Phantom by Susan Kay

GENRE

Adult Historical Fiction / Mystery (468 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

A child is born... his mother's only gift is a mask. Precocious and gifted, he will live friendless and alone. Taunted and abused, he will flee, only to find himself caged again--as a freak in a Gypsy carnival.

A brilliant outcast... the world is his home. Filled with bitter rage, he will kill to escape, becoming a stonemason's apprentice in Rome... a dark magician at the treacherous Persian court... and finally the genius behind the construction of the Paris Opera House and the labyrinthine world below.

Lacking one thing only: a woman's love. Cloaked in secrets, his power complete, he will see the exquisite Christine and for the first time know what it means to love. Obsessed, he will bring her to his eerie subterranean world, driven to possess her heart and soul.

A haunting story of power and darkness, of magic and murder, of sensuality and betrayal, and ultimately, the unforgettable story of a man and woman and the eternal quality of love.

MY REVIEW

The story of the Phantom of the Opera has held a special place in my heart since I was first introduced to the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical way back. I was very excited on my discovery of this book, as I really don't think there are many retellings of the original Gaston Leroux novel out there. I had to read it.

This novel is an absolute feast for the senses in every meaning of the phrase. The way Susan Kay re-tells Erik's (The Phantom's) story is absolutely incredible. It invokes every single human emotion... fear, hate, love, disgust, sadness. It connects with a reader on an entirely different level, but remains faithful to complete human fragility.

The characters are all stunningly written. I especially appreciated Susan Kay's treatment of Erik and Christine. Instead of making Christine a zombiefied puppet always in the Phantom's trance, Susan Kay delves deep into the world of psychology to explain her complicated relationship with the Phantom. Because when you think about it, what would draw someone to a creepy stalker with the face of a corpse? Yet the ALWeber musical is the longest running stage musical, ever. There is something very deep that draws us to the Phantom, and Susan Kay does an excellent job of explaining that strange relationship.

And Erik's story... wow. Absolutely heart-wrenching. It really shows the Phantom in a new light, and explains the "method behind the madness," if you will. Like I mentioned before, when you are reading this interpretation of Erik's story, every imaginable emotion is brought out in you.

The setting of this novel, from Paris to Persia, was very well written and superbly described. The history was also very well researched. I went into the story expecting more focus to be on the story, but Susan Kay managed to include well-researched history, which made the story come to life.

Gaston Leroux's novel was a bit dry on the actual "story" side, because it was written as more of a Mystery/Thriller. But this novel keeps the reader absolutely engrossed with every turn of the page. The story is never dull. It is all too easy, in fact, to get lost in the Phantom's world.

This novel was really, really excellent. Not only did this book interrupt me from reading another book, it kept me up till around 5am on more than one occasion. Any "phans" of the story of the Phantom of the Opera must read this book. Please believe me when I will say you will not be disappointed by this masterpiece.

MY RATING

5*****

Book #17 in Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

ARC Review: The Dig by Audrey Hart

GENRE

YA Fiction / Fantasy (208 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archaeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece.

As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what.

Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her.

MY REVIEW

This book was sent to me by the author, Audrey Hart, as an ARC ebook. After I read the synopsis, I knew this book was going to be right up my alley.

I've always held a fascination with Ancient Greece. I think it's the whole god-human interaction. The myths of Greece tell of many instances where the gods fall in love with mortals, which always intrigued me. It's almost like the gods had some unquenchable desire for humans, even though they were all-powerful and immortal.

Anywho, I absolutely loved this book! This was really the first book in a very long time to make me laugh out loud. Not just a little chuckle, but a big booming laugh that probably made my mother think that I was crazy. There's so much humor in this novel, it's really impossible not to crack a smile.

I have to say my favorite part of this novel was its heroine, Zoe. Really, she was one of the most well-written leading females I've read in quite a while! It was so incredibly easy for me to relate to her. I think a lot of younger readers out there will really connect with Zoe and her "outsider" status and awkwardness with boys. I certainly did! Zoe has such an amazing voice throughout the novel, it's really very hard not to connect with her.

