Books have a way of bringing us together and creating conversations that will hopefully reveal our common humanity.
The literary podcast, Bonnets At Dawn, premiered in 2017. When the original episodes focused on the works, lives, and fandoms of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen, later seasons expanded to other women writers from the 19th and 20th centuries who deserve equal time in the limelight.
Bonnets At Dawn is one of my favorite podcasts. I appreciate the intelligent conversations and the approach that is fan-based with an academic angle.
Hello readers! You are about to witness the virtual Jane Austen Oscars awards ceremony. The winners have been selected by a well-qualified committee, which consists of the owner of this blog and her friend Molly. The committee does not have the funds to support the cash prizes, so they are forcing the losers to pay […]
The schedule for the Character Review posts will be changing to Friday (or Saturday at the latest from now on).
* I chose not to write a new post last week in order to watch the series finale. These final few posts will reflect the narratives of the characters (at least the ones I have not written about).
*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the book and the television show Sanditon. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show. There is something to be said about a well-written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.
When we are initially introduced to the teenage Augusta Markham (Eloise Webb), she is at a stage in life that is very confusing. She is obviously not a child. But she is also not yet an adult who has the experience, wisdom (and heartache) that life brings us.
When Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) is hired as the new governess for Augusta Markham (Eloise Webb) and her cousin Leonora “Leo” Colbourne ” (Flora Mitchell), Augusta turns into a brat. She thinks she knows better and is not unwilling to inform Charlotte of it.
Orphaned at a young age, Augusta is an heiress and the ward of her uncle, Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd Hughes). Though Leo immediately embraces Charlotte as a mother figure, it takes some time for August to drop the attitude. When she does, she learns that Charlotte knows more than she thinks she does. When Colbourne decides that it is time to rejoin society, he takes Augusta with him. With Charlotte’s support, she starts to come into her own.
After her uncle ends his brief romance with Charlotte, Augusta is devastated. When Charlotte returns to Sanditon, she is thrilled and determined to bring them back together.
She is also in the throws of young love. The man is Sir Edward Denham (Jack Fox). Their courtship is held in secret until Edward asks Colbourne for formal permission to court Augusta. Given their age difference and his reputation, his request is denied. As many young ladies tend to do, she ignores what the adults are saying.
When Edward proposes that they run away and elope (a la Lydia Bennet and George Wickham), Augusta agrees. When they are finally found by Colbourne and Charlotte, Edward turns cold and reveals himself to be the fortune hunter that he was known as. Brokenhearted, Augusta returns home. She eventually recovers and opens herself up to new romantic possibilities, but not before going through a few growing pains along the way.
To sum it up: We can all relate to Augusta. Her narrative of growing up, discovering herself, and accepting that she is not always right is completely normal. Though she has stepped into a few potholes, she is on the path to becoming the woman she wants to be.
The schedule for the Character Review posts will be changing to Friday (or Saturday at the latest from now on).
*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the book and the television show Sanditon. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show. There is something to be said about a well-written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.
For some, marriage is not about love and companionship. It is an opportunity to climb up the economic or professional ladder. In Sanditon, Eliza Campion (Ruth Kearney) is the great love/ex of Sidney Parker (Theo James). When it looked like their future was on solid ground, she left for her late husband. He was older and quite wealthy. For reasons that are unknown to the viewer, she chose him over Sidney.
Now a wealthy widow, Eliza re-enters Sidney’s life. Seeing that his relationship with Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) is gaining traction, she does everything she can to break them apart. This includes snidely pointing out that Charlotte is a country girl.
Though it appears that Eliza’s second chance with Sidney has vanished before it could truly start, an opportunity comes her way that cannot be refused. Sidney’s brother Tom (Kris Marshall) has made a huge financial mistake. The family and the business they run are on the brink of bankruptcy. The only way out is for Eliza to become Mrs. Sidney Parker.
