Author: Anne Brontë
Published: 1847
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The Bronte sisters are among my favorite authors. Emily Bronte's ''Wuthering Heights'' and Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre'' are two very special books for me. While ''Wuthering Heights'' is my favorite book of all time, ''Jane Eyre'' is one of the books that made me fall in love with books. These two books are so powerful, so intense, with so strong, powerful, memorable characters. Charlotte and Emily are thus two of my favorite authors. ''Agnes Grey'', however, is the first Anne Bronte novel that I've read.
Anne Bronte was the youngest of the Bronte sisters. She wrote only two novels: ''Agnes Grey'' and ''The Tenant of Wildfell Hall''.
''Agnes Grey'' is based on Anne's own experiences while working as a governess. The titular character of this novel, Agnes Grey, being the youngest member of the family, grew up with a lot of love and affection from her parents and elder sister. Though her father has a modest income, he does his best to keep the family happy and comfortable, but, however, circumstances make them fall into poverty.
Agnes decides to earn a living as a governess. She takes the job of a governess to the children of the Bloomfield family. The mischievous and disobedient children make life miserable for her, and she gets tired and devastated. However, after she loses her job because Mrs Bloomfield has complains about the children's learning, she is appointed as a governess to the children of the Murray family.
Miss Rosalie Murray and Miss Matilda Murray are older than Agnes's Bloomfield pupils, and in some ways, they are a little less mischievous. But though they are not very mischievous, they are immature, disobedient and spoiled, and Agnes's life in the Murrays' home also becomes difficult. But when will she find happiness and satisfaction...?
''Agnes Grey'' is mainly about the life and sufferings of the protagonist. In the Victorian era, governesses were poor, but educated young women, who used to teach the children of wealthy people. The governesses used to live in the house, and despite being well educated, they were often treated merely as upper servants. They were often victims of bad behavior. For example, in ''Agnes Grey'', we see Agnes not even being greeted by the acquaintances of the Murray girls.
''Agnes Grey'' is about the life, feelings, sufferings of Agnes Grey. She finds love... she falls in love with Mr Weston. But will she find the happiness that she longs for?
The narration is impressive. The overall story, and the storytelling, is moving. It is Agnes's day-to-day story, Agnes's retelling of her life as a governess, her pains, her suffering. Her feelings towards Mr Weston was very touching, but even in case of love, there were so many obstacles and uncertainties in front of her.
''Agnes Grey'' was a pleasant and touching novel... But when I compare it to ''Wuthering Heights'' and ''Jane Eyre'', Agnes Grey seems rather a little plain. Both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were so powerful and intense, with characters whom I'll never forget. ''Agnes Grey'', on the other hand, was touching, but not as much that it will remain very memorable... nor were the characters that well developed. BUT ''Agnes Grey'' was also worth a read, and I'm glad that I read it.
3 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 1996
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
I know I haven't posted a review for more than a whole week! I've been so busy with class tests!
I watched the movie adaptation of The Notebook earlier this year, and liked it. But I didn't like it enough to read the original book as well. But since ''The Notebook'' seems to be the favorite Nicholas Sparks book of most Nicholas Sparks fans, I decided to give it a try.
I liked The Notebook. The love story was really sweet and touching. The relation between the two main characters (Noah and Allie) is very strong and moving. But for me, it will not be a favorite Nicholas Sparks. My favorites are probably A Bend in the Road and Safe Haven.
Noah Calhoun has returned to New Bern after World War II. He keeps himself busy repairing an old house. He is haunted by memories... fourteen years ago, he had fallen in love with Allie, a girl two years younger than him. Allie and Noah's feelings for each other had gradually become very strong. But, Allie's mother had not approved of the relationship, because of their class differences. Allie's mother took Allie away from New Bern (they had come there for the summer).
Fourteen years have passed, but Noah cannot forget Allie. Allie was his first true love. All the letters that he had returned to Allie had remained unanswered.
But then one day, Allie appears... She had known from the newspaper that Noah was repairing the old house, and has come to inform him that she is engaged... But soon, they are haunted by those memories, those feelings of the past. Will Allie be really able to leave Noah and marry Lon? Will she really be able to ignore her past?
I thought that the movie adaptation brought into life the beautiful summer, whereas in the book the summer does not have that much depth. But the book was pretty deep as well. I really liked the last half. It was much more, much more touching than the first half. The horrors of Alzheimer's disease are really explored well. I just loved how Noah tries to help Allie in the last half. Noah's feelings were strong, deep, and really moving.
3 out of 5
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1817
Genre: Novel, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
With Northanger Abbey, I have completed reading all the six novels by Jane Austen. Austen has become one of my favorite authors. Her novels are so charming, witty, brilliant!
I really liked ''Northanger Abbey''. Not only is it brilliant and enjoyable, it is also one of the wittiest Austen novels. The heroine, Catherine Morland, is the most immature heroine created by Austen. Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most headstrong heroines I've ever come across. Elinor and Marianne were both sensible. Fanny Price was meek and timid (but not immature like Catherine). Anne Elliot was timid as well. Emma Woodhouse was a little immature. But Catherine, to begin with, is plain silly at the beginning of the novel.
Northanger Abbey was, in fact, the first novel that Austen completed (she completed it in the late 1790s) but it was published posthumously by her brother, in 1817, along with ''Persuasion''.
