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Searching for Captain Wentworth
When aspiring writer, Sophie Elliot, receives the keys to the family townhouse in Bath, it's an invitation she can’t turn down, especially when she learns that she will be living next door to the house her favourite author, Jane Austen, lived in. But, the neglected house is harbouring more than the antiquated furniture and nesting mice, though initially Sophie tries to dismiss the haunting visions of a young girl. On discovering that an ancient glove belonging to her mysterious neighbour, Josh Strafford, will transport her back in time to Regency Bath, she questions her sanity, but Sophie is soon caught up in two dimensions, each reality as certain as the other. Torn between her life in the modern world, and that of her ancestor who befriends Jane Austen and her fascinating brother Charles, Sophie's story travels two hundred years across time, and back again, to unite this modern heroine with her own Captain Wentworth. Blending fact and fiction together the tale of Jane Austen’s own quest for happiness weaves alongside, creating a believable world of new possibilities for the inspiration behind the beloved novel, Persuasion.
318 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Jane Odiwe
18 books143 followers Jane Odiwe is a British author with a special interest in writing novels inspired by Jane Austen's works. Her books continue the stories of beloved characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in Mr Darcy's Secret, or tell Jane Austen's own story, as in the novels, Searching for Mr Tilney, Jane Austen Lives Again, Searching for Captain Wentworth, and Project Darcy. Other works include the novels Willoughby's Return, Lydia Bennet's Story and the novellas, Mr Darcy's Christmas Calendar, and Mrs Darcy's Diamonds. Jane's short story, Waiting, was published in the short story anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, Jane gained an arts degree in Birmingham where she indulged her great loves of Fine Art, Literature, and History. After teaching in the Midlands and London for some years, writing novels took over her life. Jane lives in London with her husband, children and two cats, but escapes to "Fairyland", Bath, whenever she can!
Born in Sutton Coldfield, England, Jane gained an arts degree in Birmingham where she indulged her great loves of Fine Art, Literature, and History. After teaching in the Midlands and London for some years, writing novels took over her life. Jane lives in London with her husband, children and two cats, but escapes to "Fairyland", Bath, whenever she can!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
August 24, 2012
Searching for Captain Wentworth is different from Jane Odiwe’s previous Austen-inspired novels,
Willoughby's Return: A Tale of Almost Irresistible Temptation
and
Mr. Darcy's Secret
. Not only because it deals mainly with characters and events connected with Austen’s last novel, Persuasion - while the others continued the stories of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice respectively - but especially because the author adds a spicy ingredient to her narrative to avoid writing the usual sequel. She adds time travelling and creates two parallel narrative levels between which the protagonist, Sophie Elliot, unexpectedly and inexplicably moves. She gets involved in a series of different adventures and is torn between two men. Is it possible to fall in love with two differently handsome, kind, extraordinary gentlemen , one living in Jane Austen’s time and one in the modern world? Make your acquaintance with Charles and Josh in Jane Odiwe’s new book and you will find yourself sympathizing with the heroine.
The story takes place mostly in Bath but an exciting trip to Dorset will take the protagonists and the readers to Lyme Regis, too. Jane Odiwe seems at home in both places and leads us all around the beloved landmarks and sites as an expert Austen tour guide would do. The historical details are accurately researched with special attention to clothing, accessories and furniture.
Using my favourite metaphor of writing/cooking, I couldn’t recognize any new original ingredient but I greatly appreciated the very creative recipe in which Jane Odiwe blends adventure and romance, modern and regency characters, facts and fiction. Gifted writing makes the blend a successful, entertaining whole. You’ll find yourself smiling in recognition at this lovely tale with lots of familiar quotes and characters, events from Jane Austen’s life and hints to her letters. Searching for Captain Wentworth is a new delightful, unmissable read for anybody loving Austen-inspired fiction.
The story takes place mostly in Bath but an exciting trip to Dorset will take the protagonists and the readers to Lyme Regis, too. Jane Odiwe seems at home in both places and leads us all around the beloved landmarks and sites as an expert Austen tour guide would do. The historical details are accurately researched with special attention to clothing, accessories and furniture.
Using my favourite metaphor of writing/cooking, I couldn’t recognize any new original ingredient but I greatly appreciated the very creative recipe in which Jane Odiwe blends adventure and romance, modern and regency characters, facts and fiction. Gifted writing makes the blend a successful, entertaining whole. You’ll find yourself smiling in recognition at this lovely tale with lots of familiar quotes and characters, events from Jane Austen’s life and hints to her letters. Searching for Captain Wentworth is a new delightful, unmissable read for anybody loving Austen-inspired fiction.
August 11, 2016
I have a great deal of admiration for Jane Odiwe and have really enjoyed other books she's written. This is a difficult review to write because I recognize what others enjoyed in the tale that I did not, and it also seems as though others found more satisfaction/credibility in the romance than I did. I also thought the ending, instead of enlightening me, confused me as much as what preceded it.
The story is set in the present day and written in first person by Sophie Elliot, an aspiring writer who goes to Bath to find inspiration for her novel. This is "her" book. (Something that truly bothered me throughout is that, whenever the subject of her writing comes up, characters who have never read a word she's authored assume that she's a fabulous writer, and they encourage her.) Anyway, the home she's staying in has been in her family for generations, and it's right next door to where Jane Austen's family once lived. She can feel the presence of her ancestors who seem to hover around.
The writing itself is as exquisite as Ms. Odiwe's prose always is. Using Sophie's voice, she lingers lovingly over descriptions of the furnishings and antiques contained in the home as well as the historical glories of Bath. Personally, I could've done without most of that, but I understand that others soak it all up. I just felt it took an awfully long time for any semblance of a plot to emerge.