I also really like the perspective Audrey Hart takes on the gods of Ancient Greece. When it comes down to it, the gods are really nothing more than immortal humans. Audrey reminds us that we are all human, especially when it comes to a thing like love. No one is really truly perfect, so why don't we all just embrace it?

Another thing I quite enjoyed was that when Zoe first travels back to Ancient Greece, she realizes that even though the people speak Greek, it's an archaic form of the language she can't understand. The history geek in me totally ate this up. It made her time travel all the more believable.

The story was really fast-paced and had me turning pages like a maniac. I really couldn't put it down! It was very well-written, without any over-complicated plot to confuse readers. It was a very easy read, but that doesn't mean it was any less exciting. There are many references to modern pop culture, which keep the book current and refreshing.

All in all, this was a really great book. Like I said before, I haven't had a book make me smile in a very long time! This was a really great read, with an exceptionally great heroine. Don't pass this up!

Oh, and I will definitely be reading the sequel, as the end of the book is a semi-cliff hanger!

MY RATING

4.5****/*

(This book is available on Amazon.com)

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

GENRE

YA Historical Fiction / General Fiction (238 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips...conks her head...and wakes up in the year 1815!

There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily's family, Callie warms to them - particularly to Emily's cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.

But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex's heart, before her time in the past is up?

MY REVIEW

I was a little hesitant when picking up this novel. I didn't exactly know how far I was willing to stray from Jane Austen. I guess it was the "purist" in me that wasn't immediately drawn to this book.

But I have to say, it was really very charming! It was well (if simply) written, the characters were likable, and the story was well done.

I wouldn't count on too much Jane Austen influence here, though. The "Prejudice" side of the title really refers to the time period, the Regency, rather than the story. The main similarities were that Callie's love interest, Alex, was of course the Mr. Darcy of her world, and that Callie reminded me a bit of Emma with her matchmaker (or in her case, breaker) qualities.

That being said, it was still a very enjoyable story. Callie was definitely likable and relatable as the girl who just wants to fit in with the "it" crowd and save herself from embarrassment. She has a very human teenage girl quality that I think young readers will very much enjoy.

I also have to commend Mandy Hubbard for her outstanding character development. You can really see at the end of the novel how far Callie has come from that shy, people-pleasing girl to being so much more sure of herself. I think maybe we could all learn a thing or two if we time-traveled back to Regency England!

The plot was well done, with a big twist at the end that stayed true to the Pride & Prejudice story (Mr. Darcy's side of the story, anyway). It was never boring or dull, and Callie's vivaciousness really kept the story moving.

All in all, this was a great, quick read that was very well done. I think it is a great read for those younger readers who are just being introduced into the world of Jane Austen.

MY RATING

4****

Part of Jane Austen Week, Hosted by Historical Tapestry

Be sure to check out my "For the Love of Jane!" Giveaway!

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

GENRE

Classic Literature / Historical Fiction (127 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway's most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal--a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the classic theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss.

MY REVIEW

I picked up this title at my local bookstore because it was a required read; not for me, but for my younger brother. Let's just say he is quite the opposite of me when it comes to reading... he will rarely read a book, and if he does, it's almost always required. So, I told him we would tag-team read this, making it much less painful for him.

I was very surprised by this little book. And believe me, it is little. If it were just me reading it, I probably would have finished in a few hours. But I am glad I got to tag-team this read; it gave me just a bit more time to savor Hemingway's classic work.

I think the beauty of this novel resides in its simplicity: the prose is plain, unadorned, and very easy to read. But this contemporary prose holds so much power over the reader. It makes you really focus on the story, which is a masterpiece in its own right.

The old man's story is one full of triumph and loss, elation and sadness. He is such a simple fisherman struggling against something so much bigger than himself. It is the classic "man vs. nature" story. The old man realizes what it is to be human, and in turn, so does the reader.

