Persuasion by Jane Austen

Another great Jane Austen favorite of mine, Persuasion took me completely by surprise; I did not expect to be so touched and affected after reading it. This was the last Austen book I read, and I found it particularly special because of its deeply poignant and mature love story. Although all of Austen's other novels are love stories at the core, the relationships aren't as developed as the one shared between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. Austen's other books use the love stories as a focal point while the meat of the material is dedicated more to people's social practices, habits, and follies. They also tend to have a fairytale like feel to them, but Persuasion felt much more real and down to earth. It really struck true to the much more deep and complicated emotions people experience.

In Persuasion, Anne Elliot, the protagonist, is much older than Austen's other heroines. She is a very kind, sensible, principled and dependable woman. However, she has one regret that has haunted her for a long time: the fact that as a young woman, she rejected the man she loved because her family did not approve of him, and she was simply too compliant and obedient to object. Now she is at the stage in her life where marriage is no longer a priority or an option because of her age (28!). Her life revolves around keeping her father company and taking care of him. Unfortunately, her family's circumstances have also deteriorated.

When Captain Wentworth comes back a successful man at sea, all the emotions she had felt for him from the past come rushing back to the surface. Wentworth, on the other hand, has turned distant and aloof. The sadness and deep regret Anne feels upon his return is truly heartbreaking. The fact that she has already lost her youth and beauty, and her family is no longer in the same privileged position makes it even more saddening.

This was the first Austen novel that made me cry. I felt so much sympathy for Anne, and I was dying for the moment their relationship would be rekindled.

When it finally did, I felt like I was flying.

5 stars *****

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

I just started watching the TV series, The Tudors, recently. It's about the life and reign of King Henry VIII, as well as his relationships with his six wives. It's quite juicy and addictive, and since I've been having that whole era on the mind lately, I thought I'd write a review of The Other Boleyn Girl, which is a novel I read back in college.

The story focuses on Mary Boleyn, who is the lesser known sister of Anne Boleyn, King Henry's second wife, who ended up getting beheaded. This book went at such a fast pace. It was juicy, intriguing, captivating, and highly addictive. I personally thought the writing could have been a lot better. There was something missing in it. I don't remember what specifically since it's been years since I read it, but I do remember the language being too simple, a bit Young Adult-ish in my opinion. I wished the descriptions could have been more intricate, especially since it is a work of historical fiction.

Nonetheless, this book definitely did the job of hooking me in. As soon as I picked it up, I couldn't stop reading. I didn't really care that the writing wasn't the best; I was more focused on the unfolding events of the story, the relationships, the love, the seduction, the betrayal, the power struggles, and the terrifying consequences of the characters' actions. It was a complete soap opera, and I was engulfed in it for a few days.

As for its historical accuracy, I can't comment on that since I don't know much about the period; however, despite this, there were times when I felt that Gregory had perhaps exaggerated the negative aspects of Anne Boleyn's character. The contrast between her and Mary were just too black and white, too good and evil, and I found that hard to believe. Very little sympathy or empathy was given to Anne's character and, since she is a historical figure, I doubted the honesty of her portrayal.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to lovers of romance and historical fiction. It's a great, fun read.

4 stars ****

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

I just finished this book, and it was such a wonderful read! It was recommended on the Barnes & Noble website, and I decided to read it primarily because of the presence and actual relevance of vintage clothing in the story. I was definitely satisfied with the fashion part of the book. The way the narrator, Phoebe who owns a vintage clothing store, describes the clothes and the way she gives more meaning to them was truly a delight to read. It made me appreciate vintage fashion that much more. Fashionistas will love this novel.

As for the rest of the book, I was not disappointed. I dove into it not really knowing much about it, and so I was surprised to find that it actually has a very sad undertone throughout because of something tragic that happened in the main character's past. There is also a lot of mystery as to what exactly happened, and I really liked that. It kept my attention throughout the entire story.

