The downside of becoming a governess – Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë

First published in: 1847, under the pseudonym Acton Bell

By: Thomas Cautley Newby Publisher

Number of pages: 194

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 3 days

Rating: «« ½

Advice: A classic yes, but not a must read!

Also available in French as: same title

The context

As I am writing, I remember a quote from the movie Mona Lisa Smile where Julia Roberts, along with her students, examine a painting by Jackson Pollock (if I’m not mistaken).  She said: “You’re not required to like it, but you are required to consider it.”  As I attempt to reread Emily and Charlotte Brontë’s most famous books (Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights), with whom I have a love-hate relationship, it dawns on me that I should probably consider Anne Brontë as well, since they all wrote their novels during the same period and under pseudonyms.

The story

As Anne Brontë’s first book, Agnes Grey depicts the life of a young woman who, concerned with her family’s financial troubles, decides to become a governess, the only respectable job for an unmarried woman at the time.  She steps into this new life full of her romantic illusions about the profession, not anticipating the downside.  As she attempts to educate the youngsters of the Bloomfield and Murray family, Agnes will soon learn what it truly means to be a governess. 

The review

This novel is said to be based on Anne Brontë’s own five-year experience as a governess.  Just like everyone else, I had my own conception of what being a governess meant and let’s just say that, just like Agnes, I was dumbfounded what how the book addresses the instability, hardship and humiliation that came with this type of employment.  Just how precarious a position it was for young women and how it affected them on the short and long term, was not what I expected.  So in sense, it also made me lose all of my illusions of the subject and gave me a new appreciation of those women who gave part of their lives in an attempt to educate rich little snobbish brats.

But the book isn't just about that, it is also a “coming of age” book as we see Agnes grow and lose her illusions about what she considered the perfect situation (taking care of children and educating them), learn from her mistakes and become wiser.  The book also shows us the other side of the coin, where Miss Rosalie Murray, who also comes of age, does not learn from her experience, ends up miserable with a rich husband and mother-in-law who do not love her, feels completely miserable and finally calls on Agnes to help her rectify the problem.

In other words, as a whole the book is well written and showcases two women of about the same age who both come of age but with different social standing, which accounts to me, for the morality lesson we get: “Money and social standing are not the only important things in life...especially when making an alliance”.

And yet, I do not consider this book to be an essential classic to put on your reading list.  Although pretty short (less than 200 pages), it contains length which sometimes made me want to give it up altogether.  Moreover, (and this may be the reason why I have so much difficulty with the Brontë sisters’ books) the author focuses on the pains and humiliation of her first character and how she submits to them without fighting back, thinking it is the families right to treat her as such, going on and on about why she can’t stand up to them and how it pains her.  I found it gave a “whining” tone to the story and I hated it.

All in all, a classic is considered as such because it can withstand time and strikes a chord in its readers, whether by stimulating the imagination or by disrupting the ideas we had about certain subjects.  Agnes Grey may be considered a classic for all mentioned above, but to me it remains a non essential one.

What do you think about it?

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read.

Until next time J

Ladybug

Back to classics - Jane Austen part 2

Jane Austen 101

For those of you who are, shall we say “Austen virgins”, it is not too late to start.  The question although always seems to be “where to start”.

First, here are some basic facts: Jane Austen was born in 1775 in England.  She was the seventh of a family of eight children, comprising 6 brothers and one sister, Cassandra who was Austen’s closest friend and confidante throughout her life.

In the course of her life, Austen wrote 6 novels.  She also published one short story (Lady Susan) and 2 of her unfinished work (The Watsons and Sandition) were also published.  Since I have read only her novels, I will concentrate myself on those exclusively.

Although she wrote 6 novels in the course of her life, Jane Austen only lived to see 4 of those novels published: Sense and Sensiblity, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma.  Her last two novels (her first and last written) Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were released after her death in 1817.  Here is a little resume of every novel she wrote, my own rating and “flash” review of them as well as pieces of advice concerning each.

Sense and Sensibility (1811)

Rating: ««««

Advice: The most romantic of all Austen’s novels.