We are introduced to Catherine Morland, who has never had the qualities that a heroine should possess. She was a tomboy and took no pleasure in music or painting. But as she grew older, she began to train herself to become a heroine.
When Catherine is seventeen years old, a neighbor, Mrs Allen, invites her to go to Bath with her. Catherine immediately accepts the invitation, hoping that through this visit to Bath, she might find her hero, and a lot of adventures.
In Bath, Catherine and Mrs Allen get bored because they have no acquaintances there. But soon, at a ball, Catherine dances with the charming and handsome Henry Tilney. Gradually, Catherine gets close to Henry, his sister Eleanor, and their father, General Tilney.
Catherine also becomes very good friends with Isabella Thorpe, who is younger sister the sister of her (Catherine's) elder brother's friend. Isabella's brother, John Thorpe, tries to woo Catherine, but the latter dislikes him.
The Tilneys invite Catherine to travel with them to Northanger Abbey their residence in Gloucestershire. Catherine, who is an avid reader of Gothic novels, is thrilled after getting the invitation, and immediately accepts the invitation. She expects Northanger Abbey to be a castle full of Gothic horrors and mysteries: old, hidden passages, signs of tortures and mysteries and murders. Catherine comes to draw a parallel between Northanger Abbey and Gothic castles, and begins to think General Tilney as a Gothic villain, a cold-blooded murderer.
Throughout the novel, Catherine Morland comes across incidents that will eventually help her to find sense, maturity, and love. She is a silly, immature girl at the beginning of the novel. Her actions are really, really funny. Especially, after her arrival in Northanger Abbey, her fantasies about Northanger Abbey being a Gothic castle and General Tilney being a villain, there were so amazing and so very funny! Northanger Abbey often parodies Gothic novels. Especially, ''The Mysteries of Udolpho'' plays an important role.
''Northanger Abbey'' was definitely an amusing, entertaining and funny read. Catherine Morland is yet another excellent character, immature and funny. Most of the novel was light, though the last chapters did become a little serious. It is not my favorite Austen (Emma is my favorite Austen, followed by Pride & Prejudice), but I really enjoyed reading it.
4 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2002
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Adrienne Willis, a sixty-year-old divorced mother of three children, is worried about her daughter, Amanda. Amanda has recently lost her husband, Brent, and remains so depressed that deprives her two sons of their mother's sufficient attention. Therefore, Adrienne decides tell Amanda about her past, a past that may inspire her (Amanda) to learn that she has to move on in life.
Fourteen years ago, Adrienne had been asked by her friend, Jean, to temporarily manage her inn, in Rodanthe (Jean had to go away for a while to attend a wedding). There, Adrienne met Paul Flanner, the only guest who stayed in the hotel while she managed it. Paul Flanner, also a divorcee, was a middle-aged doctor who had come to Rodanthe for some work. He was to go to Ecuador soon, where his estranged son, Mark, lived. He wanted to connect with his son.
Her recent divorce had left Adrienne bitter and sad. And Paul had always been too much busy, that made him give little attention to his son.
Over the stormy weekend, Adrienne and Paul's friendship grew into deep love, and both learnt from each, learnt from each other a lot. Paul goes away to Ecuador, promising to come back a year later.
Adrienne tells all these to Amanda. But what had actually happened to Paul?
Nights in Rodanthe was a short, enjoyable and moving read. While not having the excellent depth of so many other Sparks novels (Safe Haven, A Bend in the Road, True Believer, The Last Song), this one was a comfortable and enjoyable read. I liked both Adrienne and Paul. I liked how the two helped each other... Adrienne, for example, was able to get over the bitter divorce.
The main theme of this novel is moving on in life, a theme that is shared by many other of the author's works.
Overall, it is a gentle, quick, and enjoyable novel.
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2001
Genres: Novel, Romance, Suspense, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
A Bend in the Road was amazing!!! I really liked it. It tells a story of love, memories, and the things caused by love and secrets of the past.
Miles Ryan is a deputy sheriff. A couple of years ago, he had lost his wife, Missy, in a hit and run. He believes that it was done intentionally by somebody. But nobody knows who killed his wife. And Miles is still looking for that person who ruined his life, and the life of his son.
Miles is an affectionate father to his son, Jonah. Jonah's teacher wishes to see him because Jonah is having some problems with his lessons. Miles meets the teacher, Sarah Andrews. Sarah offers to give extra attention to Jonah. Over time, as Miles and Sarah come across each other frequently, a friendship develops between them, which eventually develops into love, deep love. Both are very serious about the relationship. And to Miles, Sarah is the best thing that has happened to him since his wife died.
But then secrets unfold... terrible secrets of the past unfold that may greatly affect this love they have for each other.
I have to admit that I could guess who had actually killed Missy Ryan. In spite of being a little predictable, the book didn't fail to impress me. At all. In fact, I really, really liked it. The whole novel is a wonderful mixture of Sarah and Miles's relation and Miles trying to discover who had killed his wife, and the secrets that are revealed. The two plots are hugely intertwined; both serve as the main plots of this novel. There was also suspense at times. Though I could predict the identity of the killer, this didn't make the novel less enjoyable for me. In fact, the novel kept me wondering what would happen next. It was a wonderful page-turner.