Apart from that, there is also some romance and a lot of warm, feel good aspects, such as the friendships Phoebe forms and her personal successes.

This book was sad, beautiful, touching, happy, and just an overall delight to read. I can easily see this adapted into a charming, feel good movie in the same vein as Chocolat.

5 stars *****

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I just finished re-reading one of my favorite books of all time, and it was even better the second time around.

I first read "Pride and Prejudice" when I was in high school. It was my second classic; "Jane Eyre" was my first. I was inspired to read it because my experience with the latter was just so wonderful, that I became motivated to read more classics.

"Pride and Prejudice", however, was a totally different breed. First, and most formidable of all, the language was ten times more difficult for me to understand. I was able to zip through "Jane Eyre", but with "P & P", I needed a dictionary by my side at all times. The style was also very different. One of the main charms of "P & P" is its sharp, witty, and hilarious dialogue that just jumps at you from the pages; however, I found that it wasn't as descriptive as other books that I had read. A lot of times, you have to read between the lines to get a better grasp of what is truly going on. I also felt that many scenes were presented quite abruptly. Austen doesn't spoon-feed her readers. She is very sharp and intelligent, and she expects the reader to be just as quick as her.

When I was 16, I had never read a book like this before, and at first I was a bit lost and, quite honestly, bored. I wanted to quickly finish the book so I could watch the much talked about BBC miniseries. After seeing Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy staring and smiling at Elizabeth Bennet from across the room, I suddenly woke up to the true beauty of this story. You see, when I was reading the book, the lack of description made it difficult for me to picture the story and its characters. In order for me to truly enjoy a book, I need to be able to see it visually, and this is exactly what the miniseries (a most faithful adaptation) was able to do for me. As soon as I saw the book come to life via this medium, I began to appreciate it, and slowly but surely, I fell deeply in love.

Now almost 10 years after first picking up the book, I was able to zip through it in just a couple of days. Every page was divine. Obviously, now that I'm much older, my perspective has changed a lot, and I appreciate this book even more, especially for creating such magnificent characters in the persons of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. I am even more in love with it.

5 stars *****

FILM ADAPATATION: I Capture the Castle

Since I just did a review on the book, "I Capture the Castle", I thought I'd write about the movie as well. Film adaptations are such a great additional form of enjoying the stories of our beloved novels. Based on my experience, the books are better most of the time; however, there are those rare instances when the movie is just as good or even better. These films can add a totally refreshing perspective to the story and the characters.

I Capture the Castle is the perfect example of a film adaptation done right. Everything about this movie was simply wonderful. The cast was perfect; the script was great - the two things vital to an adaptation's success. Romola Garai, one of my favorite actresses, did an excellent job portraying Cassandra. At first, I wasn't sure if she was the best choice because I had seen some of her previous works, and physically, she didn't really match my image of Cassandra. Romola is quite tall and is a very beautiful girl. I always pictured Cassandra to be smallish and very plain looking. However, Romola completely transformed her look for the movie, and she really pulled it off. She was able to capture Cassandra's innocence, charm, naivete, sense, intelligence, and the range of emotions she experiences throughout the story.

The rest of the cast was equally superb, especially Bill Nighy who played the father, the frustrated writer. The setting, the costumes, the music, everything else was in sync with how I imagined the book to be. However, my absolute favorite thing about the movie, that I preferred over the book, was the ending. The ending in the film was just fabulous. I have to say that the ending in the novel broke my heart a little bit. It left a pang of sadness and confusion in my heart, but the one in the movie left hope and happiness. It made me smile. :)

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

This book was absolutely adorable! The story is told from the perspective of 17 year old Cassandra Mortmain who lives in a dilapidated English castle with her family - a father, a stepmother, a younger brother, and an older sister. They are quite isolated from society not only because of their location but because of their limited funds brought about by Cassandra's father's struggles as a writer - he is suffering from writer's block and hasn't written a book in a really long time.

