Chaff in the Wind by Edna Walker Chandler

389 pages
Published in 1964
by Sierra Printing & Publishing Company 
Sacramento, CA

My first encounter with Edna Walker Chandler was through the pages of her Cowboy Sam series. As a child my mother would borrow the Cowboy Sam books from our local library to assist with my early reading, and later with my brother as he too learned to read.

Although the Cowboy Sam books are now out of print and thus extremely valuable to collectors, I still have fond memories of those books and hoped to one day own one or two of them, if I could ever find them for a reasonable price.

Unfortunately after a quick browse of the Internet I realized that unless the books are reprinted there's not chance that I will be adding them to my personal library any time soon. But it was during this search that I stumbled upon something I was not expecting -- Mrs. Chandler's only novel written for an adult audience, Chaff in the Wind. I was immediately intrigued. This forgotten novel is not nearly as valuable as Mrs. Chandler's children's books and I easily found affordable copies online (as low as a few dollars) as well as a free copy on Paperback Swap!

I picked up Chaff in the Wind in early June and started to read, only to discover what an engrossing read it was.

The Plot:
Chaff in the Wind is a saga of the land where the bread rises, told through the lives of some of the people who brought into being the great American Wheat Empire. Although the story actually begins in 1899, it covers the era from the early '80s to 1918. During that period occurred the greatest agricultural and industrial expansion the world has ever known. Its impact was felt by the wheat country as well as by the cities. In that time the wheat people lived, loved hated, dreamed, died of their dreams, and lived again, as grains of wheat in the chaff driven by the wind. The wheat people have their good, their bad, their middle-of-the-road groups, as do people in any other sector of life. But they held strongly to the basic values of home, church, and school, their conflicts being mainly those of Men against Nature, and Man against Self. (Summary courtesy of the publisher, back cover)

My Thoughts:
I was pleasantly surprised when I began reading Chaff in the Wind. I must admit, at first I wasn't sure if I would like the read or not. It isn't a well known novel and thus could very well be a dud, but within a few chapters I found myself hooked. Prior to reading this novel I really knew (and thought) very little of the "American Wheat Empire" and life in the mid-west during the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Now that I've finished the novel my interest has been wet and I am curious to learn more.

I found Mrs. Chandler's writing easy to follow and her characters and setting believable. My only complaint is with the pacing of the novel, particularly towards the end of the book. At the beginning (and within the first two chapters) the story speed is a little slow, but then as the setting and characters are established I found the story began to properly pick up speed and maintains a healthy pace for much of the book. It's only when I reached the last few chapters that I felt things got a little rushed -- as if Mrs. Chandler had planned to reach a certain point in time or a certain generation and suddenly realized she had only a handful of pages left to get there. In the end, while I enjoyed the read, I wish she had given herself a few more chapters to wrap up the story.

For those looking for a different type of historic novel I definitely recommend Edna Walker Chandler's Chaff in the Wind. It may not be great literature, but it was an entertaining read and one that has sparked in me a specific interest in learning more about wheat farmers at the turn of the last century.

As a side note, Chaff in the Wind reminded me of another settler-type novel I read in 2010, Gentlemen From England by Maud & Delos Lovelace, another read I highly recommend.


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Related Links:

• More about Edna Walker Chandler
• Excerpt from Chaff in the Wind
• Edna Walker Chandler Bibliography

Death Comes As the End by Agatha Christie

194 pages

Published in 1944, reprinted in 2002

by Minotaur Books

Although best known for her Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries, it may come as a surprise to some readers that Dame Agatha Christie also penned a historical murder mystery set in ancient Egypt. Because of its setting Death Comes As the End is a unique novel amongst Agatha Christie's canon. It is the only historical mystery novel that Agatha Christie ever wrote and it's creation only came about as a result of Dame Agatha's personal passion for archeology (her second husband, Max Mallowan was an archeologist) and thanks to a very persuasive friend who encouraged her to take up the challenge of writing a murder mystery set in 4,000 B.C. Egypt.

 The Plot:

"...A deadly mystery at the heart of a dissonant family in ancient Egypt. Imhotep, wealthy landowner and priest of Thebes, has outraged his sons and daughters by bringing a beautiful concubine into their fold. And the manipulative Nofret has already set about a plan to usurp her rivals' rightful legacies. When her lifeless body is discovered at the foot of a cliff, Imhotep's own flesh and blood become the apparent conspirators in her shocking murder. But vengeance and greed may not be the only motives..." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:

I must admit even months later after finishing this read, I still have mixed feelings about Death Comes As the End. On the one hand I can't say that this story was a favorite -- the setting really wasn't my thing -- but on the other hand the setting is so unique amongst Dame Agatha's crime novels that a reader can't help but find it intriguing.

Personally I found the setting (4,000 BC Egypt) a bit of a hang up for the first third to half of the book. As it is an area I am not very familiar with I struggled to keep the characters (especially their names!) and setting straight in my mind, but once this was accomplished I soon discovered I had settled into the story and that was like so many of  Dame Agatha's other novels, a definite page-turner.

As for the mystery itself -- it's less a "detecting" story and more a process of elimination as this plot turns deadly with suspect after suspect falling to the hand of the murderer. In some ways it reminded me of an ancient take on  Dame Agatha's earlier work, And Then There Were None.

Overall I did enjoy Death Comes As the End, but not as much as Dame Agatha's other works. I appreciate the effort she put into writing this novel, as I know it required a great amount of research, time and effort and for this reason I think it is definitely worth the read for any fan of Agatha Christie.

