a happy ending was the goal of Fitzgerald in writing the story. This Side of Paradise  is a coming of age story about a young man, at the turn of the last century, who is in search of himself. In the end he does find out who he is (i.e. what type of person he is, his life motives, etc.), but happiness eludes him.

For those curious as to why Amory does not find happiness I will be so bold as to state that he did not find happiness because he was looking in all the wrong places. At one point in the story Amory claims, "It's just that religion doesn't seem to have the slightest bearing on life at my age." This is the lie that Amory chooses to believe and it is the same lie that many young people choose to believe today. Religion -- or rather faith in God -- has every bearing on our lives at every point of our lives. True faith in God is the beginning of true happiness and finding out who we are and why we are on earth.

This Side of Paradise is certainly not a "happily ever after" type of story, but it is a very real to life story. It is also very beautifully written (though I must admit I did find myself bogged down by the prose from time to time.) Still, I believe this is a book that would make an excellent reading selection for a book club. There is a lot of material to think on and to discuss.

I found it interesting to note how much of Amory's life experiences appear to be patterned after Fitzgerald's own. It was also fascinating to see how Fitzgerald pulled real life events and wove them into the story; some at very key points in Amory's life (i.e. prohibition). Though, I was a tad surprised to find the story glosses over Amory's time at war (WWI), but I suppose it was because in Fitzgerald's opinion the war didn't have the same affect on Amory's life choices that his relationships had.

All in all, I enjoyed This Side of Paradise; not because it was a happy or pretty story, but because it was well written and in its grittiness it depicted what life is like for someone who searches for fulfillment and happiness in all the wrong places. If you're looking for a "modern" novel to read and discuss with your book group I encourage you to take a closer look at one of Fitzgerald's novels (I also read and reviewed The Great Gatsby). I think there's plenty here to discuss even if you don't believe the same as the characters within.

---------------------------

The Great Gatsby (reviewed)

This Side of Paradise (Free E-Book, Project Gutenberg)

This Side of Paradise (Free Audio Book, LibrioVox)

This Side of Paradise (Spark Notes)

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall

304 pages
Published 2011
by Knopf Books for Young Readers 


The Penderwicks at Point Mouette is the third in a coming-of-age series about the Penderwick family (a widower dad and his five daughters) by  Jeanne Birdsall.

I first discovered the series in 2008 when I read (and thoroughly enjoyed) The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy. The next year I read the sequel, The Penderwicks of Gardam Street, which made me fall even more in love with the series. And so when I learned that the third book would be published in May 2011 I was quick to put in a request for a copy at my local library.

The Plot: 
The Penderwick family is going to be split up for summer vacation for the first time ever! Rosalind is off to the beach with friends, which leaves Skye in charge as OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick),  which terrifies Skye. Thankfully the girls' friend Jeffrey is joining them so it looks to be a fun summer after all... And it definitely is a fun summer filled with all sorts of adventures and a few discoveries that will change the lives of all involved. There are moments of laughter and of tears, but most of all it's the type of summer no one will soon forget (including the reader)! To learn more check out the full summary on Jeanne Birdsall's website.

My Thoughts:
The third installment in the Penderwick series does not disappoint. It is just as delightful, charming and fun as the two preceding books and at the same time it is a completely fresh story with new adventures for each member of the family.

As is the case with Mrs. Birdsall's previous two Penderwick books the writing remains simple, but clear and creative all the while keeping the story believable and enjoyable not just for her young readers, but for adults too.

If you are looking for an entertaining read that also gives you a feeling of nostalgia (for books of yesteryear) and yet still relevant to today's kids then look no further than The Penderwicks At Point Mouette... Although I will suggest you start at the beginning of the series if you've not yet read them.

According to her website, Mrs. Birdsall plans to write two more books for the Penderwick series. I look forward to the next edition and as she is one of my favorite modern authors I also plan to keep my eye out for any of her other future works.

--------------------------
Related Links:
Jeanne Birdsall's Website 

The Penderwicks (reviewed)
The Penderwicks of Gardham Street (reviewed)

Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson

285 pages
Published in 2010
by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Carol Stream, Illinois

"You've got daughters? Then you've got questions." is the opening phrase on the dust jacket of this new release, Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson.

Bringing Up Girls is the long awaited for companion book to Dr. Dobson's 2001 bestseller, Bringing Up Boys. Published in April 2010, Bringing Up Girls is based on the latest research and includes recent interviews with parents and daughters alike.

What's It All About?
"Peer pressure. Eating disorders. Decisions about love, romance, and sex. Academic demands. Life goals and how to achieve them. These are just some of the challenges that girls face today -- and the age at which they encounter them is getting younger and younger. As a parent, how are you guiding your daughter on her journey to womanhood? Are you equipping her to make wise choices? Whether she's still playing with dolls or in the midst of the often-turbulent teen years, is she truly secure in her identify as your valued and loved daughter?" (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
As a child who was raised in a Christian home I am no stranger to the name "Dr. James Dobson." I have a random collection of memories that relate to Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson. I remember my mother listening to his radio program and from time to time I too would listen, if the subject caught my interest. I didn't always agree with Dr. Dobson, but over the years I have had a respect for him. As a teenager I didn't pay attention to his parenting advice I was more interested in the famous interviews he would hold. And now here I am, decades later, and a parent myself.

Ask just about any parent and I bet they'd tell you the same thing. Being a parent is an awesome experience. At times it is both frustrating and humbling and at other times it's so amazing. No matter what it's one of the best blessings of life.

As I realize there's only one chance to raise a child I am always interested to hear what other parents have to say about their own experiences. It doesn't mean I'll take their advice, because sometimes it's just not that good, but I still like to hear about their experiences. You know the "this worked" or "that didn't" type of stories. So when I saw Dr. Dobson had published a book for parents on raising daughters I figured it might be something very useful to read.

Overall I think it was definitely a worthwhile read. I enjoyed Dr. Dobson's down to earth approach. He's easy to read and to understand, I like that. He's interesting and includes a fairly balanced amount of humor and tragedy within his anecdotes (and yes, there are a LOT of anecdotes). He states facts and backs them up with citations to sources. From an educational point of view this book can give the reader plenty to think about, but the impassioned reader be warned, there is plenty of emotion running through the book. Have a box of tissues handy while reading. I didn't find myself crying, but I can see someone, who had a difficult upbringing who might.

All this praise for Bringing Up Girls and yet I have to admit a small amount of disappointment. Bringing Up Girls was not exactly what I had expected. I anticipated this to be a book about bringing up a daughter. You know, from the moment as a toddler that she first begins to display a desire for independence until the day she walks out the door an independent woman starting her own life. But that wasn't what this book is about.

This isn't a "how to raise" your daughter, but more a "how to raise your daughter to be strong and pure and innocent in an overly sexualized world." Maybe it's the fact that my husband and I were both raised in stable Christian homes with both our parents present, but I didn't finish reading this book with the feeling that I must overcome my past in order to give our daughter a healthy start. Dr. Dobson talks a great deal about the father-daughter relationship and while I think it's vital to a girl's upbringing, again it didn't seem like it was the right time for us, maybe in a few years.

