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19th out of 87 books
—
67 voters
The Charm School (Calhoun Chronicles #1)
by
Susan Wiggs (Goodreads Author),
Judy York
An awkward misfit in an accomplished, Boston family, Isadora Peabody yearns to escape her social isolation and sneaks aboard the Silver Swan, bound for Rio, leaving it all behind.
Ryan Calhoun, too, had a good family name. But he'd purposely walked away from everything it afforded him. Driven by his quest to right an old wrong, the fiery, temperamental sea captain barely re...more
Ryan Calhoun, too, had a good family name. But he'd purposely walked away from everything it afforded him. Driven by his quest to right an old wrong, the fiery, temperamental sea captain barely re...more
Paperback, 391 pages
Published
May 1st 2008
by Mira
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I adored this book. I liked the whole Ugly Duckling premise. He wasn't too much of a rogue and the scenes that put him in that light were bearable. If anyone has any other Ugly Duckling suggestions please let me know!!
I got this one from the library but I think I will make it a keeper soon!
I got this one from the library but I think I will make it a keeper soon!
This is a reissue of a 1999 release.
What a wonderful story about love and transformation Susan Wiggs has penned in “The Charm School”. It combines the lure of “Pygmalion” with the fairy tale of “The Ugly Duckling” and even throws in a dash of anti-slavery activism. And it all comes together beautifully in a story that validates hopes and dreams of love and freedom.
Isadora is the ugly duckling. In her family of slim, pale blondes, she’s a full-figured, tall brunette; and in 1850s Boston high-so...more
What a wonderful story about love and transformation Susan Wiggs has penned in “The Charm School”. It combines the lure of “Pygmalion” with the fairy tale of “The Ugly Duckling” and even throws in a dash of anti-slavery activism. And it all comes together beautifully in a story that validates hopes and dreams of love and freedom.
Isadora is the ugly duckling. In her family of slim, pale blondes, she’s a full-figured, tall brunette; and in 1850s Boston high-so...more
6 likes · like · see review
The Charm School was a good book about an ugly duckling heroine who finds new life when she travels aboard a ship to Rio. The hero is a bit of a rakish daredevil who slowly falls for the heroine over the long ship journey. The story had a lot of great detail about life on a ship and really brought the setting and characters to life. The heroine's transformation from a plain, plump spinster who was too smart and horrible at social situations to a confident woman who believed in herself was the ma...more
15 likes · like · see review
I love Susan Wiggs, although I've not read many of her books (yet).
I am most impressed with her ability to handle heavy issues without a heavy hand. I usually can't stand to read about heavy issues. I'm not looking for a lot of depressing melodrama in a book. Wiggs is never melodramatic, but she doesn't flinch from real life.
I think this book (and series) is an earlier effort, and I didn't feel her light-touch and uncanny sense of humanity and character here.
The story and emotional impact was j...more
I am most impressed with her ability to handle heavy issues without a heavy hand. I usually can't stand to read about heavy issues. I'm not looking for a lot of depressing melodrama in a book. Wiggs is never melodramatic, but she doesn't flinch from real life.
I think this book (and series) is an earlier effort, and I didn't feel her light-touch and uncanny sense of humanity and character here.
The story and emotional impact was j...more
By Susan Wiggs. Grade: B
I read the back blurb and was immediately excited because it showed a lot of promise. Historicals almost always have the same recurring theme – you guessed it, reformed rakes – and I thought this change was refreshing.
Isadora Peabody is an awkward misfit in her beautiful and accomplished family. Shunned by those she yearns to befriend, she gives her heart to a man who doesn’t even know she exists. With nothing to lose, she seizes the chance to journey to a wondrous new wo...more
I read the back blurb and was immediately excited because it showed a lot of promise. Historicals almost always have the same recurring theme – you guessed it, reformed rakes – and I thought this change was refreshing.
Isadora Peabody is an awkward misfit in her beautiful and accomplished family. Shunned by those she yearns to befriend, she gives her heart to a man who doesn’t even know she exists. With nothing to lose, she seizes the chance to journey to a wondrous new wo...more
**plot spoilers**
You know when the book’s compared to the ugly duckling you’re in for a treat.