Sophie has a neighbor she hasn't met yet, but she sees him on the street outside her window and he drops a glove. She runs outside and picks it up but then can't find him to return it. When she first meets Josh Strafford face-to-face, he's so drop-dead gorgeous that she can't even speak. I'm sorry, but I hadn't exactly warmed up to her character yet, and her reaction here bugged me more than I can say. She does the same thing later when she sees him in a dress suit rather than jeans and he's just SO handsome that she's dumbstruck. Seems too teen-ager-ish to me. In between, she goes to the museum where he's coordinating an exhibit and they end up having dinner together, which ends when she inexplicably becomes self-conscious and starts babbling, leading him to believe she wants him outa there. Yet he continues to be interested in her, and the explanation (I assume) is that they have some kind of instant connection when they touch. Seems a lot more like lust than love to me, but this being a romance novel, I guess it's silly for me to be thinking realistically. That just addresses the relationship part in the current day.
Interspersed with her ramblings around Bath and interactions with Josh, Sophie has found herself thrown back in time living the life of her ancestor, Sophia Elliot, whose situation closely mirrors that of Anne Elliot in Persuasion: snooty father (Mr. Elliot) and older sister (Emma), hypochondriac younger sister (Marianne), and sympathetic but class-conscious aunt (Mrs. Randall). The Austens live next door, and Sophia quickly becomes friends with Jane, Cassandra, and their brother Charles, a friendship her family does not encourage because of their lower social standing. Yet again, she is drawn magnetically to Charles, a naval officer, and he to her. They encounter each other at various gatherings around Bath and whenever Sophia can sneak away from her snarky family.
Once again, descriptions abound regarding the settings and the clothing. The plot just languishes and moves forward at what feels to me like a snail's pace.
It is never clear how much Sophie (current day) is present in Sophia (19th century) besides inhabiting her body. It is stated often that Sophie is not sure what to say but finds herself responding appropriately without thought. At other times, Sophie seems to be the one determining her actions. Are they linked, as if Sophia is Sophie reincarnated? I just don't understand it. And there's also an implication that Sophie's mother and perhaps her great-aunt have had similar experiences. How? Even though the old rosewood box was around for them to examine, the item that triggers this transformation for Sophie was not.
The other element is that Sophie bops back and forth between time zones several times and usually becomes distressed about how/when she's going to get back to her correct time. But does she stop zapping herself across two centuries once she's safely home? No! Why? I have no idea. I get that she's fascinated by the history she's witnessing and by Jane Austen herself at first, but would she really want to risk getting stranded in somebody else's family, especially in such a disagreeable family? She's also trying to dodge William Glanville (similar to William Elliot) who Emma wants to snag as a husband; he keeps paying attention to Sophia no matter how much she tries to dissuade him. If she just stays safely in the 21st century, she won't have to deal with him. But she's SO attracted to Charles that she just can't help herself and keeps sliding back to see him or to see the Austen sisters again. And the fact that she accepts a marriage proposal in the 1800s is just ridiculous, unless she's decided she's going to stay there and never return. If that's so, you would think there would be some reflection about that, but she says nothing on that significant subject.
I won't spoil the "surprise" ending, but I found it raised as many questions as it answered. Perhaps it is all meant to stay mysterious, but I wanted a LOT more explanation than I got. Despite the beauty of the writing, this was a very unsatisfying read.
The story is set in the present day and written in first person by Sophie Elliot, an aspiring writer who goes to Bath to find inspiration for her novel. This is "her" book. (Something that truly bothered me throughout is that, whenever the subject of her writing comes up, characters who have never read a word she's authored assume that she's a fabulous writer, and they encourage her.) Anyway, the home she's staying in has been in her family for generations, and it's right next door to where Jane Austen's family once lived. She can feel the presence of her ancestors who seem to hover around.
The writing itself is as exquisite as Ms. Odiwe's prose always is. Using Sophie's voice, she lingers lovingly over descriptions of the furnishings and antiques contained in the home as well as the historical glories of Bath. Personally, I could've done without most of that, but I understand that others soak it all up. I just felt it took an awfully long time for any semblance of a plot to emerge.
Sophie has a neighbor she hasn't met yet, but she sees him on the street outside her window and he drops a glove. She runs outside and picks it up but then can't find him to return it. When she first meets Josh Strafford face-to-face, he's so drop-dead gorgeous that she can't even speak. I'm sorry, but I hadn't exactly warmed up to her character yet, and her reaction here bugged me more than I can say. She does the same thing later when she sees him in a dress suit rather than jeans and he's just SO handsome that she's dumbstruck. Seems too teen-ager-ish to me. In between, she goes to the museum where he's coordinating an exhibit and they end up having dinner together, which ends when she inexplicably becomes self-conscious and starts babbling, leading him to believe she wants him outa there. Yet he continues to be interested in her, and the explanation (I assume) is that they have some kind of instant connection when they touch. Seems a lot more like lust than love to me, but this being a romance novel, I guess it's silly for me to be thinking realistically. That just addresses the relationship part in the current day.
Interspersed with her ramblings around Bath and interactions with Josh, Sophie has found herself thrown back in time living the life of her ancestor, Sophia Elliot, whose situation closely mirrors that of Anne Elliot in Persuasion: snooty father (Mr. Elliot) and older sister (Emma), hypochondriac younger sister (Marianne), and sympathetic but class-conscious aunt (Mrs. Randall). The Austens live next door, and Sophia quickly becomes friends with Jane, Cassandra, and their brother Charles, a friendship her family does not encourage because of their lower social standing. Yet again, she is drawn magnetically to Charles, a naval officer, and he to her. They encounter each other at various gatherings around Bath and whenever Sophia can sneak away from her snarky family.
Once again, descriptions abound regarding the settings and the clothing. The plot just languishes and moves forward at what feels to me like a snail's pace.