In the end my verdict is this: I found Bringing Up Girls to be interesting, but not applicable to where we are now. I think I'll tuck it away and review it in another 3-8 years.

As for any parent who has a daughter 6 years or older, or a parent coming from a unstable upbringing this might be a book you will want to read sooner than later. I am grateful that someone like Dr. Dobson is out there to give Biblical counsel on such an important topic.

Summer At Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

258 pages
First Edition published in 2007
HarperCollins Publishers
New York, NY

"Do you remember the best summer of your life?" For Marjorie Hart nee' Jacobson it was New York City and the year was 1945.

The Plot:
"Marjorie Jacobson and her best friend, Marty Garrett, arrive fresh from the Kappa house at the University of Iowa hoping to find summer positions as shopgirls. Turned away from the top department stores, they miraculously find jobs as pages at Tiffany & Co., becoming the first women to ever work on the sales floor -- a diamond-filled day job replete with Tiffany blue shirtwaist dresses from Bonwit Teller's -- and the envy of all their friends. Hart takes us back to the magical time when she and Marty rubbed elbows with the rich and famous; pinched pennies to eat at the Automat; experienced nightlife at La Martinique; and danced away their weekends with dashing midshipmen. Between being dazzled by Judy Garland's honeymoon visit to Tiffany, celebrating VJ Day in Times Square, and mingling with Café society, she fell in love, learned unforgettable lessons, made important decisions that would change her future, and created the remarkable memories she now shares with all of us." (Summary courtesy of HarperCollins)

My Thoughts:
Once again I have Carrie at Reading To Know to thank for my learning of this book. Interestingly enough I don't remember seeing it although it's only been out for three years. It was through Carrie's review at 5MinutesforBooks that I discovered this delightful little read and first decided to add it to my own reading list. I call it a "little read" because it is physically small measuring roughly 7" x 5" and running just over 250 pages. (It is the perfect size for a summer read or a on-the-go-stick-it-in-your-purse read, but I digress.) It also feels little because it reads more like a light-hearted short story than it does a memoir.

Honestly I haven't read a more delightful memoir in some time, not to say the ones I've read haven't been good, they have -- it's just this one had something extra special about it. For starters, I've always been partial to stories about life during the early to mid 20th century, so it isn't surprising that I was quickly swept up into the story. At one point about a quarter of the way into the book I found myself holding my breath. I realized that I was waiting for that proverbial "other shoe to drop" at which point something bad would happen to the protagonist in the story. After all, isn't that what happens in most novels? Oh, but wait. I'd then remember that this is not a novel. This was real life. This was "the best summer" of her life and I started breathing again and relax.

I really enjoyed the sweetness to the story, Mrs. Hart is a wonderful story teller. I also enjoyed the fascinating knowledge one reaps from reading about life in a time and place foreign to oneself. Examples reach beyond the celebrity sightings of Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich, yes those were fascinating, but I also loved learning what life was like living in the Big Apple at a time when lunch could be bought for less $0.15 at the Automat; when ladies wore gloves and hats as part of their daily attire; and when the tallest building was the Empire State Building where it was rumored on a clear day you could see five states at once. (I should note that the Empire State Building held this status until 1972 when construction on the World Trade Center was finished. It has since gained back the status after the collapse on 9/11/01).

Another aspect that I loved so much about this book was how music played its own part in the story. Yes, there was dancing, there was singing, but there was also Marjorie's love for music and more specifically the cello. Leading up to her summer in New York City, Marjorie had been studying music at the University of Iowa with a focus on the cello, but during that busy summer of 1945 she wasn't able to give much time to practicing. Still the cello was a big part of her personality and it eventually found its way into her busy life and this story. I was excited to find that Mrs. Hart was a cellist as I love the cello. Beginning when I was 13 I played the cello all through Jr. High and High School and for a couple years after college. I never made a career of it like Mrs. Hart, who eventually became a professional and played in the San Diego Symphony, but reading Summer At Tiffany brought back some pleasant memories of my own.

Summer At Tiffany is definitely worth adding to your reading list. Copies are definitely a bargain online if you purchase through Amazon (new copies run just under $6 and used are less than $4 for hardcover copies). I was very surprised to find none of my local libraries had a copy, so I was left with the option to buy or request through Inter Library Loan. I have to say for the price they are online, if you cannot find a copy through your library it's worth the few dollars for this gem of a read.

Thank you Carrie for telling me about this book. I wish I had found it three years ago!

---------------------
Related Links:
Official Website for: Summer At Tiffany
Summer At Tiffany (Audio Book, unabridged)

Marjorie Hart's Author Page - HarperCollins Publishers
Smith Magazine's May 2007 Interview with Marjorie Hart
Marjorie Hart's Essay: Kappa Days

Tiffany & Co.

The House At Riverton by Kate Morton

470 pages
Published in 2006 by Atria Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc
New York, NY

The House At Riverton was originally published in Australia in 2006 as The Shifting Fog; it was Kate Morton's debut novel at the age of 30. I've been curious to read this book for quite some time. The cover art and the publisher's plot summary just tickled my mystery-loving readers palette. After reading and enjoying The Forgotten Garden and learning that Dame Agatha Christie makes a cameo (yet fictional) appearance within the story I knew I needed to add this to my TBR list.

Plot Summary Courtesy of the Author:

My Thoughts:
Is it possible to really like and really dislike a book at the same time? Some might call that emotion "lukewarm", but I can't say my feelings about The House at Riverton were that, in fact they were far from it. I really really liked this book and at the same time I really really didn't. And apparently I am not alone in how I feel I've noticed reviews from other readers range from a 1 star "I didn't finish it, too predicable, to cliche." To 5 stars "I loved it! Such a great read, I couldn't put it down."

So what made me feel so strongly mixed in my emotions? Well, on the one hand I did find the story slightly predicable and the characters a little cliche. The plot was unique, but it didn't take me completely by surprise. From nearly the beginning I had figured out a good portion of the mystery. And then there was the characters and settings, they seemed oddly familiar. I finally realized there were two reasons for this. First, Morton tends to make subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) nods toward a handful of 19th and 20th century classics (but more on that later). And second, there are certain characteristics and themes that mirror each other between Morton's first and second novels, something that is obvious to anyone who has read the books close together. I can only hope this will not be repeated too many more times in her novels as it could grow old.

On the other hand, there is something about Morton's storytelling that I just really enjoy. Despite the predictability I still found myself caught up in the story and turning page after page until late at night I reached the end and at last the puzzle pieces all fell into place. It is a compelling story.

Something else that I like about Morton's writing is that she keeps her stories fairly clean. I may not agree with the moral choices that some of the characters make, but there is little to no language and the love scenes are more implied than described and any that are mentioned are void of details. The only exception in The House At Riverton was when two-thirds of the way through I was jolted in my reading when I came upon the single use of the "F" word. I was not expecting it and it felt completely unnecessary and as if the publisher required it to make the book appeal to the masses. Still, if a reader is willing to overlook this, as it only takes up a tiny percentage of the story, I suspect they will find The House At Riverton an engaging read.

