![The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner – A book review]()
Drama, review |
Ever since I read the Pride and Prejudice many many years ago, I have been obsessed about Jane Austen and her history. And picking up The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner should not come as a big surprise, right? Let us get on with my review shall we?
About the book
Book Name: The Jane Austen Society
Author: Natalie Jenner
Genre: Fiction – Romance, Historical
Characters: Adam Berwick, Dr Benjamin Gray, Mimi Harrison, Jack Leonard, Frances Knight, Andrew Forrester, Esq., Adeline Lewis Grover, Evie Stone, Yardley Sinclair
Setting: Hampshire, England, The UK
Plot Summary
Just after the World War II, a group of unlikely individuals group together to save the last legacy of the late Jane Austen.
In Chawton, Hampshire, England, where Jane Austen spent her last years, with her last few distant relatives wanting to sell their diminishing estate off, it is upto her readers to step up their game.
With nothing but the love for the author’s book to hold them together, would these fan from different walks of life accomplish their mission form the rest of The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner.
Book review
If you had read all the Jane Austen novels, then you would appreciate The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner more. Having said that, it is not mandatory to read them to enjoy this book. Each person in the book has a favorite Austen character whom they love and defend. Talk about “bias”.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner reads like an Austen novel itself and that means slow burn romance and quite a number of characters to get acquainted.
While I love the premise and I would die to be a part of such an ardent fan club, it took me a long time to get into the the book. And until about 50% into the book, they don’t even form a society. Yes, it got frustrating.
What worked for me
- As a bookworm, I loved the characters discussing and defending their favorite fictitious characters.
- The slow-burn romance and the Austen-esque setting would keep romance lovers interested.
What may have been better
- It took me a while to get into the story. The Jane Austen Society is definitely slow and steady and needs a lot of patience.
Bottom line
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is specifically directed at the Austen fans and it is worth a read, if you are one. Even if you have not read an Austen novel yet, this slow burn romance book could motivate you to pick one.
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Drama, review |
I love reading about history and historical fiction. I knew I would like The Kinship of Secrets based on the summary. But I was excited because I almost knew nothing about Korean history and I actually wanted to. Did The Kinship of Secrets by Eugenia Kim fulfill the promise? Read on to know more.
About the book
Book Name: The Kinship of Secrets
Author: Eugenia Kim
Genre: Fiction – Drama, Literary, historical
Characters: Calvin, Najin, Miran and Inja Cho, Halmeoni, Harabeoji,
Setting: South Korea, Washington DC, The United States of America
Plot Summary
Just a short while after the World War II and the subsequent freedom from Japanese annexation, Najin and Calvin Cho move from Korea to the USA on the lookout for better prospective.
With a plan to return within two years, they take only their eldest daughter Miran with them, leaving the youngest Inja in the care of her aging parents and Najin’s brother.
Unexpectedly, the Korean War breaks out making it almost impossible for a reunion in the near future. Miran grows in an American suburbia, under the guilt and pressures of being the chosen one, while Inja’s problems are much bigger living in a war torn country with scanty resources.
When they finally get to meet after a decade and a half, would there still be a chance to family despite the horde of secrets between them? Would the years passed matter or just the familial bonds good enough form the rest of the story in The Kinship of Secrets by Eugenia Kim.
Book review
I was not sure what to expect when I picked the book and frankly it took me a while to get into the story. But about 30 pages in, I was completely sucked in. The alternating narratives between the sisters worked very well in this case as did the straight forward narrative.
Kim ensures the reader can trace the disparity between the two girls and the parallel worlds they live in. I adored the much more simplistic life of Inja and her devoted love towards her uncle, despite the dire circumstances they faced.
And Miran always knew that she had a privileged life and bore the brunt of it. She feels like an outsider in her own house when they all speak Korean and grows up watching the packages sent to Korea.
I am usually “heartless” when it comes to fictional characters, but somehow the plight of the young girls made me sob like a baby. And the credit goes to the author for that.
The Kinship of Secrets was an emotional read with compelling characters that are quintessentially Asian. I was surprised to see the many similarities between the traditions and yesteryear’s habits (as heard from family) of Korea and India. The importance of family and putting others first seem to be a common thread.
The Kinship of Secrets is inspired by a true story, so do not miss out on the Author’s note at the end of the book. I am looking forward to reading her other book, The Calligrapher’s Daughter.
What worked for me
- The alternating narratives works well and shows the contrast between the lives of the sisters.
- I loved the author’s writing style and it invoked so many emotions in me. She also made reading the Korean history more fun.
- Knowing that The Kinship of Secrets was inspired by true events made it all the more interesting.
What may have been better
- I felt the pre-adolescent chapters could have been shorter.
Bottom line
The Kinship of Secrets by Eugenia Kim is a poignant tale about sisterhood, family and secrets that keep them all together. If you are interested in an emotional read with lots of Korean history, you won’t be disappointed with this one.
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Drama, review |
It has been a hot minute since I read Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson during our staycation last month. But I have been avoiding to pen down my review/thoughts for a while because I was not sure if I could ever do it some justice. Finally I braved to get on with it and here is my review of Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson!