But for the first-time Agatha Christie reader I suggest setting this one aside to read later. Start off with something a little easier. And Then There Were None and Hercule Poirot's Christmas are two similar type stories that are set in 20th century England and thus might be more suted for the novice Christie reader.

Happy sleuthing err.. reading!

Related Links:

• Agatha Christie Reading Challenge Carnival

Other Agatha Christie Reviews:

*Novels published from 1920-1923 see note below.

The Man in the Brown Suit (1924)
The Secret of Chimneys (1925)
The Big Four (1927)
The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)
The Seven Dials Mystery (1929)
The Murder at the Vicarage (1930)
The Sittaford Mystery (1931)
Peril at End House (1932)
Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
Murder on the Orient Express (1934)
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (1934)
Three Act Tragedy (1935)
Death in the Clouds (1935)
The A.B.C. Murders (1936)
Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)
Cards on the Table (1936)
Dumb Witness (1937)
Death on the Nile (1937)
Appointment With Death (1938)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1938)
Murder Is Easy (1939)
And Then There Were None (1939)
Sad Cypress (1939)
One, Two Buckle My Shoe (1940)
Evil Under the Sun (1941)
N or M? (1941)
The Body in the Library (1942)
Five Little Pigs (1942)
The Moving Finger (1942)

Towards Zero  (1944)

Absent In the Spring by Mary Westmacott (a.k.a. Agatha Christie) (1944)

Agatha Christie, An Autobiography

* Christie's novels written from 1920 (The Mysterious Affair at Styles) through 1923 (Murder on the Links) I read before I began this blog hence no reviews are currently available.

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

350 pages

Published 2010 by Twelve, a Hachette Book Group
New York, NY

When I learned that first time author, Graham Moore had written a novel entwining Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with a modern setting I was definitely intrigued and I was certainly expecting something along the lines of "mystery reader balm" -- you know the type of novel where a mystery is set, but it's driven by additional mysteries contained within other mystery novels. In the end I quickly learned The Sherlockian is much more than that.

The Plot:

Read more about The Sherlockian plot here.

My Thoughts:
For the most part I enjoyed The Sherlockian. I thought the story was well written for a first novel, especially one from the 21st century. The plot was clever, interesting, and unique, which combined together will produce a definite page turner. Historically speaking Mr. Moore took quite a few liberties when he fictionalized his account of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but since that is a big part of historical fiction I didn't mind too much. I thought Moore's research was very thorough and although I did notice a few errors, they were very minor and not something that most readers will catch. Within the book the chapters mark the switching point between the past (Doyle's story) and the present (Harold's story). If not done right this can lead many readers to confusion, but Moore kept the chapters brief enough that there was no problem moving from one point of view to another.

My only complaint with the book is with some of the content. For starters, a few characters use some rather crass choice of words, particularly when describing women. Many conservative readers will find this objectionable. There were also some very brutal descriptions of death scenes. I didn't think the content was necessary and felt the author could have toned done both his choice of vocabulary and descriptions to a certain degree without losing any natural grittiness to the story.

In the end and in spite of my complaints, I did enjoy The Sherlockian. It was a fascinating read and I look forward to seeing what next Graham Moore produces.

For more information about The Sherlockian or to track Graham Moore's progress on his next book please check out the related links below.

Related Links:

• The Sherlockian: Official Blog of the Novel
• The Sherlockian: Excerpts
• Guide to Sherlockianism
• About Graham Moore 
• Follow Graham Moore on Twitter

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

372 pages
Published in 2004 by
Barnes & Noble Books
New York, NY
(Originally published in 1859
by Chapham & Hall, London, England)

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way -- in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Book 1, Chapter 1, pg 7.)

For years I have wanted to read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, but just never made the time. And then, at the end of last year I determined I would not put it off another year, I would have the book read before the end of 2011! I asked the ladies in my book club if we could add it to our list of upcoming books to read, to which they readily agreed. This done, I started the book at Christmas with hope of having it read well before the scheduled time to discuss. Unfortunately my first attempt didn't turn out too well... I was sick over the holidays, under a lot of stress at work, and as a result completely unable to grasp what I was reading. So I set the book aside and waited a few weeks. At long last I picked it up again with new determination. And this time I succeeded!

The Plot:
A Tale of Two Cities is a historical romance written by one of English literature's best authors. The story is split between London and Paris during some of history's most explosive years -- the years leading up to and during the French Revolution and the "reign of terror." It is not only a tale of two cities, but it is a tale of two life choices -- the choice between good and evil, between compassion and tyranny, between selfless love and selfish hate. It is a powerful story of life.

My Thoughts:
A Tale of Two Cities is really told in the form of three sub-books. Book One: Recalled To Life sets the foundation of the story and as such does begin a little slow, but there are details here that become important to the reader much later in the book. While reading this part I found myself bogged down and felt clueless as to what was going on in the book. So, rather than give up I turned to Cliff Notes whenever I didn't understand a chapter or a scene, which greatly helped me get my reader's "feet" under me. So that by Book Two: The Golden Thread I was confident in what I was reading. It is at this point in the book that the story picks up the pace and the reader begins to see where the overall story is headed. This is also the portion of the book where Dickens focuses heavily on both the historical detail and the character development. Again, important details are tucked into the story that prove valuable in Book Three: The Track of a Storm. From this point on I could hardly put the book down, this is the climax of the story when all the details start to come together like pieces to a puzzle and at the very end the reader is left with the picture of the supreme sacrifice of selfless love and a powerful lesson for life.