Cassandra, an aspiring writer herself, spends a lot of her time writing on her diary. She records the minutiae of their daily life which goes on pretty uneventfully until two young men - Neil and Simon Cotton - arrive to claim the estate.

Romance ensues among the characters - Cassandra, her beautiful sister Rose, and the Cottons. Insecurity, jealousy, longing, and unrequited love arise in this beautifully told coming of age story.

I found out about this book when J.K. Rowling cited it as one of her favorite books. Rowling stated that "I Capture the Castle" has "one of the most charismatic narrators" she had ever met, and she was right. Many girls will find themselves relating to Cassandra - her dreams, her doubts, her imagination, and her longing for love. As the plain sister, compared to the enticing Rose, she is often overlooked, and the reader can't help but sympathize with her. She also writes in a way that is absolutely charming. She is witty and descriptive. She is innocent but also very sensible. This book actually reminded me a lot of a Jane Austen novel, and that is always a plus for me. :)

This book was an absolute joy to read, but was also quite sad and poignant. After I turned the last page (especially the last page!), Cassandra left such a deep impression in me. In a way, she became a friend forever.

5 stars *****

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha was the very first book I read that completely took my breath away in a way that was totally filling and satisfying. Before this novel, I had only been indulging in young adult books, the Sweet Valley series to be precise (Haha!).

I believe Memoirs was my first adult book, and, suffice it to say, I was blown away by its intricacy, the beauty of the language, the pacing of the book, and the character descriptions and development. I was transported into a completely foreign world; yet, somehow, it also felt like home.  I was so engrossed in Sayuri's rise from a village girl to one of the most successful and beautiful geishas of her time. The jealousy and rivalry between her and the villainess, Hatsumomo also heightened the overall mood of the book. Her presence in the story really raised the stakes.

There is also the love story between Sayuri and the Chairman - her driving force to become and succeed as a geisha. This is quite heartbreaking because of the juxtaposition of her pure and innocent love for him and the nature of her job.

Most of all, I loved how the book sparked my interest in a completely foreign time and culture. It opened up my eyes to the wonderful world of geishas - their beauty, their practices, their beliefs, their goals, their hearts, their dreams.   Memoirs of a Geisha is one of those books that truly makes you feel as if you've traveled to another place - you really were there and you really knew these people. It is a wonderful page turner and overall reading experience.

5 stars *****

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it when I was in high school after I saw it on sale at Barnes & Noble for only $2.99. I thought I'd simply add it to my collection without actually reading it since it was so cheap. I went home and sat down to read the first page or two thinking it would probably bore me to death since it was my first classic. Boy was I wrong.

As soon as I read the first line, I simply could not stop reading.

Jane being maltreated as an orphan, Jane being sent to Lowood school, her trials and tribulations there, and of course, Jane's life as a governess in Thornfield, the mystery surrounding that house, and the brooding, mysterious and absolutely irresistible Mr. Rochester.

I loved all of it. But most especially, I loved reading about her relationship with her employer. In every scene they had together, their chemistry was burning. I found myself holding my breath every time they had an encounter, especially their talks by the fireplace. I could just picture Mr. Rochester eyes examining her through his dark locks. I could hear his deep, baritone voice. I felt Jane's nervousness, uncertainty, insecurity, heartbreak, excitement, elation... and I too fell in love with Mr. Rochester.

5 stars *****

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel

This book took me completely by surprise. Upon reading the description on the back cover, I knew it wouldn't be something I'd be interested in. It's a story set in the stone age, and that in itself was enough to turn me off from the book completely. However, I had read many great reviews on it; numerous people have talked about how beautifully written and how much of a page turner it is. I think I was at a point where I had been reading too many light books, that I was ready for something good and substantial. I decided to give this a try.

I was completely absorbed.

This book really lived up to all the raves I read. It was more than I imagined. I never thought that I would be so engrossed in a prehistoric setting, but there I was not being able to sleep because I just had to know what would happen next. The descriptions were so lush and vivid. The characters popped out of the pages, and I simply could not put the book down.

