Sunday, March 6, 2011

"The Girl In The Gatehouse" by Julie Klassen

I really liked the cover!
The Girl In The Gatehouse by Julie Klassen is historical fiction about Mariah who was sent away from her home for inappropriate behavior to live in a gatehouse on her aunt’s property.   This takes place in the 1800s when it was considered unladylike to be an author so Mariah wrote a couple books under a pseudonym.

There were quotes before each chapter but the harshest I think was this one by Nathaniel Hawthorne in a letter to his publisher, 1852:  All women as authors, are feeble and tiresome.  I wish they were forbidden to write. 

I found the historical quotes interesting and also the book cover.  There is mystery, romance and the insight into the 1800s in this story.  I enjoyed the interaction with the people in the poor house across the street from the estate, especially when Mariah got her friends to put on a little play for those at the poor house.  There are a lot of characters, but they were introduced slowly enough to be able to get to know them. 

I had to laugh when I came to the part of Captain Bryant discussing Mariah’s novel with her and his lieutenant, Mr. Hart, when he did not know she was the author because it summed up how I was feeling about this book:
He snapped the book shut.  “It is all so much gentlewoman gibberish to me.” . . .. In any case, I am afraid I find the book frightfully dull.
“Let me guess,” Hart said.  “No swordplay, no gunfire, and no horse races.”
“Exactly.  Lots of long looks and deep discussions.”
Hart raised one finger high.  “And therein lies the void between the sexes.  Women want long looks and deep discussions, and men want to ride and shoot.”
There was so little action and it moved so slow, several times I had trouble keeping my eyes open!  I plowed through it though because I have seen several good reviews for it and I got to liking the characters.  I loved the ending--and not just because it was over!  The theme is forgiveness and to move on even if you make mistakes, don't dwell in the past.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? You can help the charity at the top of this blog by leaving a comment on any of our blogs in March. We will donate 50 cents per comment at the end of the month.

If you want to see other bloggers thoughts on this book, visit Christian Fiction Book Club over at Edgy Inspirational Romance.

5 comments:

  1. I think part of what I loved about this was the pace of it. Jane Austen books had a very slow pace too, but there is some draw about that simple life.

    We just chose this book for our next book club discussion which posts April 9. Will you consider joining us? You can write up your post now and schedule it in advance. Details are here:

    http://www.edgyinspirationalromance.com/2011/03/overhaul-for-christian-fiction-book.html

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  2. Thanks for linking up! How cute that your cat posed with the book. :)

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  3. I loved the cover too! And wasn't the ending great?!

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  4. When she dies, she leaves Mariah the key to a mysterious chest. But, her death also means that her step-son, Jack, is in charge. Immediately he begins charging Mariah rent, and she has to find a way to support herself or become homeless. Her love of writing (a huge taboo for women during this time) saves the day as her brother helps connect her with a publisher. During this time, Mariah also meets Captain Matthew Bryant, the man who is renting the main house to lift himself up in the world and win the hand of the woman he loves.

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  5. Awww, that is me on the cover! How sweet, I am glad you like it! I had to click when I saw your adorable kitty posing with it! :)

    ~Happy reading!

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