So many lessons can be learned from this little novel... patience, humility, perseverance. It was really quite a good story, and beautifully written. And it's so short, you'll be done in no time.

MY RATING

4.5****/*

Book #9 in Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Book Haul: Paris, France

So, I went to Paris over my spring break. Yeah, it was pretty darn fantastic. Okay, it was amazing to put it lightly. Of course, I couldn't come home to dreary old America without bringing back some books from some pretty awesome locations to liven things up. Here's a peek!

Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo (Genre: Classic Literature)

Three extraordinary characters caught in a web of fatal obsession are at the center of Hugo's novel. The grotesque hunchback, Quasimodo, bellringer of Notre-Dame, owes his life to the austere archdeacon, Claude Frollo, who is in turn bound by hopeless passion to the gypsy dancer Esmeralda. She, meanwhile, is bewitched by a handsome, empty-headed officer, but by an unthinking act of kindness wins Quasimodo's selfless devotion. Notre-Dame de Paris is a monument to Romanticism at its most colourful and vigorous.

(I bought Notre-Dame at a bookstore about a block from our hotel, called Galignani, which just happened to be the first English bookstore established on the European continent! Only in Paris.)

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (Genre: Classic Literature)

Strange things are going on at the Paris Opera House: a mysterious phantom--a skeleton in dinner dress--is wreaking havoc amongst the singers and the backstage staff. When new managers take over, and dismiss the rumours of the Opera Ghost, the terror really begins. Who is the mysterious figure stalking the stage at night? How can he be everywhere at once, and enter and leave locked rooms at will? And what is his connection to the beautiful and talented young soloist, Christine? Gaston Leroux's brilliant and disturbing book is steeped in Gothic tension and haunting horror.

(Of course, I bought The Phantom at the Opéra Garnier, a.k.a the Paris Opera House. I have been a huge Phan of the Phantom for years now, and lets just say I walked those haunted halls squealing like the Phangirl I am. Anyways, thanks for listening to me blather on, happy reading!)

P.S. Oh! And another literary thing I forgot... I was walking down the main street next to our hotel, called the Rue de Rivoli, and right where you have to cross the street to get to the metro station, there's a building there with a marble plaque on it that reads: "Leo Tolstoi lived here." Once again, I can say, only in Paris!

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

GENRE

Classic Literature / Fiction (194 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

Oscar Wilde brings his enormous gifts for astute social observation and sparkling prose to The Picture of Dorian Gray, his dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged—petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral—while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying, enchanting, obsessing, even corrupting readers for more than a hundred years.
Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aestheticism, and to the depths of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not only a melodrama about moral corruption. Laced with bon mots and vivid depictions of upper-class refinement, it is also a fascinating look at the milieu of Wilde’s fin-de-siècle world and a manifesto of the creed “Art for Art’s Sake.”


MY REVIEW

I have always wanted to read this book. I had heard from many others that this was a great classic fiction read, and being the classic fiction afficionado that I am, I just had to try it.

The Picture of Dorian Gray, to put it frankly, is one huge mind game. This philosophy in here will literally blow your mind. The way our main antagonist, Lord Henry Wotton thinks--how he views the world--is absolutely astounding. This heavy philosophical factor was both a good and bad thing... on one hand, it makes the reader really think, really presents them with a new perspective. But on the other hand, during some passages, I actually had to stop and comprehend what I was reading, which got a bit tedious at some points. But I really enjoyed that element of the book.

I loved Lord Henry Wotton's character. He's the kind of man who you should be best friends with, and whom you should never be enemies with. His witty quips and his philosophies about life are amazing. In some ways, by bringing out your "bad self," he makes you show your true character, your true colors. And I quite enjoyed that about him.