Available in French as: Raison et Sentiments

The first of her published novels, Sense and Sensibility tells the story of Dashwood sister’s Elinor and Marianne who although basically penniless, are determined to move towards what they believe to be the perfect love.  Marianne being thoroughly romantic and ardent in her vision is ready to die for love, but Elinor is more thoughtful and self-controlled and puts much more sense into it.  They will each have to overcome grief and despair to achieve what they hope will be marital bliss.

In my opinion, this first novel of Austen is by far her most romantic and depicts sisterly love in a beautiful way.  Each time I read it, I can help but feeling for either of the sisters as they grow apart or closer in their quest for Edward Ferrars or John Willoughby.  The whole novel is well plotted, not matter what some people have said about the unraveling of the love triangle that is Lucy Steele, Elinor and Edward.  And even though every deadly romantic individual will hope for a happy ending in between Marianne and Willoughby, I find that her marrying sensible Colonel Brandon, although almost twice her senior, is much more suitable than her ending with Willoughby for here Austen puts forward a theme that will be recurrent in all her novels : BEWARE OF THE “PLAYER” J  

As to those of you who would wish to take a shortcut with a movie, I have to say that Ang Lee’s version starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet is rather a good compromise.

Pride and Prejudice (1813)

Rating:  «««««

Advice: A witty woman, a display of stupidity and a parade of bizarre marriages

Also available in French as: Orgueil et Préjugés

In her second novel, Jane Austen tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a bright 21 year-old woman, who is determined to marry only if she has the deepest love and respect for her future husband.  Those are not her feelings when she first encounters Mr Darcy, who at first seems like a pride and cold gentleman.  In fact she prefers Mr Wickham, AKA THE PLAYER, an old acquaintance of Mr Darcy who considers himself as having been wrongfully treated by him.  But is this truly the case or will Mr Darcy, upon further acquaintance, reveal himself to be more than the personification of pride itself?

Of all Jane Austen’s novels, this one remains my absolute favorite for here she depicts with wit and humor all that she sees of human stupidity in Mr Collins , silliness in Mrs Bennet and her 3 younger daughters, as well as cynicism in Mr Bennet.  This romantic novel is also a parade of the most bizarre of marriages: from loveless to senseless, without forgetting a catastrophic elopement, Pride and Prejudice has it all.  But all this would be nothing without the presence of the spirited Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy who’s many encounters and witty/intellectual matches makes me love them and consider them as one of Jane Austen’s most powerful couple.  This is simply a masterpiece.  

Again, to those whose wish to take a shortcut, I highly recommend the 6 episode-series starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth which is great, accompanied in the pure English tradition, by an afternoon tea J

Mansfield Park (1814)

Rating:  «««½

Advice: Gets better upon further acquaintance!

Also available in French as: same title

One of the 2 longest novels by Jane Austen, this one depicts the life of poor Fanny Price who, upon the generosity on her uncle and aunt, is welcome to their home of Mansfield Park as a sort of “charity project”.  Here she will grow among here snobbish cousins Maria and Julia, but also through her relationship with her cousin Edmund who will forge her character and give her firm principles of which she will never relinquish, even when a certain Henry Crawford comes into the picture and tries to seduce her.

Of all the 6 novels, this used to be the one I most dreaded for one simple reason: I use to hate Fanny Price.  Why?  Because she made me think of a certain heroine of the Bronte sisters I still struggle with, for I saw them as a lot alike in character and behavior.  But I must admit that Mansfield Park was better the second time around.  I actually enjoyed Fanny and her grounded and highly reflected behavior, especially when it comes to Henry Crawford, AKA THE PLAYER.  I also liked how the author developed the relationship of Edmund and Mary Crawford and all the struggles surrounding it on his side.  So all in all, this novel grows on you as you reread it.

Emma (1815)

Rating: «««

Advice: Written in a lighter way, it should be taken lightly!

Also available in French as: same title

The last of her novels published when she was alive, Jane Austen’s Emma depicts the life of this 21 year-old woman, who lives with her father assuming the role of mistress of the house.  As one of the “belles” of Highbury she believes herself entitle to every of her fantasies, including matchmaking just about everyone.  The long-time family friend Mr Knightley does not approve of all this, especially when it concerns the projects she has for the future of Harriet Smith or the fancy she takes to Mr Frank Churchill, AKA THE PLAYER.  But it seems that nothing is to stop her, except maybe love...

