Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal

[kellyrfineman]

Comments

tanita says:

[anonymous]

Did I not suggest this book to you? The author is a friend of John Scalzi's and I got to read an excerpt of it on his Big Idea post months ago. *I* haven't got a copy yet, but I love the idea - Jane Austen + Magic = YAY!

Glad you love it!

Re: tanita says:

[kellyrfineman]

You did not suggest this book to me, at least that I recall. It is, however, exactly up my alley and I am pretty positive you will luuurve it.

[amygreenfield]

Thanks for the recommendation! It sounds delightful.

[kellyrfineman]

It IS delightful, and I'm nearly positive you will love it!

[midnightblooms]

I picked this up weeks ago for the same reason -- "It's Austin with magic!" Seriously, who could resist that description? Not me, that's for sure. Plus I've read most of Kowal's short stories. They are as wonderful and fantastical as this book, and some of the few contemporary fantasy short stories that I love.

And oh, Mr. Vincent! I thought of him as Mr. Rodchester with a bit of Professor Bhaer and Darcy thrown in for good measure.

[kellyrfineman]

I didn't see Mr Vincent as Mr Rochester at all, but at least that helps me figure out why Lilith Saintcrow's blurb (on the front cover) mentioned Jane Eyre! Definitely Darcy/Bhaer all the way (for me)!

[midnightblooms]

It was his moody attitude that put me in mind of Rochester. :)

[anonymous]

Loved LOVED loved this book. I had some slight hopes when I started it, but it ended up surpassing anything I could have imagined. I felt a rather intense need to share the experience with someone.

Solution? I bought my sister the audio version, as she said she was too busy at that moment to 'read' the novel. Apparently she couldn't stop listening, and finished it within a day. And then we excitedly dissected it with each other. Such fun!

Also: there are more books coming. The next one apparently in Jan/Feb 2012. <-- I found that out from the author on Twitter. Hurrah for Twitter!

[kellyrfineman]

Hurrah for Twitter indeed! (The author commented on my review there as well, and thanked me for catching the Persuasion references!) I'll bet this makes a MARVELOUS audio book. I may have to see if my library has it!

[kellyrfineman]

It really, truly is. And there's a second one coming next year. (The author was kind enough to contact me on Twitter - she was thrilled that I picked up the Persuasion references; I since read an interview she did and her MC was initially named Jane Wentworth, making that still more explicit!