I really liked this book.
Having spent some time in the Muslim world, many things mentioned - such as the bazaar, hamman and henna - were familiar to me. And I got so involved in the story of the young female protagonist that I finished the book in just one day, staying up late into the night to find out how the tale ended.
If you like historical fiction, this novel set in 17th century Iran is a nice change of pace from the usual tales of wealthy or royal Europeans.
This was the November selection for my monthly book club and I'm really looking forward to discussing it with others.
Sigh. I let the allusion to an Austen novel in the title fool me into thinking this wouldn't be the usual chick lit drivel. While I did find myself enjoying parts of the book - after all, it does owe its themes to Price and Prejudice, which I love - overall I found the storyline a bit overblown and unbelievable.
With happy endings for EVERYONE.
How often does everyone in both your family and circle of friends wind up neatly paired off? Really, now.
This book has been on my "to-read" list, roughly forever (or 2007, but who's counting?) and I finally got around to it.
So good. So, so good.
One of the things that made the book so unique, of course, was the relationship between humans and their daemons. The connection resonated with me as I think it would with anyone who has ever really loved someone - be that a partner, child, parent or sibling - loved them so much it hurts.
I could say a lot more, but instead I'm going to share one of my favorite passages from the book.
She knew what he was doing. Daemons could move no more than a few yards from their humans, and if she stood by the fence and he remained a bird, he wouldn't get near the bear; so he was going to pull.
She felt angry and miserable. His badger claws dug into the earth and he walked forward. It was such a strange tormenting feeling when your daemon was pulling at the link between you; part physical pain deep in the chest, part intense sadness and love. And she knew it was the same for him. Everyone tested it when they were growing up: seeing how far they could pull apart, coming back with intense relief.
He tugged a little harder.
"Don't, Pan!"
But he didn't stop. The bear watched, motionless. The pain in Lyra's heart grew more and more unbearable, and a sob of longing rose in her throat.
"Pan---"
Then she was through the gate, scrambling over the icy mud toward him, and he turned into a wildcat and sprang into her arms, and they were clinging together tightly with little shaky sounds of unhappiness coming from them both.
"I thought you really would---"
"No---"
"I couldn't believe how much it hurt---"
And then she brushed the tears away angrily and sniffed hard. He nestled in her arms, and she knew she would rather die than let them be parted and face that sadness again; it would send her mad with grief and terror. If she died, they'd still be together, like the Scholars in the crypt at Jordan.
When did this just become my book blog? Heh.
It seems the Amazon search isn't working again. Bugger.
Anyway, I've read yet another in the Series of Unfortunate Events and I rather liked this one.
The end.
Today is "Evaluate Your Life Day." So, tell us: how do you think you're life's going so far?
Give me an f'ing break. Seriously.
when on winter vacation. the wicked witch of the west stays here. ground floor. glasgow west end.
this is how dark it is here at 7pm now. bah humbug.
