August 27, 2014

Why I Appreciate Edward Ferrars and You Should Too


We're nearing the end of Austen in August, hosted by The Book Rat, and I've been very much enjoying the various posts for this event! I've noticed a strange, sad pattern emerging, however, and that is: nobody really seems to like Edward Ferrars.

This is an error that must be rectified, and hence I bring you: the List of Reasons to Appreciate Edward Ferrars.

1.) He's honourable.

To a fault, perhaps, and many readers seem to think it is a fault — that his determination to uphold the engagement to Lucy Steele is nearer stupidity than anything else. But at that time, men breaking off engagements was not done. Edward would have been considered a monstrously insensitive jerk, if you will, for doing so. Not to mention it would have given Lucy Steele the opportunity to sue him for "breach of promise". (And knowing Lucy Steele, she just might have!)


This commitment to honour can also help to explain why he does not tell Elinor about the engagement — it's a secret, after all, and doubtless both he and Lucy agreed to keep it so (although obviously she doesn't keep up her end of the bargain!) — and why he does not truly pursue Elinor. Of course, they are drawn to each other and since she doesn't know about his engagement, she hopes for a proposal...but really, Edward does not do anything that blatantly signals his intentions to propose. (Unlike, say, Willoughby, who takes a lock of Marianne's hair and then absconds to London to get hitched to Miss Grey with her 50,000 pounds.)

Basically, in a rather sticky situation Edward is being a gentleman the best way he knows how, as well as steering clear of a lawsuit.

2.) He doesn't care about climbing the rungs of society.

Unlike his relatives, Edward's not all about status or wealth.



"But he was neither fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his mother and sister, who longed to see him distinguished—as—they hardly knew what. They wanted him to make a fine figure in the world in some manner or other. His mother wished to interest him in political concerns, to get him into parliament, or to see him connected with some of the great men of the day. Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche. But Edward had no turn for great men or barouches. All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet of private life."


Won't be THAT quiet with all those chickens around... (gif source)
Rather, he's interested in becoming a clergyman and taking care of his parish. In fact, he places such little importance on social position that he is willing to risk his own — not once but twice — by becoming engaged to women his family disapproves of (and then in the case of Elinor, actually marrying her).

And the fact that he's nothing like his sister is enough to put him into Mrs. Dashwood's good books immediately: "'It is enough," said she; "to say that he is unlike Fanny is enough. It implies everything amiable. I love him already.'"

3.) He's practical.

Remarkably pragmatic, in point of fact. When discussing a scenic view, he says,



"I like a fine prospect, but not on picturesque principles. I do not like crooked, twisted, blasted trees. I admire them much more if they are tall, straight, and flourishing. I do not like ruined, tattered cottages. I am not fond of nettles or thistles, or heath blossoms. I have more pleasure in a snug farm-house than a watch-tower—and a troop of tidy, happy villages please me better than the finest banditti in the world."


So, let's be honest: with that sort of level head he'd probably be very good at fixing things around the house!

And chopping wood. See? (The wet shirt doesn't hurt, either.)

4.) He doesn't cave to pressure from his family.

On two scores, actually — that he break off the engagement to Lucy Steele, and that he choose a distinguished sort of career. Edward knows who he is, and he isn't going to be coerced or persuaded to betray his values. As he says, "I wish as well as every body else to be perfectly happy; but, like every body else it must be in my own way. Greatness will not make me so."

5.) He's funny.

Not, like, Mr. Tilney funny, but Edward has a sense of humour. It's on the dry, subtle side, so maybe some readers just miss it, but it's there. I think it's one of the reasons Elinor is attracted to him, frankly — because it's similar to her own sense of humour.

By way of example:



"Now, Edward," said [Marianne], calling his attention to the prospect, "here is Barton valley. Look up to it, and be tranquil if you can. Look at those hills! Did you ever see their equals? To the left is Barton park, amongst those woods and plantations. You may see the end of the house. And there, beneath that farthest hill, which rises with such grandeur, is our cottage."

"It is a beautiful country," he replied; "but these bottoms must be dirty in winter."

"How can you think of dirt, with such objects before you?"

"Because," replied he, smiling, "among the rest of the objects before me, I see a very dirty lane."



