After finishing the rather delightful Dear Mr. Knightley last month, I couldn't help but listen to this one too, since it was also available. Reay certainly has a formula, and much of her thematic/character development was very similar to Knightley, but I still rather enjoyed this one. I especially enjoyed the food descriptions that showed up here (Lizzy is a chef in this one). Reay knows her way around a kitchen, and I'm always a sucker for good food writing. Once again, recommended to anyone who enjoys some more thoughtful (but still pretty light) Austen fan fiction.
I kind of wish I could've read this one rather than listen to it, because I assume they used some creative typography for the magic words that Felicity can see everywhere (someone whose read the print version, please confirm), but as it was I had fun imagining my own typography for the words. This middle-grade novel was completely delightful. I really enjoyed the type of magic described (especially the seeing words, I thought it was unique and creative and exactly the kind of magical ability I would have wanted as a twelve-year-old girl). Highly recommend this one.
Okay, so this one wasn't entirely for pleasure. This was the one and only novel I actually finished for my Modern American Novel class this month (because I have to write a paper and give a presentation on it). This was a reread for me, I read it at some point in high school, and boy! Did I ever miss the socialist undertones that first time around. Still, I really like Steinbeck. I like that his characters are real, normal, like-able, everyday kind of people, and that even though they are living through a completely depressing era of history, they still have moments of hope and happiness (unlike other modern characters, where its all doom and gloom and moral degradation). Anyway, this is one of those books that if you haven't read, you probably should.
I liked Grapes of Wrath in 10th grade. I particularly remember chapter 3 about the turtle crossing the road as a metaphor for the Okies.
ReplyDeleteWould A Snicker of Magic be age appropriate for Nat? I'm always looking for good books for her.
I skipped reading Grapes of Wrath in university. It was one of the only times I didn't do my course readings! Someday I'd like to read it.
ReplyDeleteWell, it is a bit of a long one. I probably would not have finished it this time if I didn't have to present on it. But yeah, it's definitely one of those "should reads" if you're into great American classics.
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