A Tale of Two Cities is probably one of the best pieces of literature I have ever read. Yes, it's true and I am not alone. There were a dozen ladies at our book club discussion ranging in age, personality, and background, but every single one of the ladies read and loved A Tale of Two Cities. Yes, it is can be a difficult read, especially if you are unaccustomed to Dickens or 19th century literature, but it is a worthy read and one that every person should read.

I confess, if it wasn't for the ladies in my book club I do not know if I would have ever given Dickens a real chance. As a teenager I found him boring and too wordy for my liking. It was not until the book club read Great Expectations a few years back that I changed my mind. I joke now that I had no great expectations for Dickens, but that thanks to the ladies' encouragement I was able to finish the book and was thrilled to discover how wrong I had been. Since then I have gone on to read and enjoy Bleak House, Little Dorrit, and now A Tale of Two Cities.

So that brings me to you. If you have never read A Tale of Two Cities I exhort you to add it to your reading list for this year (or next). If you are like I was and have given Dickens a chance, but gave up, then I encourage you to give him another try. His writing is rich and will make you a better reader for the time you invest.

Here are some suggestions I have found helpful that might work for you:

1. Track down a copy of Cliff Notes or Spark Notes for the book you wish to read. No, this is NOT cheating, so long as you use it to aid with your reading of the actual book. While paperback copies of Cliff Notes are available in book stores, I find the free online versions to the best for my reading. The chapter summaries alone have helped me work through and appreciate some of the more difficult chapters in classic literature like A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens or The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

2. Watch a good film adaptation. I'm not normally a fan of watching a movie before reading the book, but in some cases I think it's very valuable. I watched the 2005 Masterpiece Theater adaptation of Bleak House before I tackled the book and found it very helpful as I was then able to keep the plot threads, characters, and dialogue clear in my mind. I've yet to see any adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities, but I have been told the 1935 version with Ronald Colman is excellent and true to the book and that the 1980 version with Chris Sarandon is likewise good.

3. Listen to an audio version. I've been told that one of the best ways to read a difficult book is to have it read to you. Instead of stumbling over difficult words or being distracted by foot or end notes the listener can sit back and let their imagination go as they listen to the story unfold. While Cliff Notes or Spark Notes are probably better for the visually minded, the audio version is generally better for those who learn best through audio. I am a visual person so I often find myself distracted while listening to audio books, but for those who are more audio-minded an audio book can take you places you would never go if you had to read on your own.

4. Find a group that is interested in reading the same book as you, purpose to read it (alone or together) and then plan to discuss what you liked or didn't like and what you learned.

5. Last but not least, have patience. Reading classic literature often takes time. It's rare for readers to be able to rush through reading a classic as might be done with a piece of modern fiction. I liken reading classics to eating a steak vs. modern fiction, which is like a bowl of soup. Eating a steak requires time. You have to cut small pieces, chew them and then swallow, while soup requires only scooping a spoonful and swallowing it. When reading a classic, don't put unneeded pressure on yourself; pace your reading. And don't feel bad if it takes you a lot longer to finish than other books you read.

Reading is really like anything in life. There is a learning curve. It takes time, practice and determination, but if you desire you can learn to read any book you pick up and often you will find that you surprise yourself with what you end up enjoying.

Good luck and happy reading!

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Related Links:

Kindle: A Tale of Two Cities ($0.00)

Project Gutenberg: A Tale of Two Cities (ebook)

Lit2Go: A Tale of Two Cities (audio book with lessons)

Librivox: A Tale of Two cities (audio book)

Cliff Notes: A Tale of Two Cities

Spark Notes: A Tale of Two Cities

Book Reviews: Books by Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens Literature

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.

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

Mrs. Tim Carries On by D. E. Stevenson

307 pages
Published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
1941, reprinted in the United States 1973

I absolutely love the Mrs. Tim books by D. E. Stevenson!

Mrs. Tim Carries On is the second in a series of four books chronicling the day-to-day life and adventures of Hester Christie, wife to Captain Tim Christie an officer in a Scottish Regiment. As one might guess from the cover art of this book, the story is set several years after the first book (Mrs. Tim of the Regiment, a.k.a. Mrs. Tim Christie) leaves off. England is now in the midst of another war with Germany (it is the early years of World War II and America has not yet joined in). Throughout the novel Hester and her friends and family must make the best these dark and difficult times as they "do their part" and watch their loved ones, including Tim, march off to battle.

Although Mrs. Tim Carries On is a little darker than its predecessor it is appropriately so; one should expect nothing less of a novel set in the midst of World War II -- and yet, Stevenson struck a balance in this story between the real life struggles, hardships, and loss with the day-to-day normality and occasional adventure that a military wife and mother to two young children might encounter. Of course there is also plenty of witty dialogue, curious characters, and even a romance between two supporting characters to add to the enjoyment of this read. Mrs. Tim does indeed "carry on" in this novel and I found it to be a delightfully witty, interesting and all around charming read.

To add to the enjoyment factor is to learn that the Mrs. Tim books are actually based off D. E. Stevenson's own diaries! Apparently she was inspired to write the books when a friend requested Stevenson jot down some of her experiences as an officer's wife for her friend's daughter, a newlywed to an officer in a Scottish regiment. Stevenson sent over her diaries and the friend's daughter replied that they were so good they should be published.