A Bend in the Road is filled with emotional intensity. First, there is the love story of Miles and Sarah, which is quite sweet. It doesn't get cheesy at all. Secondly, the deep feelings that are revealed with the terrible secrets.
After I had finished reading it, it made me ponder for some time. It was very moving, very intense, and beautiful.
4 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2005
Genres: Novel, Romance, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I liked True Believer. I really did! As a book by Nicholas Sparks, it is much different from his usual-themed, cliched novels.
I like Nicholas Sparks's books. I enjoy reading them. But I cannot deny the fact that his books are cliched and sappy. . They are enjoyable and feel-good, but yet nothing great. But SOME of his books are exceptional. I loved Safe Haven, for example. And it can also be said in the case of True Believer.
True Believer is an amazing book. It really is. It is a beautiful love story, surrounded with an excellent background AND setting. And moreover, it is not just a romance novel. It is a romance AND a mystery.
Jeremy Marsh is a journalist. In his career, he has exposed many quacks, many fake psychics. One day, he gets a letter from a resident of a small town, mentioning about mysterious and ghostly lights seen at a cemetery of that town. The writer of the letter requests Jeremy to come and investigate this. Many residents think the lights to be the presence of something paranormal. Jeremy is interested, and arrives in the town.
The writer of the letter, Doris, explains a legand that is connected with the appearance of these lights. Jeremy goes to the town library to do some research works in order to investigate the matter, and there he meets the librarian, Lexie.
Lexie, who initially does not want to get involved with Jeremy, gradually starts spending more time with him, and gradually they fall in love. Two stories follow: Jeremy, with the help of Lexie and the local people, investigating the matter, and the love story. Lexie feels that this love is very unlikely to lead them anywhere: she is happy with her small town life, and he is accustomed to city life. Where will everything lead?
If does sound like a typical Nicholas Sparks novel where a girl and a boy fall in love and there are so many difficulties to unite them. But it isn't. Perhaps mainly because of the surrounding characters, backgrounds, and the setting. This novel has an amazing setting! A much better location than the other Sparks books that I've read! The supporting characters also contributed a lot to the story! And also, the two main characters were unique. They were really unique and remarkable. I loved the novel not just because of the story, but also because of these aforementioned things: the amazing setting and the amazing main and supporting cast. The mystery is not something that raises too much suspense, nor is it so interesting; but however, as it is present as a background, it is one of the things that make this book so wonderful.
I liked this book. A lot. It has become my second favorite Nicholas Sparks book, after Safe Haven.
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published:i 2007
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
I didn't love ''The Choice''. But I enjoyed reading it. The Choice is definitely a tearjerker, and while it can certainly be not called one of Nicholas Sparks's best works, The Choice was a comfortable and enjoyable read.
Travis Parker is in his early thirties. He has a good life: a good home, talents, a great job, and great friends. But he knows that he needs a life partner and a family to make his life complete. Gabby Holland, a pediatrician, is his new neighbor. Travis and Gabby first meet with a misunderstanding, and when this misunderstanding is cleared, they become close. Gabby joins Travis and his friends on a weekend sailing, she joins Travis for a motorcycle ride, and she invites him to dinner, eventually realizing that she is in love with Travis. But, she already has a boyfriend, Kevin. Where will this lead?
The Choice is divided into two parts. The first part shows how Travis and Gabby fall in love. The second part is set eleven years after the first part, where Travis has to make a very difficult choice.
I enjoyed reading this one. It is a bit slow paced novel, if compared to other Nicholas Sparks books. But it was definitely a comfortable read. I liked the second half more than the first half. The second half was quite emotionally intense. I also liked the characters, both the main and the supporting ones. I liked Travis and Gabby, obviously. But I also liked Stephenie. I liked Allison, Megan, and Liz, because of the kindness they show to Lisa and Christine.
While the first half may sound a bit typical Nicholas Sparks love story, the second half is more emotional, more impressive. While I certainly don't think it was a great read, I definitely enjoyed it and it was, well, worth a read.
3 out of 5
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1813
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I first read this novel a couple of years ago. To tell the truth, that time I didn't really appreciate this novel that much. Perhaps I was too young at that time to appreciate the beauty of this novel, this beautiful love story. This time I read it. And I loved it. I really, really, really loved it. Not as much as Austen's Emma though. Emma is my favorite Austen novel, and Pride and Prejudice has, undoubtedly, become my second favorite Austen novel.
Mr and Mrs Bennet have five daughters: the mild, gentle Jane, who is so timid that she cannot find fault in anyone; the beautiful but headstrong Elizabeth; the intellectual Mary; and silly and insensible Catherine (Kitty) and Lydia. Jane and Elizabeth are the only members of the family having the values to mix with the upper class, elegant society. Mrs Bennet is silly, and Mr Bennet, though sensible, is unsocial. All the family estate and wealth are to be passed to a distant male cousin after Mr Bennet's death, and Mrs Bennet is eager to get all her five daughters married to wealthy men.
Mrs Bennet gets a wonderful scope for her goal when the rich Mr Bingley comes to live in the Netherfield Hall. Mrs Bennet is eager to get Jane married to Mr Bingley. Mr Bingley arrives, and brings with him Mr Darcy, a close friend. Mr Darcy seems to be overly arrogant and haughty, and everybody takes a dislike in him. Both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy take a dislike on each other. On the other hand, Jane and Mr Bingley become close and it is evident that they are in love.