About the book
Book Name: Red at the Bone
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Genre: Fiction – Drama, Young Adult
Characters: Iris, Aubrey, Melody, Sabe, Po’Boy
Setting: Brooklyn, New Jersey, The USA
Plot Summary
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson begins with the sixteen year old Melody getting ready for her coming out party and fighting with her mother on the song that she chose.
Seeing her walk down the stairs in a dress her mother missed out on wearing stirs up emotions and memories for the whole family, which the reader gets to know from the number of alternating point of views.
Melody grew up largely as a motherless child with a doting father and supportive maternal grandparents. Her relationship with her mother Iris was turbulent at best.
Book review
Red at the Bone is an intergenerational family drama, that involves several intense themes like teenage pregnancy, motherhood, fatherhood, grief, ambition, classism, sexism, poverty and racism.
It walks us through the aftermaths of an unexpected teenage pregnancy in an African American family and the costs of the choices that each one of them makes.
And Woodson does a phenomenal job in keeping the readers on toes with her lyrical writing and acute observation of complex human emotions. Alternating between a number of point of views might seem overwhelming for a few but it worked so brilliantly for me.
I knew Red at the Bone had raving reviews but I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming emotions that swept me off as I began connecting to each character and the choices they make. And the fact that I could feel all these in just 200 pages is just mind blowing.
Initially I was not sure why Melody was so cold to Iris and later, about how Iris could treat Aubrey the way she did. But just within a chapter or two, I found myself thinking “maybe, that’s what I would have done too”. And that is a win for the writer on my books.
Red at the Bone is a powerful book that talks about the invisible threads of misery, secrets and anger that holds the family together.
What worked for me
- To just say I loved the author’s writing style and her powerful words would be unjust. She is phenomenal.
- Each and every character is etched to perfection. Sabe and Po’Boy’ were my favorites.
What may have been better
- If you are not a fan of multiple POVs, watch out. Red at the Bone has five POVs (though very well done).
- This is definitely not a plot intensive drama.
Bottom line
While this poignant story may not be entirely new or memorable, it is the impact of the lyrical writing and the emotions that the author packed into her words that makes Red at the Bone so powerful and popular.
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson is worth all the hype it gets and pick up this short book if you are into literary fiction.
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Drama, review |
I picked Daisy Jones & The Six mainly because Bookstagrammers kept posting raving reviews about it. Despite being recommended to pick the audiobook, I picked the physical copy. Did I make the right choice? Let us check how did that turn out for me, shall we?
About the book
Book Name: Daisy Jones & The Six
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Fiction – Romance, History
Characters: Daisy Jones, Billy and Graham Dunne, Camila Dunne, Simone, Warren, Eddie, Karen, Teddy Price
Setting: Los Angeles,The USA
The plot
Daisy grows up as a precocious young girl with absentee parents and a love for music. As she turns twenty her voice gets her the recognition she was craving for. But what she wants to do is write songs, rather than sing them.
Billy and Graham Dunne start a band called Dunne brothers with few of their friends and are slowly in the rise to their stardom.
Soon Billy is addicted to pills, alcohol and other women, and it is his wife Camilla’s grit and steadiness that brings him back to his sense and to the band. As they start getting famous, they reluctantly invite Daisy to join their band.
What follows is the electric chemistry between pill riddled Daisy and currently sober Billy and how the band ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ breaks apart.
My initial thoughts
Daisy Jones & The Six would mark my first tryst with Taylor Jenkins Reid and I can say she has left a positive impact and I would definitely be reading more from her.
I really liked the premise and Reid’s writing made sure to make me feel like I watched a movie about these rockstars and their pill addiction, boozy parties and shows. The interview format of narrative was a clever idea too.
Again, my issue was just the same thing. I didn’t feel connected to the characters at all, because they felt like stars being interviewed. This is totally a “it is me, not you” thing, with the interview format narration. We don’t get to see what these characters are apart from the roles they play in a band, which is a sore disappointment.
I loved Camilla and Karen, strong ladies who seemed badasses on their own merit. While I wish I had such an emotional connect with Daisy too, all I could think was ‘omg she is a dumpster fire’.
I have been hearing that the audiobook does a better job than the physical copy, so if you are into audiobooks, you should try that.
What worked for me
- I loved the plot and couldn’t stop imagining Cooper and Lady Gaga for obvious reasons.
- Daisy Jones & The Six took me to the 70s setup of rock n roll, sex crazed and pill popping era and Reid’s writing shines through. Billy and Daisy were the epitome of all the glitter and issues of the era.
- I loved the strong, female characters like Camilla, Daisy, Karen and Simone. It is obvious that a woman wrote these characters.
What may have been better
- While I love the narrative format for its cleverness, I think it didn’t work for me personally.
- The placement of the songs from the band could have been better, I almost skipped those pages.
Bottom line
Daisy Jones & The Six is a popular historical fiction, and for the right reasons. If you want to be transported to the world of rock n roll and understand what happens after the show ends and behind the screen Daisy Jones & The Six is a great pick.
While the interview format didn’t work for me, I enjoyed Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing style. I will be seeing more of her.
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