A Lady's Guide to Scandal

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Irwin, Sophie. A Lady’s Guide to Scandal. Penguin Books, 2023. 

If you like Jane Austen…four words designed to lure me into reading a book. Sophie Irwin’s second novel A Lady’s Guide to Scandal did not disappoint. Set in 1819 primarily in Bath, the novel features Eliza Somerset - Lady Somerset - recently widowed from an apparently loveless marriage. She finds herself unexpectedly inheriting both land and money from her late husband - with one clause - a big one - a morals clause. If the new Lord Somerset finds her behavior lacking in any way, the inheritance reverts to him. And by the way…the new Lord Somerset is the same Oliver she broke off with ten years earlier under the direction of her mother to marry her late husband. 

I have read some books with the Jane Austen connection that I’ve found truly disappointing; happily, this one was delightful. I enjoyed the elevated vocabulary that evokes Austen to me. I nearly laughed out loud at the allusion to Fordyce’s Sermons to Young Women. I do love a good nod to Collins of Pride and Prejudice. While I am not a prude, this was very much rated G which - again, closely aligns with Austen. For the Austen readers who love a longing glance, and just a touch of the hand, Irwin has triumphed. And while Austen herself wasn’t a huge fan of Bath - Irwin brings the city to life in a way that does it great credit. The cast of characters from the Melvilles to the Winkworths is well developed and delightful - love them or dislike them heartily. 

Also, Eliza and her cousin Margaret, are fully developed very dynamic protagonists for whom I could not help but cheer on their journey - to Bath, to independence, to love (real love, not the “arranged marriage” kind). Together they shock many of those around to find a house in Bath and to experience as much of freedom and friendship as Eliza’s mourning allows. 

The modern overtones are a lovely reversal - a woman who has some means financially and an independent spirit is a nice change from Austen’s poor young lady wanting love, but needing a certain financial stability. While Eliza was still restrained largely by societal expectations, she and Margaret use their time in Bath to experience as much growth as society will allow. Margaret’s love interest - a woman - is a very modern addition. 

 As I switch from reading primarily YA to adult from reading for work to reading for pleasure or enlightenment, I am always seeking connections and things that speak to me. At first I thought - how can I relate to this one? What am I to learn? Shall I just be entertained - which is FINE in my new world.  But then. I was able to witness 2 young ladies stretch beyond the barriers created by society and sort of reinforced by their desires to please. They explored hobbies and interests; Eliza learned to drive; they pursued relationships that would have terrified them even at the beginning of the novel. Perhaps as I approach a new stage in my own life, I need to consider their courage. I tend to do what is expected. I tend to avoid confrontation. I don’t stretch myself as I could. While I have had a fine life that has made me happy, I begin to wonder what it might feel like to pursue that which pleases me, simply because.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to evaluate the book. 

Shepard, Sara. The Amateurs Book 1. Los Angeles: Hyperion, 2016.

Amazing how well this title taps into the true crime movement that seems to be transfixing so many.  Aerin, Seneca, Maddy, and Brett no each other from their involvement in the Case Not Closed website. They band together to work on the mysterious murder of Aerin’s sister Helena.  Years after her death, these kids are certain they can make a difference.  Through a series of adventures and misadventures, increasingly more dangerous, they close in on Helena’s killer.  Along the way friendships and more involved relationships are made and broken. Epiphanies are had; families are broken and healed.

The twists and turns of the mystery, its suspense and intensity, will definitely engage my readers. At multiple points the mystery seems solved and a plot twist will send the characters in a markedly different direction. Good YA mysteries are not necessarily easy for me to find.  The genuineness of the friends and lovers will attract them as well. The attractions are portrayed frankly. These characters have endured tragedy in a way that seems unbearable, and they respond ultimately with a strength that is admirable.

The novel is not so great for my 7- 12 library as it is geared for much more mature readers.  The drinking, drug use, sexual content, and violence will make it “real” for the older kids.  And they do appreciate books that seem to accurately reflect their thoughts and feelings. I will definitely recommend this to them as such. In my dream world, this book does not portray accurately what goes on in the lives of my kids, but they will tell me the truth, and the truth of this book will resonate with them.

 

 

 

The Leaving

Altebrando, Tara. The Leaving. New York: Bloomsbury, 2016.

