Not quite what I expected - by which I mean, the person of Helene Hanff was not at all what I had imagined her to be - but delightful all the same. WhNot quite what I expected - by which I mean, the person of Helene Hanff was not at all what I had imagined her to be - but delightful all the same. What I loved most was the offhand glances into the different challenges and changes faced by Americans and Brits during the years immediately following WW2 and into the tumultuous sixties. That was so fascinating!
I didn't know most of the books referenced, but that's OK, because our girl Helene read P&P for the first time during the course of the story, and of course, she loved it (even though fiction was not her thing), so much that she immediately ordered herself a copy of it from her favorite bookseller.
Interesting introduction to Regency England. Most of it was not new to me because i may or may not have a Regency England obsession, but the quotes frInteresting introduction to Regency England. Most of it was not new to me because i may or may not have a Regency England obsession, but the quotes from books, letters, and diaries of the day were fascinating. It was a bit confusing to follow, because they focused on the entire span of Austen's life, and there were significant changes in culture and politics and fashion throughout that time. The book was organized by topic/category rather than chronologically, so it was occasionally difficult to place various tidbits of information in the correct time frame....more
The author explores various factors that contributed to and/ or demonstrate the enduring charm of arguably the most popular novel in the world. From aThe author explores various factors that contributed to and/ or demonstrate the enduring charm of arguably the most popular novel in the world. From analyses about the book and its characters to discussions of the various responses to and iterations of the book (who knew there were so many musical versions?!), this book leaves no Pride and Prejudice stone unturned. It's unable to answer the fundamental question of WHY we love this book so much, it's just enough to know that we do.
I do have one issue with the author: she holds the 1995 BBC in contempt. Pretty sure we can't ever be friends but I still like her book....more
Apparently, I read an abridged version, subtitled "Christian and Pagan Imagination in Children's Literature". I appreciated the author's thoughts, andApparently, I read an abridged version, subtitled "Christian and Pagan Imagination in Children's Literature". I appreciated the author's thoughts, and his insights into the mind- shaping effects of literature and other media, and how we can be more discerning in what shapes our children. I disagreed with him in some things, in part due to his theology, but also in part because I just came to different conclusions myself, or had a slightly different perspective. It was helpful, though, and gave me good questions to ask my kids as they read books and as I try to guide them in good reading choices....more
Anne (In Search of Wonder)
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