6.) He can hold his own in a verbal fencing match.

He and Marianne often find themselves in the midst of a good-natured argument, and Edward gives as good as he gets. (Plus, he gets extra points for having the patience to deal with Marianne at all.)

Case in point:



"What magnificent orders would travel from this family to London," said Edward, "in such an event! What a happy day for booksellers, music-sellers, and print-shops! You, Miss Dashwood, would give a general commission for every new print of merit to be sent you—and as for Marianne, I know her greatness of soul, there would not be music enough in London to content her. And books!—Thomson, Cowper, Scott—she would buy them all over and over again: she would buy up every copy, I believe, to prevent their falling into unworthy hands; and she would have every book that tells her how to admire an old twisted tree. Should not you, Marianne? Forgive me, if I am very saucy. But I was willing to shew you that I had not forgot our old disputes."

"I love to be reminded of the past, Edward—whether it be melancholy or gay, I love to recall it—and you will never offend me by talking of former times. You are very right in supposing how my money would be spent—some of it, at least—my loose cash would certainly be employed in improving my collection of music and books."

"And the bulk of your fortune would be laid out in annuities on the authors or their heirs."

"No, Edward, I should have something else to do with it."

"Perhaps, then, you would bestow it as a reward on that person who wrote the ablest defence of your favourite maxim, that no one can ever be in love more than once in their life—your opinion on that point is unchanged, I presume?"

"Undoubtedly. At my time of life opinions are tolerably fixed. It is not likely that I should now see or hear any thing to change them."


7.) He admits when he's made a mistake.

Edward's no idiot, he realizes it was a mistake to get engaged to Lucy — indeed, he calls it a "foolish, idle inclination" — but hindsight is always 20-20. At least he's able to own up when he's wrong. 

8.) He's relatable.

I think perhaps this is what some readers least like about Edward, whether or not they realize it. He's more ordinary than Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley or Captain Wentworth or Colonel Brandon. Edward is an introvert, who enjoys the simple pleasures of a quiet life in a parish. Also, I rather suspect he might struggle with some mental health issues — namely, anxiety and depression. His "want of spirits" is mentioned more than once, and he often seems rather down and moody. Of course, perhaps it's just due to the situation he's in, but I think he may have a general tendency to anxiety/depression.

Looking serious.
Edward doesn't go in for grand gestures like Mr. Darcy (paying for weddings, hmmmm?) or grand turns of phrase like Captain Wentworth ("you pierce my soul; I am half agony, half hope"). He doesn't have a tragic backstory like Colonel Brandon. And he isn't quite as...well, knightly...as Mr. Knightley.

After all, Edward screwed up. He made a poor, impetuous decision when he was younger to get engaged to a woman he later realized he did not love. He's flawed. And yet that is what is so often celebrated in contemporary novels — characters you can really identify with, ones who feel real — so why do we wish, or perhaps even expect, our Austen heroes to be extraordinary?

There are likely far more Edwards walking around in the real world than there are Fitzwilliams or Fredericks. And given the above list — that's fine by me.


August 25, 2014

My 2nd "Austen in August" Guest Post!

My second guest post for Austen in August is now up at The Book Rat! In this one I split up some of Austen's classic couples, and do a bit of my own matchmaking. For example, what if Elizabeth Bennet and Henry Tilney hit it off?

Head on over to The Book Rat to check it out!

August 24, 2014

Time Between Us: Get It... or Forget It?

This is a new feature I'm starting up, because as book bloggers we all know that there are too many books to read, and not enough time. I need to know which books are must-reads and which ones I can just plain ignore.

For which I turn to you, my readers! I'll pick a book each week that I'm wondering about, and you can tell me if I should GET IT...or just FORGET IT.
This week: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone


This one kinda sounds like the movie The Lake House for a YA audience. I enjoyed that film, and I tend to like time travel in books, so this one certainly caught my eye. I'd just like to know... does it really deliver on that awesome-sounding premise? I'm a bit worried it'll be too romance-heavy and not enough substance. Is this a case of insta-love...?

Vote! What do you think: get it, or forget it? And then leave a comment letting me know why!