At this point I feel I should note to readers that The House At Riverton is not really a love story, though a few characters do get their "happily-ever-after." It is a mystery that revolves around a tragedy and it is a coming-of-age story for both the protagonist and two extremely different social classes during the earliest years of the 20th century. It reminds me a little of Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, which I suppose is why I was not surprised to learn that Kate Morton claimed her inspiration for the book sprouted from several sources, including novels by Daphne DuMaurier, the Bronte sisters and Ian McEwan. In addition to the obvious (Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Atonement) I also noticed several other literary hints to such novels as Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I realize not every reader will like The House At Riverton and honestly I'm a little surprised that I did. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think it has to do with Kate Morton's storytelling. She just weaves a story that kept me reading.

If either The Forgotten Garden or The House At Riverton are ever adapted to the screen I would be interested in seeing them. I am already planning to check out Morton's third and latest novel, The Distant Hours, which will be available in November of this year. From what I can find on Morton's website this novel will be a little different, but there are still some of the same themes she used in her first two novels. I'm curious as to the reason behind this. Why is Morton inspired to write about these particular types of people? And will she be able to tell a story equally as compelling as her first two yet without echoing the feeling of deja vue? Guess I'll have to wait and see.

-----------------------
Related Links:
Kate Morton's Website
The Forgotten Garden Reviewed

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo

274 pages
Published 2009
by Guideposts
New York, NY

I find the title and cover art for this particular edition highly amusing. It's clever, it's fitting (although the character in the story never wore a dress or lay on a bench like this), and the title is wonderfully tied to the crux of the heroine's story. Yet when I first saw this book (long before I read any reviews) I couldn't help but laugh. I imagined a twist on this book -- it is Jane Austen who is lying so forlornly on the bench and crying out "Modern fiction has ruined my books!"

It's no secret, I am not a fan of all the Austen-themed chic-lit that clutter bookstore shelves and call themselves literature. And yet.... and yet I occasionally find a rare gem amongst all the imitations. No, this is not on par with Austen's own literary works nor is it as good as some other modern works of literature, but it was by far one of the best Austen-themed novels I've read in a long time. Probably second to the likes of Austenland by Shannon Hale. (Read in 2007 before I started this blog, so sorry no review available.)

By now most of you probably know what this book is about, but for those who do not here is a quick summary. Emma Grant is a English professor who has just had her world turned upside down. She's lost not only her husband, but her career and now she's in England to take her revenge on Jane Austen. She believes that Austen, through her novels, has taught women that love and marriage comes with a "happily ever after" guarantee, but it is just a lie. What begins in the book as Emma's mission to prove this point and restore her career ends as an opportunity of a life time, a journey of self-discovery, and the chance for a new beginning. (For more in depth plot summary check out BethPattillo.com)

Jane Austen Ruined My Life was a much better read than I anticipated. I had already received rave reviews from two fellow book lovers (Carrie at Reading To Know and my friend Alison). Although they loved it I have to admit I was a little wary, especially after having just finished another Austen-themed novel that I disliked. (The irony here is that I only read the other novel because I thought I was reading the book Carrie and Alison had told me was a "must read"!)

One thing I noticed as I read Jane Austen Ruined My Life was that it wasn't a trashy romance. There's little to no language (at least that I noticed) and no intimate love scenes (excepting a few minor references made by the heroine to an affair her husband had prior to the book's beginning), still no graphic details, not vulgar conversations. It was rather refreshing to find in a piece of modern literature. While Pattillo is no Austen or Dickens, she is an entertaining writer and a breath of fresh air when it comes to chick-lit.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life is a sort of grown-up coming-of-age story, a journey of self-discovery for both Emma Grant and Jane Austen, the latter based on the author's fictional twist and interpretation of real life. I liked the quote fellow author Lori Smith made about this book: "A light and lovely fictional journey. [Pattillo] manages to strike the delicate balance of examining the clever, imaginary what-ifs of Austen's life while still respecting (and clearly revering) Austen."

Without giving away the ending (for those of you who have yet to read this book) I will say this much: the ending isn't the fictional fairy-tale "happily ever after". At first I felt a little cheated that the book didn't end as I expected, all lose ends tied up, etc. And yet, after some reflection on the book as a whole I realized that was the whole point of the book. The story couldn't end with a predicable "happily ever after" -- that would have made the story too predicable, too cliche. Life doesn't end just because the hero and heroine meet and marry. There is so much more that happens the next day after a love story begins. And even when life doesn't go as planned there is always time for a new beginning and a second chance. I believe Pattillo leaves the ending of Jane Austen Ruined My Life open to the reader for interpretation. You, the reader, get to imagine how the rest of Emma's life plays out. So, after this reflection I realized I liked that. It's different, but it is a happy ending for this book.

I've already been told I must read the next Austen-themed book by Beth Pattillo titled Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart. This book is not as might be expected, a sequel to Emma's story, but it does have some slight-connections. Because I enjoyed Jane Austen Ruined My Life I have already added this other novel to my TBR list, so watch for a review before summer's end.

The Master's Violin by Myrtle Reed

315 pages
1904, reprinted 1909
G. P. Putnam's Sons --
The Knickerbocker Press

The Master's Violin is the seventh novel by Myrtle Reed, a best selling author of the early 20th century and the fourth that I have read. Up until this point nearly all of Ms. Reed's books that I have read I have picked up with some foreknowledge as to what the story entails, but not so with The Master's Violin. In fact, the very reason that I happened to read it had to do with the simple fact it was one of four books by Reed available through my library's Inter Library Loan program that I had not yet read.

The Master's Violin is set in the early 1900s and somewhere in a German settled town within the state of Pennsylvania. (Note: German immigrants play heavily into this story, including a character or two who speak with heavy accents, which at times make reading their dialogue a bit of a challenge.)

The plot:
After twenty years a widow returns to her childhood home and although she is haunted by her past, she is determined to stay so her grown son can further his musical career at the hands of a local master violinist. What ensues is the love stories of three couples who find each other amidst sadness and loss, bitter memories, forgivenss, love, and new found hope.

My Thoughts:
The Master's Violin is a sweet, yet sad, and at times even a little sappy story. Compared side by side with some of Reed's other novels I'd have to say The Master's Violin isn't quite as memorable. It lacks the same level of wit and spice to the dialogue, plot, and characters that other of her books have contained. Still, I found it to be an enjoyable read and probably best defined as an Edwardian period romance with a pretty ending.

Despite the drawbacks to this book (the occasional accented dialogue, the lacking in wit and spice, the silliness of one female, the snobbishness of another...) I still found the story entertaining, pleasing in it's closure and plenty of passages to jot down in my book of books. Here is one such passage:

"Perhaps if we lived rightly, if our faith were stronger, death would not rend our hearts as it does.'