It is never clear how much Sophie (current day) is present in Sophia (19th century) besides inhabiting her body. It is stated often that Sophie is not sure what to say but finds herself responding appropriately without thought. At other times, Sophie seems to be the one determining her actions. Are they linked, as if Sophia is Sophie reincarnated? I just don't understand it. And there's also an implication that Sophie's mother and perhaps her great-aunt have had similar experiences. How? Even though the old rosewood box was around for them to examine, the item that triggers this transformation for Sophie was not.
The other element is that Sophie bops back and forth between time zones several times and usually becomes distressed about how/when she's going to get back to her correct time. But does she stop zapping herself across two centuries once she's safely home? No! Why? I have no idea. I get that she's fascinated by the history she's witnessing and by Jane Austen herself at first, but would she really want to risk getting stranded in somebody else's family, especially in such a disagreeable family? She's also trying to dodge William Glanville (similar to William Elliot) who Emma wants to snag as a husband; he keeps paying attention to Sophia no matter how much she tries to dissuade him. If she just stays safely in the 21st century, she won't have to deal with him. But she's SO attracted to Charles that she just can't help herself and keeps sliding back to see him or to see the Austen sisters again. And the fact that she accepts a marriage proposal in the 1800s is just ridiculous, unless she's decided she's going to stay there and never return. If that's so, you would think there would be some reflection about that, but she says nothing on that significant subject.
I won't spoil the "surprise" ending, but I found it raised as many questions as it answered. Perhaps it is all meant to stay mysterious, but I wanted a LOT more explanation than I got. Despite the beauty of the writing, this was a very unsatisfying read.
November 14, 2012
We can only imagine what life would have been like in the great Georgian resort town of Bath, England circa1800. There are vintage illustrations of buildings, maps of the winding streets, and descriptions from travelers and writers of the time to help us visualize. And then there is the Bath that we know of from Jane Austen’s two novels: Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Her characters visit the famous pump-room, dance at the Lower Assembly Rooms, climb that noble hill Beechen Cliff, and propose on the gravel walk. We can visit this enchanting town today and still see much of what Austen experienced, but what if there was a way to be magically transported back in time to discover that Jane Austen is your next door neighbor and her dashing younger brother, Lieutenant Charles Austen, is home on leave from his duties with the Royal Naval? Would you take that journey through time no matter what the unknown risk?
Sophie Elliot, the heroine of Jane Odiwe’s new Austen-inspired novel Searching for Captain Wentworth, unknowingly faces this dilemma the first time she is transported two hundred years into the past through a magical glove once owned by Lt. Austen. Sound fantastical? Well, yes it would to any skeptic, including myself. Recent movies such as Lost in Austen and the Austen Addict book series: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict have softened my resolve. I enjoyed both the mini-series and the novels so much that “suspending my disbelief” and considering that anything is possible (in fiction and in life) opened up a whole new genre to me. Odiwe has created a clever combination of the past and present that took me on a journey through Jane Austen’s world, both familiar and fantastical.
Inspired by Austen’s Persuasion, we encounter many thematic elements in Searching for Captain Wentworth that Austen wanted us to experience in her own novel: love, heartbreak, friendship, snobbery and renewal; all through the eyes of young Sophie who is staying in the upper floor of a Bath townhouse owned by her family since the early 1800’s. She has aspirations to be a writer and hopes that by walking in Austen’s footsteps she will discover her talent and get over the painful loss of her boyfriend. Downstairs is occupied by the mysterious and handsome Josh Strafford who is working at the Holburne Museum on their next Regency exhibit. When Sophie sees him drop a white glove on the pavement outside their townhouse, she picks it up and follows him attempting to return it. When she passes through a white gate in Sydney Gardens she is transported back in time; a timeslip into another era, and her ancestor Sophia’s life.
I have long enjoyed Jane Odiwe’s Austen-inspired novels: Lydia Bennet’s Story, Willoughby’s Return and Mr. Darcy’s Secret. Her in-depth knowledge of Regency history and culture combined with her understanding of Jane Austen’s plots and characters results in a sensitive, engaging and romantic narrative that never disappoints. This time I was especially impressed with her character descriptions:
“All my feelings of self-doubt and of being an absolute failure at everything were returning. I just kept thinking how he’d probably tell the lovely Alison at the museum all about his narrow escape from the lecherous clutches of his neighbor who had delusions of becoming a writer.” – Sophie Elliot (p. 71)
“Every detail of his appearance sharpened into focus. Dark curls fell on the high collar of his black coat, cut to display a flash of white silk waistcoat with buttons faced in pearl, that led the eye to the swell of satin where breeches began…He looked beautiful if I can use that word to describe a man, I only knew I was not the only woman in the room who glanced his way or sat up in their chair.” – Sophia Elliot’s reaction to Lt. Austen, p. 91
As Sophie/Sophia’s romance with Lt. Austen parallel’s the romance in Persuasion, we are even treated to a letter that rivals the famous “You pierce my soul” love letter that Captain Wentworth gives to Anne Elliot. *swoon*
“I read it again and again committing to memory the words that thrilled every sense and awakened every feeling. How would I ever recover from such a letter?” – Sophia Elliot (p. 237)
Indeed! Odiwe has created the perfect reason to never want to recover from such feelings. Searching for Captain Wentworth will send you on a magical journey through time, and your heart, that you will not soon forget.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
Sophie Elliot, the heroine of Jane Odiwe’s new Austen-inspired novel Searching for Captain Wentworth, unknowingly faces this dilemma the first time she is transported two hundred years into the past through a magical glove once owned by Lt. Austen. Sound fantastical? Well, yes it would to any skeptic, including myself. Recent movies such as Lost in Austen and the Austen Addict book series: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict have softened my resolve. I enjoyed both the mini-series and the novels so much that “suspending my disbelief” and considering that anything is possible (in fiction and in life) opened up a whole new genre to me. Odiwe has created a clever combination of the past and present that took me on a journey through Jane Austen’s world, both familiar and fantastical.