What a suspenseful read that I can’t wait to share with my kids.  I love how the book starts right in the middle of the story.  5 kids, returning home after years of being gone.  They are confused and remember very little. One has a tattoo. One has a foreign object in her stomach. One tries hypnosis. The mystery remains.  As does the mystery of the boy who doesn’t return. His sister Avery, whose own life is largely broken, seeks answers.  

Altebrando masterfully weaves together the stories of Avery, Lucas, Scarlett, and the others.  She writes initially from their complete confusion, filling in the history, and carefully revealing the mystery one small detail at a time.  She expertly develops individual personalities and relationships.  My readers will be fully engaged with each kid and with the mystery as a whole.  Altebrando plays with words...through Scarlett’s story most particularly.  My poetry book readers will especially enjoy this element within the overall scope of the book. In a world of dystopia, this book is different enough to excite and intrigue. Oh...and romance, just enough to keep my romantic souls happy.

I will be sharing The Leaving very soon with my 11th grade readers.  I really like that these kids don’t allow themselves to become victims of their circumstances. These circumstances are certainly extenuating - but our students can relate to the idea of being victims at a variety of levels.  The main characters here work hard, independently and as a team, to solve the mystery of their leaving and find a way to move forward with full and productive lives. I also like that the answers weren’t easy and that at the end questions remained about how well the future might go. Such is life and such are the books I love to have my kids read!

 

 

small great things - Jodi Picoult

Picoult, Jodi. small great things. New York: Ballantine Books, 2016.

Important and timely, Ruth’s story is also difficult and complex. Picoult renders it well.  Ruth, a 30 year labor and delivery veteran, comes up against her most significant struggle with the birth of Davis Bauer. In spite of living her whole life trying to fit in - to be accepted in the same way as a black woman as the those who are white.  She goes to the right schools; lives in the right neighborhood; and pushes her son to succeed at all levels. Her sister accuses her of denying reality and lives an entirely different kind of live, embracing an altogether different culture.  All it takes is one white supremacist parent and one post it note indicating that African American personnel were not permitted to take care of his son. One emergency and one death results in one lost medical license and one murder charge. Ruth’s perception of the world is forever changed.

I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that my perceptions were radically altered through the reading of this novel as well. Picoult does an excellent job of portraying all sides of the issue.  No one develops characters like she does.  She writes chapters in a variety of points of view...including Turk, Ruth, and Ruth’s lawyer, Kennedy.  She could have easily done a caricature of a white supremacist.  But she creates a back story and a rounded person. I just wanted to hate Turk, but his grief stunned me into sadness.  I related to Kennedy the most. I didn’t consider myself a racist and would have said I didn’t see color. Clearly, at many levels, I needed to learn the lessons that she learns over the course of the novel. Ruth’s journey is also sensitively portrayed. When she finds her voice, so powerful! Picoult is ambitious here, but successful for this reader. Small great things is so important for our time - a must read.

Like me my students are already Picoult fans.  I am happy to challenge them with a novel that will ask them to rethink how they perceive race in our world. More appropriate for my mature readers, I look forward to the discussion this novel engenders.

 

 

the things we keep - Sally Hepworth

Hepworth, Sally. the things we keep. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2016.

A thought provoking poignant story that helps define what love can be. I read this super quickly. Hepworth does a lovely job of building her story through different points of view. At 38, Anna Forster is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.  She leaves her marriage and quickly finds herself needing to be moved to a personal care home after an accident involving her young nephew. Here, she finds true love in Luke the “other young one” at the facility, though the path is not easy. Specifically, they have obvious difficulties in simply remembering each other, and their families are concerned about the ramifications of a relationship under these circumstances. Enter Eve Bennet. A trained chef, she joins the personal care home as a cook and housekeeper in the wake of her own personal tragedy.  She is working to keep herself and her young daughter afloat. She is in danger of becoming bitter, but finds herself drawn to the mystery of Anna and Luke, ultimately becoming their championing while facing her own demons.

I enjoyed this novel very much.  While it didn’t pack the same sort of emotional punch as Still Alice did for me, I appreciate very much the insight into the lives of the patients and their families.  I appreciated, too, Hepworth’s balanced approach to the variety of perspectives she includes in the novel. The plot surrounding Eve’s life and how the plots intertwine worked well also. Hepworth does a lovely job of building suspense in the way that she reveals the details of both over the course of the work. Overall, a solid read. I did some skimming...and I found some coincidences a bit too...coincidental.  I’m not likely to list it as a favorite, but still, I’d recommend the things we keep to a friend.