To sum it up: In the end, Eliza got what she wanted. But as we all know, their marriage was short-lived. Sidney died shortly after they married, leaving Eliza twice widowed. While we, as the audience, are not privy to her future after her husband’s death, I can’t help but get a kick out of this antagonist getting her due (even when we mourn for Sidney).
The schedule for the Character Review posts will be changing to Friday (or Saturday at the latest from now on).
*I apologize for not posting last weekend. There is only so much that can be done in a day.
*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the book and the television show Sanditon. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show. There is something to be said about a well-written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.
The image of an artist is often a romantic one. Though they are lauded for their work, they live on the edge of polite society. Unshackled by the rules of what is or is not “proper”, they are free to live as they see fit. In Sanditon, Charles Lockhart (Alexander Vlahos) introduced to the city and its residents an artist on the rise. His charm comes from giving no f*cks and has no problem flaunting the rules.
The first reaction came from Arthur Parker (Turlough Convery). He is the one to initiate Lockhart’s introduction to the larger Parker family circle and to Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke). Immediately taken by the man, he becomes the man’s friend and muse. But Georgiana is not as quick as Arthur to open up. When they are seated next to one another, her walls start to come down. Eventually, they fall in love and he proposes that they run away and get married.
But then the big reveal (dun dun dun) causes it all to come crashing down. Charles is a very good actor. He believes that he is the rightful heir to Georgiana’s late father and pretended to fall for her so he could get his hands on her inheritance. When the plan to marry backfired, his true character as a con artist was revealed. He leaves the city, promising to come back and take what he believes to be his.
When we last see him, Charles has given notice that he is suing Georgiana in order to get his hands on her money.
To sum it up: Charles makes his own luck. He ignores the rules and in doing so, makes himself even more admirable and attractive than previously thought to be. He is also a cad and not unwilling to lie to get what he wants.
Falling in love with your best friend is complicated. As much as you know this person, you also know that there is a chance that your friendship may not last.
Maid of Dishonor (the first in the Love Mishaps series), by Gracie Ruth Mitchell, was published in 2021. Samantha Quinn and Carter Ellis have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Neither knows that one is in love with the other. While doing everything they can to prevent Carter’s cousin from marrying for the wrong reasons, their unspoken feelings rise to the surface.
Both Samantha and Carter have emotional scars that are preventing them from revealing their feelings. They can either pretend that nothing has changed or take the plunge, not knowing what their future holds.
I loved this book. It has all of the elements of the genre. But it is neither completely predictable nor boring. The chemistry between Samantha and Carter sizzles. They have a perfect Emma Woodhouse and George Knightly-style relationship that quickly drew me in and held me until the last page.
My only issue is the low point in the story could have been extended a bit more.
Do I recommend it?
Absolutely. Maid of Dishonor is available wherever books are sold.
The schedule for the Character Review posts will be changing to Friday (or Saturday at the latest from now on).
*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the book and the television show Sanditon. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show. There is something to be said about a well-written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.
When we lose the one we love, getting used to the fact they are no longer is not easy. Some are able to eventually move on and open their heart again. Others remain lost in their memories and can only see through the lens of grief.
In Sanditon, Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd Hughes) is introduced to both Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) and the audience as a reclusive widower who is in need of a governess. After saving his tomboy daughter Leonora (Flora Mitchell) from being run over by a horse, Charlotte is offered the position. She is also in charge of his rebellious teenage niece, Augusta Markam (Eloise Webb). Instead of mingling with his neighbors and enjoying all that Sanditon has to offer, he keeps to himself.
Their relationship starts out as employer and employee. Alexander has not yet gotten over the loss of his late wife. Charlotte is still missing her late first love Sidney Parker (Theo James). It is nothing more than a business relationship. Charlotte is determined to remain single and earn her keep. Alexander’s main concern is his estate and the young ladies in his charge. But, as time goes on, they begin to open up and understand one another.