Inspired by Austen’s Persuasion, we encounter many thematic elements in Searching for Captain Wentworth that Austen wanted us to experience in her own novel: love, heartbreak, friendship, snobbery and renewal; all through the eyes of young Sophie who is staying in the upper floor of a Bath townhouse owned by her family since the early 1800’s. She has aspirations to be a writer and hopes that by walking in Austen’s footsteps she will discover her talent and get over the painful loss of her boyfriend. Downstairs is occupied by the mysterious and handsome Josh Strafford who is working at the Holburne Museum on their next Regency exhibit. When Sophie sees him drop a white glove on the pavement outside their townhouse, she picks it up and follows him attempting to return it. When she passes through a white gate in Sydney Gardens she is transported back in time; a timeslip into another era, and her ancestor Sophia’s life.
I have long enjoyed Jane Odiwe’s Austen-inspired novels: Lydia Bennet’s Story, Willoughby’s Return and Mr. Darcy’s Secret. Her in-depth knowledge of Regency history and culture combined with her understanding of Jane Austen’s plots and characters results in a sensitive, engaging and romantic narrative that never disappoints. This time I was especially impressed with her character descriptions:
“All my feelings of self-doubt and of being an absolute failure at everything were returning. I just kept thinking how he’d probably tell the lovely Alison at the museum all about his narrow escape from the lecherous clutches of his neighbor who had delusions of becoming a writer.” – Sophie Elliot (p. 71)
“Every detail of his appearance sharpened into focus. Dark curls fell on the high collar of his black coat, cut to display a flash of white silk waistcoat with buttons faced in pearl, that led the eye to the swell of satin where breeches began…He looked beautiful if I can use that word to describe a man, I only knew I was not the only woman in the room who glanced his way or sat up in their chair.” – Sophia Elliot’s reaction to Lt. Austen, p. 91
As Sophie/Sophia’s romance with Lt. Austen parallel’s the romance in Persuasion, we are even treated to a letter that rivals the famous “You pierce my soul” love letter that Captain Wentworth gives to Anne Elliot. *swoon*
“I read it again and again committing to memory the words that thrilled every sense and awakened every feeling. How would I ever recover from such a letter?” – Sophia Elliot (p. 237)
Indeed! Odiwe has created the perfect reason to never want to recover from such feelings. Searching for Captain Wentworth will send you on a magical journey through time, and your heart, that you will not soon forget.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
March 30, 2015
I have had this sitting on my shelf for a coon's age and not because I didn't think it would be good- in point of fact, I suspected it would be amazing, but procrastination and all that, you know. This book combined a few things that are always appealing for me- time travel romance, Persuasion influence, attention to the details of setting and historical era. A flowing storyline, attentive and descriptive backdrop, teased out plot and character development, good pacing and tension, and such elegant storytelling brought me such reading pleasure. A must-read for Austenesque fans.
The story begins in the present when a woman seeks to get over a sad relationship break-up and move on with her life including her dream of writing. Sophie is given a mysterious box and the keys to her Great-Aunt's home in Bath. Sophie uses the time to heal and reflect. She encounters a few local characters including the handsome man renting the lower half of her aunt's home. Josh is charismatic and friendly, but Sophie is careful.
Then Sophie's world goes off kilter when she experiences a few short trips into the past as the Miss Sophia Elliott that she was named for and most amazing of all, the next door neighbors are none other than Jane Austen and her family. In the present, Sophie starts a friendship with Josh and in the past, as Sophia, she starts falling for Jane's brother, Charles. She also comes across evidence that Jane Austen may have had her own chance at love. Things are complicated and Sophie is not sure which life she should reach for or if she'll even get a choice.
I enjoyed the mysterious, magical and poignant qualities of this story. It's so much more than a time travel romance. I enjoyed the details of the Austen family in 1802, the location and time period descriptions, the character development of Sophie who is the first person narrator, and the special little secrets that reveal and offer twisty surprises particularly near the end. It was interesting that this one was a Persuasion retelling of sorts. I loved encountering familiar scenes and quotes.
All in all, I loved being immersed in the world of Jane Austen's Persuasion with the author's own original character and story.
The story begins in the present when a woman seeks to get over a sad relationship break-up and move on with her life including her dream of writing. Sophie is given a mysterious box and the keys to her Great-Aunt's home in Bath. Sophie uses the time to heal and reflect. She encounters a few local characters including the handsome man renting the lower half of her aunt's home. Josh is charismatic and friendly, but Sophie is careful.
Then Sophie's world goes off kilter when she experiences a few short trips into the past as the Miss Sophia Elliott that she was named for and most amazing of all, the next door neighbors are none other than Jane Austen and her family. In the present, Sophie starts a friendship with Josh and in the past, as Sophia, she starts falling for Jane's brother, Charles. She also comes across evidence that Jane Austen may have had her own chance at love. Things are complicated and Sophie is not sure which life she should reach for or if she'll even get a choice.
I enjoyed the mysterious, magical and poignant qualities of this story. It's so much more than a time travel romance. I enjoyed the details of the Austen family in 1802, the location and time period descriptions, the character development of Sophie who is the first person narrator, and the special little secrets that reveal and offer twisty surprises particularly near the end. It was interesting that this one was a Persuasion retelling of sorts. I loved encountering familiar scenes and quotes.
All in all, I loved being immersed in the world of Jane Austen's Persuasion with the author's own original character and story.
January 3, 2013
What if Jane Austen's Persuasion was more autobiographical than fiction? What if Miss Austen's poignant and powerful novel of lost love and second chances was in some part taken from her own life's experience? Except that in her novel...she wrote the happy ending she knew she would never have...