One might think that books based on a diary wouldn't be that exciting and maybe in some cases that would be true, but not so with but D. E. Stevenson. In her Mrs. Tim books she has weaved fact and fiction together so seamlessly that it's hard to know where one leaves off and the other begins. I find the interesting little snippets of life in England during the early years of WWII absolutely fascinating and surreal. To imagine young children walking off to school with a gas mask slung over their shoulder is so foreign to me. And then there's the entertaining little bits, like when characters mention going to see a movie that recently arrived in the theater -- movies such as Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and Rebecca!

The Mrs. Tim books are indeed worthwhile reads and a treasure to anyone who can get their hands on a copy. Thankfully the first book, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment is once again available ($8-$10), but readers looking for the rest of the series will either need to spend a good deal of money to obtain a used copy ($30+) or check with their library or library's Inter Library Loan program. I had to do the latter to obtain this read and any of the rest in the series, but in my opinion it was worth the trouble. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series, Mrs. Tim Gets a Job, which I will be reviewing here, so stay tuned!

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Related Links:
Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (Bloomsbury)
D. E. Stevenson Books

Related D. E. Stevenson Posts & Book Reviews:
Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Miss Buncle's Book
Miss Buncle Married
The Two Mrs. Abbotts
Rochester's Wife
Celia's House
Listening Valley
The Blue Sapphire

Tuesday Teasers: Mrs. Tim of the Regiment
Tuesday Teasers: The Blue Sapphire
Tuesday Teasers: Listening Valley
Tuesday Teasers: Miss Buncle Married

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

304 pages
PLUME, Published by Penguin Group

Published 2008 (2007)
New York, NY

Ok, so I have a confession to make... Actually two confessions.

Confession 1: While I do enjoy the works of Jane Austen I wouldn't go so far as to call myself an "addict." Yes, I have read all of her novels, but I do not read them over and over and do not rely on them as a compass to my life's decisions. I have also seen several of the film adaptations over the last 13 years and even own a copy of the 5+ hour A&E adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, but they aren't on my weekly play list and I could care less whether Mr. Darcy dives in a pond or not. To add to this I steer clear of any so called "sequel" or "continuing story" novels by modern authors, they just haven't been worth my time though I realize many people enjoy them. Likewise, with the exception of Austenland by Shannon Hale (which by the way, was really good.) I haven't read any of the Austin-themed chick-lit. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict was an exception, which leads me to my second confession.

Confession 2: I didn't actually mean to read this book. I actually thought I was reading a different book, titled Jane Austen Ruined My Life, which had come highly recommended by my friend Alison and also by Carrie at Reading to Know. I guess it's understandable how I could mix up two completely different titles what with all the Austen-themed literature out there, but I admit it's really my fault for not stopping to double check with either of these ladies as to the title of the book before I began reading. By the end of Confessions I was really puzzled at how differently this book turned out than what they'd told me and it was then I finally realized my mistake. Funny, but true story.

All that to say, next time I will double check the book title and author before proceeding with reading. But now to get to the real point of this post -- my review of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict.

For starters, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict is, as I mentioned above, a novel that might be classed as Austen-themed chic-lit. It's the tale of a Courtney Stone, a single woman in her 30s, living in Los Angeles during the 21st century. Courtney, who while nursing a very broken heart, is also extremely obsessed with Jane Austen and the romances within her novels. One day Courtney wakes up to discover she has some how time traveled from the 21st century Los Angeles to the early 19th century England, and most shocking of all she is no longer Courtney Stone in her own body, but living in the body of some other woman named Jane Mansfield. Confusing? A little, but the author does a good job explaining.

What ensues is a story of self-discovery and romance. Courtney must pretend to be Jane and call upon her knowledge from the Austen novels she's read and what history she can remember from school all the while trying to figure out how to return to her own body in her own time.

Overall it's a cute story. The plot is clever and unique. I especially liked the chance to learn more about the day-to-day life of the 19th century that is left out in any novel of that era. Of course I could easily learn this by reading a history book, but I admit it was fun to have these details woven into an easy-read like this novel. But honestly, that's about all I liked about this book.

I often found Courtney's 21st century attitude and worldview annoying and in such stark contrast from the 19th century way of life. As typical of modern chic-lit there was a definite focus on sex in relationships, which thankfully went without too much detail (excepting one scene). To add to this I wasn't completely sold on the romances in this book. But as I have said in the past, authors today try but cannot capture the same spark and passion of the romance that Austen had in her novels. Their focus is too much on the physical and not enough on the psychological and emotional aspects of the character's relationships.

Oh! And to add to this there is one scene where Courtney (as Jane) runs into the real-life Jane Austen. The scene and conversation that follows made me want to smack Courtney/Jane. So irritating! And yet, because I was certain this was the book my friends raved about I read on. (LOL!)

As for the story plot itself, at times it lagged a little and the ending was rather predicable, but I found the author's method/answer for how Courtney ended up in another woman's body and in another time and place satisfactory. It worked reminding me a little of the 1980s movie Big.

All in all I found Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict exactly as one might expect of 21st century chic-lit. It's all fluff and entertainment, with the exception of one major lesson that Courtney does finally learn by the end of the novel. Not a stellar read, but definite entertainment.

There is a sequel to the story called Rude Awakenings, which is the story of Jane Mansfield waking up to find herself in the body of Courtney Stone and living in 21st century Los Angeles, which in some ways might prove more interesting than its predecessor, but I haven't decided if I will read it or not. When I get a chance to read another chic-lit novel I plan to pick up the book I originally intended to read -- Jane Austen Ruined My Life.