August 20, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: When My Heart Was Wicked and The Midnight Queen

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:

When My Heart Was Wicked by Tricia Stirling


Goodreads' description:

"'I used to be one of those girls. The kind who loved to deliver bad news. When I colored my hair, I imagined it seeping into my scalp, black dye pooling into my veins.

But that was the old Lacy. Now, when I cast spells, they are always for good.'

16-year-old Lacy believes that magic and science can work side by side. She's a botanist who knows how to harness the healing power of plants. So when her father dies, Lacy tries to stay with her step-mother in Chico, where her magic is good and healing. She fears the darkness that her real mother, Cheyenne, brings out, stripping away everything that is light and kind.

Yet Cheyenne never stays away for long. Beautiful, bewitching, unstable Cheyenne who will stop at nothing, not even black magic, to keep control of her daughter's heart. She forces Lacy to accompany her to Sacramento, and before long, the "old" Lacy starts to resurface.

But when Lacy survives a traumatic encounter, she finds herself faced with a choice. Will she use her powers to exact revenge and spiral into the darkness forever? Or will she find the strength to embrace the light?
"

First, that cover...just gorgeous! The autumnal colour scheme, the hair turning into ravens, the ink-style font... wow.

And I think the premise has potential, too. Love that it sounds like it focuses on a mother-daughter relationship (rather than being romance-centred) and said relationship sure sounds complex. I'm a little wary about how the magic/"witchy" element will be handled, but hopefully it'll work for me.

The Midnight Queen by Sylvia Izzo Hunter


Goodreads' description:

"In the hallowed halls of Oxford’s Merlin College, the most talented—and highest born—sons of the Kingdom of Britain are taught the intricacies of magickal theory. But what dazzles can also destroy, as Gray Marshall is about to discover…

Gray’s deep talent for magick has won him a place at Merlin College. But when he accompanies four fellow students on a mysterious midnight errand that ends in disaster and death, he is sent away in disgrace—and without a trace of his power. He must spend the summer under the watchful eye of his domineering professor, Appius Callender, working in the gardens of Callender’s country estate and hoping to recover his abilities. And it is there, toiling away on a summer afternoon, that he meets the professor’s daughter.

Even though she has no talent of her own, Sophie Callender longs to be educated in the lore of magick. Her father has kept her isolated at the estate and forbidden her interest; everyone knows that teaching arcane magickal theory to women is the height of impropriety. But against her father’s wishes, Sophie has studied his ancient volumes on the subject. And in the tall, stammering, yet oddly charming Gray, she finally finds someone who encourages her interest and awakens new ideas and feelings.

Sophie and Gray’s meeting touches off a series of events that begins to unravel secrets about each of them. And after the king’s closest advisor pays the professor a closed-door visit, they begin to wonder if what Gray witnessed in Oxford might be even more sinister than it seemed. They are determined to find out, no matter the cost…"


I like the cover of this one as well — it's simple but striking, and those purplish-blue hues are beautiful. I don't tend to read a lot of adult (or perhaps this one would be considered New Adult) fantasy books, but this one appeals to me since it's set in our world at a magical college. The whole notion of gender roles in this society sounds intriguing, too. (Why are women not allowed to learn magic???)

What books are you waiting for?


August 19, 2014

Guest Posting for Austen in August!


 Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give a quick head's-up that I've got a guest post today at The Book Rat for Austen in August. It's a blog event celebrating all things Jane Austen — which I am all about, of course — so I'm really excited to be contributing a couple guest posts this year!

This first one's all about lessons I've learned from Austen's books...things like "officers may be dashing, but don't go dashing off after them" and other pearls of wisdom. Head on over to The Book Rat to check it out!



August 12, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'm Sitting on the Fence About

The Top Ten Tuesday meme is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week's topic is the books we aren't sure we want to read. I have a whole ton of books that would go on this list, so these are not really my *top* ten, but just ten that I picked. I'd love your opinion on whether or not they're worth my time and/or money!

