The Dickens with Love in Q&A with Josh Lanyon

Feb 07, 2012 Ije the Devourer of Books rated it it was amazing

A lovely romantic Christmas novella from Josh Lanyon and just right for a quiet rainy afternoon/evening in London even though it isn't Christmas. So i read this snuggled beneath my duvet and without a care in the world because I have five more weeks of my sabbatical and still have time to devour more books, and indulge myself with lazy afternoons, ginger beer, chocolate and stories from a master storyteller.

This story is about James Winter who is a book hunter. In some ways it is similar to the A lovely romantic Christmas novella from Josh Lanyon and just right for a quiet rainy afternoon/evening in London even though it isn't Christmas. So i read this snuggled beneath my duvet and without a care in the world because I have five more weeks of my sabbatical and still have time to devour more books, and indulge myself with lazy afternoons, ginger beer, chocolate and stories from a master storyteller.

This story is about James Winter who is a book hunter. In some ways it is similar to the 'Darkling Thrush' which also features a book hunter but this story is set in our world so there is no magic, no fey and no servant brownies and no heart racing mystery. But there is an Ocelot and the mystery is about love and finding it in the most unlikely situations.

Three years ago James Winter was involved in a scandal which damaged his reputation. He is down on his luck and working in a book store when he has an opportunity to assess the authenticity of a rare story by Dickens. The owner, Professor Crisparkle, wants to auction the book and James is sent by a client to assess the book and make a pre-auction bid. James and the Proff eventually hit it off but the Proff is not the most sensitive of people and James is still hurt and recovering from the scandal which ruined his career and life. James is also kind of ducking and diving because he can't disclose who the potential buyer is. The two men are very different but they are deeply attracted to each other and so is this the beginning of something or is it just a casual acquaintance, something that will just pass by into memory?

I really liked this story but this is no surprise because I like all Josh Lanyon's stories. I particularly liked that the Proff had a father who was a vicar and that the family were generally accepting of him. I liked the gentle references to faith and how the story gently conveys a message of faith, hope and the discovery of love at Christmas. The story shows how James has hit rock bottom. He has had a difficult and isolated life and has no faith and very little hope and no love either.

Both the Proff and James were just such well developed characters in the story. The Proff came across as a Proff - no nonsense, professional and a bit brusque. James came across as someone who was lonely, kind of injured but still trying to find his way. Both men were attracted to each other but is this enough without trust and without faith in each other? Each man also has his faults and vulnerabilities. I felt the Proff could be quite harsh and I really felt for James because he seemed quite broken.

Of course this is a story with a HEA so of course the story is about a journey that the two men make to each other and to finding faith, hope and love in each other despite their differences. It is a lovely story. My only gripe was that I wanted to know what happened next?

One of the things I appreciated in the story was the love James had for books and Dickens. It made me think that I should revisit Dickens and other classics. Oh for the time to read all the books I would like to. For now I shall continue to delight myself in Josh Lanyon and the lovely stories he tells.
...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Darkm rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, short-stories

I think for me is impossible not to love Lanyon's books, and this one is no exception.

James has lost everything, from his work, to his house, to his partner when his last boss has been accused of forgery and murder, because people didn't believe he was completely unaware of what was happening.

He's cynic, disillusioned, and still, when he meets Sedgwick he can't stop from falling in love for the man. And right before Christmas is exactly this man that "heals" James and gives him a new future to l ...more

Like · see review

May 07, 2011 Kathleen rated it really liked it

The book is well-written, with actionable scenes and strong characters. It's a niche market, same sex romance, but in it Lanyon is a master of his trade: mystery murder (but not always) romance. The book ties to the upcoming holiday season (Christmas), and Christmas ties with Dickens, which appeals in a literary sense. The protag is also an orphan, drawing even more parallels to Dickens. It is more a novella, drawing out at around 110 pages. It is a romance but not of the overly sweet type and h ...more

Like · see review