Jane’s review of Lady of Hay > Likes and Comments
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I think this is a book I've been looking for for years - it made a very good impression on me in my 20s and I wanted to read it again. I kind of like timeslip medievals.
Be interesting to see what you think of it now.
I saw this recently at our Costco, and goodreads keeps recommending it to me. I'll be interested to see what you think. :)
Yes, it so disappointing to go back and read a book you loved, only to find it's not so great.
The premise sounds a little bit like On A Clear Day You Can See Forever.
It is, although as Jane says the historical bits save it. I disliked the modern story, a lot!
I couldn't finish this book. I have no problem skimming all the contemporary ridiculous no plot but besides that I had a strong image of Matilda from EC's novel(s?) (don't ask me which one) and I couldn't reconcile that image with this sugared version of her.
I totally agree with your review! This book was recommended to me and I feel like I just lost a few years of my lifetime... never again!
Thanks! Funnily enough, this morning I was reading a Facebook post by Erskine's agent about how persistent they had to be to get this novel published, and then it was a huge hit. I'm trying to unravel my feelings about this, because I DID love the novel back in 1985. And probably the Scotch-drinking and eye-narrowings were the order of the day--historical fiction was different back then. There's a real problem with reading books that use outmoded literary conventions, also nowadays readers get together on the internet and get all cynical about said conventions which doesn't help matters.
I am so glad to see that I am not alone...i remember loving this novel when it was first published and raved about it for years...to the point that my daughter bought me the 25th anniversary edition...imagine my surprise and disappointment in rereading it only to never want to see it again...wish I had never read it a second time and allowed myself the original good feeling of the novel
I'm beginning to think I shouldn't re-read books from the 80s at all, Victoria. I'm too different from the young woman I was then, and the 80s were another planet anyway.
I can't take this novel seriously at all since reading your review! I want to laugh every time I read one of the numerous cliches you mention. And of course, the Scotch....!
That's the trouble with reading reviews before you finish the novel! You could turn it into a game--have a square of chocolate every time Scotch is mentioned.
April wrote: "Don't forget the rape. :/"
Again, back in the 80s I probably wouldn't have even noticed--readers seem to have come a long way even in the last five years in identifying certain tropes as abusive. So that much-used scene where Gary Stu gets angry and brutally throws himself on top of Mary Sue and she struggles but eventually gives in to his manly lust is becoming as unacceptable as using racist slurs...which is progress, at least!
Unfortunately, 30+ years ago such scenes were common in a certain type of novel. The Mills & Boone novels I devoured as a kid were full of them--apparently men with anger and abuse issues were sexy or something. As I said in my review, I LOVED this book when I was 25. I certainly don't now.
This is exactly how I felt reading this mammoth book. So many exclamation marks! And so much coffee I don't know how anyone could possibly sleep!
I totally agree that it has not aged well. I can imagine it being a hit back in the 80s but it seems to be lacking something for modern readers.
And yet some Victorian novels still resonate...makes me wonder which of today's books will still be loved in 2150.
Yeah I agree. It must be certain elements in the telling of a story that make it relatable throughout the years.
Spot on. I had to give up, because I've decided that life is too short to force myself through a crappy book. Frankly, if I rolled my eyes any harder at her constant use of the word "grinned" I was afraid I'd need to reach for a few bottles of Scotch myself.
Yeah, this review perfectly captures how I felt reading this, seriously were they always drunk?! And what's with everyone just being fine with all the rape, whipping with belts and teenage dramatic style running around in a mood whilst everyone follows you around the country?! Why does EVERYONE have this ability that nobody in real life can realistically do.
Loved the Historical side of it, not so much the, dare I say, modern side!
loved your review! I thought this book was amazing when I was 18. It made an impression, big time. I tried to reread it 2 years ago ( when I was 41) and had to laugh at how ridiculous some of the passages where. I guess you can never go back.
Thanks for the review it made me laugh out loud.
Absolutely spot on..... I too read it back in the day..... in a nutshell, as you put so perfectly "It doesn't travel well" :)
This was hilarious! I too loved the book back in the 80s or early 90s (whenever, found at a rental beachhouse and had to finish before the week was up) Reminded me of Green Darkness by Anya Seton (I think). Recently found it (excited!) in a $1 used book bin. Maybe it won't read as well as when I first read it, but may still be entertaining!
Joanne wrote: "This was hilarious! I too loved the book back in the 80s or early 90s (whenever, found at a rental beachhouse and had to finish before the week was up) Reminded me of Green Darkness by Anya Seton (..."
Report back . . .
I relate to all these comments! I read in my early 20s, probably in the early 90s, so not long after it was first published. I thought it was great and read her other books too. A few months ago I found it secondhand, and tried rereading it. Was revolted. Looked it up here and laughed at all these equally revolted reviews. But here I am now with a sprained foot, unable to walk, and skeptically giving it another go as a change from Netflix. I’m not sure how far I will be able to get…
Helena wrote: "I relate to all these comments!"
I hope you managed to get through it, if only for the laughs.
This review made me actual LOL. Thank you so much 😂
Read the reviews as i to read the book when it first came out and loved it! However i thought i would review it for my book club and i found Janes review so amusing i am going to read it to the other members of my club, thought it was so funny and true. Thank you Jane.
i m stanland wrote: "Read the reviews as i to read the book when it first came out and loved it! However i thought i would review it for my book club and i found Janes review so amusing i am going to read it to the oth..."
You're welcome! For me it's a lovely reminder of my days as a snarky GR reviewer, and of how much time I used to have to read. Mais où sont les neiges d'antan?
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Jane
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Aug 06, 2012 12:48PM
I think this is a book I've been looking for for years - it made a very good impression on me in my 20s and I wanted to read it again. I kind of like timeslip medievals.
