Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Longbourn by Jo Baker

My rating:  4.0

This is the lives of the servants the Bennett estate of Pride & Prejudice.  There is Mrs.Hill who manages the staff that keeps Longbourn running smoothly: the young housemaids, Sarah and Polly; the butler, Mr. Hill; and the mysterious new footman, James Smith



I haven't read Pride & Prejudice but could appreciate this story.  That being said, sometimes it felt wonderfully light hearted with the typical struggles a Staff has of running an estate like Longbourn and other times it vascillated from a fluffy romance novel to the author adding in some very heavy topics that, for me, just didn't meld.

I think literary critics could find lots of flaws in this book but, all in all, this was an enjoyable read and I think most Jane Austen fan's would appreciate it.

Monday, May 5, 2014

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

My rating:  4.8

In the early 1800's, a rich white girl is given her own slave.  The rich white girl doesn't want the slave and so the story begins with each chapter being told in turn by either the white girl, Sarah Grimke, or the Slave, Hetty (Handful).  This was a book that I couldn't wait to pick up again.



If you enjoyed The Secret Life of Bees or The Help, I think you will enjoy this book.  I also think it would make a wonderful book club discussion.