'Life,' replied Lynn 'is the pitch of the orchestra, and we are the instruments.' Doctor Brinkerhoff nodded. 'Very true. The discord and the broken string of the individual instrument do not affect the work, except as false notes, but I think that God, knowing all things, must discern the symphony, glorious with meaning, through the discordant fragments that we play.'" (Chapter 14, page 183)

All in all, I liked The Master's Violin, but not as much as the other books I've read by Myrtle Reed. I feel rather sorry that I can't give a standing ovation for this novel. I have really enjoyed all of Ms. Reed's books that I have read thus far, but then each one in a different way. I loved Lavender And Old Lace, but in comparison The Master's Violin was only mediocre. Thankfully for someone curious to read this story, but not willing to spend a lot of money there are acceptable copies to be found on Amazon for as little as $0.99. Unfortunately I have not found a decent electronic version of this book. The one website I did find that contained the entire book had font errors and missing words, which made reading nearly impossible.

But don't let my so-so feelings about this novel keep you from reading Myrtle Reed. She wrote some beautiful novels in her time and they are well worth your time.

----------------------------
Myrtle Reed Related Posts:

Lavender And Old Lace by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)
A Spinner In The Sun by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)
A Weaver of Dreams by Myrtle Reed (reviewed)

Listening Valley by D. E. Stevenson

256 pages

Published 1943, reprinted 1972

Farrar & Rinehart, Inc.

Listening Valley is a companion novel (not a sequel) to Celia's House by D. E. Stevenson. This is not surprising as most of Stevenson's novels are interlinked, although only a few are part of a series.

The story within Listening Valley opens in the early 1920 and 30s in northern England near the Scottish border and then some time is spent in London. Antonio Melville, a fragile and shy girl, is the heroine of the story.

In the unfortunate, yet typical Edwardian fashion of parenting Mr. and Mrs. Mellville turn over the care and grooming of Antonio (Tonia) and her beloved, but outgoing and adventurous sister, Louise (Lou) to the capable hands of a Nanny. It is a very lonely life for the girls and this eventually leads them to choose two very different ways of dealing with their emotions and two very different paths in life. Lou chooses her own course and finding love flees to the other side of the world. Tonia on the other hand finds solitude and happiness in what she comes to call her "listening valley" -- a place she cannot see, but only hear; a place within herself, within her mind. How Tonia breaks out of this "private cocoon" and what happens in her life is the subject and content that drives this story.

Listening Valley is a romance in typical D. E. Stevenson fashion, but likewise it in typical fashion it is more than just a romance. There is plenty of interesting historical and geographical details woven seamlessly into the story, there is adventure and drama and tragedy and comedy. Listening Valley is a truly entertaining, engaging, and pleasing read.

Because it is a companion novel and not a sequel it takes some time before Tonia runs into characters from Celia's House. And when she does it is really only two that take any real role in this story. Still it gives the reader of Celia's House a chance to find out what happens after the end of that novel.

There wasn't much that I didn't like about Listening Valley, it was such a good story. At the worst it is a somewhat predicable story at the best it has several glimpses of foreshadowing throughout the story, but this doesn't take away from the enjoyability of the book. One aspect that I didn't like was the cold and selfish way that Tonia's mother (and often her father) treated Tonia and Lou. To treat your child as if they were a burden rather than a blessing and joy in life is just so very sad! But Stevenson doesn't condone this behavior, rather she subtly tells it like it was (for some people) during the early to mid 20th century and then shows the problems and consequences of such relationships between parent and child and how despite this type of child-rearing a child can grow and mature and overcome their past. When Tonia reaches early adulthood she receives the attentions of a man old enough to be her father and while for some this might be creepy, I found it fit in well with the time, place, and story line of this novel. It was necessary for the sake of Tonia as a person and to help her reach her final destination as an adult.

Listening Valley is largely set during the early years of the second world war and from the local RAF base to the threat of German spies this novel is far more adventurous and suspense filled then Celia's House. It's a good companion story a worthwhile read and one I hope to add to my personal library. I would rate this one up at a 4 or 4.5. If you can't find this one at your local library or through your library's ILL program then try online. Used copies are available through some sources at fairly reasonable prices.

------------------------------------------

What are other reader's saying?

Check out: Never Jam Today's review of Listening Valley

Celia's House by D. E. Stevenson

256 pages

Published 1943, reprinted 1971

Holt, Rinehart and Winston

New York, NY

Having finished the Miss Buncle series I finally got a chance to pick up a completely different novel by D. E. Stevenson. Celia's House came highly recommended to me by cousins and book bloggers Noel and Marie De Vries.

The Plot:

"Celia's House... is the story of Dunnian -- a spellbindingly lovely family estate in Scottish Border country -- and of the generations of Dunne family that live in it and love it dearly. Beginning in 1905 with ninety-year-old Celia Dunne, it delightfully portrays the bustling life of her heir and grand-nephew Humphrey Dunne, and his family of five rambunctious children. It follows the family over forty years -- through their youthful antics merry parties, heartbreaks and loves and marriages, as each in turn comes to maturity and an understanding of the enduring satisfaction Dunnian gives to their lives." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:

I found Celia's House a romantic and entertaining read. Although the story was a little reminiscent of two other books I've read it was still uniquely different... if that can be possible, which I think it can.

For starters, I was happy to have finally found the story plot that I've been looking for. The story of an English/Scottish estate and the adventures and drama that surrounds the family ensconced in the great home over the course of several decades. To be quite honest this is the type of story plot I expected when I picked up Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh earlier this year. Of course once I started reading Brideshead I realized it was NOTHING like I had imagined, which proved a little disappointing. Not so with Celia's House! This time, without any preconceived expectations I found that very story plot within this novel. You can imagine my delight; it was a very satisfying read.

The other novel that Celia's House reminds me of is Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. While it only occurs as a small part of the story I did notice several similarities between Celia's House and Mansfield Park. (i.e. the beautiful, quarrelsome, yet devoted sisters; the quiet, loving, yet imposed upon cousin; the handsome and somewhat clueless eldest son; a set of conniving siblings who try to worm their way into the family; and even a play! Even though Mansfield Park is probably my least favorite novel by Jane Austen I still enjoyed this nod by Stevenson towards the Bertram family and Mansfield Park's unlikely heroine, Fanny Price.

Another aspect of Celia's House that I liked was how the story seemed to go full circle. It begins in the early 20th century as Miss Celia is about to pass away and leave Dunnian to the next generation complete with the laughter and tears of young children. The novel ends in the middle of the 20th century and the reader finds that once again Dunnian is being passed to the next generation, this time another Miss Celia.

There's very little that I didn't like about this book. The only thing that comes to mind is a two weird scenes at the beginning of the story when it seems Ms. Stevenson is hinting at the presence of the ghost... although Celia's House is the farthest thing from a ghost story. I wasn't entirely certain if she intended to make a point with the two scenes, but I soon forgot it as the story carried me away from the past and in to the future of the characters. If asked I'd have to say my favorite characters were Mark (It was fun to watch him grow from a little boy to an established and respected gentleman.) and Debbie (I wasn't sure I would like Debbie when she first entered the story, but it didn't take long before I was cheering for her in the story.) Oddly enough, though the story is titled Celia's House I never felt attached to either Celia in the story. Perhaps I will feel differently after reading the novel's sequel, Listening Valley.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Celia's House a 4.5. While some may argue that Celia's House is more a romance than a classic, I still say it's definitely worth owning, especially if you are a fan of Mansfield Park or coming-of-age family sagas. Some good news for readers of D. E. Stevenson is that Celia's House is relatively easy to find. Stat with your local library and if you find they don't own a copy then check the ILL system. I'm betting there's a god chance you'll find it this way. If you are like me and want to own a copy then you should be able to find a reasonably priced copy online thanks to the fact this book was reprinted several times until the late 1970s.