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Be interesting to see what you think of it now.
I saw this recently at our Costco, and goodreads keeps recommending it to me. I'll be interested to see what you think. :)
Yes, it so disappointing to go back and read a book you loved, only to find it's not so great. The premise sounds a little bit like On A Clear Day You Can See Forever.
It is, although as Jane says the historical bits save it. I disliked the modern story, a lot!
I couldn't finish this book. I have no problem skimming all the contemporary ridiculous no plot but besides that I had a strong image of Matilda from EC's novel(s?) (don't ask me which one) and I couldn't reconcile that image with this sugared version of her.
I have a feeling the psychic woowoo in this one would drive me bonkers. At least the author seems to refute it in her wiser older age, though. Still doesn't excuse the lame device.
I love how in these books the same jagoffs from your past life hang around you for all eternity. It's like never leaving high school.
I love how in these books the same jagoffs from your past life hang around you for all eternity. It's like never leaving high school.
I totally agree with your review! This book was recommended to me and I feel like I just lost a few years of my lifetime... never again!
Thanks! Funnily enough, this morning I was reading a Facebook post by Erskine's agent about how persistent they had to be to get this novel published, and then it was a huge hit. I'm trying to unravel my feelings about this, because I DID love the novel back in 1985. And probably the Scotch-drinking and eye-narrowings were the order of the day--historical fiction was different back then. There's a real problem with reading books that use outmoded literary conventions, also nowadays readers get together on the internet and get all cynical about said conventions which doesn't help matters.
I am so glad to see that I am not alone...i remember loving this novel when it was first published and raved about it for years...to the point that my daughter bought me the 25th anniversary edition...imagine my surprise and disappointment in rereading it only to never want to see it again...wish I had never read it a second time and allowed myself the original good feeling of the novel
I'm beginning to think I shouldn't re-read books from the 80s at all, Victoria. I'm too different from the young woman I was then, and the 80s were another planet anyway.
I can't take this novel seriously at all since reading your review! I want to laugh every time I read one of the numerous cliches you mention. And of course, the Scotch....!
That's the trouble with reading reviews before you finish the novel! You could turn it into a game--have a square of chocolate every time Scotch is mentioned.
April wrote: "Don't forget the rape. :/"Again, back in the 80s I probably wouldn't have even noticed--readers seem to have come a long way even in the last five years in identifying certain tropes as abusive. So that much-used scene where Gary Stu gets angry and brutally throws himself on top of Mary Sue and she struggles but eventually gives in to his manly lust is becoming as unacceptable as using racist slurs...which is progress, at least!
Unfortunately, 30+ years ago such scenes were common in a certain type of novel. The Mills & Boone novels I devoured as a kid were full of them--apparently men with anger and abuse issues were sexy or something. As I said in my review, I LOVED this book when I was 25. I certainly don't now.
This is exactly how I felt reading this mammoth book. So many exclamation marks! And so much coffee I don't know how anyone could possibly sleep!I totally agree that it has not aged well. I can imagine it being a hit back in the 80s but it seems to be lacking something for modern readers.
And yet some Victorian novels still resonate...makes me wonder which of today's books will still be loved in 2150.
Yeah I agree. It must be certain elements in the telling of a story that make it relatable throughout the years.
Spot on. I had to give up, because I've decided that life is too short to force myself through a crappy book. Frankly, if I rolled my eyes any harder at her constant use of the word "grinned" I was afraid I'd need to reach for a few bottles of Scotch myself.
Yeah, this review perfectly captures how I felt reading this, seriously were they always drunk?! And what's with everyone just being fine with all the rape, whipping with belts and teenage dramatic style running around in a mood whilst everyone follows you around the country?! Why does EVERYONE have this ability that nobody in real life can realistically do. Loved the Historical side of it, not so much the, dare I say, modern side!
loved your review! I thought this book was amazing when I was 18. It made an impression, big time. I tried to reread it 2 years ago ( when I was 41) and had to laugh at how ridiculous some of the passages where. I guess you can never go back. Thanks for the review it made me laugh out loud.
Absolutely spot on..... I too read it back in the day..... in a nutshell, as you put so perfectly "It doesn't travel well" :)
This was hilarious! I too loved the book back in the 80s or early 90s (whenever, found at a rental beachhouse and had to finish before the week was up) Reminded me of Green Darkness by Anya Seton (I think). Recently found it (excited!) in a $1 used book bin. Maybe it won't read as well as when I first read it, but may still be entertaining!
Joanne wrote: "This was hilarious! I too loved the book back in the 80s or early 90s (whenever, found at a rental beachhouse and had to finish before the week was up) Reminded me of Green Darkness by Anya Seton (..."Report back . . .
I relate to all these comments! I read in my early 20s, probably in the early 90s, so not long after it was first published. I thought it was great and read her other books too. A few months ago I found it secondhand, and tried rereading it. Was revolted. Looked it up here and laughed at all these equally revolted reviews. But here I am now with a sprained foot, unable to walk, and skeptically giving it another go as a change from Netflix. I’m not sure how far I will be able to get…
Helena wrote: "I relate to all these comments!"I hope you managed to get through it, if only for the laughs.
This review made me actual LOL. Thank you so much 😂
Read the reviews as i to read the book when it first came out and loved it! However i thought i would review it for my book club and i found Janes review so amusing i am going to read it to the other members of my club, thought it was so funny and true. Thank you Jane.
i m stanland wrote: "Read the reviews as i to read the book when it first came out and loved it! However i thought i would review it for my book club and i found Janes review so amusing i am going to read it to the oth..."You're welcome! For me it's a lovely reminder of my days as a snarky GR reviewer, and of how much time I used to have to read. Mais où sont les neiges d'antan?