If you're interested in reading this novel I'd advise borrowing a copy from your library, as I did, versus buying.

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

549 pages

Published 2008
Atria Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
New York, NY

I can't remember where I first learned of The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I think it was through one of the numerous book blogs that I follow. At any rate I remember hearing it had to do with a secret garden and was reminiscent of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden (which is one of my all-time favorite books). This was enough to put the book on my TBR list.

Although it ended up being totally different than I expected, I still enjoyed this read... But then I'm getting ahead of myself.

The Plot:
"A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book -- a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dock master and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-first birthday they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and with very little to go on, 'Nell' sets out on a journey to England to try to trace her story, to find her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it s not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell's death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. At Cliff Cottage, on the grounds of Blackhurst Manor, Cassandra discovers the forgotten garden of the books' title and is able to unlock the secrets of the beautiful book of fairy tales." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
The Forgotten Garden is a complicated weaving of the stories of three related women who live during three very different times and on two very different places of the world. Throughout the novel the story flashes back and forth between these times and places, which at first caused me some confusion, but as the story progresses and the characters and plot develop I found myself absorbed in this spellbinding story.


Overall I really enjoyed this story. There is a secret garden and an appearance by Frances Hodgson Burnett which was fun. The reader is left to imagine that Mrs. Hodgson Burnett's visit to the garden helps to inspire her novel by the same name, though this is purely fictional and in truth it was Kate Morton who was inspired in part by Mrs. Hodgson Burnett's writing. Another element of this book reminded me of Daphne DuMaurier's Jamaica Inn, again another author that inspired Morton. All of these links added to the pleasure of reading to this book.

On the other hand, I can't say the mystery of this story is that difficult. I found myself guessing the ending well before the middle of the book, but kept reading to see if I was right and also because I wanted to know how all the details were wrapped up in the ending. And yes, the ending leaves no loose ends. This is satisfying, but for the fact that one element really tried me as a reader. I can't say too much without giving away a major part of the story, but suffice it to say there is one aspect that I was not pleased with. In fact I wished it anyway but how it was and yet, looking back over the story as a whole I don't see how Morton could succeed in telling this story without the element being as it is. Changing this one aspect would have changed the story entirely, which just wouldn't have worked.


In the end, I can say I found Kate Morton to be a very imaginative story teller. Her characters were well painted, her fairy tales (woven throughout the book) masterpieces in and of themselves, and her story a clever and unique read that I am glad to have read.


That said, I can't say The Forgotten Garden was a classic. It's unlikely that I will re-read the story and even more doubtful that it will ever hold a place in my personal library. Still, I am glad I read it and definitely impressed with the writing capability of 33 year old Kate Morton as this is her second novel ever. I look forward to reading some of her other works and hope they will be as good, if not even better than this one. And if The Forgotten Garden is ever made into a movie I think I will take the time to see it. It's definitely a clever and unique story.

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Related Links:
More information about Kate Morton

My review of Jamaica Inn by Daphne DuMaurier

Journey To Bethlehem by Delos W. Lovelace

215 pages
Published 1953
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York, NY

As might be evident from the title, Journey To Bethlehem is a fictional retelling of the Christmas story -- the journey that Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem that ended with the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

I stumbled upon this little known historical novel while browsing online for inexpensive used copies of books written by Maud Hart Lovelace and her husband, Delos W. Lovelace during my October 2009 Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge.

At the time I was not only surprised to find that Delos had penned a historical novel set in Biblical times, but also that it was the first time I'd heard of the book. Why was that, I wondered, but in reading Journey To Bethlehem I came to understand these facts a little better.

First, Journey To Bethlehem is a good read, but not a powerful read. I liked it, but didn't love it. I was fascinated with the depth of research that Delos must have undergone in order to produce a story that accurately portrayed life 1,950 years prior to the author's life.

Then of course Delos did take several liberties with the famous Bible story, but that is pretty much the norm for any historical novel. The book is based on real people and some real events. Some of the supporting cast are likewise based on real people and some are fictional, but could be based upon real people. The liberty is taken with the conversations and several events that take place throughout the book. However, if the reader can remember Journey To Bethlehem was intended as fiction and not non-fiction or an addition to the Bible than these liberties should not be a problem. And this is the view I chose to take. (In fact, in a lot of ways Journey To Bethlehem reminded me of other historical biblical fiction like The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George and The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke, though perhaps [and no offense to Delos] not quite as good.)

And that's just it. I've read some of Delos' writing and while I liked Journey To Bethlehem I didn't enjoy it as much as some of his other works. I felt the story was a little slow and that the climax of the story -- the arrival of the Christ child -- wasn't quite as powerful as it could have been. Still, I am really glad I found this book and that it was available for a low enough price that I could add it to my personal library.

I started this book in December with the intention of reviewing for Christmas, but one thing after another prevented me from finishing it until my family and I were on a cross-country drive for the holidays. At that point I decided to save my review until the new year. And while most of you are putting away all thoughts of Christmas until next year I encourage you to add this to your 2010 TBR list if you are looking for a different retelling of the Christmas story, even if that isn't for another eleven months.

The only downside to adding this book to your TBR list is that it isn't widely available. None of my local libraries possessed a copy, including the ILL program. However, I was able to find a ex-library copy for under $10 online, so maybe you'll be able to do the same.

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Note: For those curious, the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge will return to A Library is a Hospital for the Mind in October 2010, so start planning!