Finding magical white gloves that transports her to Regency Bath in the year 1802, discovering her ancestors used to live next door to the Austen family in Sydney Place, meeting Jane Austen in the flesh, falling in love with one of her brothers – it seems like modern-day heroine, Sophie Elliot, has just hit the Janeite Jackpot! And after recently discovering that her boyfriend is cheating on her with her friend and finding no success in securing a job for herself, poor Sophie deserves such good fortune! Although she travels to Bath for inspiration and consolation, what Sophie finds is adventure, romance, and some strange time travel phenomenon!
Emotional, expressive, and enthralling – Searching for Captain Wentworth is quite unlike anything I've read before! With multiple romances, dual realities, and many hidden parallels and nods to Jane Austen's Persuasion, this novel had me entranced. It was unpredictable; I found myself torn and undecided about the two men in Sophie's life. In addition, like Sophie, I became embroiled in the past and the mysteries uncovered there; feeling all her eagerness and excitement at discovering what Jane Austen was doing and experiencing during those “silent Bath years.” Not wanting to give away all the delicious surprises and revelations to be divulged in this novel, I'll just make a quick mention that I found the resolution to be profoundly satisfying, inspiring me to feel something akin to what Meg Ryan felt at the end of You've Got Mail – “I wanted it to be you, I wanted it to be you so badly..."
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
Finding magical white gloves that transports her to Regency Bath in the year 1802, discovering her ancestors used to live next door to the Austen family in Sydney Place, meeting Jane Austen in the flesh, falling in love with one of her brothers – it seems like modern-day heroine, Sophie Elliot, has just hit the Janeite Jackpot! And after recently discovering that her boyfriend is cheating on her with her friend and finding no success in securing a job for herself, poor Sophie deserves such good fortune! Although she travels to Bath for inspiration and consolation, what Sophie finds is adventure, romance, and some strange time travel phenomenon!
Emotional, expressive, and enthralling – Searching for Captain Wentworth is quite unlike anything I've read before! With multiple romances, dual realities, and many hidden parallels and nods to Jane Austen's Persuasion, this novel had me entranced. It was unpredictable; I found myself torn and undecided about the two men in Sophie's life. In addition, like Sophie, I became embroiled in the past and the mysteries uncovered there; feeling all her eagerness and excitement at discovering what Jane Austen was doing and experiencing during those “silent Bath years.” Not wanting to give away all the delicious surprises and revelations to be divulged in this novel, I'll just make a quick mention that I found the resolution to be profoundly satisfying, inspiring me to feel something akin to what Meg Ryan felt at the end of You've Got Mail – “I wanted it to be you, I wanted it to be you so badly..."
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
June 26, 2016
Loved it!!!
August 12, 2016
Se trovate un guanto bianco
Sono convinta che Bath, un luogo in cui la penna di Jane Austen restò ferma per tutto il periodo in cui la abitò, sia tuttavia un luogo di enorme ispirazione per gli autori di derivati. Sappiamo che Jane Austen non la amava particolarmente quando vi ci si trasferì, forse perché non avrebbe voluto mai abbandonare la casa natale di Steventon e la campagna, piuttosto che per la cittadina in se stessa; poi, però, deve essere arrivata ad apprezzarla, dal momento che vi ambientò ben due romanzi nell'arco della sua vita, di cui Persuasione sembra essere il più autobiografico. In realtà non possiamo essere certi che questo corrisponda al vero, dal momento che proprio in buona parte dei sei anni in cui Jane era residente a Bath sembra esserci un enorme black-out della produzione epistolare. Sarà perché la scrittrice aveva abbandonato la penna anche per semplici incombenze, come tenersi in contatto con i suoi famigliari e amici? Perché li aveva tutti vicini a sé e dunque non aveva bisogno di scrivere loro? O forse perché le lettere bruciate da Cassandra e riguardanti la vita privata di Jane riguardavano proprio quegli anni?
Sebbene per gli studiosi e i biografi questa sia una grandissima perdita, per gli autori di Austen Inspired Novels sembra essere una benedizione, lo sprone per ipotizzare quel che accadde dal giugno 1801 al settembre 1804 (data dell'unica lettera dell'anno scritta a Cassandra da Lyme Regis).
Immaginiamo una scrittrice come Jane Odiwe che entra a Bath, una cittadina che, a parte le automobili e pochi altri dettagli, è cambiata molto poco – architettonicamente parlando – dai tempi di Jane Austen. Il suo spirito sembra essere ancora lì, nella Pump Room, nelle Assembly Rooms, nei Sydney Gardens. Per un Janeite è impossibile non sentirsi trasportare indietro di duecento anni; per un Janeite scrittore l'esperienza potrebbe fornire l'ispirazione per un romanzo time travel. Ed è proprio quello che è accaduto a Jane Odiwe, che a Bath trascorre buona parte del'anno in un appartamento con vista sul giardino di Jane Austen in Sidney Place, il museo Holburne e i Sidney Gardens e che, dopo essersi trasferita nel 2009 nella cittadina termale del Somerset, ha vissuto delle esperienze con conseguenti drammi che le hanno ispirato Searching for Captain Wentworth.
Sophie Elliot è una giovane di buona famiglia decaduta (il cognome Elliot è quello della madre, che viene passato in via femminile) che sta vivendo un periodo difficile, dal momento che il suo ragazzo l'ha lasciata per la sua migliore amica. Il padre e la prozia le offrono come consolazione le chiavi dell'appartamento della famiglia della madre a Bath, e quando Sophie scopre che si tratta proprio di un appartamento in Sydney Place accanto a quello in cui abitò Jane Austen, non può negarsi l'esperienza, lei, che ha velleità di scrittrice e ama particolarmente Jane Austen e il suo ultimo romanzo Persuasione.
