Literary Heroine Blog Event

Kellie at Accordion to Kellie is hosting a Literary Heroine Blog Party.  It’s taken me forever to get all the questions answered but here it is.  Hope you enjoy reading this.

What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

A girl who isn’t afraid to speak her mind…a true lady, sweet and kind but with spirit.

Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 

 

Elinor Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility) – I don’t think I can ever match up to Elinor but I admire her very much and I think that I’m the most level-headed of my siblings.

 

Amy Dorrit (Little Dorrit) – What’s not to like about Amy?  She sweet and steadfast and so many other good qualities.

 

Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre) – I like Jane.  She’s not the typical, ultra-pretty heroine.  I like her very much.

 

Estella Havisham (Great Expectations) – I don’t exactly admire Estella and I hope that I don’t relate to her but I like her anyway despite the way she treats Pip.  Besides, if you have someone like Miss Havisham taking care of you, how are you expected to turn out?

Five of your favorite historical novels?

Mansfield Park (Jane Austen)

 

Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë)

 

Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)

 

Little Dorrit (Charles Dickens)

 

Emma (Jane Austen)

 

Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?

 

Amy Dorrit – see above

 

Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

 

Jane Fairfax – elegant and refined.

 

If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to – and what would you plan to do there? 

 

I’d travel to England to a little village called Chawton and visit the Jane Austen museum.

 

What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 

Regency England wins hands down.

You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation – what is your act comprised of?

I hate performing in public so I’d probably turn down the invitation. 

If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 

Catherine Morland.

What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 

Wonderful!  Milk chocolate (especially Galaxy ©) is my favorite but I also like dark if it isn’t too dark.

Favorite author(s)? 

Jane Austen

 

Charles Dickens

 

Charlotte Brontë

 

Amanda Grange

 

Those are just a few of my favorites.

Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

My set of Jane Austen novels

My Jane Austen Anthology – Jane Austen Made Me Do It

My writing notebook

In which century were most of the books you read written? 

England

In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

Elinor Dashwood
 
Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

Where I’m living now…it’s a secret…

Sum up your fashion style in five words.

Tailored.  Simple.  Mix-and-Match.  Purple.  Denim.

Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

No…never.

In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is… 

Riguad, Blandois…Whatever you want to call him.

Three favorite Non-fiction books?

Jane Austen: A Celebration of her Life and Works

Spirit of the Horse

The Jane Austen Handbook

Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

Writing and listening to beautiful music.

What I’m Reading

I guess this is becoming a regular thing – posting what I’m currently reading.

I finished Jane Eyre in two days.  I couldn’t keep away from it.  It’s a fabulous book and I’ll definitely be re-reading it in the near future.  Anyway, I’m reading Bleak House at the moment.  I find it somewhat hard to understand but I’m keeping at it and it’s bound to get better soon.

Have you ever read Bleak House?  Would you recommend it?  Would you recommend the 2005 miniseries?  Let me know your thoughts.

What I’m Reading

I’m currently reading Jane Eyre and I’m really enjoying it.

I probably won’t be posting a review when I’m finished it, because I can never find the right words to describe great classics.  Just read the book for yourself if you want to see what it’s about.

By the way, I reading a lot of classics these days and I have several books on my TBR shelf.  The include – Bleak House, The Olde Curiosity Shoppe, Persuasion, and Charity Girl (By Georgette Heyer.  It will be the first book of hers I’ve read.) 

What I’m Reading

After watching the wonderful Little Dorrit 2008 miniseries, I resolved to read the book.  I had heard such good reviews of it from other bloggers and so far I’ve not been disappointed.  It’s a very interesting book.  When I’m done it, I will definitely post a review.

Oliver Twist

Author: Charles Dickens

Genre: Classic

My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 7

Type: Down-to-earth

Time Period: Mid-1800′s

Main Characters: Oliver Twist, Fagin

My Review: I enjoyed reading Oliver Twist for the Charles Dickens Reading Challenge.  Oliver Twist is a young orphan who, after running away from his cruel master finds himself in London.  He is taken in by a pack of thieves who try to make him steal.  But Oliver refuses to do their bidding…This story of good triumphing over evil makes for a fascinating read.

My overall opinion:  I was surprised at how easy Oliver Twist was to understand.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading it but for one thing…Charles Dickens seems quite anti-Jewish and constantly referred to Fagin as ‘the Jew’.  But other than that, it was an interesting read.

2012 Charles Dickens Reading Challenge

Miss Abby from Newly Impassioned Soul is hosting a Charles Dickens Reading Challenge since 2012 is the 200th anniversary of his birth.  She challenges you to read 3, 5, or 10 of Dickens’ books.  I have decided to read five books seeing as I am only just now being introduced to his work.

1.  Oliver Twist – I’ve already started reading this and it is really interesting.

2.  Great Expectations – I’ve read an abridged version of this novel and I enjoyed it so I think it’s time I read the full version.

3.  Little Dorrit – I am going to be watching the miniseries in a few days, so I thought I should read the book too.

4.  The Olde Curiosity Shop – I’ve heard of this book and it sounded interesting.

5.  Our Mutual Friend – This is my mom’s favorite Dickens so I want to see for myself what it’s like.

I hope that you will join the challenge – Dickens’ books are well worth it.  