Not sure what you will read? No worries, you can obtain a partial list of Lovelace books on Wikipedia, or at the Betsy Tacy Society website (here, here, here, and here), or check out some of the books I read and reviewed in 2009.

Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace

260 pages
First published 1955, reprinted 1996
Harper Trophy
A Division of HarperCollins Publishers

NOTE: A word of warning to newcomers to the Betsy-Tacy series. There is not really any feasible way for me to properly review Betsy's Wedding (the tenth and last book in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace) without giving away a key point to the end of the series, who Betsy marries. If you don't yet know and don't want to know who Betsy ends up with until you get to this book yourself, then STOP reading from the end of this paragraph and skip down to the "In Summary" section of this review. By doing so you will miss the spoiler. If you don't mind knowing ahead of time, then read on my friend!

The Plot:
When Betsy Ray arrives in New York after a tour of Europe, her old flame Joe Willard is waiting at the dock. Before he even says hello, he asks Betsy to marry him. They've been separated for a year, and they're determined never to be apart again. But as Betsy discovers, marriage isn't all candlelight, kisses, and roses. There's cooking, ironing, and budgeting as well--not to mention forging her career as a writer! For Betsy, the writing part comes naturally, but cooking is another matter. It's even harder than algebra--and much messier. Luckily Betsy Ray--make that Betsy Willard--has always thrived on challenge. Her name may have changed, but her life remains as full of love and laughter as it's been since she was a little girl living on Hill Street..." (Summary courtesy of the publisher.)

My Thoughts:
I love, love, love this book. Aside from Betsy and Joe, which is my favorite of Betsy's high school years, Betsy's Wedding is definitely my all-time favorite book in the BT series. When I picked it up to read last weekend I hadn't read the book in over ten years, I loved it then, but I think if it's possible, I enjoyed it even more this time around.

As most readers familiar with the BT series know, Maud Hart Lovelace patterned the characters and happenings in each story after people she knew and things she experienced, including herself and her husband, Delos. The only catch was that unlike Betsy, who meets Joe when they are entering their freshman year in high school, Maud didn't meet Delos until she was 25. So while she patterned the high school version of Joe after what she learned Delos was like at that age, it wasn't until Betsy's Wedding that Maud was able to really base the character of Joe after her own experience and relationship with Delos. And while I think Joe has always been one of my favorite characters in the series he is stellar in this book. As others have said of Betsy's Wedding, "Joe practically walks right off the page."

There are so many aspects of Betsy's Wedding that I love. I find the story both highly romantic and yet very realistic. I love watching Betsy's and Joe's relationship grow deeper and stronger. I love how Betsy, as is the case in all her stories, grows and blossoms. I love that I get a chance to see my favorite characters from the series find happiness and finally reach some of their long desired goals. And while I'm sad that Betsy's Wedding is the last book in the series, I am happy to find that Maud wrapped up her lose ends and I believe she ended the book (and the series) in the best way possible. It leaves the reader room to imagine the future for Betsy and Joe and avoids the heartache and grit that would be addressed had the series continued on into 1917 and the worst of World War I for Americans.

If asked what my favorite part of the book is I'd have a difficult time deciding. This book is a fresh, entertaining, and heart-tugging story of life, love, and the wonderful first few years of marriage. But that said, I think one of my favorite scenes is when Joe and Betsy are in New York City and Joe finally puts into words how he feels about Betsy:

"Betsy,' he said at last, 'I love you. I love you from that cloudy dark hair down to your slender feet. I love your eyes, and your soft hands, and your sweet voice, and the way your laugh chimes out. Everything about you is enchanting to me. But Betsy, it's lots more than that... I can always talk to you,' he said 'I can make plans, or puzzle out ideas, or build castles in the air. I don't need to think what I'm saying or guard my words. You understand my high moods and my low ones. You understand me, I guess. I want to be married to you and have you around all the time. I want to come home to you after work and tell you about my day. I want to hear you humming around doing housework. I want to support you. I want to do things for you. If we were married and I was coming home to you tonight, I wouldn't care if we had just bread and milk. You know, Betsy, we never quarrel when we're together. We never will, I really believe, when we are married. But if we aren't, something might come between us again. Betsy, you fit into my life as perfectly as a rose fits its stem. You and I match like the pieces of a broken coin.' After a long pause, he said, 'Love me always, Betsy! I have given my whole heart to you.' " (Chapt. 2, page 22-23)

In Summary:
I love Betsy's Wedding. There's no doubt that this book rates a 5 out of 5 (excellent) in my opinion. It is the creme to top off the series. Each book builds upon the story and I believe the reader is rewarded for their devotion. What might begin as a curious reader reading about two imaginative five year-olds Betsy Ray and Tacy Kelly, will eventually turn into a devoted fan of the series by the time the girls grow into beautiful and accomplished young women. Yes, the devoted fan is a life-long friend to Betsy, Tacy, Tib... and Maud Hart Lovelace.

I had bittersweet feelings about finishing the last book in this series. I was saddened because I felt like I was leaving behind very dear friends when I closed the last book, but at the same time I was happy because I had enjoyed revisiting them this year as I re-read through the series. The best part of all is the fact that they are never more than a hand's reach away on my bookshelf. Now that's a classic.

Want to read Betsy's Wedding? You can! If your library doesn't have a copy be sure to check out your local bookstore or shop online. HarperCollins Publishers has reprinted Betsy's Wedding along with Betsy And the Great World and they can be purchased in one paperback for $10-15.