Elizabeth's dislike for Mr Darcy becomes stronger when Mr Wickham, a man belonging to the regiment that has come to the area, tells her how Mr Darcy had deceived him. Mr Bingley leaves Netherfield, and Elizabeth becomes suspicious that Mr Bingley's sisters and Mr Darcy was persuading him to break his relation with Jane, because of the low connections of the family. But the mutual dislike, between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, must turn into love, because of the incidences, misunderstandings, and revelations that follow. Impressions will change, love will be gained, trust would be lost and gained. Impressions, this word is an important theme in this novel.
The change of impressions, and the reasons for this change, are so intensely explored in this novel. The change of Elizabeth's feeling for Darcy, from resentment to gratitude to love, is so well developed, so well described, so well explored. The progress of love is so steadily described, that it made me really care for the characters, their feelings for each other. Jane Austen was really a genius author who knew how to create so deep, so lively characters.
The two protagonists, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, are both flawed characters. The pride and prejudice have great influences in them- influence that they will regret in future. However, the incidences that character come across in course of the novel will make them realize their mistakes, that will slowly develop the love, the romance. While Darcy and Elizabeth share pride, prejudice and headstrong character, the other pair of lovers, Jane and Bingley, also share the qualities of gentleness, calmness, timidity, and the quality of easily becoming influenced by somebody. I also admired the supporting characters. Mrs Bennet was funny. Lydia and Lady Catherine were irritating. Mr Collins was both funny and irritating. I also liked Mr and Mrs Gardner.
It is not that Mrs Bennet's intentions can always be blamed. Yes, she is irritating. But she only wants her daughters to be settled, because of their such small inheritance. If we think from this point, then it can be a little bit easier to appreciate the character. I didn't take her as an irritating character. Rather, I thought the character was humorous, I thought the character was really very funny.
Like other Austen novels, wealth and social status play an important role in this novel. The book is set in an era where social status were important for every single marriage to take place. And it affected and influenced so many loves, so many marriages. Likewise, this theme plays an important role in this book as well. I won't go into detail about how it played the role because that would be giving away too much.
There is a lot of humor. A great deal of humor. The response of Mr Bennet after Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth. Mrs Bennet is herself so very funny. Kitty and Lydia's actions were another source of humor.
In short, I really loved this novel. Really. I loved the development of feelings, I loved the excellently-developed characters, I loved the humor, and on the whole, I loved this beautiful and touching love story.
5 out of 5!
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Published: 1994
Genres: Novel, Thriller, Suspense, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Before reading Nothing Lasts Forever, I had read three other Sidney Sheldon novels: The Stars Shine Down, The Sky is Falling, and Are You Afraid of the Dark?. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all three of them, but I must also say that I found none of them excellent. They were sometimes predictable and often silly. But they were very enjoyable reads. I was satisfied with them, but didn't find any of them excellent.
But I am really glad I read Nothing Lasts Forever. It is an impressive novel. And I mean it. It is a really very impressive novel. Though there are sometimes indeed some of the Sidney Sheldon cliches and a few times it did get silly, yet I found it a very pleasant and impressive novel. It was not a masterpiece, but I was really pleased with it.
Set mostly at a hospital, the novel's central characters are three doctors: Paige Taylor, Honey Tuft, and Kat Hunter. They work in the same hospital and live in the same apartment. The novel explores the lives of these three women: their feelings, their passions, their desires, their past, their pain.
The novel begins with a lengthy prologue. Kat Hunter has been murdered. Honey Tuft had almost closed down the hospital (reasons revealed in course of the novel). And Paige Taylor has been accused of murdering one of her patients because the patient had left her a huge wealth. But Doctor Taylor says that it was euthanasia. She knew nothing about the inheritance until after the death of the particular patient.
Most of the novel is told in flashbacks, starting with the time Paige, Kat, and Honey had joined the hospital. It tells the story of their stressful job, struggling personal lives, painful and secret pasts. And their meeting such odd and unfortunate fates.
One of the things that I like about Sheldon is the characterization in his books. In Nothing Lasts Forever the characterizations are definitely effective and deep! Along with the life of the three protagonists, the stressful life of doctors is also very well described in this book. (I really appreciated the epilogue, where what happened to most of the characters, is described).
I definitely enjoyed this one! The last chapter was so very emotional. As I mentioned before, some of Sidney Sheldon's cliches can be found now and then, but the overall novel is impressive and pleasant.
4 out of 5!
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2009
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The prologue of The Last Song builds up curiosity and suspense. I became so curious to know what happens, what incidences the characters come across, just while reading the prologue. The Last Song is such an amazing, well-written and touching book!
Ronnie and Jonah are sent to live with their father for the summer. Ronnie is furious at her father because he had left them. She hasn't talk to her father for the last three years. And she hates having to spend the whole summer with her dad. She does her best to ignore him.
Ronnie comes across Will, a handsome young man. They fall in love and spend much time together. But however, the summer will soon come to an end, and they will be separated. But they know that their love is deep and strong, and their love will always remain strong, despite their distance.
