2015 Reading Challenge: Persuasion

2015 Reading Challenge: A book with a one word title

Persuasion
Jane Austen
243 pages

Characters:
Anne Elliot
Captain Frederick Wentworth
Sir Walter Elliot
Elizabeth Elliot
Mr. William Elliot
Lady Russell
Charles & Mary Musgrove
Louisa Musgrove
Henrietta Musgrove
Mr. & Mrs. Musgrove
Mrs. Smith
Admiral & Mrs. Croft

Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth met and fell in love when she was a young woman. When Anne announced the engagement, Lady Russell, practically Anne's surrogate mother/her actual neighbor, convinced her to call it off because he had no job (at the time), or money, and was below her (Anne's) station in life. Frederick was angry and left the area to find his fortune without Anne.

Eight and a half years later, Anne's family is struggling financially. They end up renting their estate out to Admiral Croft, who happens to be Frederick Wentworth's brother-in-law. So Sir Walter and Anne's older sister, Elizabeth, head off to Bath in an "effort" to help with their financial situation. Anne goes to stay with her younger sister Mary and her husband Charles. It turns out that Captain Wentworth, yep he's a captain now, is looking to get married and soon. So he starts hanging around with the Musgrove sisters, Louisa and Henrietta, who live next to Mary and Charles. So suddenly Anne has to see her former fiance flirt with other girls. Young girls while she is getting on in age at the ripe old age of 28.

Anne still has feelings for Captain Wentworth but he seems pretty upset with her. Will they end up together? Or does he end up with one of the Musgrove sisters?

I really liked this book. This is only my second Jane Austen book (my reading goal for next year is her books), but I truly enjoyed reading about it. I felt like she capture a girl's feeling when a guy she has liked or currently likes, comes around and acts indifferent to her. The anxiety and the excitement. I felt like I could relate to Anne a lot. It had a different feel than Pride and Prejudice, which is the other Jane Austen book I've read, but it was refreshing. I love a good story about unrequited love that is really requited and the agony that comes with it. It's about a girl who learns about regret but also learns to grow up. You aren't always ready for marriage until a little later in life.

2015 Reading Challenge: Lord of the Rings- Return of the King

2015 Reading Challenge: A Trilogy.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
340 pages (not including the appendices at the end)

Characters:
Frodo
Sam
Gandalf
Merry
Pippin
Aragorn
Legolas
Gimli
... And many, many others

The final chapter of the trilogy brought part of the fellowship (everyone but Frodo and Sam) fighting against the armies of Sauron. They fight a good fight against the forces of evil at the cost of many good men. Aragorn is finally ready to step forward and fulfill his duty/right as King of Gondor. It's finally time.

Sam and Frodo travel the barren waste that is Mordor. It is only because of Sam that Frodo even makes it to the mountain to destroy the ring. They are nearly out of food and have to scavenge for drinkable water. It is now that Sam realizes that he probably will not be making a return trip to the Shire. He becomes grim but determined to help Frodo on his journey.

The ring ends up in Mount Doom with Gollum in the lava. The Sauron's tower collapses and his forces are left leaderless, thus making it possible for the army of men (and hobbits, elves, and dwarves) to push back the evil army. Soon there is peace in all the land of middle earth. Aragorn married Eowan and takes the throne. Frodo and his companions make their way back to the Shire, first stopping in Rivendell to visit old Bilbo.

The Shire is not how the hobbits left it a year earlier. They still have to fight a few more battles before they will finally find some peace and rest after their adventure. Soon, all the evil is flushed out of the Shire and the hobbits can finally settle in peace. [This isn't ever mentioned in the movies- although it does allude to the fact that Saurmon/Sauron have some sort of power even in the Shire.]

I really enjoyed this book even though it took me longer than it should have for me to read it. I have to say that my favorite part was Sam. He is the true hero of the story. No offense meant toward Frodo, who is still pretty awesome. Also, seeing how strong and wise Merry and Pippin become was very rewarding for me. I enjoyed reading and finding differences from the books and the movies. I enjoyed both and I don't think I can formulate a true argument as to which is better. I feel like both have their own strengths and weaknesses.

I'm glad I chose to read The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I feel like I can finally say that I belong to the club. I'm official!

... And they lived happily ever after until the end of their days.

Also, watch this awesome song that sums up how I feel now that I've finished reading the trilogy...

2015 Reading Challenge: Death Comes to Pemberly

2015 Reading Challenge: A book by an author I've never read before

Death Comes to Pemberley
P.D. James
291 pages

Characters:
Elizabeth Darcy
Fitzwilliam Darcy
George Wickham
Colonel Fitzwilliam
Georgiana Darcy
Mr. Alveston
Hardcastle (Magistrate)

On eve of the Darcy's annual fall ball, a man is murdered on Pemberley property. Elizabeth and Darcy must figure out what happened and who the murderer is. Is it George Wickham, the unwanted brother-in-law? Or Colonel Fitzwilliam, who has been seen doing suspicious things? Or is there a murderer roaming the woods of Pemberley?

What really happened in the woods that fateful stormy night?

I saw the miniseries on Netflix and loved it. As it usually goes, the book is good but quite different from the miniseries. It's not as fast paced and tends to be a little slow in parts. But the mystery is still good and it's an interesting read. It's always fun to read about beloved characters in a new way. P.D. James did a good job at staying true to the characters created by Jane Austen. I was impressed.

Chuck

2015 Reading Challenge: The Scarlet Pimpernel

2015 Reading Challenge: A book with a color in the title

The Scarlet Pimpernel
265 pages

Characters:
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Marguerite Blakeney
Percy Blakeney
Monsieur Chauvelin
The Family de Tourney
Madame Guillotine
[And others]

Set in the midst of the French Revolution, this story is more about Lady Marguerite Blakeney than the actual Scarlet Pimpernel. A french actress who married a wealthy British man, Sir Percy Blakeney, Marguerite seems to have it all. Except for the love and respect of her seemingly imbecile husband.

Across the channel, the Scarlet Pimpernel continues to save the upper class in France from Madame Guillotine. Fox-like Frenchman Chauvelin comes to England on government business but really to catch the Scarlet Pimpernel. He's ruthless and sneaky. It's up to Marguerite to save the day, her beloved brother, and the Scarlet Pimpernel, whoever he is.

A precursor to Batman and all the superhero alter-egos, the Scarlet Pimpernel is the ultimate hidden identity story. Who is the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel and how is he so successful at what he does? It's a good read. One of my favorites. I've read it three times. It can run a little slow at times but if you push through, it's an adventures watching the Scarlet Pimpernel outwitting Monsieur Chauvelin.

Chuck