Poor Dorian Gray. If that's not a tortured soul, I don't know what is. He starts off a perfectly, well, perfect human being, but thanks to the corruption of Lord Henry, he becomes a dark, twisted being who drives people to suicide on more than one account and is capable of murder. His hunt for eternal perfection, eternal youth ends up killing him in the end. Such a tragic man, but such a dynamic character at the same time. He stands for so much in this story.

I loved the fact that just because this novel is set in Victorian England doesn't mean its tea parties and balls all of the time. Oscar Wilde did an outstanding job with writing the scenery in this novel. It's really reflective of Dorian Gray's character. In the beginning, when Dorian was still "pure," the sceneries are lush, romantic, typical Victorian-esque settings. But when Dorian turns darker, so does the world around him. London becomes a dark place... it becomes less of the prim and proper, and more seedy taverns and opium dens. I really admired Wilde's writing of the setting... it just brought everything together.

The ending is so epic! It couldn't have ended better in my opinion. This is one of those times where I have to say, "you just have to read it for yourself."

Overall, Dorian Gray was quite a twisted story. Don't go into reading this book thinking it's a typical classic Victorian novel... it is far from that. The dialogue is mind bending, the scenery fantastic, and the characters incredibly dynamic. If you are a classic literature lover, this is a must read! In fact, it's a must read for everyone!

MY RATING

5*****

Book Haul: Borders

Greetings and happy Sunday everyone! I had the fortunate chance to stop by Borders today. No, I didn't come back with a huge haul, but it's enough to make me happy... for now. Here's a sneak peak at my two new titles...

Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher (Genre: Y.A. Historical Fiction)

With her mother ill, it's up to fifteen-year-old Ruby Jacinski to support her family. But in the 1940s, the only opportunities open to a Polish-American girl from Chicago's poor Yards is a job in one of the meat-packing plants. Through a chance meeting with a local tough, Ruby lands a job as a taxi dancer—a girl paid ten cents to dance with any man—and soon becomes an expert in the art of "fishing" as she works her patrons for meals, clothes, even jewelry. Drawn ever deeper into the world of dance halls, jazz, and the mob, Ruby gradually realizes that the only one who can save her is herself.


The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Genre: Fiction / Classic Literature)

A dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. This dandy, who remains forever unchanged—petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral—while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years, has been horrifying, enchanting, obsessing, even corrupting readers for more than a hundred years. Taking the reader in and out of London drawing rooms, to the heights of aestheticism, and to the depths of decadence, The Picture of Dorian Gray is not only a melodrama about moral corruption.

Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors

GENRE

Y.A. Fiction / Historical Fiction (241 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

Mimi Wallingford, of the famous Wallingford actors, wishes to be anywhere but onstage for the final performance of Romeo and Juliet. Acting isn't for her, even if her family's future relies on it. Being transported to Shakepseare's Verona wasn't what she had in mind either, but when the magical ashes clear, she's suddenly not in Manhattan anymore--and her heartthrob costar Troy Summer, is along for the ride.

After Mimi befriends the real Juliet Capulet, she just can't allow the play to reach the tragic end that she and Troy have acted out countless times before. But if saving Juliet means changing the greatest love story of all time, will Mimi and Troy ever make it back to Broadway?

MY REVIEW

First off, let me say that I enjoy Shakespeare immensly, if only I could come to understand his darn writing! For all you young adults out there that are new timers to Shakespeare and don't speak and understand fluent Old English, this novel is perfect for you.

The story is very exciting and fun. I really like this particular time-traveling novel because when our two modern main characters are first transported, they have to work their way into the houses of Capulet and Montague. It's refreshing to find this change, because I find that with a lot of other time-travelling novels, the characters appear and POOF, they fit right in with the customs and people. Not so in this story!

I can really connect with our protagonist, Mimi. She is extremely prone to panic attacks (I've had my fair share) and nervous breakdowns on stage because she is just so terrified of acting. On this level I could really connect with her, and it made me really sympathize with her. I felt her pain!