Con l'intenzione di scrivere ispirandosi proprio alla sua scrittrice preferita, Sophie va a Bath e qui scopre che il suo vicino di casa è l'affascinante e misterioso Josh Stafford, che sta curando una mostra storica del periodo Regency all'Holburn Museum, dall'altra parte della strada. Per qualche caso del destino, i due giovani, pur sapendo dell'esistenza l'uno dell'altro, non riescono a incontrarsi per qualche tempo. Anzi, Sophie entra incidentalmente in possesso di un guanto bianco da gentiluomo, del tipo che un giovane indossava ai tempi di Jane Austen nelle serate di gala. Cercando di inseguire Josh per renderglielo, la ragazza si ritrova nei Sidney Gardens e duecento anni prima. Al cospetto di Miss Jane Austen, per giunta! E sembra essere in confidenza con lei, dal momento che ne è la vicina di casa!
Tra manufatti dell'ottocento appartenenti alla sua antenata, Sophia Elliot, che riportano curiosamente la calligrafia di Sophie, diari di generazioni di Miss Elliot che si interrompono sul più bello, cofanetti in legno di rosa con doppi fondi, la giovane scoprirà che il guanto bianco è il mezzo per attraversare il varco temporale. Ogni volta che in uno dei due periodi le accadrà qualcosa di sgradevole, Sophie troverà rifugio nell'altro piano temporale, all'inseguimento di un amore forse impossibile.
Mentre è ai giorni nostri, la ragazza scoprirà infatti il destino del giovane Charles Austen, il fratello più giovane di Jane, tenente di marina, di cui si sta innamorando quando riveste i panni di Sophia. Eppure non teme di causare l'effetto farfalla e di modificare il futuro alterando il passato, forse perché all'epoca di Jane Austen il matrimonio d'amore era quasi sempre un miraggio e ci si doveva accontentare di fare un matrimonio conveniente. La famiglia di Sophia, d'altronde, somiglia terribilmente a quella omonima dell'eroina di Persuasione e lo sdegno che il padre e la sorella della giovane provano verso la famiglia dei vicini Austen è pari a quello che spinge Sir Walter e Lady Russell a persuadere Anne a rifiutare il capitano Wentworth.
I vicini sarebbero stati dunque una grande fonte di ispirazione per Jane Austen e così l'idillio fra Sophia e Charles. Ma a questo si intrecceranno anche le sue personali vicissitudini con un misterioso capitano biondo, al cui amore la scrittrice deve rinunciare.
Interessanti i personaggi storici: oltre a Charles e Cassandra conosceremo anche Henry e James Austen con rispettive consorti e la piccola Anne. Particolarmente amabile il personaggio di Eliza de Feuillide, esotica e affascinante tanto da conquistare persino quegli snob degli Elliot.
Con una trama piuttosto originale per una Austen Inspired Novel, Jane Odiwe porta una ventata di novità nel genere, con una precisione storica e, inutile dirlo, topografica e un gradevolissimo intreccio di situazioni che richiamano il romanzo ispiratore, Persuasione, senza tuttavia sembrare posticce come spesso accade a quelle che io chiamo "ispirazioni ispirate".
Un romanzo da tradurre assolutamente, perché fa viaggiare anche il lettore attraverso il varco temporale e ci porta a cospetto di Jane Austen nella sua Bath (e a Lyme Regis), con personaggi fedeli ai loro ispiratori e una storia piena di magia. La magia che i Janeites riescono a percepire sempre quando si trovano in un luogo austeniano.
Potete leggere la recensione completa QUI:
http://ildiariodellelizzies.blogspot....
Sono convinta che Bath, un luogo in cui la penna di Jane Austen restò ferma per tutto il periodo in cui la abitò, sia tuttavia un luogo di enorme ispirazione per gli autori di derivati. Sappiamo che Jane Austen non la amava particolarmente quando vi ci si trasferì, forse perché non avrebbe voluto mai abbandonare la casa natale di Steventon e la campagna, piuttosto che per la cittadina in se stessa; poi, però, deve essere arrivata ad apprezzarla, dal momento che vi ambientò ben due romanzi nell'arco della sua vita, di cui Persuasione sembra essere il più autobiografico. In realtà non possiamo essere certi che questo corrisponda al vero, dal momento che proprio in buona parte dei sei anni in cui Jane era residente a Bath sembra esserci un enorme black-out della produzione epistolare. Sarà perché la scrittrice aveva abbandonato la penna anche per semplici incombenze, come tenersi in contatto con i suoi famigliari e amici? Perché li aveva tutti vicini a sé e dunque non aveva bisogno di scrivere loro? O forse perché le lettere bruciate da Cassandra e riguardanti la vita privata di Jane riguardavano proprio quegli anni?
Sebbene per gli studiosi e i biografi questa sia una grandissima perdita, per gli autori di Austen Inspired Novels sembra essere una benedizione, lo sprone per ipotizzare quel che accadde dal giugno 1801 al settembre 1804 (data dell'unica lettera dell'anno scritta a Cassandra da Lyme Regis).
Immaginiamo una scrittrice come Jane Odiwe che entra a Bath, una cittadina che, a parte le automobili e pochi altri dettagli, è cambiata molto poco – architettonicamente parlando – dai tempi di Jane Austen. Il suo spirito sembra essere ancora lì, nella Pump Room, nelle Assembly Rooms, nei Sydney Gardens. Per un Janeite è impossibile non sentirsi trasportare indietro di duecento anni; per un Janeite scrittore l'esperienza potrebbe fornire l'ispirazione per un romanzo time travel. Ed è proprio quello che è accaduto a Jane Odiwe, che a Bath trascorre buona parte del'anno in un appartamento con vista sul giardino di Jane Austen in Sidney Place, il museo Holburne e i Sidney Gardens e che, dopo essersi trasferita nel 2009 nella cittadina termale del Somerset, ha vissuto delle esperienze con conseguenti drammi che le hanno ispirato Searching for Captain Wentworth.
