I made a return to the classics with this gothic romance set in the moors of Cornwall England, Typically dark and brooding, it was a far cry from the I made a return to the classics with this gothic romance set in the moors of Cornwall England, Typically dark and brooding, it was a far cry from the type of reading I have done of late.There was very little to like about any of the characters. A young woman comes to live with her aunt after losing her mother and home. She finds her aunt,beaten down physically and emotionally after a decade in a lonely and abusive marriage. Her uncle, a hulking abuser of alcohol and his fellow human beings is a smuggler and murderer.Determined to not end up like her aunt, Mary sets out to bring justice to the situation. But instead of breaking free of her isolated existence, she becomes ever more entangled. The darkness and hopelessness was unrelenting and I found myself just wanting it to be over.It took me a long time to get through this story. I could only read a chapter or two at a time and found myself avoiding reading time. Overall a decent read but reader be warned......more
Timeless satire on the pretentiousness of humans. A 1900's book club has invited a celebrated author into their midst to discuss her literary offerin Timeless satire on the pretentiousness of humans. A 1900's book club has invited a celebrated author into their midst to discuss her literary offering. Caught up in their one upmanship, they make fools of themselves. As they attempt to discuss a topic(Xingu) of which they have no clue, hilarity ensues. A previous reviewer likens this group to the high school cliques we all are so familiar with. And I cannot think of a better description. Edith Wharton nailed it! This is part of a collection of her work that has languished on my tablet for too long. Time to renew my acquaintance with the classics!...more
Macbeth is a novel adaptation of Shakspeare's play. Shakespeare for modern times if you will.Macbeth and his lady Skena love Scotland and each other. Macbeth is a novel adaptation of Shakspeare's play. Shakespeare for modern times if you will.Macbeth and his lady Skena love Scotland and each other. Believing that they alone hold the key to Scotland's salvation,they embark on a fatal quest for power. This play was the first of Shakespeare's work I was ever exposed to.And it was love at first read back in my sophomore year of high school. So I was excited to read this novelized version, and was not disappointed. The novel starts at a rather slow pace as the stage is set for plot and character background.Time being less a constraint allowed for character development.The reader could see more clearly the motives behind the actions taken.And soon enough,I was swept into the bloody quest for power that captivated me back in high school. For those who are put off by the frequently difficult language in Shakespeare's plays or have never read any of his work, this is an excellent entrance. And for fans like me, it is one more way to enjoy the classics.
This was a re-read for me thanks to my online Goodreads book club. While I remember reading and liking this as a child, I love it as an adult! ChildreThis was a re-read for me thanks to my online Goodreads book club. While I remember reading and liking this as a child, I love it as an adult! Children love secrets. The delicious feeling of harboring secret knowledge came flooding back with this read. Mistress Mary who is quite contrary finds herself living with an largely absentee uncle in his very large mansion that is full of secret spaces and harbors it's own mystery. Spoiled and neglected, she finds herself looking at things differently after making the acquaintance of an irrepressible young maid and her family. The parallels and lessons are child size as she grows and tends her secret garden with the help of new friends. While written in 1910, the story is not so dated as other classics I have read, and makes an excellent read for both young readers and adults....more
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