AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Shades of Milk and Honey
Title: Shades of Milk and Honey
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
Audiobook Narrator: Mary Robinette Kowal
Series: Glamourist Histories (Book One)
Jane and Mary Ellsworth may be sisters, but the two have very little in common. Mary is beautiful and impulsive, while Jane is more plain and practical. Regardless of her physical shortcoming, Jane is a talented glamourist, meaning that she can manipulate the sight, sound, and scent of the world around her in subtle ways, often to create a feeling of atmosphere. Jane, on the brink of spinsterhood, envies Melody for her ability to grab the attention of every man in the room, while Melody envies Jane for her abilities. The bond between the two sisters will be put to the test when their lives collide with the handsome and honorable Mr. Dunkirk, as well as the master glamourist, Mr. Vincent.
Shades and Milk and Honey is the first book in Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamourist Histories series. Although Shades of Milk and Honey may not be the first Mannerist (or Mannerpunk) Fantasty book that I've read, it's the most clearly inspired by Jane Austen. This can make the novel feel more like a Regency novel that has fantasy elements, than a fantasy novel that happens to take place in a Regency setting. Such similarities can be found in the emphasis on sisterhood (Jane and Mary Ellsworth reminded me a lot of the Dashwood sisters from Sense and Sensibility), as well as in the types of romantic partners (Much like Lizzie and Mr. Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice Jane and her love interest don't exactly get off on the right foot), and side characters (Beth Dunkirk reminded me a bit of sweet Georgiana Darcy also from Pride and Prejudice). It was a lot of fun to pick out all of the similarities between the two different books. Unfortunately, I think this also drew attention to the shortcomings of Shades of Milk and Honey. Where as Austen has a real flare for crafting characters and relationships, the ones in Shades and Milk and Honey can feel a little shallow in comparison, as can the writing. Still, I found the book to be a light fun read, with some really neat worldbuilding.
The concept of glamour is an interesting one. Not only is it another area (on top of playing the pianoforte and drawing) for ladies to study to be considered accomplished, but it is also presented a a metaphor for art. Yes, it does have it's practical uses (as we see especially towards the end of the novel), but it's main purpose has more to do with aesthetics and atmosphere. This make Shades of Milk and Honey not only a romance, but a story about a technically talent artist discovering true meaning her in work. As far as the romance goes, I enjoyed the main love story, even if I wished for a little more development between the couple. What I found even interesting was the side plot involving a wicked man who, much like Austen's Mr. Wickham, draws in young and impressionable girls. When Jane discovers that he has his claws in not one, but two women that she cares about, she must become the hero of the story.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: The narrator for Shades of Milk and Honey is Mary Robinette Kowal, the author. This is a strange choice, as the very English novel was written by an American author. Kowal does a fair job at putting on a British accent, but there are some instances where it can feel a little awkward. Still, her ability at creating different voices for male and female characters is equal to some professional level voice actors, so I really cannot complain about her performance.
Final Thoughts: Shades of Milk and Honey is a light romantic fantasy that is sure to draw in people who enjoy both Jane Austen and fantasy novels. Although I can't help but feel that it's close similarities to Jane Austen fiction hinders the novel as much as it enhances it, there was a lot I enjoyed about the novels worldbuilding and plot. I plan on continuing the series. Four Stars
Author: Mary Robinette Kowal
Audiobook Narrator: Mary Robinette Kowal
Series: Glamourist Histories (Book One)
Jane and Mary Ellsworth may be sisters, but the two have very little in common. Mary is beautiful and impulsive, while Jane is more plain and practical. Regardless of her physical shortcoming, Jane is a talented glamourist, meaning that she can manipulate the sight, sound, and scent of the world around her in subtle ways, often to create a feeling of atmosphere. Jane, on the brink of spinsterhood, envies Melody for her ability to grab the attention of every man in the room, while Melody envies Jane for her abilities. The bond between the two sisters will be put to the test when their lives collide with the handsome and honorable Mr. Dunkirk, as well as the master glamourist, Mr. Vincent.
Shades and Milk and Honey is the first book in Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamourist Histories series. Although Shades of Milk and Honey may not be the first Mannerist (or Mannerpunk) Fantasty book that I've read, it's the most clearly inspired by Jane Austen. This can make the novel feel more like a Regency novel that has fantasy elements, than a fantasy novel that happens to take place in a Regency setting. Such similarities can be found in the emphasis on sisterhood (Jane and Mary Ellsworth reminded me a lot of the Dashwood sisters from Sense and Sensibility), as well as in the types of romantic partners (Much like Lizzie and Mr. Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice Jane and her love interest don't exactly get off on the right foot), and side characters (Beth Dunkirk reminded me a bit of sweet Georgiana Darcy also from Pride and Prejudice). It was a lot of fun to pick out all of the similarities between the two different books. Unfortunately, I think this also drew attention to the shortcomings of Shades of Milk and Honey. Where as Austen has a real flare for crafting characters and relationships, the ones in Shades and Milk and Honey can feel a little shallow in comparison, as can the writing. Still, I found the book to be a light fun read, with some really neat worldbuilding.
The concept of glamour is an interesting one. Not only is it another area (on top of playing the pianoforte and drawing) for ladies to study to be considered accomplished, but it is also presented a a metaphor for art. Yes, it does have it's practical uses (as we see especially towards the end of the novel), but it's main purpose has more to do with aesthetics and atmosphere. This make Shades of Milk and Honey not only a romance, but a story about a technically talent artist discovering true meaning her in work. As far as the romance goes, I enjoyed the main love story, even if I wished for a little more development between the couple. What I found even interesting was the side plot involving a wicked man who, much like Austen's Mr. Wickham, draws in young and impressionable girls. When Jane discovers that he has his claws in not one, but two women that she cares about, she must become the hero of the story.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: The narrator for Shades of Milk and Honey is Mary Robinette Kowal, the author. This is a strange choice, as the very English novel was written by an American author. Kowal does a fair job at putting on a British accent, but there are some instances where it can feel a little awkward. Still, her ability at creating different voices for male and female characters is equal to some professional level voice actors, so I really cannot complain about her performance.
Final Thoughts: Shades of Milk and Honey is a light romantic fantasy that is sure to draw in people who enjoy both Jane Austen and fantasy novels. Although I can't help but feel that it's close similarities to Jane Austen fiction hinders the novel as much as it enhances it, there was a lot I enjoyed about the novels worldbuilding and plot. I plan on continuing the series. Four Stars