The characters are oh so important in this novel! I'm mean, come on, their world famous. And Suzanne Selfors does an excellent job of make them modern, living and breathing people that the audience can understand. From the lovely Juliet, to her evil mother Lady Capulet, to the handsome and ruthless Benvolio, Selfors nails the characters!

I loved the spin Ms. Selfors put on the ending! I wish that was the way that Shakespeare would have wrote it. Mr. Shakespeare, I demand a rewrite! Your story is just too tragic.

Susanne Selfors also does a wonderful job of recreating the city of Verona, and is beautiful with her details. You can really feel it, breathe it; it's almost like you're there, trucking along right beside the characters.

This book was such a fun romp! Laughs, adventure, romance... it's all here! A really entertaining read, with a great ending. A wonderful spin on a treasured story.

MY RATING

4.5****/*

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

GENRE

Fiction / Classic Literature (235 pgs.)


SYNOPSIS

The Scarlet Letter is the story of three New England settlers at odds with the puritan society in which they live. Roger Chillingworth, an aging scholar, arrives in New England after two years' separation from his wife Hester to find her on trial for adultery. For refusing to reveal her lover's identity, she is condemned to wear a letter 'A' sewn onto her clothes. Roger resolves to discover and destroy the man who has stolen his honor.


MY REVIEW

Some of you may be wondering why I bothered to review this book. "Dude, I totally had to read that in high school. You're not supposed to review required reading books, because they all suck." Well, I assure you this novel is one of the few exceptions. Bear with me.

As I first picked up my dreaded summer reading list for AP Language and Composition, I noticed this title was on it (Yes, I readily admit that I did not read this book just for fun... at first). I picked it up at my local Borders, sat down with highlighter and pen in hand ready for annotations, and began to read away. The funny thing was, I couldn't put this book down.

One of the first literary heroines (and one of the best, in my opinion), Hester Prynne is a character that transcends time. She is a very modern-day woman stuck in the realm of early American Puritan harshness. She does not let others get the best of her, no matter what the obstacle, no matter what the situation.

Roger Chillingworth is the perfect villain. Twisted by hate and jealousy, he is willing to stop at nothing to have his revenge on his unfaithful wife. Devious, he infiltrates at the heart of the mystery, just like any good modern villain would do.

The Rev. Dimmesdale, despite his characteristics of general wimpiness, has a love for Hester that is strong and true. Sure, he's not the breathtakingly romantic type, but he fights hard in defense of his love Hester.

I have no idea what could have made a novel off of my summer reading list so appealing. Maybe it was Mr. Hawthorne's fascinating style of writing, with his symbolism and vivid imagery. Maybe it was the deep connectiong with nature present throughout the book, so characteristic of the Romantic period, that made the story fresh and real. Maybe it was the plot, masterfully crafted, shrouded in mystery, full of cliff-hangers and hidden secrets. It read like a modern historical fiction/mystery novel, only better. I ate it up.

This novel truly transcends time. It is so perfectly written, so shrouded in dark mystery, so passionate. Really, I couldn't put it down. This book, to me, was really exciting. A truly great work of classic fiction.

So if any of you high-school teenagers out there are reading this post, and are required to read the Scarlet Letter for school, PLEASE don't pass up the opportunity. You will regret it. Step out of the box and give the book a try. You won't be dissapointed.

Lastly, just a quick warning about wordiness. Yes, this book was published in 1850, but trust me, the story makes up for that fact.

MY RATING

5*****

An interesting tidbit... a new movie called Easy A is coming out this summer, and is a modern take on the Scarlet Letter. It actually looks really good! Trailer below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7W6pEuAW0

First Love by Ivan Turgenev

GENRE

Classic Literature / Fiction (107 pgs.)