As for the sequel, Listening Valley, I am hoping to get my hands on a copy, so stay tuned because if I do I will be posting a review in early 2010.

-----------------

Curious to hear what other readers think? Check out the following reviews:

Fireside Musings (April 2008)

No Jam Today (January 2008)

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

363 pages
Published 2000
By Counter Point
Washington, DC

I like to think of myself as a well-read person, that is to say I read a lot of books and what I read tends to be from a variety of topics, genres, and eras, but I also realize that I have not reached the peak of literacy. There is always something else I should be reading or want to read, but I think it's this way for everyone. Reading is a life long journey.

Most recently, my reading journey brought me to Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry; a book that had it not been for the ladies in my book club, I probably would never read. It just wouldn't have crossed my reading radar.

The Plot:
"From the simple setting of his own barber shop, Jayber Crow, orphan, seminarian, and native of Port William, recalls his life and the life of his community as it spends itself in the middle of the twentieth century. Surrounded by his friends and neighbors, he is both participant and witness as the community attempts to transcend its own decline. And meanwhile Jayber learns the art of devotion and that a faithful love is its own reward." (Summary from B&N)

My Thoughts:
For starters, I found Jayber Crow an interesting story concept. It's always fascinating to me to hear how life was different for the previous generations. The character of Jayber (a.k.a "Jonah", a.k.a. "J") was born a few years prior to my own grandfather. And while my grandfather has spent his lifetime entirely in the northern part of the United States, there are a few similarities in what he saw and experienced and those that Jayber sees and experiences in the south (rural Kentucky). This aspect of the novel was definitely interesting to me.

But for those readers looking for an exciting and action packed tale, look elsewhere. Jayber Crow is a coming-of-age story that begins with a young boy and ends with an elderly man. It is told in the first person and has a lot of disjointed memories mixed in with description and dialogue.

For the most part I can't say that I liked Jayber Crow, I just never "clicked" with the characters of the story, which was a little disappointing. Throughout the story I felt as if Jayber just kind of floated on by, waiting and watching as the world changed around him, but doing little with his own life. At one point in the story Jayber finds true love, but it doesn't end in a "happily ever after" as some readers might hope. Throughout his lifetime, and in turn the novel, Jayber searches for answers to deep questions, questions about God and life and love. Jayber seems to be searching for heaven on earth in the people he knows, but in the end finds more of a hell than anything like a paradise, and by the end of the story many of the answers to his questions seem to have alluded him forever. I found this aspect of the novel not so much irritating or thought provoking as it was depressing.

The one aspect I did enjoy was Wendell Berry's writing style. It was at times very easy to read and many passages were quote worthy. I posted two in recent Tuesday Teasers, which can be read here and here. Another good quote is:

"So now maybe you can imagine it: the moon hanging all alone out in the sky, its light pouring down over everything and filling the valley, and under the moonlight the woods, making a darkness, and within the darkness a little room of firelight, and within the firelight several men talking, some standing, some sitting on stools of piled rocks or on logs, some sitting or squatting or kneeling around a spot swept clear of leaves where they were playing cards, and all around you could hear the whippoorwills." (Chapter 9, page 111)

While I may have a mixed opinion of Jayber Crow, it is considered by some literary critics as an excellent example of Southern Agrarian writing. Until reading this book I'd only heard the term "Southern Agrarian" once or twice before and I had no idea what it meant. (Perhaps I'm not as well-read as I like to think!) For those of you, who like me, are not familiar with Southern Agrarianism, it is a type of philosophy and lifestyle founded during the early-mid 20th century by a group of Southern authors. Their views included opposition to any form of modernity or technology that would promote urbanism and industrialism and eventually lead to the end of Southern traditions and "the way things are." Because this is a review of a novel and not a review of the philosophy I will only say that in reading Jayber Crow I agreed with a few small points, but for the most part I find the Southern Agrarian philosophy to be unrealistic and impractical in the 21st century.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Jayber Crow a 2.5. It was an "ok" read, but not intriguing enough to make me want to read more of Berry's novels. If you're still interested in reading I'd advise you borrow (as I did) versus buy this novel, at least until you know if you want to own a copy. As it is a recent publication (within the last decade) and a somewhat popular author you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a copy at your local public library.

Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace

290 pages

Published 1950, reprinted 2000

Harper Trophy of HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

New York, NY

Emily of Deep Valley is the middle of three books in the Deep Valley series by Maud Hart Lovelace. As was the case with Carney's House Party for some reason I never got around to reading this book when I was reading and later re-reading the Betsy-Tacy series. I was thrilled to find my local library owned a copy as this book has been out of print for several years.

The Plot:
Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can't leave her grandfather.

Emily resigns herself to facing a "lost winter," but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and a handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed... (Summary Courtesy of the Publisher)

My Thoughts:
Although set in the same town as nearly all of the Betsy-Tacy books and the first two Deep Valley books, Emily of Deep Valley is a different type of story. That is to say, it has the basics that readers find typical in the Betsty-Tacy and Deep Valley books (i.e parities and dances, interesting historic details, and of course a host of familiar faces), but it also takes on a deeper, more serious tone. Emily of Deep Valley is a coming-of-age story that is particularly rich in detail, character development, and girl power.

As the reader I really felt for Emily as she struggled through loneliness and broken dreams. And I couldn't help but cheer for Emily as she "musters her wits" and takes on new challenges, reaches out to those around her in love and friendship, and stands for what is right.

Which brings me to the historical detail in this book. There are many cultural and social references, but what really stood out to me was the role that the nearby Syrian community plays in this story. It is a much larger role than was seen in Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill. In Emily of Deep Valley several members of Deep Valley befriend the families from Little Syria and Emily herself sets out a plan to help the women through language and civics classes in her home. While the story doesn't delve into detail about immigration laws and statistics during the early 1900s, it is very clear that Americans were just as much divided in their views of immigration as they are today.

What surprised me was how applicable this story is to readers today. I had no idea when I picked up Emily of Deep Valley that I would be pondering immigration laws, racial and social discrimination, and the like. Who knew that a book written nearly sixty years ago could address and connect the same concerns Americans have today as they had one hundred years ago! I found this fascinating.

My Summary:
Emily of Deep Valley is a gem of a story and a wonderful way to round out the Deep Valley/Betsy-Tacy series. I still have to re-read Betsy and the Great World and Betsy's Wedding, but as this was the last first-time read for me I was rather saddened when I reached the end. I loved the Deep Valley stories. I loved reading about Betsy's, Tacy's, Tib's, Winona's, Carney's, and Emily's worlds. They aren't just fun reads they are books that can stir imagination and self-reflection. There's no hope, I am a life-long fan of Maud Hart Lovelace.

On a scale of 1-5, 1being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Emily of Deep Valley a 4.5 to a 5. Although this book is out of print your library may still have a copy from when it was reprinted in 2000. I hope that with the successful reprint of the Betsy-Tacy series, HarperCollins Publishers will reprint the Deep Valley series.