Meanwhile, Ronnie comes to forgive her father and becomes close to her father again. She even starts regretting because of her previous behavior with him. Everything seems perfect.
But fate has planned something else for them. First of all, there is a terrible secret that her father is hiding. Secondly, there is the shadow of a crime apparently committed by Will's friend, Scott. A crime which Will has been covering up.
The novel is told from the perspective of four people: Ronnie, Will, Steve (Ronnie's father) and the novel's antagonist, Marcus.
I found it a really wonderful and touching read. Nicholas Sparks is really wonderful. The romance between Ronnie and Will, and also the relation between Ronnie and her father- both are beautiful. But I have to say that the prologue made me expect something much more, but in the end, it didn't completely meet my expectations. Despite that, it was a beautiful read. Touching, sweet, and heartbreaking, The Last Song is amazing!
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1811
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I have read several of Jane Austen's novels this year. I LOVED Emma, and it perhaps has become one of my favorite novels, and also loved Persuasion, and just liked Mansfield Park. And I really liked Sense and Sensibility. This novel has excellently developed characters, incidences, situations, and it was a very pleasant and enjoyable read.
The novel has two heroines: Elinor Dashwood, who at the beginning of the novel, is a matured young woman of nineteen, and Elinor's younger sister, Marianne, who is not as mature as her sister. The novel tells the story of the love, experiences, heartbreaks, happiness, sorrow of the two sisters. Though Elinor is the major heroine, Marianne's love, heartbreak, and most importantly, her becoming mature because of the incidences that she has to go through, is also given equal emphasis.
At the beginning of the novel, Mr Dashwood dies, leaving a widow (who was his second wife) and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, and a son from his first marriage, John Dashwood, and John's wife Fanny Dashwood. John inherits Norland Park, the residence of Mrs Dashwood and her three sisters, and they moved to Norland. Mrs Dashwood is soon disgusted by the attitude of the selfish John and his even more selfish wife, Fanny. Meanwhile, Elinor becomes close to Fanny's brother Edward Ferrars, and it seems apparent that they are in love. Mrs Dashwood heartily appreciates the relation between Elinor and Edward. Soon, Mrs Dashwood and her three daughters moved to Barton, settling at a small cottage belonging to Sir John Middleton, a distant relative.
At Barton, Marianne becomes close to Mr Willoughby, a charming and handsome young man. It seems that they are certainly they are in love. Readers also meet Colonel Brandon, an unmarried friend of Sir John. It is apparent that Colonel Brandon loves Marianne, and it is also apparent that Marianne dislikes the Colonel. For some unclear reasons, Willoughby is forced to go to London, leaving Marianne sad and lonely.
Soon, Marianne and Elinor go to London with Mrs Jennings, Sir John's mother-in-law. There both the sisters come across painful incidences and revelations regarding the men whom they love, bringing sorrow, disappointment and heartbreak to both of them. In the end, will the broken hearts be mended? Will the misunderstandings be cleared? Will everyone be happy?
I really enjoyed reading Sense and Sensibility. I liked the characters. Elinor, another matured Jane Austen heroine, is very likeable. I found Marianne likeable at times and quite irritating at others. For example, when Marianne and Willoughby criticize the modest and decent Colonel Brandon in such a harsh way, it was really very sad and irritating! I also liked Edward Ferrars, though he did not have that much depth that the other Austen heroes have. Like the characters of the novel, I also disliked Willoughby, but I have to admit that his confession near the end of the novel was really pitiable. I also liked Mrs Jennings. She was quite a funny character! Her misunderstanding, misconceptions, and quick decision on who is going to marry whom, was indeed very funny!
The novel deals with the two heroines' love, hope, fear, hopelessness, disappointment. Marianne Dashwood's becoming more matured through the course of the novel is also quite remarkable! The romance has, however, little depth. The romance is mostly expressed through the sorrow of the heroines after losing, or facing the possibility of losing, the person they love. It was really touching at times.
On the whole, I didn't exactly love Sense and Sensibility, nor will it be one of my favorite Jane Austen novel, but it was certainly quite a delight to read this book! It was pleasurable, enjoyable, and at times, an emotional read!
4 out of 5
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Published: 1992
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Suspense, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The Stars Shine Down is the story of Lara Cameron, who grew up in poverty and with misery, but established herself as one of the most successful real estate developers. The books tells the story of her life, of the successes and difficulties that she comes through, her feelings, her lover, her career. She accomplishes everything: fame, wealth, reputation, the man she loves, everything. But then she is risked with downfall: everything she has is in danger.
The Stars Shine Down was an absolute page turner and a fast read. From the very beginning of the novel, it was engrossing. However, the middle part did seem a bit ridiculous. Again and again there was Lara builds this, Lara builds that, Lara accomplishes this, Lara accomplishes that. Though at first it was nice to read about these, soon they became so frequent that it seemed like they were being repeated. As soon as, however, Phillip enters the story and Lara falls in love with him, the story changes it's style and becomes more likeable.
The character Lara had great depth. As the novel described her life in such detail, Lara really became an excellently-developed character.
The novel is not really a ''thriller''. It's something of a mixture of drama, mystery, suspense, and some romance. The truth behind the mystery was surprising. The ending was also wonderful and nice. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It was a quick and light read.