I used to think this longest novel, the less of 2 evils when compared to Mansfield Park but I must admit that on the second reading, I like it less that I thought I originally did.  Probably because of all the 6 novels, this one is the lightest of all in terms of its characters psyche.  You do not need to as dig deep to understand the essence of Emma Woodhouse's character, as you would have with others.  Everything is written on the surface, which is why I recommend you read it in a very light mood, a vacation mood.  Although I have to say that the last 50-100 pages go a little deeper into Emma’s psyche as her character changes and becomes more sensible when she falls in love.  As for the other characters, well let’s just say that many of them are as silly and as senseless as can be, which also adds to the lightness of the story.

Persuasion (1817)

Rating: ««« ½

Advice: As the last one written, you should also read it last.

Also available in French as: same title

Last of the novels to be completed during her lifetime, Jane Austen’s Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot who almost ten years after breaking her engagement to then penniless Captain Wentworth, sees their acquaintance revive as his sister and her husband take hold of the ancestral Elliot manor now in need of tenants.  Though Anne, who at first believed she had forgotten him, is still in love with him, it does not seem that his feelings remained the same for he is cold and unforgiving.  That is up until a certain accident in Lyme and an encounter with a distant cousin of Anne, will change irrevocably the faith of many.

I particularly enjoyed this novel as it is quite different from all of Austen’s other novel.  Where originally unpardonable mistakes are usually punished through the showcasing of others good morality, here the novels puts forward the concept of mistakes and second chances as Anne Elliot, who suffers silently on the account of her proud father and elder sister who do not think highly of her, and Captain Wentworth, now rich and respectable in the eyes of many, rekindle their feelings for one another and persuade themselves to give love another try.  Throughout the novel, you can't help but suffer with Anne and hope for the best and wish for Captain Wentworth to warm up to her again.  This goes without saying that, in some cases, people need to believe that second chances in love may be worth it, if they are convinced of it.

Northanger Abbey (1818)

Rating: «««

Advice: To read apart from the others!

Also available in French as: same title

Even though, this novel was the last to be published, this is actually the first complete novel that Jane Austen ever wrote.  Here she depicts the life of Catherine Morland, the daughter of a clergyman and who comes from a large family, who is neither immensely rich nor highly intelligent and her stay in Bath with some family friends, where she encounters love in the person of Henry Tilney.  But although his father seems at first to approve the match, a misunderstanding comes to change his mind, misunderstanding that must be clarified in order for Catherine to achieve marital bliss.

Of all her heroines, I find that Jane Austen draws more of her own family situation to depict Catherine that she actually did for the others: daughter of a clergyman, numerous family, tight family relationships... As it was her first novel, I also find it to be the weakest of her work, as you can almost feel the author questioning herself as to what makes a great novel: what subjects, what character traits, what heroine or gentleman?  The story in itself is also pretty simple as it is imitates a little bit the structure of Vaudeville theater, with the misunderstandings regarding Catherine’s financial status, her acquaintance with John Thorpe or her brother’s engagement to Isabella.  The author also pays tribute to her admiration for Ann Radcliffe by making one of her novels Catherine’s favorite books and putting a little Gothic spin to the story when it comes to the description of Northanger Abbey.  All in all, this first novel remains a well-plotted hodgepodge as well as an entertaining light story.

Now as many of you may know, Jane Austen still lives in the work of many an author and has grown to become a frequent source of inspiration.  But more on the subject will be revealed in another post.

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read.

Until next time

Ladybug

Back to classics – Jane Austen

The tribute

As I indulge and fall in love all over again with the novels of Jane Austen, it actually struck me that it might take me about 1 month before I am able to write another post.  Since as I have already beaten myself up last time for my lack of assiduity, I decided I might as well start this double or triple entry right away.

Now as I last mentioned, summer for me is the time of year where I just love reading or rereading classic literature.  To many others, summer means heat, vacation by the beach or the swimming pool and usually goes hand in hand with light reading, such as mystery novels or teen literature and even romance novels.  But as I’m in the habit of taking my summer vacation later in the fall, classic literature always seems like a good idea.  After all, who wouldn't appreciate to read a Tolstoy’s or Pasternak’s novel, set in the Siberian winter when it is 100 degrees outside and all you want is a little freshness?  Just kidding J

Back to being serious, a classic is by definition always popular and in my opinion can be read by anybody at anytime.  As for myself, I always get a period when I feel that I miss classic literature: whether it is the prose, the stories or some of its most marking heroes, lovers or villains.  And since I always want to start either with something I know, something that moves me or makes me feel utterly happy, Jane Austen never disappoints for she’s got all of the above.

As to why her novels make such an impression on me, the reason is always changing and evolving.  All I can say right now is that, she's one of the first female novelist that I know of whom, along with Ann Radcliffe or the Bronte sisters, has been able to “live by her pen”.  As she also puts forward the stories of women who decided to brave the established social convention and follow their own ideals, Jane Austen is nothing if not a fine connoisseur of human nature, including at times it stupidity.  Whether it be Emma who does not wish to marry, Elizabeth Bennet who only wishes to marry a man she will truly and deeply love and respect or Elinor and Marianne Dashwood who although opposite to each other in character, will keep being true to themselves and move toward what they each believe to be the “perfect love”, Jane Austen finds the winning recipe in her characters, going deep into their psyche, knowing all they feel or fear and eventually linking all this to how they interact with their relations and how these acquaintances develop into lasting relationship of friendship or love.

So do not be mistaken for although Jane Austen wrote mainly about women and their view on marriage and love, she is far from being girly.  Her novels are more about the people and how they connect than about the love stories themselves.  

Do not forget that this was England in the 18^th and 19^th century and that different times called for different customs.  Meaning marriage was the quintessential achievement for every woman, more so if she married well.  So it is no wonder that Jane Austen is all about the wedding.

As I still have to go through Emma and Mansfield Park, this entry will have to do for the moment.  As to why the hell did I keep the two longest novels for last, well let’s just say it is a question of preference rather than common sense.  But more on that next time J

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read.  For the time being, I am returning to Emma in hope of soon finding my way through Mansfield Park.

Until next time

Ladybug

Deception point – Inferno by Dan Brown

Published on: May 14 2013

By: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Number of pages: 463

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 7 days

Rating: «« ½

Advice: If you’re willing to be patient, borrowing it from your local library will serve you better that buying it.

Also available in French as: Inferno

Just as I did with my French readers, I firstly want to apologize for my lack of assiduity in that last weeks. Three weeks of vacation which are followed by my returning to work with an intern did take a toll on me, I have to admit. Moreover, during my vacation, I could not find but one book I could get totally immersed in. Nothing seemed interesting enough at the time, therefore explaining my hiatus. As a peace offering, the review that will follow is one of a book that has been highly anticipated as one of this summer’s success.

The context

Who has never heard the name of Dan Brown in the past few months must have lived on another planet, as his name has been on the lips of many as his new Robert Langdon novel was to come out just in time for the summer. After the total failure that was The Lost Symbol everyone was wondering whether or not Dan Brown still had something good to offer?

Being part of the above mentioned group, I half anticipated-half apprehended his new novel. So, after reading the first chapter online, I decided to place myself on the waiting list of my local library. Even though I was number 8 and would have been one of the first to get my copy, I later learned that I would have put my hands on the above mentioned book nearly 2 weeks after its publishing date. I hereby decided that I couldn't wait that long and since the book was 50% off, I bought it. And here began my journey through Inferno...

A word of warning to you all: if you intend to read this book and do not wish to know any of its details, than I suggest you stop reading this review for I intend to reveal key details that might spoil your fun and kill your buzz. Sorry!

The story

Now to those of you who are still with me, here is an attempted resume of this novel:

Robert Langdon, an esteemed professor of symbology from Harvard, awakens in a hospital in Florence, Italy with a head wound and retrograde amnesia. He has no recollection of the last 2-3 days, including how he got in Florence in the first place and what he is doing with a projector representing the painting La Mappa dell’Inferno by Botticelli.

As he is still haunted by the mysterious woman who wants to kill him, Langdon, accompanied by his doctor Sienna Brooks, realizes that he must solve the mystery of the painting and the codes and clues that will follow in order to understand and also remember why he is in Italy, what he came here to do... and try to stop the plague that is about to be unleashed.

The review

To Dan Brown’s every fan who have been highly disappointed by the disastrous The Lost Symbol, this new adventure of Robert Langdon was suppose to be the author’s redemption and the confirmation of his status as a mystery/thriller author. So the question remains: is his redemption complete and does waiting four years pay off?

Sorry, but in my humble opinion, not really, no.

Although it is true that one of Dan Brown’s strength as an author is his “postcard style” writing that always leave you on the edge of your seat at every chapter end making it a page-turner, here the whole story plot is nothing but the same old recipe that has been applied to his previous novels. The result is a highly predictable story where the magic of his other books doesn't work as well as before. This may be due to the fact that Langdon’s amnesia, although it makes him appear more human and more vulnerable that in his three last adventures, has a tendency to slow down the rhythm of the story to the point of overstretching it. Moreover, the coincidences become too numerous making everything that happens appear too easy as if it had all been prearranged.

Furthermore, unlike his past novels where the story revolved around a mystery with roots that were set deep into the past and which had a secret society linked to it, here the story plot is entirely contemporary aside solely for the reference to Dante’s Divine Comedy, Inferno and all the artwork that it inspired. The story is therefore less interesting as we do not feel as committed to it as previously when we might have been under the impression that we were some kind of Indiana Jones looking for lost relics.

Even his view on the subject of the global problem that is overpopulation (which isn't often openly spoken of) and its imagined mean to attend to it is tinted with a moralistic, if not condescending, tone. Ergo the point that he tries to make of its importance goes unnoticed.

All in all, if you liked Dan Brown’s other books and are a die-hard fan of his work, you may have a good time reading this one as it is exactly like his others. As for me, it’s a miss.

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read. As summer begins, it is always a favorite moment of mine to reread and rediscover classical literature. But do not fear, for although I plan to write about them I mostly plan on making you discover the authors they've influenced along the way. First in line, a great favorite of mine... Jane Austen J

Until next time

Ladybug

Un peu mieux que dernièrement, mais ce n’est pas encore tout à fait ça – Un Sentiment plus Fort que la Peur de Marc Levy

Publié le: 25 février 2013

Par : Robert Laffont

Nombre de pages: 419

Tentative de lecture : 1

Temps de lecture : 5 jours

Cote : «« ½

Recommandation : Si vous désirez apprécier pleinement cet auteur, lisez ses 4-5 premiers livres

Aussi disponible en anglais sous : Non disponible

Le contexte

Tout comme c’est le cas avec Carlos Ruiz Zafon, mon histoire d’amour avec Marc Lévy ne date pas d’hier.  Elle remonte en fait très loin, à l’époque de mes dernières années au secondaire.  À cette époque, le bruit courait qu’un nouvel auteur français faisait un tabac avec un roman dont la prémisse de base n’était pas banale : l’histoire d’un homme qui un soir trouve une femme dans son placard pour ensuite se rendre compte qu’elle est un esprit qu’il est le seul à voir.  Ce roman c’est « Et si c’était vrai » et c’est là que tout a commencé.

Mais depuis quelques années, mon histoire d’amour avec Marc Lévy s’apparente davantage à une histoire de haine.  En effet, depuis déjà environ 5 ou 6 ans je vais de déception en déception en lisant ses livres dont les histoires ne suscitent plus le même intérêt ou la même réaction chez moi.  Est-ce moi qui a changé ou lui?  Alors qu’au départ, il était à même de toucher mes cordes sensibles, aujourd’hui je considère ses derniers livres comme des pétards mouillés.

Inutile de dire qu’après autant de déception, la plupart des gens se serait tanné et serait passé à autre chose.  Mais bon je suis très entêtée et j’ai donc décidé de lui laisser une dernière chance.  Alors son dernier roman est-il un chant du cygne ou une rédemption?

L’histoire

Pour ceux qui ont lu son dernier livre « Si c’était à refaire » sachez que l’histoire de son 14^e livre reprend environ 6 mois après l’accident d’Andrew Stilman.  Maintenant pour ceux qui n’ont pas encore lu son 13^e livre et qui ont l’intention de le faire, je vous suggère de passer à la section suivante puisque je suis dans l’obligation de révéler ici des détails qui pourraient vous gâcher votre plaisir.

Alors, je disais que nous sommes environ 6 mois après la tentative de meurtre du journaliste Andrew Stilman, car figurez-vous qu’il a survécu.  Il vit présentement chez son ami Simon, fait des cauchemars toutes les nuits, son ex-femme Valérie est définitivement sortie de sa vie, il n’a rien écrit depuis 3 mois et il est replongé dans l’alcool.  Surgit alors de nulle part Suzie Baker, une énigmatique jeune femme qui après avoir perdu son copain dans un accident lors de l’ascension du Mont Blanc et la découverte d’un avion enfoui dans une grotte, lui demande son aide pour redorer le blason familial terni par une histoire de haute trahison.

Cependant, plusieurs aimeraient que cette histoire demeure dans l’ombre et ne revoit pas la lumière du jour.  Et ils n’arrêteront devant rien pour s’en assurer.  Car les détails de cette histoire du passé pourraient bien avoir des répercussions dans le présent plus importantes que ce qu’Andrew et Suzie peuvent penser.

La critique

Qu’on se le tienne pour dit : Marc Lévy est un auteur populaire et sa prose et son style n’entreront probablement jamais dans les anales de la littérature avec un grand L.  Cela dit, il y a des bons romans populaires et des mauvais.  Alors dans quelle catégorie place-t-on celui-ci?  La réponse est juste entre les deux.

Après avoir emprunté pendant longtemps un genre littéraire s’apparentant à celui de Nicholas Spark, tout en y ajoutant une petite touche de mystique et d’ésotérique, Marc Lévy emprunte ici un style qui l’associe davantage à Dan Brown et Steve Berry.  Est-ce que ça lui réussit?  Pour être honnête, oui… et non. Je dois admettre que j’ai retrouvé dans ce livre le talent de conteur qui avait fait de Marc Lévy un auteur de bestseller.  La trame principale est suffisamment complexe et enlevante pour qu’on veuille toujours en savoir un peu plus et en connaître le dénouement.  Cependant, le roman peine à démarrer et il faut plus d’un quart du livre pour comprendre enfin où va l’histoire.  De plus, contrairement à ses modèles, le rythme n’est pas aussi haletant qu’il le devrait créant ainsi de nombreux passages à vide.

En ce qui concerne les personnages, qui dans les premiers romans de l’auteur comptaient pour beaucoup dans l’opinion que je me suis faite de lui, ils sont ici plastiques, froids et dépourvus de profondeur.  Leurs introspections ne font pas le poids et les dialogues semblent forcés et sonnent faux.  Même la complicité que se développe entre eux m’apparaît artificielle.  On est incapable de ressentir pleinement le désarroi d’Andrew Stilman face à son alcoolisme et la façon dont il le gère, l’ambivalence d’Arnold Knopf entre faire ce qui est juste et ce qui est nécessaire ou l’obsession de Suzie Baker à vouloir à tout prix rendre justice à sa grand-mère.  En sommes, ils ne sont pas aussi attachants qu’ont pu l’être Lauren et Arthur, Lucas et Zofia ou encore Jonathan et Clara.

En somme, ce 14^e roman de Marc Lévy est légèrement mieux que les 5-6 derniers.  On retrouve ici un semblant de l’auteur et du conteur d’histoire d’avant dans un genre littéraire nouveau qui lui va quand même bien, mais tout de même moins bien que le premier style qu’il avait adopté et qui l’a rendu célèbre.  Alors à quand un retour aux sources?

En terminant, continuez à lire amateurs de livres et lecteurs de tous âges.  Envoyez-moi vos commentaires et suggestions de lecture.  On ne sait jamais, vous pourriez m’inspirer. En attendant, je retourne au dernier Dan Brown et espérant vous revenir prochainement avec sa critique (en anglais). À une prochaine fois

Coccinelle

Du bonbon pour les ados et les adultes – Les Lumières de Septembre de Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Publié le: 9 avril 2012

Par : Robert Laffont

Nombre de pages: 279

Tentative de lecture : 1

Temps de lecture : 4 jours

Cote : ««« ½

Recommandation : Si vous aimez, essayez ses autres romans pour adolescents

Aussi disponible en anglais sous : « The watcher in the shadows » sera disponible le 18 juin 2013

Avant de vraiment débuter cette critique, je tiens à m’excuser pour mon manque d’assiduité des dernières semaines.  En effet, mes vacances, mon manque d’enthousiasme pour n’importe quel livre que je débutais et mon retour au travail m’ont grandement éloigné de vous et j’en suis sincèrement navrée.  C’est pourquoi, afin de me faire pardonner, je vous offrirai dans les prochains jours, non pas une mais deux critiques de livres en français J

Le contexte

Mon premier contact avec Carlos Ruiz Zafon ne date pas d’hier.  En fait mon admiration pour cet auteur espagnol remonte à environ 8 ans lors de la parution de « L’ombre du vent », car c’est avec ce livre que je l’ai découvert et que je suis tombée sous le charme de son style littéraire, mais aussi de son talent de conteur.

Cependant, ce que la plupart des gens ignore, c’est que « L’ombre du vent » n’est pas le premier livre qu’il a écrit.  Il s’est tout d’abord illustré en Espagne avec ses livres pour adolescents qui lui ont été inspirés par ce que lui aurait aimé lire à cet âge.  Le résultat : 4 livres qui valent amplement le détour.

L’histoire

Après le Barcelone de « Marina », la côte espagnole du « Prince des brumes » et le Calcutta du « Palais de minuit », Carlos Ruiz Zafon nous amène maintenant sur la côte de Normandie où Simone Sauvelle, sa fille Irène et son fils Dorian s’installent après le décès de son mari.  Ils seront employés par Lazarus Jann, un fabricant de jouets de renommée internationale vivant dans l’étrange manoir Cravenmoore.  En effet, ce manoir labyrinthique comprenant d’innombrables pièces et corridors qui se perdent souvent dans l’obscurité, est habité par un nombre incalculable de marionnettes et automates animés d’une vie qui leur est propre.

Cependant, une ombre plane sur le manoir et elle s’en prend rapidement à la famille Sauvelle.  Qui est-elle et pourquoi s’acharne-t-elle sur eux?  Et surtout, quels secrets Lazarus Jann gardent-ils?

La critique

Que ce soit pour ses livres destinés aux adultes ou aux adolescents, Carlos Ruiz Zafon se concentre toujours sensiblement sur la même période temporelle, de 1920 à 1960, époque à laquelle l’art de l’écrit comptait encore pour beaucoup dans la vie des gens.  Exit, la télé et les images sensationnelles, ici c’est l’imagination qui crée le tout.  Et ça le sert très bien, puisque son talent de conteur ne peut que nous éblouir et nous mettre des images plein la tête.

Les descriptions qu’il fait des personnages, des lieux et des objets qui les habitent servent pleinement l’histoire.  Il ne reste qu’à fermer les yeux pour tout voir.  Le côté fantastique du livre (et de chacun des ses livres pour adolescents d’ailleurs) n’est pas poussé à l’extrême et rappelle beaucoup certains classiques de la littérature, comme H.G. Wells ou Robert Louis Stevenson.  L’auteur ne donne pas non plus trop dans l’horreur ou le cliché et son côté fantastique fait entièrement partie de la trame du livre, tout comme c’est le cas avec l’aspect un peu mythique, pour ne par dire magique, de ses livres pour adultes.

Contrairement à ses romans pour adultes où le rythme est plus lent et l’introspection et la personnalité des personnages est mise au premier plan, ici le rythme est plus soutenu, plus effréné, puisque le roman est plus court.  En effet, ses romans pour adolescents n’ont guère plus de 300 pages.  Mais attention, qui dit court ne veut pas dire que l’auteur reste en surface, puisque c’est tout le contraire.  Carlos Ruiz Zafon va au cœur de son histoire, ne laissant aucun détail au hasard.

Les personnages demeurent aussi un facteur important puisqu’ils sont souvent au cœur des aspects les plus sombres de l’histoire.  Ainsi les personnalités de la famille Sauvelle et de Lazarus Jann sont mises de l’avant dans le but de servir l’histoire.  On sait d’emblé à qui l’on a affaire et on peut aisément se faire une image mentale de Simone, la mère et veuve débrouillarde qui n’a pas encore fait le deuil de son mari, d’Irène, une adolescente vivant son premier amour, de Dorian, le futur cartographe qui adore partir à l’aventure et de Lazarus Jann, le vieil homme qui a vécu toute sa vie avec un secret qui pèse lourd sur ses épaules.  Carlos Ruiz Zafon fait également un clin d’œil ici à ses romans pour adultes en intégrant à l’histoire l’énigmatique Andreas Corelli.  Cela dit l’introspection des personnages laisse légèrement à désirer, mais en ont-ils vraiment besoin dans le cas présent?  Pas vraiment, puisque l’histoire se charge de nous en révéler suffisamment.

