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Saturday, May 12, 2012
Musings: The Blue Castle
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Hope you stop by and check it out!
Hope you stop by and check it out!
Re your review, I too wanted more of the goodness of Anne, so I got this book! But I didn't get farther than the whiny part at the beginning before DNF'ing it.
ReplyDeleteI think that is completely reasonable, as the whiny part was an entire chapter long. I thought it was a little ridiculous to have grievances for that long, too.
DeleteI still haven't managed to read this book. The beginning doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand that.
DeleteI am sorry that you did not love this book! I read it a few years ago, and really fell head over heels for it. I guess I liked that (unexpected) combination of over-the-top romanticism paired with some rather acerbic observations. I don't remember finding Valancy particularly whiny, but as you say, this is probably one of those books that you just have to be in the right time and place to appreciate.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did like that Valancy got acerbic, but I didn't like the one chapter of her enumerating her grievances. I guess she wasn't whiny, exactly, but... well, she clearly remembered every slight she received.
DeleteBummer that you didn't enjoy this one. I haven't read it yet but will plan to but will keep in mind that I might not love it either!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing what you think!
DeleteI think had that chapter not been so dramatic I would have given up on it because it was so bleak. The drama made me think that everything must get turned on its head and with the predictable nature of it all that was bound to happen. I could relate to thinking of past issues, albeit not to that extent, which helped during that part - it was close though.
ReplyDeleteYour point about how you would have loved it when younger is why I wonder where it should fit on the age range, because although I love it now, I would have loved it even more when younger. There's an almost childish nature in the way it is written, the style fits children's literature, even if the content is far from childish.
Yes, I think that's why I continued on with the book, too. I KNEW that good things would happen to Valancy, so I figured I might as well wait and see what they were going to be.
DeleteBut seriously, who makes dust piles for fun?
First, does your PGP review mean it's available on Project Gutenberg? Because I couldn't find it, and haven't been able to find it anywhere for free. I thought it was published too late to make the cut.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I totally see what you mean, although I didn't feel that way when I read it. I think I really get into a period mindset when I read books like that, so that I'm sufficiently shocked by things like "darn." Also, as a self-pitying whiner, I don't think I held that against Valancy at the beginning.
But here's the eternal question: how do you pronounce the name? Va-LAN-cy? Or VALE-ancy, like in chemistry? The former sounds more like a name, while the latter rolls off the tongue.
I actually got it on the Project Gutenberg Australia site. I realize this is cheating, but it's impossible to find these days!
DeleteIt's so funny you ask about the pronunciation! I totally alternated between the two. Except did VA-len-cy, not Va-LAN-cy.
Oh I'm sad you didn't love it more, but I think you are right - there is an age factor. I LOVED it when I first read it, but I was much younger and still at that age when grievances are a huger deal. Now I can't imagine having all those thoughts at 29. heh.
ReplyDelete