I don’t go for that whole ugly duckling story anyway, and in here it just didn’t work.
Her very name bothered me. Isadora Peabody. Could the author have possibly thought up a more loser-y name? I guess it’s fitting for the character though, because boy she was a loser.
This girl was stupid. She was well-read and knew something that would come in handy on a ship, I can’t remember what though, and she was s...more
You know when the book’s compared to the ugly duckling you’re in for a treat.
I don’t go for that whole ugly duckling story anyway, and in here it just didn’t work.
Her very name bothered me. Isadora Peabody. Could the author have possibly thought up a more loser-y name? I guess it’s fitting for the character though, because boy she was a loser.
This girl was stupid. She was well-read and knew something that would come in handy on a ship, I can’t remember what though, and she was s...more
0_0 this book was brilliantly written...ok it's not what i would typically read because i don't really like that time era but oh gosh i thoroughly enjoyed it!!!!! The characters were amazing and it was just...believable! i love how Ryan and Isadora are so honest hehehehe and they both grow together in the book...All the characters i loved and i was actually dreading when i knew this book would finish...But such a beautiful story that i really really loved...i have read a lot of plain jane books...more
Oct 23, 2011
Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Isadora Peabody is a complete misfit in her rich Boston family, tall and curvy where they are willowy, unruly brown hair where they have sleek blonde locks, intelligent and clever when they are all social butterflies. Bound into a life she hates and doesn't fit in to she grabs the chance to get away on a ship to Rio when it presents it self, despite the insufferable arrogant and rakeish Captain Ryan Calhoun.
I pretty much devoured this book, I devoured it in one sitting, I love a plain Jane stori...more
I pretty much devoured this book, I devoured it in one sitting, I love a plain Jane stori...more
Aug 19, 2011
Marion Marchetto
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance
An engaging tale of a proper Boston young miss who becomes transformed while on a sea journey to find herself. I found this approach to the historical romance genre refreshing. However, I would caution against letting impressionable young ladies reading this.
While the sensuality falls short of page after page of explicit details, there is enough to give one pause. First is the fact that our heroine becomes 'one of the guys' aboard ship after she is hired as translator. One would need to be pret...more
While the sensuality falls short of page after page of explicit details, there is enough to give one pause. First is the fact that our heroine becomes 'one of the guys' aboard ship after she is hired as translator. One would need to be pret...more
Taking a break from my usual PNR and UF reads I picked up Charm School by Susan Wiggs on the reccomendation of several book blogs.
I was interested in the idea of an awkward, none to pretty heroine and how the romance between her and the hero would progress.
Charm School is a wonderful read. If you like history, you'll enjoy a look into the shipping industry, abolitionist movement and politics of the American South in the 1860's (approx.), if you like romance you'll enjoy the dynamic between our h...more
I was interested in the idea of an awkward, none to pretty heroine and how the romance between her and the hero would progress.
Charm School is a wonderful read. If you like history, you'll enjoy a look into the shipping industry, abolitionist movement and politics of the American South in the 1860's (approx.), if you like romance you'll enjoy the dynamic between our h...more
Very well done Ugly Duckling story with a very believable transformation for our heroine. Isadora is the misfit in her very fashionable, very prominent Boston family. She is tall while her sisters are petite, very fat while the sisters are slender, brunette to their blonde, gawky, clumsy and just socially inept all around. Her family (especially her mother) despairs of her; she is not valued or loved, even though she is very intelligent and bright. Worse yet, Isadora hates herself, her self-este...more
Excellent book about how everyone can find love, even those who feel that they don't match up to those around them. Isadora Peabody is the ugly duckling in her family. She is surrounded by beautiful people who make matches and babies with more beautiful people. She was shunned all her life and dreams of escaping. Isadora is brilliant and witty although shy with most people around her. Enter Ryan Calhoun who makes a exceptional run on the ship he is over. Isadora meets his mother and takes her to...more
I really enjoyed the story. I liked the characters and the setting, and the crew even worked with her.
