Books read today: The Da Vinci Code
All books finished: Marie Antoinette, The Da Vinci Code
Okay, I didn't do a challenge yesterday because I got sucked down the rabbit hole of The Da Vinci Code. But today I'm going to START the day with a challenge!
Today's challenge is simple: "Like This, Try This" hosted by Writing My Own Fairy Tale. Basically you just give a recommendation based on a book someone may have already liked, as in: "If you like ____, try ____." I find that a lot of people first get into classics with Jane Austen, but then they become disappointed because other classics aren't so Austen-y. So today I'm going to recommend some classics for Austen lovers who don't know where to turn once they've exhausted the Austen options.
If you like Jane Austen, try this:
Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Okay, part of my jumping to recommend this is because I just finished it, and I loved it and I just needed to recommend it. Hah. But in reality, Gaskell is a wonderful first place to go after Austen. Wives and Daughters, like Austen's novels, focuses on the life of a little family who doesn't always get along, with some members who aren't very smart or very kind, with two daughters whom are considered by the community as fodder for marriage. And it examines social norms and the role of women in society. Just like Austen!
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Like Austen, this novel follows a young woman as she makes decisions about marriage, family, and friends, and as she tries to fit into the community and achieve her goals in a changing world. Unlike Austen, the main character is quite selfish and the story is set during the most brutal war in American history. So, diversity, guys!
Evelina by Frances Burney
Now here's a more obscure classic you may not have heard of. Frances Burney wrote Evelina right around the time Austen was writing, and out of these three recommendations, it's the one with a plot most similar to Austen's--young girl with an unfortunate history who means well but keeps getting into bad situations, meeting various men who may want to take advantage of her or may sincerely care about her, etc. (And more examining of social norms and the female role in society, yay!) This one is a little darker than Austen, though, with some characters and events that are just downright wrong (not to mention strange).
Reading update: I finished The Da Vinci Code today, and then I got caught up in other things so I didn't do any more reading. This is turning out to be a pretty laid-back readathon for me, but that's okay. I think I can still achieve my goals! (Or at least I'll be well on my way.)
I think you made good recommendations! I've never read Gone with the Wind, though, or seen the movie. Someone told me the plot-line once and it just sounded overly depressing with no gain. But I love Evelina! And Elizabeth Gaskell, although I'm only reading North and South now--but it's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to Gone with the Wind, but it is slightly chunky haha. Anyways, happy reading and good luck on your goals for the rest of the readathon! ;)
ReplyDeleteI loved Wives and Daughters when I read it earlier this year. The miniseries has always been one of my favorites. I've been meaning to read Gone with the Wind... it's on my classics club list. :) I've never heard of Evelina though.... I'll have to look into it. Thanks for the recommendations. :)
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