Poetry of Reading: April 2023

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

by Natasa Djordjevic - 1:53 AM

Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

by Natasa Djordjevic - 7:32 AM

“Most lives are not distinguished by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone or bring a smile to his face, it gives your life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend. The world would be a dismal place without you in it. ”

Daisy Bowman is a fresh breeze amongst the rougher backdrop that is her family. Her innocent ways have done her no favors though, as she’s looked on with much affection by her sister Lillian and friends, just not with much sense. When her father demands she chooses a husband, or else marry a man she detests, not even her fellow wallflowers can save her. Not one to back down from a challenge, Daisy is rather dismayed when the very man her father wishes her to marry, Matthew Swift, appears on the scene. He’s much changed from the man she remembers, and she’s not sure how to deal with the attractive businessman. Chance finds them often together in the following days and Matthew turns out to be far more than the money-hungry employee of her father than she first thought. As all-consuming passion buds between them, a tragic secret from Matthew’s past threatens their hopes. What has carried throughout this entire series to date, the powerful characters still reign supreme as the most enticing factor in the last installment. Daisy has appeared before as the witty youngest amongst the wallflowers, a fierce supporter of them and their heart’s desires. Seeing their fervent support of her this time solidified my admiration for their friendship. Daisy is brought forth in her own story as a sweet innocent, a woman bursting with the hope of love and someone to share it with. She found her true love in the form of Matthew, a heart-throbbing man who seemed very real and compellingly sexy. The other wallflowers, Annabelle, Lillian, and Evie, all have recurring roles, along with their spouses, and that element of friendship is as strong in this installment as it is in previous ones, though not overpowering Daisy and Matthew’s romance. Romance that comes from a direction Daisy least expects, wonderful characters, poignant writing—it all meshed together perfectly. A very satisfying ending to a wonderful series.

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Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin

by Natasa Djordjevic - 5:49 AM

“People do that, of course—they come into your life, illuminate some dark corner you’d not even known was there, then they disappear. True connection is rare, but that’s just the way it is.”

Inspired by true events, Melanie Benjamin has given readers another historical fiction novel that focuses on women. She highlights the life of a less well-known woman, who is intimately involved with more famous individuals and with historical events. Focusing on the life and marriage of Blanche and Claude Auzello and spanning years from 1923 to 1945, the novel details the courage and resourcefulness of those who opposed the Nazi occupation of Paris. Shifting between chapters focusing on Blanche and her husband, “The Mistress of the Ritz” is a personal look at the two individuals’ relationship, its development, eventual deterioration, and then its reinvigoration. Blanche’s insecurities were a large part of the attraction to Claude, the manager of the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Nevertheless, she managed to rise above them when a sense of duty and defiance thrust her into the role of a Resistance supporter. In the end, both acknowledge their dependence on one another and the part each played in the other’s triumphs and tragedies. Throughout “The Mistress of the Ritz,” Melanie Benjamin alternates scenes between Blanche and her husband, Claude. This allows the reader to understand the psychological bonds that held them together and that the Nazi occupation of Claude’s beloved Ritz placed on the marriage. It also highlights how she came into her own once she decided to commit to a cause and live her own life. Melanie Benjamin is extraordinary as she develops the characters and depicts the times in which the story occurs. Melanie Benjamin highlights each of the Auzellos’ strengths, yet neither is made to seem infallible. Dialog is realistic and, at times, heartbreaking. The portion of the novel dealing with Blanche’s imprisonment by the Nazis and the disclosure of her secret will bring tears to your eyes. The final chapter, narrated by Blanche’s friend Lily, takes place in 1969 and brings this tale to its tragic conclusion.“The Mistress of the Ritz” is not difficult to read; it is engaging and the characters, are interesting. The narrative will keep you reading straight through to the book’s final chapter. Language and scenes are appropriate for most readers, regardless of age.