Poetry of Reading: March 2024

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

by Natasa Djordjevic - 2:55 PM

“If you can sit in silence with a person for half an hour and yet be entirely comfortable, you and that person can be friends. If you cannot, friends you'll never be and you need not waste time in trying.”

The story is about a young woman who grew up in Canada during the 1900s. At 29 years old, she is considered an old maid by the standards of the time because she is unmarried. Her family is terrible, always caught up in their dramas and worried about what others think of them. They impose insane rules on themselves that they believe to be proper.

Valance is an outcast in her family due to her plain looks and unmarried status. While her family isn't abusive, they constantly remind her of her mistakes and perceived shortcomings. She's miserable and afraid of her family members, unable to live life in the manner she desires.

However, everything changes when she visits a doctor due to chest pains. She learns that she has a year to live, and this news gives her the freedom to do and say whatever she wants. Her family is shocked as she defies them, and their reactions are quite amusing.

This book is about overcoming fears and being true to oneself, and it carries an essential message. The writing is well done, and the characters are interesting and well-drawn. The story starts slowly with detailed descriptions of Valancy's family, but it's so well written that the reader can feel her suffocation. The pace picks up, and the story becomes more exciting as it progresses with unexpected twists and turns.

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The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

by Natasa Djordjevic - 8:19 AM

“Once you've got a task to do, it's better to do it than live with the fear of it.”

The book had an engaging storyline that was fast-paced and absorbing. However, what impressed me the most was the level of detail in the character development written by Abercrombie. The internal dialogue for each main character's thoughts and ideas brought the book to life—the characterization in the book added to its realism. In modern fantasy, most stories have characters that are more rounded and lifelike instead of the stark black/white, good/evil stick figures that were popular in the past. For instance, humans are not completely good or completely evil, they tend to be self-interested and consumed with their needs, desires, priorities, and goals. Abercrombie's genius lies in how he builds each character from the inside out, allowing us to see and recognize each cast member's understanding of themselves and their world, and perceive each person's internal motivations. In short, the characters seem like real people.

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Her Last Assassin by Victoria Lamb

by Natasa Djordjevic - 10:22 AM

This is a novel about Lucy Morgan, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, her guardian Faithful Goodluck, and William Shakespeare. The Queen is in danger from a Catholic conspiracy that could be originating from within her court or abroad. Goodluck, the loyal spy, is tasked with finding out who is behind the plot. The story is a mix of historical fiction, thriller, and romance, which makes it an exciting read.

The story is told from the perspectives of the four main characters. Lamb skillfully intertwines the stories of each character in their unique voice with excellent characterization. Lucy has many conflicting loyalties and desires, making her life challenging as she is also a black woman living in Elizabethan London. Goodluck is a courageous and resourceful character, but his past conflicts come to the fore and must be resolved. Elizabeth's descent into old age with its attendant fears and losses is poignant but never maudlin. Shakespeare's story within the novel is incredibly moving.

Lamb's descriptive writing is vivid and evocative, transporting the reader deep into the world of the novel. Her prose is always deft and economical, despite being deeply descriptive.