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1814
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Previously this year, I read two Austen novels: Persuasion and Emma, and absolutely loved both of them. But I cannot say so in case of Mansfield Park. Though I appreciated the story and enjoyed it, Mansfield Park seemed a little lifeless to me. Every Austen novel has a life and energy in it. But sadly, I thought Mansfield Park lacked the energy, the flow. I liked this novel, but felt it was relatively dull.
Sir Thomas Bertram and Lady Bertram live in the spacious Mansfield Park with their four children, Tom, Edmund, Maria, and Julia. Lady Bertram's sister married Mr Price, a man with a low income, and is now burdened with several children and is suffering from financial difficulty. Lady Bertram's other sister, Mrs Norris, proposes that they should shelter one of Mrs Price's children, and thus, lighten at least some of Mrs Price's duty. Therefore, they plan to shelter the Prices's eldest daughter, Fanny. As said, the timid and shy 10-year-old Fanny arrives at Mansfield Park. At first she is very meek and afraid of everybody, but her cousin, Edmund shows kindness to her and they become very good friends.
Years pass, and when Fanny is eighteen years old, Sir Thomas goes to Antigua for business purposes. The house becomes rather light and carefree, because Sir Thomas had ruled the house very strictly. Two new characters join the story: Henry Crawford and Mary Crawford, siblings of the neighbor Mrs Grant. Fanny takes a distaste in both the brother and the sister, thinking that they are badly influenced by the city where they had grown up. However, the Betram siblings admire the Crawfords, and Henry Crawford flirts with both Maria and Julia, despite the fact that Maria is already engaged to Mr Rushworth. Edmund apparently falls in love with Mary, who is rather ill mannered because of the influence of ill-mannered friends. Fanny dislikes the growing fondness between Edmund and Mary because of two reasons: firstly, because of Mary's manners. Secondly, Fanny herself has some feelings for Edmund. And then with a sudden surprise, Henry Crawford proposes to Fanny, expressing his deep love for her! But Fanny is strictly against this proposal. How can she accept such a man whom she saw flirting with both of her cousins at the same time, and whom she can never love, and who is very dissimilar to her tastes and ideas?
At the very beginning of the novel, I began to think it overly lifeless and even decided to abandon it, but soon it began to have a depth and flow that I began to like and enjoy this novel. But still, it was not enough. The novel lacked the humor, the life, the energy that is present in the other Austen novels I have read. The middle part is really good, with such depth, but the beginning and the ending seemed rather dull to me.
The characters were rather well developed. Fanny, Edmund, Miss Crawford and Mrs Norris had the most depths. Fanny's steady transformation from a timid and shy girl to a sensible and mature woman who knows herself- is pretty remarkable. Mrs Norris is the ''wicked lady''. At the very beginning of the novel, Mrs Norris offered to her sister and brother-in-law that she would be glad to take care of Fanny. But when Fanny was brought to Mansfield Park, where was all of Mrs Norris's ''kindness''? Mrs Norris repeatedly reminds Fanny that she is nothing but a sheltered girl from a poor family. One of the most shocking scenes was when, when the Betrams and the Crawfords are preparing to perform a play, and ask Fanny to play a role, and Fanny refuses, Mrs Norris says that Fanny has forgotten who she is, referring to her family status. It was one of the scenes where I hated Mrs Norris so very much.
The flow and depth in the middle part of the novel was rather remarkable, the depth of the characters and the situations was good, but overall, I cannot say that I loved Mansfield Park. I enjoyed reading it, but I thought it was rather dull and lifeless, if compared to the other Austen novels.
3 out of 5
Author: Heather Graham
Published: 2005
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
Rating: 2 out of 5
Review
Heather Graham's Suspicious takes place in Everglades. In the novel, a successful alligator farm is situated in Everglades. Police officer Jesse Crane is startled after three deaths take place. A couple have apparently been murdered, and the remains of an alligator is found near the place where they died. Secondly, a man has been eaten by giant alligator. Along with these tragic incidences, Jesse is startled to see Lorena Fontier, the new nurse in the alligator farm. Lorena looks like a girl from a rich family, so what is she doing in this area as a nurse in an alligator farm? There is certainly something fishy. Jesse thinks that Lorena's presence here has a motive.
Lorena indeed has a purpose of coming here. Several years ago, her father had died. Her father had done researches that may have dangerous results, and Lorena has reason to believe that it is this alligator farm that has these formulas of her father, and that her father's death might be connected with this alligator farm. Eventually, Lorena confides in Jesse, and Jesse decides to protect her and investigate her doubts. Soon Lorena and Jesse fall in love, but danger is lurking behind.
I didn't like ''Suspicious'' that much. The characters were described in detail but sadly, they hardly had any depth. There was suspense at times, but that was very inadequate and infrequent. I didn't enjoy it very much. The characters are not developed well; the storyline is interesting but the lack of depth and suspense makes it disappointing. But however, it was not boring. This is my first Heather Graham novel and though I didn't like it, I appreciate Graham's writing style and will look forward to read more of her writings someday.
Suspicious was a quick read and though not likeable, it was not unpleasant or terrible.