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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)
Betsy's Wedding (BT, 1914-1917)

Betsy And the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace

321 pages
Harper Trophy
A Division of HarperCollins Publishers
First published 1952, reprinted 1996

Betsy And the Great World is the ninth book in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. Betsy And the Great World is a little special as it has a completely different setting than the books preceding it in the series. The story is not set in Minnesota, but instead in Europe. The only Deep Valley/Minneapolis character that make an appearance is Joe Willard, albeit very briefly. The rest of Betsy's friends and family members only appear in the story through the form of letters to/from Betsy and her conversations with the people she meets and her own internal thoughts.

The Plot:
"It's the trip of a lifetime. Betsy Ray, 21 years old, is heading off for a solo tour of Europe. From the moment she casts off, her journey is filled with adventure--whether she's waltzing at the captain's ball, bartering for beads in Madeira, or sipping coffee at a bohemian cafe in Munich. It's rich fodder for a budding young writer, and Betsy's determined to make the most of the experience. If only she could stop thinking about her ex-sweetheart, Joe Willard... Then a handsome, romantic Italian goes overboard for Betsy, and she has a big decision to make. Marco Regali is passionate, fascinating, and cultured. Could it be that Betsy's heart belongs in Europe instead of Minnesota?" (Summary courtesy of the publisher.)

My Thoughts:
Of course I enjoyed Betsy And the Great World, why wouldn't I? It's a Betsy-Tacy book and I love the series! But I can't say it's my favorite in the series. To me it's a little like what Anne of Windy Poplars is to the other books in the Anne series. A story that is entertaining and interesting, but lacking something of the snap that the previous or forthcoming books contain. In the case of Anne of Windy Poplars I really missed Anne's interaction with Gilbert. In the case of Betsy and the Great World I really missed the Deep Valley crowd and her interaction with the Joe! I really missed Joe.

Still, I think Betsy And the Great World plays a vital role in the Betsy-Tacy series. Betsy has left her high school life and faces the "what next" moment that so many people similarly face. This book provides a bridge from her childhood and high school years to her adult life.

Like Emily Webster in another of Maud Hart Lovelace's books: Emily of Deep Valley, Betsy feels she must attend college after high school, after all everyone else is. But after starting college Betsy encounters some unforeseen difficulties that set her back a year. With her friends a year ahead of her she starts to lose focus of what she really wants and makes some foolish choices, including one that costs her the loss of Joe Willard. Thankfully Betsy's very sensible and loving father encourages her to learn from her mistakes and move on to something else rather than continue spending time and money doing something she isn't meant to do. This results in Betsy taking a tour of Europe where she learns that she doesn't have to study books to become a better writer. She can better herself and her writing through the experiences of one-on-one contact with historical sites, foreign languages, and the unique people and cultures of foreign countries.

Betsy And the Great World is a story filled with entertainment, adventure, and history. When the novel opens it is 1914 and Betsy is seeing ancient historical sites as well as modern (i.e. early 20th century) sites. She is seeing Germany pre-World War I. For a reader from the 21st century I find this absolutely fascinating! I love the depth of detail that Mrs. Lovelace includes in the story. It gives me, the reader, not just an understanding of what it was like, but the feeling of actually having been to Europe with Betsy.

And how very different it was to travel in 1914 than it is today! Not to mention the amount of luggage that Betsy can travel with (albeit by boat not plane). Then there's whole bath/shower aspect. At one point in the story Betsy has to go several weeks (or maybe it's a couple months) without a bath (and showers didn't exist). Eww! And on a lighter note, I couldn't help but laugh when towards the end of the book when someone asks Betsy if she has her passport with her and Betsy replies in the negative as "very few people bothered with passports for a mere trip to Europe." (Chpt. 21, pg. 313) Yes, how very different from today when you not only must have a passport to go from the USA to Europe, but also from the USA to Canada! I also noticed the amount of freedom that Betsy has in her travels. Traveling through Europe in 1914 appears to have been both simplistic and quietly beautiful. The cities still had their hustle and bustle, but not the noise and high-paced life that travelers of this century meet. No bumper-to-bumper traffic, no tourist traps, no cell phones, Web-cafes, and jumbo jets with hundreds of people cramped in tiny seats after paying a large sum of money to check their one bag. Of course, there was a downside to the lack of technology. When she was homesick Betsy couldn't just pick up a phone and call her family and a return trip to the United States took six days instead of the current six hours. Still, I think the experiences Betsy had are harder to come by as a traveler today and, in a way, that's a shame.

Another subject addressed briefly in the book is World War I, at least the beginnings of it. In the closing chapters of Betsy And the Great World war breaks out between Germany, Russia, France, and Belgium. Betsy faces the choice of staying in England experiencing things first-hand that she could write about or heading for the safety of her home back in Minneapolis. While keeping the story historically accurate, Mrs. Lovelace still manages to tactfully keep the grit of the war to a distance. For Betsy and her friends back in the United States the idea of a world-wide war was just not something they considered reality, at least not in 1914 even though it was quickly becoming a reality for people in Europe.

In Summary:
Betsy and the Great World is a wonderful mix of fiction and history. I am so glad I took the time to re-read it. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate it a 4.5. I loved the book, it's a definite must read for the series, but the best (in my opinion) is yet to come. Stay tuned!

Want to read Betsy And the Great World? You can! If your library doesn't have a copy be sure to check out your local bookstore or shop online. HarperCollins Publishers has reprinted Betsy And the Great World along with Betsy's Wedding and they can be purchased in one paperback for $10-15.