---------------
Click on the links for reviews of related reads:
Betsy-Tacy (Betsy-Tacy series, 1897-1898)
Betsy, Tacy and Tib (BT, 1900-1901)
Winnona's Pony Cart (Deep Valley series, around 1900)
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill (BT, 1902)
Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown (BT, 1904-1905)
Heavens to Betsy (BT, 1906-1907)
Betsy in Spite of Herself (BT, 1907-1908)
Betsy Was a Junior (BT, 1908-1909)
Betsy and Joe (BT, 1909-1910)
Carney's House Party (DV, 1911)
Emily of Deep Valley (DV, 1912-1913)
Betsy and the Great World (BT, 1914) -- Review coming soon!
Betsy's Wedding (BT, 1914-1917) -- Review coming soon!

Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace

275 pages

Published 1949, reprinted 2000

Harper CollinsPublishers

New York, NY

Carney's House Party is the second of three Deep Valley Books by Maud Hart Lovelace. Although each of the Deep Valley Books takes place in the same town as the Betsy-Tacy books they are not linked any more than to have Betsy Ray make a guest appearance. Instead, as stand-alone novels, each book tells the adventures of a central character and her close friends and family within the much loved town of Deep Valley, Minnesota.

As a side note for those interested, you can read my review of the first Deep Valley Book, Winona's Pony Cart, which I reviewed earlier this year. And watch for my upcoming review of the last book, Emily of Deep Valley.

The Plot:

Carney's House Party takes place over the summer of 1911. As the story opens Carney Sibley has finished her sophomore year at Vassar College and is getting ready to leave the East Coast and return home to the Middle-West and more specifically, Deep Valley. Carney is excited because it is promising to be a wonderful summer as her parents have agreed to let her host a month-long house party with some of her best friends, including old chums Betsy Ray and Bonnie Andrews (recently returned from Paris) and her college roommate, the mysterious yet beautiful, Isobel Porteous.

And the summer is indeed is filled with adventure and fun for Carney and her friends as they frolic together enjoying picnics, swimming, boating, and fishing, dances and parties, or just hanging out and laughing together. To add to this, there are two surprises for Carney. First a new member is added to the crowd, the wealthy and unkempt, but endearing Sam Hutchinson, who appears to take interest in Isobel, and second, the return of Larry Humphreys (Carney's high school sweetheart) who moved to California four years prior. Love is in the air, but what everyone wants to know is -- will Larry and Carney get engaged?

My Thoughts:

For some reason I never got around to reading Carney's House Party when I was reading through the Betsy-Tacy books as a teenager. I wish I hadn't waited so long to look for a copy since it is now out of print and very expensive to purchase. Thankfully I was able to track down a copy through my local library and finally satisfy my curiosity about some of the unanswered questions I've always had. Questions like what happens to Larry and Carney? And what happened in Betsy's life between her senior year at Deep Valley High School in Betsy and Joe and her traveling Europe in Betsy and the Great World?

Over all I really enjoyed Carney's House Party. It is a fun, entertaining, and romantic read that, in my opinion, is equally as good as the Besty-Tacy stories. That said, Carney's House Party has its differences. Instead of spanning an entire year as is the case in the Betsy-Tacy series, this book covers just a summer. Because of this it tends to put a little more detail into the development of characters and the house party activities. Readers should not expect Carney's House Party to be an extension to Betsy and Joe, because after all the story is Carney's and is told from her perspective. I guess you might liken it to what the Road of Avonlea books are to the Anne of Green Gables series.

As is the case with her other works, Carney's House Party isn't just another romance set in the early 1900s. Mrs. Lovelace also manages to weave in subtle lessons and interesting historic details. I noticed several of these in Carney's House Party, but there were two that particularly stood out to me.

First, at one point in the story there is a casual reference made to a newspaper reporting that the Mona Lisa had been stolen from the Louvre in Paris. I love it when Mrs. Lovelace includes these little details because I'm always compelled to dig for more information when it's something I don't know much about, or in this case, I don't know at all. Another example is in Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown when a references is made to the Carnegie Libraries.

Second and on a deeper note, I found it interesting to note the worldview that Carney and her friends have towards college and careers and love and marriage. Life in 1911 was so much different for young women than it is in 2009. While more and more women were attending college they still did not have the right to vote and their futures were limited to a few careers or settling down to raise a family. What I like about the characters that Mrs. Lovelace created in her books is how balanced they always are. For example, Carney and her girlfriends have hopes and dreams that include a higher education and travel, but none of them are men-hating feminists, nor are they milk-toast women content to let others tell them how to live. It is clear throughout the book that Carney not only loves the challenge of attending a college like Vassar, but that she is excelling in her studies. She also believes in a woman's right to vote, yet dreams of one day herself becoming a wife and mother.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Carney's House Party a 4.5. If you've read the Betsy-Tacy series, but never taken the time to read this book you are missing out. Hopefully now that Harper CollinsPublishers reprinted the entire Betsy-Tacy series they will turn their attention to reprinting the Deep Valley Books.

--------------------------

If you have read and enjoyed Carney's House Party, you might also enjoy Future In a Handbasket: The Life and Letters Behind Carney's House Party by Amy Dolnick.

Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge

502 pages

Published 1944

Coward-McCann, Inc.

New York, NY

I first learned of Green Dolphin Street (a.k.a. Green Dolphin Country) by Elizabeth Goudge as a teenager from an older married woman in my church. She claimed it was her all-time favorite novel. On this recommendation I read it, but didn't like the book. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why she thought it was so wonderful.

Now fast forward some 13 or 14 years and one of the women in my book club suggested we read and discuss Green Dolphin Street. She said she'd recently read it and found it to be one of the best novels she'd ever read on the subject of marriage and true love. Hmm... I thought, I might re-read this book and see if my opinion has changed. So I re-read it and now you get to hear my revised thoughts.

The Plot:
Green Dolphin Street is divided into four books and each book is divided into parts, with a different character of the story taking the central role of each part. The story itself spans the course of 45 plus years (from the early to mid 1800s to the late 1880s), two continents, and follows the adventures of three very different people and a supporting cast of unusual characters. The plot is very thick and thus a little difficult to summarize. I will do my best to outline it without giving away the best of the story.

As the story opens the reader finds themselves on the small channel island of St. Pierre, off the coast of England and France, during the early-mid 1800s. It is here that the reader is introduced to two very different sisters -- Marianne and Marguerite Le Patourel. Marianne is 16 and is described as an "elfin creature...totally without the beauty that distinguished her parents...with a passionate temper and brain that was too quick and hard and brilliant for her years and sex." Marguerite, on the other hand, at the age of 11 is already a "dimpled" and "fair beauty" with a bubbly personality, tinkling laugh, and a vivacious love love for life and desire for the happiness of those around her.

It is at this time that the two sisters meet the third and last central character of the book, one William Ozanne, age 13. Immediately Marianne sets her mind to win William as her own. But at the same time the reader realizes that it is not Marianne, but Marguerite with whom William has a special bond and is destined to fall in love. (The plot thickens...)