2 out of 5
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1815
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I had been thinking of reading Jane Austen's Emma since 2010, but never quite started reading it. This vacation, however, I firmly decided to read it, and so have I; I've just finished reading it. And the very first thing I'd like to say that I not only LOVED Emma, but I suppose it will absolutely become one of my favorite novels.
Emma started as a light, rather comedic read, but as it progressed, it became very deep and had excellent characterization, dialogues, and story.
In Jane Austen novels, we meet very memorable heroines, for example, the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet and the timid Anne Elliot. In Emma, our heroine is Emma Woodhouse, a ''handsome, clever and rich'' young woman. The novel starts as Emma's governess, Miss Taylor, is married to Mr Weston. Now, Emma thinks that she had contributed to make the feelings between Miss Taylor and Mr Weston stronger, and she thinks that she is quite excellent in matchmaking. And she loves doing it (matchmaking).
Before long, she is acquainted with Harriet Smith, a young boarder at Mrs Goddard's school for girls. Emma decides that she will educate Harriet and polish her mind, and will make her as lady-like as possible. Emma and Harriet become close friends despite the difference in their social position. Emma thinks that Harriet is a perfect match for Mr Elton, who is the local vicar. Harriet gets a wedding proposal from Robert Martin, a gentlemanly and educated farmer, and though she (Harriet) wants to accept the proposal, Emma makes her deny it. Emma has firmly decided that Harriet must marry Mr Elton.
But how can Emma decide the future of two people? How can Emma completely control the feelings of two people? Things take a different turn, and nothing goes according to Emma's plan. And these wrong decisions and judgements will make Emma remorse and repent in the future; her interference into other people's feelings results negatively...
This is actually a rather short summary; there are MANY wonderful characters in this novel. Mr Knightley, who is a neighbor and brother of Emma's brother-in-law, plays an important role in the novel. He is the only person who can find faults in Emma, and openly disapproves Emma's hobby of matchmaking. Ultimately, he plays a vital role in this novel.
Of course, Emma is a flawed heroine. Her opinion that she is excellent in matchmaking completely backfires at her, and her being extremely decided leads her to misinterpret many things, and ultimately, it is inevitable to feel disapproval of Emma's thoughts and actions at times, but I also, near the end of the novel, felt sympathy the character quite much, especially after she becomes filled with regret and guilt about her bad behavior with Miss Bates and Jane Fairfax. And of course, her quick decision makes her feel guilty at future; but let's not talk about that in detail.
Oh, I haven't even mentioned the important characters in this novel! Well, there is Mr Woodhouse, a tender old man who is always worried about the health of the people he loves; there is Mr Weston, the wonderful man who marries Miss Taylor, Emma's governess; and there is Frank Churcill, Mr Weston's son from a previous marriage. Mr Weston's first wife had died when Frank was little; and Frank was raised by his uncle and aunt. Now, Frank pays visit to his father and the present Mrs Weston (who had once been Emma's governess), and Emma becomes close with him, and his relation with several of the characters is also an important aspect of the story...
The novel is also humorous at times. For example, Mr Woodhouse's complete dependence and extreme trust for Mr Perry, the local doctor, sometimes seems ridiculous. The talkative Miss Bates also contributes to the funny parts of the novel.
And then also, Emma is also a quite serious novel. It was quite a light novel at the beginning, but as the story progressed, it became deep and thought-provoking. It is a VERY enjoyable novel, I absolutely loved it.
5 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2010
Genres: Romance, Suspense
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I'm not sure how to begin this review because I absolutely LOVED Nicholas Sparks's novel ''Safe Haven''. It was fabulous. Not only does Sparks gives us a wonderful love story, but this time, with ''Safe Haven'', Nicholas Sparks tells us a deep human story, a beautiful story. I am fairly acquainted with Nicholas Sparks's works. I have read ''Dear John'', and have seen the movie versions for ''A Walk to Remember'' and ''The Notebook''. But none of them can be compared with ''Safe Haven''. Safe Haven is AMAZING!
The novel centers around Katie, a mysterious woman, in her mid-twenties, who has arrived in Southport, North Carolina, and lives an isolated life. She becomes friends with her neighbor, Jo, whom she eventually starts to trust and gradually tells the secret of her past life to her. She has a husband, who physically abused her in a terrible way, and she, therefore, ran away from him and started a new life in Southport. She is afraid all the time that her husband, Kevin, might come after her.
The widowed owner of a local store, Alex, is attracted to the pale and beautiful Katie. Katie becomes close to Alex's children, and soon, she develops a close relationship with Alex, and eventually they fall in love. Katie learns to trust in love once again. Katie tells Alex about her past life, and that she can't marry him because she already has a husband.
Her husband, Kevin, a vicious and extremely unpleasant villain, is still hunting for her...
This novel was just wonderful! With a mixture of love, emotions, human bondage, suspense, thriller, it was plainly amazing and I couldn't put it down! I admired the characters, I admired Sparks's writing style and the subject of this book. I loved the way Sparks developed the emotions in this book.
Sparks talks about a very serious problem in this novel, that is, domestic violence. Katie represents the physically abused women, those helpless women. The courage Katie shows by running away from Kevin is certainly an inspiration! Katie is an excellently developed character, an extremely admirable character. The brave, courageous Katie. Katie, who didn't tolerate the torture inflicted on her. Katie, who bravely ran away and later faced the person who tortured her. This character was simply amazing.