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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)
Betsy's Wedding (BT, 1914-1917) -- Review coming soon!

Heavens To Besty by Maud Hart Lovelace

268 pages
Harper Trophy
A division of Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright 1948, reprinted 1980

Heavens to Betsy is the fifth book in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. This story opens in the summer of 1906, which leads up to Betsy and Tacy's freshman year in Deep Valley High School.

It doesn't take long for the reader to realize Betsy is quickly growing up to be a lovely young woman. At fourteen she's wearing her hair up (instead of in braids), her skirts are longer (nearly covering her ankles), she's taking on new challenges, including writing contests, joining choir, and exploring a new church. And then there's the social realm of her life -- Betsy's friendships expand to create "the crowd" who together enjoy dozens of parties and festivities throughout the year. She's even falling in love for the first time... to a tall, dark stranger (T.D.S!) All this definitely makes Heavens to Betsy a fun read.

As I've mentioned in the past, the Betsy-Tacy books are a childhood favorite of mine. Perhaps that accounts for the warm fuzzy feelings I get whenever I'm reading a book from the series. Betsy's world, including life as a freshman in Deep Valley High School, is just so interesting, exciting, and entertaining that I actually found myself almost wishing I had been a teenager in the early 20th century and lived in a town like Deep Valley... almost.

I've always been fond of the Betsy's family, but became even more so after reading Heavens to Betsy. Mr. and Mrs. Ray exemplify marriage, parenthood, friendship, and hospitality at its very best and it in turn is carried on by Betsy and her sisters. And even though the Ray family members do have their differences they always work things out with love and respect. Their house is a home to all who enter, filled with love, laughter, and even intellectual discussions. The Ray home is the type of home I wish to have -- loving, supportive, entertaining, and a haven to all.

In addition to the wonderful characters, interesting setting, and entertaining plot, I also find Lovelace's writing style enjoyable to read and easy to follow. Her books always have interesting story plots with subtle, but important lessons, and are so full of detail that it is never a problem to imagine every day life in Deep Valley in 1906 as clearly as if I'd seen it myself.

As you can tell I loved re-reading Heavens To Betsy. I don't know that it is my favorite book in the series, but it definitely ranks up near the top. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Heavens to Betsy a 5. I just love this book.

The only objections a reader might have with this book has to do with the casual and lighthearted use of a Ouija board by Betsy and her friends during some of their Christmas parties. Although I don't know a whole lot about life in the early 1900s I will venture a guess that the use of Ouija boards by families like the Rays was more as a form of entertainment than anything serious. Still some readers may object, but I think this shouldn't stop them from reading and enjoying this book.

Personally I don't think I can over emphasize how much I love this series and that readers who have never read the series should be sure to add it to their TBR lists. If you are a fan of Anne of Green Gables, Emily of New Moon, and the like, I can pretty much guarantee you will really enjoy these books.

While my first reading of the series was by way of library copies I did purchase the entire series about 10-13 years ago when Harper Collins Publishers was reprinting, since then the books have slipped back out of print. While I treasure the copies I have I hate the cover art (see above) as it poorly represents the books. The interior artwork (at the beginning of each chapter) by Vera Neville is far superior.

Readers who wish to obtain their own collection of Betsy-Tacy books may be able to find used copies through used book sellers and Amazon (editions and prices vary from low to high). Some readers may even get lucky and find copies at their local library, but there is some good news.

For the first time in over a decade Harper Collins Publishers is republishing the last six books in the Betsy-Tacy series! The print release date is set as September 29, 2009. For more information check out the Harper Collins Publishers website. (And note the cover art, it's by Vera Neville!)

Please note: the books are being combined with two novels per publication (i.e. Heavens to Betsy/Betsy In Spite of Herself cover Betsy's freshman and sophomore year, Betsy was a Junior/Betsy and Joe cover her junior and senior years, Betsy And the Great World/Betsy's Wedding cover the years following graduation.) The books will be selling for $14.99 and will be in paperback. This is indeed exciting news for all Betsy-Tacy fans.

~ O di immortales!

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Previous reviews: Betsy-Tacy, Betsy, Tacy and Tib, Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill, Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown, and Winona's Pony Cart.

The Penny Whistle by B. J. Hoff

153 pages

Bethany House Publishers, 1996

Minneapolis, MN

I stumbled upon The Penny Whistle by B. J. Hoff while browsing the shelves of my local public library. The title caught my attention and the brief description included on the dust-jacket flap interested me, so I brought it home.

Set in the coal mining town of Skingle Creek, KY in the mid 1890s, The Penny Whistle is the story of how a kindly teacher and two of his beloved students impact the people of their town for the good and together bring about a miracle.

The Penny Whistle is the type of book that you find adapted to the screen for The Hallmark Channel. It's a Christian-faith empowering story, a feel-good story of love, faith, and hope, and a tear-jerker of a novel. Because it is told through third-person narration and character dialog there is little action and flowery description, but it still manages to make for a quick, easy, and fairly enjoyable read (I finished it in one evening). It is the type of book that works well for both young and old readers alike.

Overall, I did like The Penny Whistle, even if it isn't from my typical genre. I found the story believable and refreshing in a wholesome way. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent, I would rate The Penny Whistle a 3.5 to a 4. It's no classic; it's not even great literature, but it is a sweet story with a great message.

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Note: For those interested B. J. Hoff has her own website where you can learn more about her books and read her personal blog.