As the story progresses the children grow into young adults and their personalities become more defined. Marianne becomes a chic young woman with a quick mind and a quick tongue. She is very driven and adventurous and determined to get her own way, particularly when it involves the future of William. Marguerite has grown in beauty and is still a lover of life and laughter. William is likewise a lover of life, but too lazy in Marianne's opinion. Nevertheless, it becomes clear to everyone that William and Marguerite love each other... but unforeseen circumstances (and a little manipulation on Marianne's part) prevents William from professing his love to Marguerite before sailing off with the Royal Navy. (The plot grows thicker...)

While in the Far East William is tricked and robbed and ends up missing his boat, which leads him to accidentally go AWOL from the Navy, and in turn makes him a fugitive from his own country. With nowhere else to go William sails to a small colony in New Zealand to start his life anew.

A few years pass and with something of a job and home established, William finally writes the letter to request the hand in marriage of his one true love. But there's just one problem... In a drunken state of love, loneliness, and liquor William mixes up the sisters' names and accidentally asks for Marianne instead of Marguerite! (The plot thickens even more!)

But what of Marguerite? What will happen to William and Marianne? The rest of the story plot I leave to the reader to discover for themselves as that is the best way.

My Thoughts:
I have so many thoughts... For starters, the reason I hated this book as a teenager has to do with the fact I considered the story "broken" -- William and Marguerite were supposed to end up together... not William and Marianne! But as an adult (and perhaps being a married woman myself?) my perspective of this novel has changed. I realize that this story is not a predictably perfect romance, instead it is something more. On its face it is a beautifully unique tale of adventure and love in a time and place where the world was undergoing great change. But at a closer look it is also a somewhat upside down love story; it is a tale of true love, self-sacrifice and the journey to true happiness by letting go of what we want most and finding strength to do what we must. It is no fairytale, but it is very life-like.

One thing that has not changed is how I feel about Marianne. I didn't like her when I was a teenager and I still don't like her. But then, she is a very difficult character to like. She's got the tom-boy adventurous spirit that the modern girl appreciates, but she's also a very manipulative and selfish person. (Much like Scarlet O'Hara of Gone With the Wind or Becky Sharp of Vanity Fair, though I don't think Marianne is wicked like Becky Sharp was.) Marianne's spirit definitely drives the story, but there are so many other characters that the reader meets along the way whose impact upon each other and upon Marianne (just like in real life) makes the story come alive.

To add to this, Green Dolphin Street is jam-packed with Biblical symbolism and subtle lessons. Lessons about loyalty and friendship, true love in marriage, finding God in both the darkest moments as well as the most beautiful, and how selfishness brings hopelessness and loving sacrifice brings freedom. Throughout the story the reader can really see the ebb and flow of the main characters' spiritual and emotional lives.

Ms. Goudge is a beautiful writer. Some of the members of my book club complained that her writing was flowery and tended to make the story drag. But I didn't find this to be the case. Perhaps it helped that I'd read the book before and new how it would end, but either way, I just drank up her descriptive prose. Such imagery! Such depth! (Watch for such a quote next Tuesday as part of my Tuesday Teasers.)

There is so much more I could say about this book, but I will close with this. Green Dolphin Street is a worthy read. The ending is bitter sweet, but beautiful. There is much I took from this book and I highly recommend that you add it to your reading list. This is definitely a book that should be in print and be read! On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Green Dolphin Street a 5. A book to read and perhaps even own (which I do!).

--------
Note: In 1947 Hollywood adapted this book to the screen starring Lana Turner and Donna Reed. I've not seen the movie, but have heard that it is little like the book. It did win an Oscar for "Best Special Effects" I'm curious why that is. Maybe some day I'll get a chance to see the movie.

New Release: Forest Born

Earlier this spring I read and thoroughly enjoyed The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. At the time I planned to read the next two books in the Books of Bayern series, Enna Burning and River Secrets so that I'd be ready to pick up the next book the series, Forest Born when it hit store and library shelves today (9/15/09). Alas, I lost sight of my goal and am no closer to reaching it today than I was two months ago. Nevertheless, I still plan to get there and in the meantime I wanted to let you know.

As I said, I really enjoyed The Goose Girl and have heard great reviews of the other books in the series, thus I have high hopes for Forest Born. If you're a fan of fantasy and fairy tales or Shannon Hale then you might want to check your library for this new book.

Betsy And Joe By Maud Hart Lovelace

256 pages
Copyright 1948
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York, NY

"Say, you told me you thought Les Miserables was the greatest novel ever written. I think Vanity Fair is the greatest. Let's fight." ~ Joe Willard to Betsy Ray (Chapter 4, page 47)

Betsy and Joe opens during the summer of 1909, just months from the beginning of Betsy’s senior year at Deep Valley High School. Once more Betsy and her family (sans Julia who is traveling abroad) are vacationing at the lake where Betsy spends her days relaxing, swimming, writing letters and stories (she's determined to get published before the summer is over), and planning out her last year of high school.

Betsy learned a lot during her junior year and she is resolved to continue this pattern of growth and maturity as she starts the school year. For starters, she is determined to be a steadier and more loving individual. Betsy also plans to help more around the home, study harder, spend more time reaching out to others, and most of all -- rescue her long-time friend, Tony Markham, who has fallen in with a bad crowd. But what Betsy doesn't plan for ends up being the biggest surprise of her summer -- Joe Willard and she will finally get their chance to be together…

I think it's safe to say Betsy and Joe is my all-time favorite book in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. It's the culmination of the high-school years and the reader finally gets to find out more about the handsome yet mysterious Joe Willard. And yet, it's not just another chapter in the "Betsy high school saga," for as is true with any of the books in the series, Mrs. Lovelace weaves a story that is both entertaining and endearing with subtle lessons and the adventures and tragedies that are found in real-life.

I find this coming-of-age novel romantic and yet still very realistic. It’s both entertaining and heart wrenching. Love is lost, love is gained, and love is even found where it's not expected. Betsy has to make a choice whether to help another or to follow her heart. Her faith is stretched as she watches those around her lose loved ones and yet carry on. She faces challenges head on, she's improved, she's matured... and yet she still makes mistakes. But I find her flaws and virtues just make her a more realistic and lovable heroine. She's not perfect, but you don't want her to be.

Yes, Betsy and Joe is definitely the culmination of the books following Betsy’s childhood and youth, but it's not the end of her story. Mrs. Lovelace drops various hints to the reader as to the future course of many of the characters in the book and the reader has the delightful opportunity of two more books about Betsy as she enters the Great World.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Betsy and Joe a 5. This is an excellent read and well worth your attention.

-----------------------------
Note: As I mentioned in my last Betsy review, Betsy loves to read. I noticed her novel of choice in this book was Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, which I read and reviewed this summer.

Mark Your Calendar! The Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge begins here at A Library is a Hospital for the Mind on Monday, September 28.

Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace

248 pages
Copyright 1947
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York, NY

I actually read Betsy Was a Junior in August, but delayed my review because I wanted to post it after my announcement about the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge. I'm planning on one more Betsy-Tacy review this month, but then the rest of the books I read by Mrs. Lovelace will be saved for the reading challenge.