Five books I have not read and do not own:

1.) Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien (and the third book, Promised) — I read and enjoyed Birthmarked, but having seen some negative things about the next two books in the series, I'm in a bit of a quandary. Should I continue on with the trilogy? Or should I cut my losses and stop while I'm ahead? Tell me! In fact, please vote in my "Get It... or Forget It?" poll to let me know what you think! (No one has voted so far, so your votes are greatly appreciated :) )


2.) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline — This is a case of "it's outside my comfort zone, but the book has been getting rave reviews." I probably won't get many of the '80s references, and I have never been into video games. Just generally, I'm not big on sci-fi (apart from dystopian and time travel). Is it still worth reading?
 

3.) Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder — this is one that I did a "Get It... or Forget It?" poll about earlier, and the result was a 50/50 split (which doesn't really help me, lol). Let me know if you think I should give this series a try!



4.) Banner of the Damned by Sherwood Smith — Crown Duel was one of my favourite books when I was younger. Has anyone read this newer book of hers, and if so, can you tell me whether or not it has a Crown Duel sort of feel?


5.) Allegiant by Veronica Roth — this is less a matter of if I'll read it, and more a matter of when, just because I'd like to know what happens and why everyone had such extreme reactions to this final book! I am apprehensive, though, given what I've heard about it, and so I think I'll probably get it out from the library rather than buy it. I know a lot of people were upset about the ending, but I haven't read any major spoilers, so please DO NOT SPOIL me :)


Five books I have on my shelves but haven't read yet:

1.) False Covenant by Ari Marmell (and the third book, Lost Covenant) — I felt mixed about the first book in this series, Thief's Covenant. Can anyone comment on whether the series improves as it goes on?



2.) Changeling by Philippa Gregory — I started reading this one but didn't get very far into it, as I just wasn't liking the writing style. Should I give it another chance? Or are my instincts bang on the money?

3.) Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins — I've read mostly good things about this series, but the cover just screams "typical YA paranormal romance." Who's read this book/series, and what did you think of it?


4.) The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze — I like the sound of the premise, but from the overwhelming number of negative reviews it seems like the execution is not on par with its potential. Would you agree?
 

5.) Illuminate (and Infatuate) by Aimee Agresti — Illuminate is intimidatingly chunky. I read a few pages, but it wasn't grabbing me at the time and so I put it down. Is this book/series worth devoting a good chunk of time to reading?



August 6, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Dream a Little Dream and I Am Her Revenge

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:

Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier


Goodreads' description:

"Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yep, Liv’s dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially this one where she’s in a graveyard at night, watching four boys perform dark magic rituals. The really weird thing is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They’re classmates from her new school in London, the school where’s she’s starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But they seem to know things about her in real life that they couldn’t possibly know, which is mystifying. Then again, Liv could never resist a good mystery. . . ."

I found Gier's time-travel trilogy pretty entertaining, so I'm interested in seeing what she does with this next YA series of hers. I'm not crazy about the cover, though — it's too "bubble-gum" frothy for my tastes. Also, fingers crossed that the premise of Liv seeing these boys in her dream is executed in a fresh way...I'm always a bit leery of the whole dream-connects-to-reality trope.

I Am Her Revenge by Meredith Moore

Goodreads' description:

"The book is about a girl named Vivian who was raised with one goal: to exact vengeance on the man who broke her mother’s heart two decades earlier. Enrolled at an English boarding school, Vivian targets an innocent senior named Ben as part of the revenge plot. But, as the plan is set into motion, Vivian 'starts to uncover secrets so dark and deadly that they threaten to unravel the very being that Mother worked so hard to create.'" 

Ohhhh, the premise of this one sounds dark and twisty! Which is even better when it's paired with an English boarding school setting. Also, is it just me, or does the mom sound kinda creepy?

What books are you waiting for?

August 4, 2014

Prized: Get It... or Forget It?

This is a new feature I'm starting up, because as book bloggers we all know that there are too many books to read, and not enough time. I need to know which books are must-reads and which ones I can just plain ignore.

For which I turn to you, my readers! I'll pick a book each week that I'm wondering about, and you can tell me if I should GET IT...or just FORGET IT.
This week: Prized by Caragh M. O'Brien


I read and enjoyed the first book in the series, Birthmarked, but I've seen some things suggesting the follow-up books are not as good. Were you disappointed about how this series turned out? Or do you think it's worth it to continue with Prized

Vote! What do you think: get it, or forget it? And then leave a comment letting me know why! 

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