It's a story about a little girl named Ayla who loses her parents and is found and raised by a group of Neanderthals. Her mental, emotional and physical development and the relationships she forms with her newfound family were just so captivating. She represents the superior Cro-Magnons, and reading about her rise in the clan from an outcast to someone quite indispensable and, subsequently, her fall brought about by a jealous member, makes for such an engrossing read.

I will be reading the next book in the series, and I hope it will be just as good as the first.

5 stars *****

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

This is the latest book I've read by my favorite chicklit author, Emily Giffin, and like her previous works, it does not disappoint. What I love about Giffin's books are the kinds of stories and characters she decides to tackle. She's not a typical chicklit author that usually has fairytale endings and one dimensional characters. Giffin decides to portray characters that are a lot more complicated and deal with problems and emotions that are very real. Her writing style is very down to earth, and she successfully manages to make you sympathize and root for each character, no matter how flawed they are.

"Heart of the Matter" is a story told from the perspective of two women - the wife and the mistress. It shows the thoughts and emotions they both experience when they have to fight for the same man.

Giffin gives such an accurate depiction of the psychology, the emotional reasoning, and the emotional damage that arise when people commit infidelity. My heart ached for the characters, and I couldn't stop turning the pages. I had to know their fates - how they would either destruct or emerge triumphant.

This book gives such great insight into the human heart and the human mind. It tells us that there is so much more to every story. There are layers upon layers of reasons why people do the things they do - the things we can't quite fathom when we examine them from the outside. This book, just like Giffin's other books, reminds the reader of how complex (in both a positive and negative sense) humans really are.

5 stars *****

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I don't even know how to begin explaining the plot of this book, so here is a ridiculously brief summary (if you can even call it that):

It is set in post war Barcelona and begins with a little boy who falls in love with a book entitled "The Shadow of the Wind". The mere act of him reading it and the intense passion that he forms for this book become the catalyst of a series of events, discoveries, and encounters with different people - some suspenseful, some shocking, some romantic, some tragic, and some wonderful.

This book was, in one word, AMAZING. It was such a wonderful mix of everything - romance, suspense, drama, comedy, witty dialogue, great characterizations, historical tidbits, gothic and supernatural elements, multiple generations, a bit of action, some of the best quotes I've read in a novel... and all these elements managed to blend so well together to make the book a literary powerhouse.

There was story upon story upon story, and all were interesting and highly captivating.  It didn't drag like some other novels that use the same style.

It is easily one of the best books I've ever read in my life.  Do yourself a favor and read it.  Trust me on this.

5 stars *****

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

This book was so wonderful; I didn't want it to end. It's a coming of age story set in 1950s England about an 18-yr-old girl whose life changes after encountering and forming relationships with a few interesting characters. The book also shows the effects the Second World War had on the lives of ordinary people.

I bought this book back in 2005 when I was studying in England. It was picked by the Richard & Judy Book Club, which is like the Oprah Book Club of England. I remember the book cover catching my eye, and after reading the description, I knew I had to read it.

However, as with all the other times I tried reading a book in the middle of travel, I wasn't able to finish it because I was too distracted by upcoming trips to Hawaii and the Philippines. After coming back to Chicago, the book was set to the side to collect dust like so many other books I've purchased and never read.

I don't remember why, but I decided to give it another go. As soon as I did, I knew that, this time, I would definitely finish it.

This book is pretty, exquisite, girly and an absolute joy to read. I love anything vintage, and this book transports you back to a time when women wore full skirts, young men enjoyed jazz, Elvis Presley was still unknown, and girls swooned over singer Johnnie Ray. At the same time, it also makes you realize that people then were not so different from us. They had the same wants, desires, fears, insecurities and joys.. albeit with better manners. :)

Every part of this book was so delectable, I had to read it slowly to enjoy it even more and be completely immersed in that culture and time. This definitely goes on my bookshelf.

4 stars ****

This is the American book cover: