I just finished reading Pride and Prejudice, and I have to say that I loved it. I got the idea that I should try reading it again when we moved into our little cottage, and I have to say it was the perfect time to read that book. It wasn't hard to imagine myself in that time period when I live in the annex to an estate!
But now I am at a loss as to what to read. I still feel like I want that time period-y stuff... so... any ideas? (I already read Jane Eyre too, and I loved it. Oh and I've read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and thought it was awesome too.)
Please share your book ideas with me!
5 comments:
LITTLE WOMEN!
Oooh, good suggestion, Samiee!
I was going to say Sense and Sensibility is also a good one...Austen is delightful. Have you ever tried "Wuthering Heights"? I've never read it, but if I were in a cottage attached to an estate in England, I'd probably give it a try. =)
Careful- "Wuthering Heights is not your idyllic 90th Century English Drawing Room novel. If you're looking for something stormy and full of intensely selfish and cruel people, "Wuthering Heights" is for you. I once heard James Best refer to it as one of his favorite books, if that's any indication how un-sweet it is:)
Also, you're probably aware that "Little Women" isn't set in England, but in the US, so I don't know if that is a determining factor for you. It's lovely of course, but just not British.
Two suggestions for you: 1)"North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell (if you loved Jane Eyre, this is a lot of the same feeling), or 2)"David Copperfield (long, yes, but one of the most delightful books I've ever read and certainly my favorite Dickens).
Um, or if you really want some of the same as P and P, "Persuasion," by Jane Austen is actually my favorite of hers. So funny and sweet. (Okay, so that was three suggestions but whatevs.)
I can't tell you how jealous I am of you guys right now. Your annex looks ABSOLUTELY PERFECT in every way. I'm getting some of my dreams fulfilled vicariously through you right now, so pleeeease keep posting!
Anna Karenina
I know it's huge and intimidating (and not actually English), but it's wonderful--dramatic, funny, charming, beautiful. (and get the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation)
There's Tess of the d'Urbervilles, which takes place in Dorset/Wiltshire area, but it's not the most uplifting. It's more beautiful and tragic. Or you could read something by Dickens--those are always very English, have humor, and usually take place in London. Or you could read more Jane Austen--Sense and Sensibility is my mom's favorite, and Persuasion is really good, too.
As for Wuthering Heights, I would recommend that if you were in Northern England/Scotland by the moors. The book is like the moors--moody, dark, dramatic. I love it, but it's not everyone's cup of tea, and it definitely does not have anything to do with charming Kent.
I've seen so many British costume dramas, I can't even count. So I know the stories of a lot of stuff, but I don't feel I can recommend them b/c I haven't actually read them. I do have it on good authority (my bookworm friend) that Cranford is really good. The series was truly entertaining and charming. If you're wondering what it's like, you can watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf1zh4j2l0Y
Boy, it's when people ask questions like this that I realize how little I've read.
Thank you so much for your comments! They have helped me A LOT. I am currently in the library looking for Little Women, and North & South.
I just watched North & South last night with Kathleeny, and I was reminded how much I love that mini-series. So I thought I would give it a try, but I will also look into the other books you've mentioned!
I seriously wish all of you could fit in our little cottage and enjoy this surreal experience. I still wake up and have to pinch myself since I get to live in England.
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