This opens the door to an attraction that becomes undeniable. It also reveals a secret and a previously unknown and scandalous connection to Colonel Francis Lennox (Tom Weston Jones). After they finally admit their feelings for one another, he pushes her away, leaving Charlotte heartbroken for the second time. Though Alexander has the opportunity to take back his decision, he chooses not to.
To sum it up: It takes courage to live again when the person you thought that you would be with forever is gone. It takes an equal amount of courage to love again. Unfortunately, Alexander chooses another route, breaking both his and Charlotte’s heart at the same time.
When life hands us lemons, the only thing we can do is make lemonade.
In the 2008 film, Sunshine Cleaning, single mother Rose (Amy Adams) is in a bind. She wants to send her son to an expensive private school to ensure that he gets a good education. But it is not within her financial means to do so. She starts a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service with her sister Norah (Emily Blunt).
Norah is to Marianne Dashwood as Rose is to her elder sister Elinor. Rose is determined to succeed. But she knows that it will not be easy. Especially when she is working with Norah and their father, Joe (Alan Arkin).
This movie is charming and adorable. It speaks to the ingenuity that kicks in when all seems lost. It also has two female lead characters in which romance takes a back seat to getting by on their own two feet.
The schedule for the Character Review posts will be changing to Friday (or Saturday at the latest from now on).
I apologize for not posting last week. There is only so much writing that can be done in a day.
*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the book and the television show Sanditon. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show. There is something to be said about a well-written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.
Life is an adventure. So is being young. In Sanditon, Alison Heywood (Rosie Graham) is the younger sister of Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams). Compared to her older sister, Alison is young, slightly naive, and excited about the unknown. Upon arriving in Sanditon, there are nothing but possibilities, especially in the area of romance.
It is love at first sight with Captain William Carter (Maxim Ays). He is charming, handsome, romantic, and looks good in uniform. She expects to walk into the sunset with him. While she is head over heels for Captain Carter, Alison strikes up an immediate dislike for Captain Declan Frasier (Frank Blake). He seems to disapprove of everything she says and does. He also turns up when she least wants him to.
When it appears that everything is going right, it all goes wrong. Alison nearly drowns when the boat she is in with Captain Carter turns over. Unable to swim, she is brought to safety by Captain Frasier. With her eyes open, she pushes Captain Carter away. It is only then (like Marianne Dashwood), that she realizes that the man she has been looking for has been there along: Captain Frasier.
When we last them, they are newly married and looking forward to a bright future.
To sum it up: You never know where life will take you. Sometimes all you need is an open heart and the willingness to learn from your mistakes. Though she is young and starry-eyed, she is smart enough to know when to change course.
The schedule for the Character Review posts will be changing to Friday (or Saturday at the latest from now on).
*Warning: This post contains spoilers about the characters from the book and the television show Sanditon. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the show. There is something to be said about a well-written, human character. They leap off the page and speak to us as if they were right in front of us, as flesh and blood human beings, instead of fictional creations.
It’s hard to watch the one you love love someone else. There are only two things that can be done. The first is to try to move on. The second is to hope and wait that this person returns your affection. In Sanditon, Captain Declan Fraser (Frank Blake) is in love with Alison Heywood (Rosie Graham). But Alison only has eyes for another soldier, Captain William Carter (Maxim Ays).
Like Colonel Brandon before him, he is a stalwart to the end. Captain Fraser knows Captain Carter’s history, but remains silent. When he and Alison initially meet, he acts as if he doesn’t care. She thinks he is rude. Though he drops breadcrumbs about his feelings, Alison cannot see that he loves her. It is only after Alison nearly drowns and is saved by Captain Fraser (Captain Carter cannot swim), that truths are revealed. When we last see the Captain and Alison, they are married and looking forward to whatever life may bring.
To sum it up: Sometimes we have to get to know a person to truly know them. The slow revelation that is Captain Fraser reveals an honorable man who loves deeply and puts others first. This maturity and understanding mark him as a man worthy of Alison, but a husband (and future father) who knows where his priorities lie.
Writergurlny 
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