bookshelves: currently-reading
If you're looking for a book that will drive you insane, you may have found it.
Bronson Alcott's head-in-the-air attitude almost cost his entire family their lives (and of course Matteson indulges in the "he would have" "she surely must have" nonsense that is crazy-making in historical NF). His daughter Louisa's life was no picnic. Despite the drear subject matter and a Bronsonesque tendency to gently eulogize Bronson, this book offers a fairly even-handed treatment of an inseparable literary couple. ]]>
I'm reading this bit by bit through DailyLit and laughing over its anachronism and lines like "She is a brilliant illustration of the work
a woman may do in the world, and still retain the truest womanliness." ]]>
]]>
Add another to the "Thought it would be boring. Wasn't." side of the shelf. Henry James' portrait is slightly flawed, but his supporting cast is flawless. ]]>
I was surprised by this book, which I expected to be boring. Instead it was gut-wrenching, pitiful, claustrophobic, and memorable. ]]>
Erin
took the never-ending book quiz.
| questions answered: | 19 |
| correct: | 16 (84.2%) |
| skipped: | 2 |
| best streak: | 5 |
| questions added: | 0 |
by Irene Gammel
The Bronte bio did that, as well! To me, it's just lazy history. I can imagine people's lives well enough without being told what to imagine.
]]>
I consider myself one step removed from a hard-core Anne fan, and I must say this book was a disappointment. Don't go into it expecting any revelations...it is somewhat scattered and commits the ultimate sin of nonfiction, the "would have" clause... i.e. "Maud's hands would have been shaking when she opened up the acceptance letter." Come on, people. ]]>
Honestly, the story of the Mitfords themselves is more fascinating than this slightly dry biography. I would rather have read a collection of their letters with heavy annotation. ]]>