The Plot:
Betsy Was a Junior opens, as do all the high school books in the series, during the last few weeks of summer. While Betsy, now 16 going on 17, has had a wonderful summer at the lake with her family she is excited to get back home to Deep Valley and to school. She's made big plans for the upcoming year, which include capturing the attention of the mysteriously aloof, but very handsome Joe Willard, getting better grades, winning the coveted Essay Contest cup, and joining the committee to work on the Junior-Senior Banquet. If all goes to plan she expects to have the best school year ever!

And at first it seems like it will be the perfect year, especially when Betsy learns her childhood friend, Tib Mueller, has moved back to Deep Valley and the girls in the crowd form the first ever sorority at Deep Valley High. But then a few things go wrong and Betsy's plans start to fall apart or backfire. Before she realizes it she (and the crowd) are headed for trouble. If something doesn't change soon it could end up being Betsy's worst year ever!

My Thoughts:
As is the case with the other books in the series I found Betsy Was a Junior amusing, entertaining, and endearing. And of course it should come as no surprise, to those who've read my other reviews of the Betsy-Tacy series, that I loved this next installment of Betsy's high school years.

One thing I've noticed during my re-reading of this series is the fact these aren't stories filled with fluff. Yes, Betsy lives during a golden age and her life is filled with fun, fashion, and some frivolity, but none of the characters are one-dimensional. Mrs. Lovelace always manages to weave important details and principles into the story that adds a richness and make the characters come alive on the pages. Betsy has endearing qualities, but she she is not perfect. During her junior year she makes some good choices and some not so good choices, which lead to some tough consequences. But she faces them head on and comes out the other end no worse for the wear, but definitely a wiser and better individual. To me, this is the type of character the draws the reader in and gives them a reason to care what happens next in the story.

Another aspect that I love about the Betsy-Tacy books is how Mrs. Lovelace celebrates and honors not only the family and family traditions, but also faith, friendships, and just the little things that make life in a small town during the early 1900s so unique. It's the compilation of all these details that make the Betsy-Tacy books timeless treasures. Yes, a lot has changed in the last century, but the heart of the stories in the Betsy-Tacy books remain as applicable today as they were 50 years ago when the books were published, or 100 years ago at the time the stories were set.

My Summary:
On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Betsy Was a Junior a 5. I love this novel. So much happens and it is a truly enjoyable read, you have to read it!


--------------------
P.S. Throughout the series the reader sees mention of various books Betsy has read or is reading. I made a fun discovery while reading Betsy Was a Junior. At one point in the story it is mentioned that Betsy reads aloud to her girlfriends from The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I found this amusing because I just read and reviewed that same book in March. And in case your curious, Betsy has good taste in books... I loved The Shuttle.

Betsy In Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace

272 pages
Copyright 1946, reprint in paperback 1980
Harper Trophy
New York, NY

I'm on a roll... After reading the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series I finally reached my favorite books in the series -- the high school years, which begin with Heavens To Betsy and eventually lead into Betsy's early adult years and the end of the series. Of course now that I've begun re-reading them I don't want to stop. And so only a day after finishing Heavens to Betsy I found myself reading, Betsy In Spite of Herself.

The Plot:
As Betsy in Spite of Herself opens it is the summer of 1908. Betsy is 15 and heading into her sophomore year at Deep Valley High School. Even though Betsy and her life-long friend Tacy still underclassmen they are "important members of 'the Crowd,' which is the center of all the exciting happenings in the school. But all the interest in examinations, dates, parties, and school games vanishes when Phil Brandish joins the Crowd, for Phil is new and handsome and has a b right red auto. Betsy decides she has to change her personality to fit her new sophisticated role, and a trip to Milwaukee gives her the opportunity. Whether or not she succeeds, things begin to happen after she returns home, and her great decision about herself is made at her first dance." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
As I said above, I love these books. Not only are they a part of my childhood (or rather teenage years -- as I read them and enjoyed them when I was about the same age as Betsy and Tacy), but they remind me so much of... well, me as a teenager.

At 15 years I was a budding author. I'd actually written and sold one story and I dreamed of becoming an best selling author and maybe even traveling the Great World. I loved having fun with my friends, attending parties, and even cheering at the occasional school basketball game. And like Betsy, I thought for a time that if I changed who I was -- in looks, dress, and personality, then I might draw the attention and companionship of those who I thought were "cool". But also like Betsy, in time I came to realize how silly that was.

As some readers may know (particularly if you're a reader of this blog) the Betsy-Tacy books are based off of the author's (Maud Hart Lovelace) own childhood and teenage memories and experiences. Most, though not all, of Betsy's friends and family are based off real-life friends and family members of Maud's. I think this fact makes the series that much more interesting. It's not just another historical fiction series, it's based on facts and thus in a very small way a biographical historical fiction series.

Between my own personal connection with Betsy's character and the knowledge that a real person just like Betsy actually lived, experienced, and felt the same things that I have makes the series so endearing to me.

But emotions aside. Heavens to Betsy is educational too. There are two things I've noticed while re-reading the Betsy-Tacy series. First, lessons are learned by Betsy and her friends, but their aren't presented in a preachy or lecturing way. Mrs. Lovelace weaves the story in such a way that any foolish decisions reap realistic consequences and the characters and readers are left to draw their own conclusions from such happenings. Unlike say... The Elsie Dinsmore books.

Honestly, I was never a fan of the Elsie Dinsmore series. I just couldn't stand Elsie's -- or the author's for that matter -- "goody-goody" attitude and preachiness (or so I viewed it). So when I came across the following paragraph in Betsy In Spite of Herself I almost laughed out loud:

"For a moment Betsy wondered wildly whether she should refuse to go. Elsie Dinsmore, she remembered, had refused to play the piano on Sunday; she had fallen off the piano stool instead. But Betsy had never thought much of Elsie Dinsmore..." (Chapter 12, page 127)

Second, without realizing it a reader can have a nice history and social studies lesson just by reading a Betsy-Tacy novel. I had forgotten how much attention Mrs. Lovelace gives to not only the exciting and unusual details, but also to the seemingly mundane and simple details.

The reader learns much about life in the early 1900s just by reading about Betsy's home, school, religious, and social life doings. And then there is the social and political comments that Betsy, her family and friend's make and observe throughout the books just as naturally as any family does today. When Betsy takes a trip to Milwaukee to visit her childhood friend, Tib the reader learns a great deal about what life was like for German immigrants to the United States prior to both World Wars. I found this aspect particularly enlightening considering the current status of international immigrants in America. It was indeed a very interesting read.

My Summary:
These books aren't just fluff. They bring out the best of my memories and I guess that's why I treasure them so. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Betsy In Spite of Herself a 5. This is a great follow-up to Heavens to Betsy. But I warn readers... once you start you won't be able to set the series aside until you reach the end.

Stay tuned for further thoughts and interesting facts when I review Betsy Was a Junior and an exciting announcement concerning this blog.

For more details about the reprinting of the Betsy-Tacy series or to see my other Betsy-Tacy reviews click on the Betsy-Tacy label.