The Bronte Plot

Katherine Reay has done it again! Drawing on her love for classic literature, she crafts a story that is not necessarily a retelling, but a story that talks about the great literature of the past in a contemporary setting. For the reader, it almost has the effect of hanging out with a bunch of book clubbers and chatting about great books. What makes it even better, is the fact that she has created a good plot unto itself, and a character I care about who incidentally, loves books. Just like me!

In the story, Lucy works for an interior designer and sells rare books alongside the designer’s antiques. She falls in love, and then out of love, and finds herself travelling to England with a client who accidentally digs up bits from Lucy’s past that she never intended to learn.

I love the soul-searching, the classic fiction references, the family drama, and the setting. Oh! The setting is mostly England, and the moors! Lucy is as struck by the moors as I am, having read endless scenes taking place on moors. Can you believe we don’t have moors in America? It’s so unfair.

Reay writes with an easy narrative voice, fun attention to detail, and heart-deep insight. I can recommend any of her three books with confidence. You can find her books here. You can learn more about her on her website.

Have you read the Bronte classics? Which is your favorite? Leave us a comment for a chance to win this week’s giveaway!

Dear Mr. Knightley...

If you are a Jane Austen fan, Dear Mr. Knightly is a rare treat. While paying heavy homage to Austen’s characters and stories, this book is not trying to emulate Jane Austen. Rather, the author has managed capture some of the memorable details from Austen novels, as well as other favorite classics, weaving them into a story that actually parallels Emma in some ways. In fact, the book is a transformative take on one of my favorite stories from childhood, Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster.

In this version, an orphan brought up through the system in contemporary Chicago writes letters to a mysterious benefactor who puts her through college. Told exclusively through letters, the epistolary novel gives us a deeply personal view a remarkable young woman. Her emotions run high as she seeks to find a place in the world and people who will care for her…things she’s never truly experienced before. Love, learning, conflict, and family all find their way into the letters, each laden with sparkling personality and vivid emotion.

This story keeps the pages turning - what will our heroine say next? Some days she’s a hot mess and other days, refreshingly honest. The characterization runs deep and is very well done. Even though I was familiar with the story (based on Daddy Long Legs) and how it would end, getting there gave me goosebumps. And upon reading the last lines, I couldn't help but sigh. It kept me reading late into the night: simply un-put-down-able! I’m already planning to re-read this one. Oh! And Ms. Reay has recently released another book: Lizzy and Jane. P&P anyone? That’s on my TBR list, for sure.

Do you love Jane Austen? Have you read contemporary fiction based on the classics? Do you love it or wish they’d leave it alone? (For the record, I LOVE it!) For a chance to win our giveaway this week, leave us a comment.