Wow, it's been forever since I wrote a book review! Whoops 😬
The last read of July was
The Nonesuch, a Regency romance by Georgette Heyer. Heyer was basically the author who made Regency romance novels a thing and has greatly impacted the genre (second only to Jane Austen herself, of course). This book is about the most popular rich gentleman in London buying a mansion in a small country town and getting to know everyone, and everyone freaking out and gossiping about him. A "nonesuch" appears to be the male version of the society's "diamond of the first water". The nonesuch brings his young titled cousin with him, and the most beautiful girl in town sets her eyes on him, while her governess catches the eyes of the nonesuch. If you love the characters and setting of a Regency English country town more than the main romantic pairings, you will love this book. I didn't mind this that much, but spending so much time with other characters over the romances was unexpected. The beautiful girl was so spoiled and a pain in the ass that I wanted to shake some sense into her. The drama she creates eclipses the other romantic pairing in this book, and the author doesn't help by telling rather than showing its progression. Overall, just fine. Recommended if you like Regency historical romance novels. 3.5 out of 5 stars, selling. No spice (just kisses).
Trigger warnings: teen girl flirts with and is flirted with by adult men (early twenties and early/mid-thirties), horses being whipped mentions, era-typical sexism, era-typical classism, lookism
Good Omens has been dominating my mindscape lately, as the second season came out in late July. I watched it, then watched the whole show all the way through, then turned to this book in desperation. There were so many little details I'd forgotten, and some random racist bits that made me cringe (the authors don't seem to be in favor of them, just describing middle-aged white English people behaviour. The Korean car having voice commands in bad English is suspect tho). There was other stuff I did wish had made it into the show, like the Brazilian man watching the Amazon rainforest grow back in/through his office building. Such a good book, and highly recommended. I made an Instagram post with (among other things) books from my top three authors, and put
Good Omens to represent Neil Gaiman while also sneaking in Terry Pratchett. 4 stars, permanent collection.
Trigger warnings: horror, body horror, murder?, a character is called a homophobic slur, racist English 'accents' of the Asian and Native American variety (the last one made by a white woman), everyday sexism
I read a couple of free romance novel ebooks while traveling, as I wanted something quick and easy to read. First up was
The Footman and I, which was mostly a fun read. I liked that the heroine was a political activist in favor of poor rights, and she challenged the hero about a bill he wanted passed. I didn't like how she was 18 and he was 29, plus he was lying to her the entire time about being a servant. Overall a fun read, and I recommend it if you like Regency romance novels. It's currently still free via Barnes & Noble, so go check it out if you want. 3.5 stars, 4 out of 5 chilies 🌶
Trigger warnings: the aforementioned age gap, not asking for consent as is typical with this genre, male lead lies to female lead about his identity, period-typical sexism and classism, drunkenness
The second free romance novel ebook I read was
The Spinster and the Rake, which is about a duke and a young lady forced to become engaged to avoid scandal when they're caught kissing (instant sexual attraction on both their parts, naturally). She has to take duchess lessons and they're so attracted to each other but his demeanor irks her as well. What I found interesting about this book was that the duke is autistic (the term is not used in the book due to the period) and the heroine is neurodivergent as well (less examined but I feel like she is). A lot of the way he is is because he's masking his autism from everyone and his fiance is disrupting his schedule and pressing his buttons. He's afraid she'll reject him and think him broken and she's afraid he'll never love and accept her. The book description says it's like My Fair Lady meets Pride and Prejudice, and while there are definite similarities, this book isn't them. As a fellow neurodivergent, I didn't like that she isn't really a spinster (just a young introvert uninterested in marriage) and he's not really a rake (he does have a history of bedding married women but it's not his defining quality and it barely comes up at all). I just don't buy instant sexual attraction and instant lust as plot catalysts (#i'mtooaceforthis). Anyway it's fine. 3 stars, 4 chilies.
Trigger warnings: not asking for consent as is typical with this genre, suicide mentions, ableism, period-typical sexism, sex-shaming, and classism; alcohol mentions, financial scam and ruin
I decided to reread
Peter Pan, specifically the copy that I bought for 50 cents from my library's book sale, which is a facsimile of the first edition. The illustrations sadly look like mediocre-quality photocopies. I'd forgotten several details, like how Peter cries in his sleep, and how the Lost Boys all wear bear skins and are adopted by the Darlings at the end, and how the r*dsk*ns have Lost Boy scalps hanging from their belts.
Peter Pan is always darker and more racist than you think. I'd also forgotten just how weirdly gendered the children's experience of Neverland is. I did remember Wendy being their mother, but that's literally all she did; the whole time she was sewing and darning and cleaning and cooking and singing to them, except for like two times where she's in danger and has to be rescued by Peter. Like, girl, have some adventures! You're going to be cleaning up and taking care of boys and men your whole life; you can do that at home! Like why is that play for her? I also don't really get why every female character was in love with Peter Pan when he's so dismissive of them and takes them for granted. He carves such a deep groove in Wendy's brain that she feels she's betrayed him by growing up and getting married. Girl, you are not a priority for him! Despite this, I cannot help but be moved by the last scene when they meet again and the story begins over again with Jane, her daughter. I suppose I'm one to talk since this story continues to be so important to me. I guess the best fairytale and fantasy stories are the ones that are deeply sad. 4.5 stars, permanent collection.
Trigger warnings: murder, violence, racist Native American caricatures and slurs, Black character described in racist way, 1-handed amputee villain (ableist trope of disabled character being the bad guy), period-typical sexism and gender roles/gendered labor
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