Sophie Elliot è una giovane di buona famiglia decaduta (il cognome Elliot è quello della madre, che viene passato in via femminile) che sta vivendo un periodo difficile, dal momento che il suo ragazzo l'ha lasciata per la sua migliore amica. Il padre e la prozia le offrono come consolazione le chiavi dell'appartamento della famiglia della madre a Bath, e quando Sophie scopre che si tratta proprio di un appartamento in Sydney Place accanto a quello in cui abitò Jane Austen, non può negarsi l'esperienza, lei, che ha velleità di scrittrice e ama particolarmente Jane Austen e il suo ultimo romanzo Persuasione.
Con l'intenzione di scrivere ispirandosi proprio alla sua scrittrice preferita, Sophie va a Bath e qui scopre che il suo vicino di casa è l'affascinante e misterioso Josh Stafford, che sta curando una mostra storica del periodo Regency all'Holburn Museum, dall'altra parte della strada. Per qualche caso del destino, i due giovani, pur sapendo dell'esistenza l'uno dell'altro, non riescono a incontrarsi per qualche tempo. Anzi, Sophie entra incidentalmente in possesso di un guanto bianco da gentiluomo, del tipo che un giovane indossava ai tempi di Jane Austen nelle serate di gala. Cercando di inseguire Josh per renderglielo, la ragazza si ritrova nei Sidney Gardens e duecento anni prima. Al cospetto di Miss Jane Austen, per giunta! E sembra essere in confidenza con lei, dal momento che ne è la vicina di casa!
Tra manufatti dell'ottocento appartenenti alla sua antenata, Sophia Elliot, che riportano curiosamente la calligrafia di Sophie, diari di generazioni di Miss Elliot che si interrompono sul più bello, cofanetti in legno di rosa con doppi fondi, la giovane scoprirà che il guanto bianco è il mezzo per attraversare il varco temporale. Ogni volta che in uno dei due periodi le accadrà qualcosa di sgradevole, Sophie troverà rifugio nell'altro piano temporale, all'inseguimento di un amore forse impossibile.
Mentre è ai giorni nostri, la ragazza scoprirà infatti il destino del giovane Charles Austen, il fratello più giovane di Jane, tenente di marina, di cui si sta innamorando quando riveste i panni di Sophia. Eppure non teme di causare l'effetto farfalla e di modificare il futuro alterando il passato, forse perché all'epoca di Jane Austen il matrimonio d'amore era quasi sempre un miraggio e ci si doveva accontentare di fare un matrimonio conveniente. La famiglia di Sophia, d'altronde, somiglia terribilmente a quella omonima dell'eroina di Persuasione e lo sdegno che il padre e la sorella della giovane provano verso la famiglia dei vicini Austen è pari a quello che spinge Sir Walter e Lady Russell a persuadere Anne a rifiutare il capitano Wentworth.
I vicini sarebbero stati dunque una grande fonte di ispirazione per Jane Austen e così l'idillio fra Sophia e Charles. Ma a questo si intrecceranno anche le sue personali vicissitudini con un misterioso capitano biondo, al cui amore la scrittrice deve rinunciare.
Interessanti i personaggi storici: oltre a Charles e Cassandra conosceremo anche Henry e James Austen con rispettive consorti e la piccola Anne. Particolarmente amabile il personaggio di Eliza de Feuillide, esotica e affascinante tanto da conquistare persino quegli snob degli Elliot.
Con una trama piuttosto originale per una Austen Inspired Novel, Jane Odiwe porta una ventata di novità nel genere, con una precisione storica e, inutile dirlo, topografica e un gradevolissimo intreccio di situazioni che richiamano il romanzo ispiratore, Persuasione, senza tuttavia sembrare posticce come spesso accade a quelle che io chiamo "ispirazioni ispirate".
Un romanzo da tradurre assolutamente, perché fa viaggiare anche il lettore attraverso il varco temporale e ci porta a cospetto di Jane Austen nella sua Bath (e a Lyme Regis), con personaggi fedeli ai loro ispiratori e una storia piena di magia. La magia che i Janeites riescono a percepire sempre quando si trovano in un luogo austeniano.
Potete leggere la recensione completa QUI:
http://ildiariodellelizzies.blogspot....
December 3, 2012
Persuasion is quite possibly my favorite of all Austen’s books, and Captain Wentworth is in a dead heat with Darcy for favorite literary hero of all time. With that background, it would be easy to think that any novel based on Persuasion would automatically win my good opinion, but the opposite is rather true. With something so beloved, I will only be swayed by a treatment that is truly superlative. I’m happy to say I was not disappointed in Searching for Captain Wentworth by Jane Odiwe.
There is so much to love about this book, it’s hard for me to express it clearly–so if I jump around a bit, please forgive me.
First, I love parallel story lines when they are woven together in such a way that they support each other. As Sophie jumps back and forth between the past and present, the things that have just happened to her in the other time inform her decisions where she is now. The two stories are really one story–Sophie’s story.
Second, one of the fun things about reading fiction is figuring out what the author’s other passions might be. When you read Searching for Captain Wentworth, it quickly becomes obvious that Jane Odiwe loves and knows art. She uses various paintings throughout the story as props to guide us into a deeper understanding of Jane, her times, and the story at hand.
Third, it is apparent right from the start of Searching for Captain Wentworth that she is intimately familiar with both Bath and Jane Austen. There is a vibrancy to her descriptions of the city that could not come from someone who did not love it dearly. Amazingly, her picture of Regency Bath is just as clear as the vision of modern Bath–and yes, there have been some changes over the last 200 years.