Isadora Peabody is the brilliant but socially inept sibling in an otherwise perfect family. And although she struggles to fit into Boston society, her awkwardness dooms her to repeated failure. Fate intervenes when she learns that a sea captain, Ryan Calhoun, is in need of an interpreter for his next voyage to Rio. And despite Ryan's adamant opposition to hiring a female interpreter, Isadora gai...more
Isadora Peabody is the brilliant but socially inept sibling in an otherwise perfect family. And although she struggles to fit into Boston society, her awkwardness dooms her to repeated failure. Fate intervenes when she learns that a sea captain, Ryan Calhoun, is in need of an interpreter for his next voyage to Rio. And despite Ryan's adamant opposition to hiring a female interpreter, Isadora gai...more
Aside from the highly embarrassing beginning that I skipped whole paragraphs of and the fact that he had her smoke hemp so she'd loosen up and have sex with him (admittedly the sex was an afterthought) it was fine.
The best part is that it is an Ugly Duckling story and the most unlikely people are the ones helping to turn her into a swan. Isadora is a plain bluestocking spinster from a well-known family in Boston that essentially coerces her way onto a ship (as an interpreter) sailing for Rio de...more
The best part is that it is an Ugly Duckling story and the most unlikely people are the ones helping to turn her into a swan. Isadora is a plain bluestocking spinster from a well-known family in Boston that essentially coerces her way onto a ship (as an interpreter) sailing for Rio de...more
I love this era in history. It's hard to find stories that specialize in American life (considering there is an excess of westerns from this time period). Considering that most of the book too place on a ship, there was ample interaction between the H/h and allowed the heroine to grow. Isadora has a cool name, but she was a pretty pitiable creature during the beginning of this story. Smart, but socially awkward and a bit of a coward. Ryan (also love this name) is really a great guy, despite the...more
Isadora Peabody is the ugly duckling in her family. The awakward one. Her brothers and sisters are the popular pretty ones. Shes the wallflower who gets stuck by herself at parties. No one wants anything to do with her. Fustrated at the way she's treated and while to impress a boy she tricks her way on to a ship where she meets the arrogant handsome captain Ryan Calhoun.
During the ship course to Belize she comes out of her shell and is loved by not only the ship crew but the captain too. When sh...more
During the ship course to Belize she comes out of her shell and is loved by not only the ship crew but the captain too. When sh...more
I'm cautiously...CAUTIOUSLY...giving this book 2.5-3 stars, which is really bifurcated between 3.5-4 for the writing, atmosphere, setting, and plot and 2 for the romance.
3.5-4 = The author does a nice job of weaving magical descriptions of exotic Rio and earthy shipboard life. I learned a lot of nautical terminology after searching Google while reading. The characters were pretty well drawn, even though I didn't necessarily like them (if that makes sense?). Isadora's life in Boston was miserable...more
3.5-4 = The author does a nice job of weaving magical descriptions of exotic Rio and earthy shipboard life. I learned a lot of nautical terminology after searching Google while reading. The characters were pretty well drawn, even though I didn't necessarily like them (if that makes sense?). Isadora's life in Boston was miserable...more
3 likes · like · see review
I am mostly pleased when I finish a Susan Wiggs book. Sometimes getting to the end is a trial. This was not one of those times. Although in places the book wanders, I thoroughly enjoyed Isadora and Ryan's story. I was especially impressed with Ryan's devotion to Journey. This ugly duckling story put a whole other light on the premise of a diamond in the rough. It showcased some things about society we have yet to divest ourselves of. even in the present. Isadora is plagued with being the odd man...more
I really enjoyed this book. The story of a misfit woman/child of a family of high society Boston who worms her way into becoming the translator on the ship the Silver Swan to run away from her family and life. Captain Ryan Calhoun is less than pleased about this endeavor. Isadora becomes, mother, sister and confidant to all of the shipmates. A transformation from ugly duckling to swan with the help from the crew of the Silver Swan begins the sparks flying between Isadora and Ryan. The rest of co...more
I picked this up at the library. I have seen it listed as a favorite several times so I thought I'd give it a try. My first to read by this author. An interesting take on the Ugly Duckling fairy tale. Isadora Peabody was the ugly duckling, living with a family of beautiful ducks. Ryan Calhoun is the captain of a ship called The Sliver Swan and they are heading for Rio. Isadora manages to get on board as a translator, despite the objections of the captain. I found the story to be rather delightfu...more
Charm school is the first book I have read by Susan Wiggs and now I am a fan for life.