Two other characters I loved were Alex and Jo. Alex, the gentle, goodhearted man, who takes great care of his motherless children. He is a likeable character. And uhh... Jo. I absolutely adored her. Here, I won't discuss much, because I don't want to talk about the novel's surprising twist!!!
Kevin is the antagonist of this novel, the villain. I hated this character. As Katie described, he was INSANE. Nicholas Sparks excellently developed this villain as well.
I loved this lovely, suspenseful, beautiful novel. I loved the characters. I loved the subject matter. I loved the story. Fabulous book!
4 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2006
Genres: Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
I really liked Nicholas Sparks's ''Dear John''. It was an emotional love story with a really good storyline and a wonderful ending. Sparks's writing style is wonderful and simple, and the story itself is very engrossing and enjoyable.
The novel's protagonist John Tyree is a rebel at school. He doesn't have a close relation with his introverted father, who remains busy all day with his coin collection. His father has a fixed routine, has no social life, much to the distaste of John. After finishing school, John doesn't apply for a job. Instead, he does what he describes as ''lousy'' jobs, and then one night, he finds out that he has to do something with life. Life isn't so simple. So he decides to enlist in the army.
On a vacation, he meets a young woman, Savannah Lee Curtis, who is here with a group to build houses for poor people. He immediately falls in love with her, and they spend a lot of time together, and she falls in love with him too- and Savannah is the best thing that ever happened to John. But then it is time to leave, and they promise each other that they will never forget each other, that they will never leave each other, that their love will always remain strong, and that they will get married one day.
But then there is the 9/11 and John has to enlist in the army again. Though initially they keep in touch with letters and phone calls, the situation slowly changes- and Savannah does something that may not keep their relation the same as before, but their love will always remain, always remain strong. What happens then?
''Dear John'' was a very emotional love story. Sparks made me care for the characters. I didn't really feel sympathy for John and Savannah that much in the beginning, because these elements of separation are quite common in love stories. But the ending- it was so... wonderful. Instead of giving us a fairytalish ending, Sparks gives us a realistic ending. The ending wasn't a happy one but it was a picture of the realities of life, that in life such things happen, yet satisfaction can be achieved by those emotional endings and what John did in the end. The ending is such that it can bring both tears in the eyes and a smile in the face.
John's relation with his father is also an important element of the story. Initially, we see their relation as troubled, because his father can talk about nothing but coins, and then Savannah helps John to get close with his father- for which he will always remain grateful to her. John's relation with his father is also an important and emotional aspect of this novel.
Some of the parts were quite predictable, but still I liked this novel very much. It was an emotional and wonderful read.
3 out of 5
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Published: 2004
Number of pages: 337
Genres: Novel , Thriller, Suspense, Romance, Mystery, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Crime
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
I really enjoyed reading Sidney Sheldon's last novel, ''Are You Afraid of the Dark?'' Not just that, I liked it so much that I would have loved to give it a 4 out of 5, but I cannot possibly ignore it's faults and flaws. Really. But however, despite it's flaws, it seemed a wonderful novel to me- both an emotional and suspenseful novel. Amazing book!
The story has a blend of suspense thriller, adventure, drama, sci-fi and romance. Really. Four scientists, working for the KIG (Kingsley International Group), have recently been murdered in different places of the world; their death seems like an accident... Diane (widow of Richard Steven) and Kelly (widow of Mark Harris) are summoned to New York by Tanner Kingsley, the owner of the company, who asks them if their husbands shared anything with them about their professional matter. Both of them don't have any idea about their husbands' recent projects.
Then we understand that the lives of Diane and Kelly are in danger; someone is trying to kill them, thinking that they might know something about their husbands' last projects. Diane and Kelly team up, running away from the attackers, using their mind, wit, and intelligence, but how long will they run? And who is after them? And why are they being chased like this?
I liked the way Sheldon developed the characters. By means of repeated flashbacks, we are told of the past lives of these two people, their upbringing, career, their wonderful moments with their husbands, adding elements of drama and romance to the plot. I really liked the characterization. I also liked the deep friendship that Kelly and Diane develop. Although at first they are somewhat hostile to each other, gradually they develop and warm friendship which made me very emotional. Their friendship somewhat reminded me of Theo and Nell of the 1963 film ''The Haunting''.
Every time Kelly and Diane ran away from the attackers, I smiled and laughed! I became so delighted! I cheered for them, ''Run! Run!'' Really, it was a wonderful reading experience. The adventures, suspense, thrills, curiosity, and the ''what will happen next'' were really wonderful. The emotional intensity- beyond remarks!
It is also filled with humor. For example, have a look at this:
Diane was thoughtful for a moment. 'I know a place where they can't touch us.'
'Let me guess. The space ship that brought you here.'
But ''Are You Afraid of the Dark'' is flawed as well. For example, why did so many of the characters have to turn into a villain? I know, this was for the development of the story. But at one point the villains were really predictable.
And it has some errors as well. At one point Diane tells Kelly that the battery of her phone has finished. But how did she pick up her phone just some time after this?
But I must mention again, it was a very wonderful read filled with suspense, adventure, thrills, humor, and emotional intensity. I liked it very much. I wish I could ignore it's faults.
3 out of 5