En somme, un roman (ou une série de romans) pour adolescents racontés par un conteur émérite et qui valent le détour autant pour les vieux et les moins vieux…  Et soyons honnêtes, ils ont le mérite d’être à mille lieux de « Twilight » et ses nombreux sosies J

En terminant, continuez à lire amateurs de livres et lecteurs de tous âges.  Envoyez-moi vos commentaires et suggestions de lecture.  On ne sait jamais, vous pourriez m’inspirer.  À une prochaine fois

Coccinelle

When J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer meet – A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Published on: December 27 2011

By: Viking Adult

Number of pages: 579

Reading attempt: 1

Reading time: 7 days

Rating: «««

Advice: The trilogy beginning of an adult “Twilight” mixed with “Harry Potter”

Also available in French as: Le Livre Perdu des Sortilèges

The context

If I remember correctly, I bought this book about 4 months after it was published, mainly because the abstract attracted me.  I had truly enjoyed the “Harry Potter” series and I must admit that I had (and still have) a soft spot for the “Twilight” saga.  There I said it: I sometimes indulge myself in the romantic cheesiness that comes with many of books found in the teen book section.

Being close to one of my bi-annual vacation, I told myself that this seemed like a good contender for vacation read.  As you have already guessed, with my addiction to buying more books than I can read, I delayed my reading of this novel of about 2 years.  Oups!!

The story

The story line opens with Diana Bishop, a witch whose only desire is to be as normal and as human as she can be.  While researching references in the Bodleian Library (Oxford) for an upcoming conference on the history of science and alchemy, she comes across a bewitched manuscript named Ashmole 782.  Now here is the catch: the above mentioned manuscript hasn't been seen by any magical creature for the last 150 years.  So how was she able to set her eyes on it?  Without wanting to, Diana sets in motion a series of events that will blow beyond her control as every magical creature (witch, daemon and vampire) tries to put their hands on the precious manuscript that may hold the key to their origin and survival.

Among them, a fifteen hundred year-old vampire and geneticist, Matthew Clairmont, who has already laid eyes on the manuscript right before it disappeared and who believes that his only chance at getting the book may well rest in the hand of a novice witch, he will have to befriend.  See me coming so far?

The review

The author has built here a well balanced mixture of fantasy, romance, history and suspense by focusing mainly on the mysterious alchemy manuscript that is Ashmole 782.  Her story is beautifully written and includes a lot of details that helps the reader immerse him/herself into the story.  I particularly enjoyed her well researched historical description as well as the description she makes of Oxford and its campus and libraries.  It felt has if I was there instead of here when I read those.  I felt committed to the story.  Until...

Until, I advanced further into the story and realized that it tended to resemble more and more an adult version of Twilight.  At first it didn't truly bother me that much; should the author have adapted the love story and sensual details to the fact that her two main characters are in their mid-thirties, it would have probably been fine.  The problem is that she didn't  which makes this part of the plot sound unrealistic and a tad bit too cheesy.

As for the characters, I found that the author’s strength lied mainly with her supporting characters (such as Marcus, Ysabeau, Sarah and Emily) more that with Diana and Matthew, who are her mains characters.  As a matter of fact, their unrealistic and juvenile love story (and at times, behavior) made them less likable and immature.  I felt deeper connection to her supporting characters which to me, seemed more realistic emotionally. 

All in all, a dense book where immersing yourself remains a possibility as long as you’re able to live with the occasional lack of realism of the two main characters.  As this is the first book of a trilogy you can already guess that I have the second published installment on hand.  But it will have to wait a little, as there’s a limit to the amount cheesiness I can take J

As always, keep reading all of you bookworms and book lovers out there.  Let me know what you’re reading or how you found it.  Who knows, you might inspire me my next great read.  Should you be wandering what happened with “World Without End”, let’s just say I diverged from it a bit... in hope to get back to it soon.

Until next time

Ladybug