This book was everything I hoped for and more.
Isadora Peabody is a black swan among her family. She is dark where her siblings are fair and too smart for her own good. With her voluptuous figure, unruly hair that is styled severely to make it tame, and spectacles she is socially not accepted by her peers. Isadora needs a change and with her cleverness she manages to fulfill that change by making herself inter...more
This book was everything I hoped for and more.
Isadora Peabody is a black swan among her family. She is dark where her siblings are fair and too smart for her own good. With her voluptuous figure, unruly hair that is styled severely to make it tame, and spectacles she is socially not accepted by her peers. Isadora needs a change and with her cleverness she manages to fulfill that change by making herself inter...more
I enjoyed the story line of this book. Ryan the hero helps Isadora discover just how beautiful she is (if you know what I mean). It was a different story line then most romance novels which was a relief although the romance scenes were not very steamy, I am glad I read this book
This is a book about a women whom is an ugly duckling who turns into a swan in the end. After findling herself through some life adventure and some soul searching she learns life doesn't have to be all prim and proper. Very good romance read!!!
This is a romance dear to my heart. My mother gave me her battered old copy to read and then bought me a shiny new one when I had torn through hers for the third time. It's the traditional ugly duckling story, and it's not only the swan that emerges we fall in love with, but the entire band of characters who assist in the transformation. Any girl who has been laughed at, given the cold shoulder, or stood in the center of the room with her drink dripping down the front of her dress can identify w...more
I'm a sucker for the heroine transformation books, this is an oldy but goody. Want to know more about my opinion?
This is a romance novel, but it's really sweet. I'd say it's rated maybe pg13. I love the story and the guy is a redheaded captain of a ship.
This book takes places in 1850s Boston which is not a place or time period I usually choose for my historical romances. I was intrigued by the "ugly duckling" story line, and it paid off. It was really a joy to watch Isadora go from mousy, bumbling and invisible (but smart and funny) to confident, bold and comfortable in her own skin. I loved the voyage to Rio, and I am glad the voyage back to Boston was glossed over. I also liked the fact that the two main characters not only hated each other (...more
a fun love story. has a "ugly duckling" theme to it that makes it different from the usual regency romance.
An older historcai by Susan Wiggs who is now better known for her contemporaries, this is a classic ugly duckling story (with quotes from that tale) as prim and homely Miss Peabody of Boston shucks off her old life and sails for Rio aboard the ship of a handsome captain. It is fun watching her transformation as she becomes part of the crew and returns completely changed and in triumph to her family. Of course, she captures the heart of the captain, but sex scenes are minimal as befits the story...more
In the 1850's society expected women to keep in their place. But, what if you didn't fit the pattern of the giggly, socially acceptable debutante? Then you became an old maid, and everyone looked on you with pity. Smart, but socially inept, Isadora, makes a decision to go as a language interpreter on a ship headed to Rio. The charming captain doesn't really want her there, but is forced to take her by his sponsor. Read this book to see the wonderful changes that occur when Isadora finds her true...more
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Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org...more
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“She watched the gap between ship and shore grow to a huge gulf. Perhaps this was a little like dying, the departed no longer visible to the others, yet both still existed, only in different worlds.”
—
18 people liked it
“She had always been good at dreaming, but what she had never done before was believe a dream could actually come true. She believed now. The wonder of setting sail created possibilities she had never considered before.”
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3 people liked it
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May 17, 2008 03:57pm