For more info on Dickens’ 200th birthday check this website.

The Inheritance

Author: Louisa May Alcott

Genre: Historical Fiction

My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 7

Type: Juvenilia

Time Period: Mid-1800′s

Main Characters: Edith Adelon

My Review: This is the first full-fledged novel that L.M.A. wrote.  She was only seventeen when she penned this novel and it is obvious that it is an early work.  Nevertheless, it is very interesting and well written.  Edith Adelon is a poor governess with a mystery surrounding her birth.  When she saves the life of Amy, her pupil, she is given a higher place in the heart of the family.  When a poor stranger gives her a mysterious parcel, which reveals her true identity, will Edith claim her rightful inheritance?

My overall opinion:  With its flowery language and lots of description, the Inheritance is not the most enjoyable book to read, but it does give a good story and interesting characters.  I’ve read it several times.

A Little Princess

A Little Princess is about a girl named Sara Crewe.  Her rich young father sends her to a school in England.   She is treated like a little princess by her shallow teacher.  When her father dies, leaving her penniless she is forced to work as a drudge.  Will Sara ever become a ‘princess’ again?  Read this delightful book to find out.

Elsie Dinsmore Book 7

Yes, sad to say, Elsie becomes a widow.  Even through this hard trial, she still maintains her faith and trust in her Heavenly Father.  After Mr. Travilla dies, the family takes a trip to Viamede, Elsie’s winter home, and her cousins Isa and Molly at last find husbands.  The whole family stays at Viamede for the winter, then travels back to Ion in time to see the starting of Spring.

I Finished Reading Emma!

Emma is a really great novel.  Next to Pride and Prejudice, it’s the best one I’ve ever read.  It tells the story of a young, rich girl, who enjoys running other people’s love lives.  But will Emma ever fall in love herself?  You can read the book online here, or get it from your local library.

Elsie Dinsmore Book 5

In Elsie’s Motherhood, Elsie and Edward celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary by inviting family and friends to share the special day.  When Eddie, their son, accidentally shoots his father (not fatally), he learns an important lesson that will stay with him the rest of his life.  Meanwhile uprisings are going on in both the North and South because of the effects of the Civil War.  Elsie and her husband soon learn that they will be the brunt of a vicious, vengeful attack on Ion (their home).  Will everything turn out all right or will the house be burned to the ground?  Read on to find out.

Elsie Book 4

In a lavish, yet Christian ceremony Elsie marries her true love.  They set off for a honeymoon at Elsie’s estate, Viamede.  There, a dangerous criminal tries to kill the newly weds, but is foiled in his attempt.  Elsie and her husband, Edward, come back to the Oaks, but set off again soon for Europe.  While they are there, the American Civil War breaks out.  Elsie and her family stay in Italy, but many loved ones are still back home in America.  Will her friends and family stay safe?  Or will they be torn apart by different loyalties?  Read this exciting book to find out.

 

Elsie Dinsmore – Book 3

Elsie and her father start their new life together in a house of their own – the Oaks.  Her father falls in love with a beautiful lady and they get married, which later gives Elsie a new baby brother and sister.  Elsie, now 18 goes to live for the summer with her great-aunt Wealthy in the small town of Lansdale.  When Elsie’s father leaves her, a young and handsome swindler comes into town.  Will Elsie see through him or will she be blinded to the true facts?  Will Elsie ever realize that true love has been with her from childhood?

Elsie Dinsmore – Book 2

In Elsie’s Holiday’s, Elsie has finally won her father’s love.  When someone shoves her off a steep hill, her leg is almost broken but she still remains calm and happy.  Then her father orders her to do something that would do violence to her conscience.  Because she refuses, he is very angry and travels North leaving her behind at his family’s house.  Will Elsie ever be reunited with her father, or will he leave her for good?

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is set in 19th century England.  The novel starts out starts out with a young man called Mr. Bingley and his friend Mr. Darcy settling in a small, rural town.  All the townspeople with daughters who are of a marriable age are in a flutter, but especially a woman called Mrs. Bennet.  She has 5 daughters and no sons, so of course she wants them all married well.  Mrs. Bennet schemes to marry off one of her daughters.  Her second oldest daughter, Elizabeth doesn’t approve of her mother’s plans.  Will Jane marry the man she loves?  Will Elizabeth marry the man she doesn’t love?  Or will Lydia’s flirtations ruin all her sisters’ chances?  Read this novel about matchmaking, arrogance, and true love to find out.

Elsie Dinsmore – Book 1

This book is about a little girl called Elsie Dinsmore.  It is set in the mid 1800′s on a Southern plantation in America.  Elsie Dinsmore is the heiress to an immense fortune.  She lives with her relatives at Roselands.  Elsie’s mother died several years ago and her father has been away in Europe for some time.  Her relatives are not always kind to her, but Elsie maintains a calm and gentle spirit through her faith in God.  When her father returns home, he is stern toward her.  Will Elsie ever gain her father’s love?  Read this book to find out.

Find out more about Elsie Dinsmore here.