Middlemarch by George Eliot
It took me about 500 pages to get into this story, which is at least 400 too many. It also took me 28 days to get through it -- granted, I finished several other books in this time period, but my reading pace usually matches my level of interest. So, that last 400 or so pages went much faster than the first 500.
I was primarily invested in Dorothea's storyline. In the second chapter, Dorothea offers to organize her uncle's papers for him: "I wish you would let me sort your papers for you, Uncle. I would letter them all and then make you a list of subjects under each subject." He, of course, rejects this idea, because why would anyone want to be able to easily find what they are looking for??
My favorite line: "And, of course men know best about everything, except what women know better."
The Book of Mormon: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical by Trey Park, Matt Stone, & Robert Lopez
I read this in anticipation of seeing the show for a second time, and it reminded me to pay attention to the lyrics in "I Believe" that mention the recently deceased president of the LDS Church Thomas Monson: "I believe that the current president of the Church, Thomas Monson, speaks directly to God." When I saw the show last week, the lyrics were changed to: "I believe that the former president of the Church, Thomas Monson, spoke directly to God." The new president of the LDS Church is Russell Nelson - same number of syllables.
**The next FIVE reviews are Pride & Prejudic/Austen continuations/knock-offs. I'm almost embarrassed that I read this many in one month, but I know I'm going to end up posting a review every time I start a book, so I really have no one to blame but myself. I enjoy P&P continuations, especially of minor characters that are made more likable when fleshed out. And reading silly books that you can finish in an evening.
Mary and the Captain: A Pride and Prejudice Continuation by Nancy Lawrence
Mary Bennett is not my least favorite of Elizabeth's sisters (obviously Lydia), but would break the tie for second if one was forced to choose between her and Kitty. Lawrence's expansion of Mary's character made me more sympathetic to her shyness and inopportune additions to conversation. And her habit of hiding in the corner/behind a book. Not great, not terrible.
These are both Kindle Unlimited reads, and I think I would have been much more disappointed (and not read the second), had I felt like I paid for them. Charlotte is much better than Rosings. I enjoyed seeing a happier life for Charlotte than Austen leaves her with. And [spoiler alert] some redemption for Mr. Collins.
Rosings is a continuation of the de Bourgh family's story. I read a much better continuation, Darcy and Anne, that focuses more on Anne (and removes her from her abusive mother), and I couldn't help but compare the two. Both contend that Anne was not actually sickly (but made to believe so by her mother), not an entirely implausible line, but it would be nice to see a version in which Anne takes ownership of her health and overcomes the obstacle, rather than having the impediment removed completely without any effort. This may exist -- I have read a very small selection of the thousands of Austen continuations.
Like many Kindle Unlimited selections, I noticed quite a few punctuation and grammar errors, which are always distracting. Aminadra has release two more "Pride & Prejudice Continues" books, but I think I'll pass.
I read The Austen Escape first and was very close to the end when I realized: this is Christian Fiction [SPOILER ALERT: No one's having sex]. I do not include this as a condemnation, but as information -- I didn't notice if they were overtly marketed as such. Dear Mr. Knightly is much more obviously Christian-themed -- there is an older couple that introduces a Christian outlook on life (though not the priest character, which is interesting) and an indication that a hope for sex before marriage is offensive (when no communication regarding expectations has been had).
I enjoyed The Austen Escape much more. The heroine is much more likable and relatable. And the inclusions of Austen references make more sense with the plot and setting. The author has released several more literary knock-offs, but I'm not sure if I'll keep going through her catalog.
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