SYNOPSIS

When the down-at-heel Princess Zasyekin moves next door to the country estate of Vladimir Petrovich's parents, he instantly and overwhelmingly falls in love with his neighbor's daughter, Zinaida. But the capricious young woman already has many admirers and, as she plays her suitors against each other, Vladimir's unrequited youthful passion soon turns to torment and despair - although he remains unaware of his true rival for Zinaida's affections. Set in the world of nineteenth-century Russia's fading aristocracy, Turgenev's story depicts a boy's growth of knowledge and mastery over his own heart as he awakens to the complex nature of adult love.

MY REVIEW

First Love by Ivan Turgenev details the story of Vladimir Petrovich, Russian schoolboy who falls helplessly in love with his neighbor's daughter Zinaida, despite competition from many older suitors. I first discovered this book after watching the move "Lover's Prayer," which is based on this book. I'm so glad that I found this novella... I discovered a hidden gem.

Turgenevs' prose is lilting and intoxicating. Throughout this short read, I felt as if I should have been reading this book lying in a field wildflowers or something. I know it sounds goofy, but it's true. The pages of this novella are simply bursting with feeling, which is exactly what our young protagonist is doing. One of my favorite quotes:

"Oh, gentle feelings, soft sounds, the goodness and the gradual stilling of a soul that has been moved; the melting happiness of the first tender, touching joys of love - where are you? Where are you?"

Because this book is written about a sixteen-year-old boy's First Love, it's practically raw emotion, all the time. When Vladimir's heart aches for the lovely Zinaida, you can feel it. You can feel his despair when SPOILER he finds out that the one Zinaida truly loves is his own father. END SPOILER You can clearly sense his undying devotion to his love.

Speaking of our protagonist, Vladimir stole my heart. SO incredibly romantic... and so devoted, undyingly. He would do anything for his love. Call me what you will (love-sick fool!), but I'd take Vladimir anyday.

The scenery is breathtaking. I have NEVER wanted to visit Russia, but this book made me want visit Russia and to stroll aimlessly through the Russian countryside. Prefferably with Mr. Vladimir. ; )

Don't be discouraged by the fact that this book was written in 1860. It is simply written and easily understandable. And it is truly a beautiful read.

MY RATING

5*****

Watch the trailer for Lover's Prayer here (but read the book before you watch the movie!):

Lover's Prayer Trailer

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

GENRE

Classic English Literature, Fiction.

SYNOPSIS

'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.' Thus memorably begins Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, definitely one of the world's most popular novels. P&P, as it is sometimes so amiably nicknamed, follows the story of a young woman, Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters who is impelled constantly by her mother to marry rich, as she confounds and charms the arrogant, prejudiced, and wealthy Mr. Darcy. Set in regency England, this story is the classic tale of love at all costs.

MY REVIEW

I thought a review of this novel would be an excellent way to start off my blog! What can I say that hasn't already been said by so many others? Pride and Prejudice is just simply the best. Jane Austen's incredible wit and amazing character development really truly never gets old. I absolutely adore the whole Mr. Collins visit, and Mr. Bennet's many witty quips to save the day: "From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents.--Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."

The emotion in this novel practically springs from the pages of this book, and really seeps into you, making you really care about the characters. On a personal level, I can see some of myself in Elizabeth Bennet, P&P's main protagonist, and she is probably one of my favorite literary heroines of all time. And what's not to like about the handsome, brooding, regency heartthrob known as Mr. Darcy? Can anyone say super history crush?

My favorite part of this novel is the confrontation between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth concerning Mr. Darcy's offer of marriage. Jane Austen wrote this with such eloquence on Elizabeth's part, it never ceases to amaze me. Lizzy's character just shines so bright in this part, as she tells Lady Catherine off, and I can't wait till the end every time I reread it... just simply a wow moment.

All in all, one of the best reads of all time. Gripping story, lovely characters, incredible charm. Get ready to enhance your reading level by a bazillion points, though; it can be pretty wordy at times (in the best of ways). First timers to the wonderful Ms. Austen might find it semi-challenging.

(P.S. After you're done reading this amazing novel, be sure to watch both the Keira Knightley version and the BBC miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice! Both are excellent.)

MY RATING

5 *****