As for Austen… Ah, and here is where this book really grabbed my heart, reader. Since Jane Austen is actually a character in Searching for Captain Wentworth, one of the more delightful things in the novel was the way Jane Odiwe sprinkled names, situations, and quotes that one could easily see later went on to inspire our Jane in her works. If you are an author, you know that some of your best scenes are the ones you have either witnessed or experienced. Why wouldn’t the same be true for Austen?
Yes, yes. So the writing is fabulous, but what of the story? The story, at its heart, is a classic story of a young lady dissatisfied with her own life who manages to escape to a fantasy. The fact that her fantasy is actually history merely adds flavor. Will she allow herself to be sucked into the fantasy, leaving behind those who love her at home, or will she use the lessons she learns in the past to grow in the present?
I loved the heroes in this book, both of them. The historical Wentworth was so very dashing and handsome, and the modern Frederick (Okay, Josh…) was gallant and chivalrous. I have to say, I’m really a little envious of Sophie, having the love of two such men!
In short, if you love Bath, art, romantic heroes, or Jane Austen, you will love this book.
There is so much to love about this book, it’s hard for me to express it clearly–so if I jump around a bit, please forgive me.
First, I love parallel story lines when they are woven together in such a way that they support each other. As Sophie jumps back and forth between the past and present, the things that have just happened to her in the other time inform her decisions where she is now. The two stories are really one story–Sophie’s story.
Second, one of the fun things about reading fiction is figuring out what the author’s other passions might be. When you read Searching for Captain Wentworth, it quickly becomes obvious that Jane Odiwe loves and knows art. She uses various paintings throughout the story as props to guide us into a deeper understanding of Jane, her times, and the story at hand.
Third, it is apparent right from the start of Searching for Captain Wentworth that she is intimately familiar with both Bath and Jane Austen. There is a vibrancy to her descriptions of the city that could not come from someone who did not love it dearly. Amazingly, her picture of Regency Bath is just as clear as the vision of modern Bath–and yes, there have been some changes over the last 200 years.
As for Austen… Ah, and here is where this book really grabbed my heart, reader. Since Jane Austen is actually a character in Searching for Captain Wentworth, one of the more delightful things in the novel was the way Jane Odiwe sprinkled names, situations, and quotes that one could easily see later went on to inspire our Jane in her works. If you are an author, you know that some of your best scenes are the ones you have either witnessed or experienced. Why wouldn’t the same be true for Austen?
Yes, yes. So the writing is fabulous, but what of the story? The story, at its heart, is a classic story of a young lady dissatisfied with her own life who manages to escape to a fantasy. The fact that her fantasy is actually history merely adds flavor. Will she allow herself to be sucked into the fantasy, leaving behind those who love her at home, or will she use the lessons she learns in the past to grow in the present?
I loved the heroes in this book, both of them. The historical Wentworth was so very dashing and handsome, and the modern Frederick (Okay, Josh…) was gallant and chivalrous. I have to say, I’m really a little envious of Sophie, having the love of two such men!
In short, if you love Bath, art, romantic heroes, or Jane Austen, you will love this book.
January 8, 2014
This was such a romantic story! I enjoyed the parallels between the Regency period couple and the present day couple. It was interesting how the author wove in different character traits and situations from Jane Austen's books into the real life events of the Regency period. Almost makes me wonder if this is really how Jane Austen got her inspiration, which would make sense.
The sense of place was well done and I truly felt like I was in the past with the main character from the manner of the spoken word to the etiquette of the time.
But what really made the book wonderful to me was the romance between the couple expressed with meaningful words and looks - a subtle touch of feeling that said more than any loud and forceful behavior could. Loved it!
So, where is my Captain Wentworth? :)
The sense of place was well done and I truly felt like I was in the past with the main character from the manner of the spoken word to the etiquette of the time.
But what really made the book wonderful to me was the romance between the couple expressed with meaningful words and looks - a subtle touch of feeling that said more than any loud and forceful behavior could. Loved it!
So, where is my Captain Wentworth? :)
May 27, 2015
This story takes place mostly in bath. Sophie needs a break and is given the keys to her Great Aunt's home in bath which happens to be next door to Jane Austen's house. Sophie ends up time travelling to Jane Austen's time in bath, falling for the man Austen who was her inspiration for Captain Wentworth. Sophie actually ends up falling in love with 2 men, one in the past and one in the present.; or are they 2 different men? This is a lovely story combining fact and fiction, past and present and flowing beautifully and easily together. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves Jane Austen and/or enjoys time travel. A perfect mix.
November 12, 2012
When I was invited to review this historical novel I accepted with alacrity because it fits into my favourite genre "dual time" narrative fiction so well.
When I received it I firstly admired the lovely cover. Then I wondered if I'd done the right thing agreeing to read it, when I realised just how passionate the author is about Jane Austen and her works. This book is based very firmly around Janes life and although I've enjoyed several movies based on books by Jane Austen I've never actually read any of her books and I wondered if this was going to make any sense without an in depth knowledge of her work and in particular Persuasion on which this book leans heavily for inspiration.
I needn't have worried it stands alone as a dual time romance and is a lovely flowing story. It begins in the present day when young Sophie Elliott, reeling from a broken romance, longing to be a writer, having lost her mojo somewhat is out of the blue offered the keys to an apartment in Bath and an invitation to occupy the formerly empty apartment for as long as she needs to get back on her feet. Who could resists an offer like that? When she arrives to find it full of dust from years of disuse only the fact that it is situated next door to the house where one of her favourite authors used to live makes her want to stay.
When young and handsome neighbour Josh drops a glove, Sophie picks it up intending to return it and is mysteriously transported back in time to the Regency era, where she happens to meet and befriend Jane Austen herself.
Travelling back and forth between past and present is always a difficult concept to grasp and one has to suspend disbelief somewhat, however it is done with such charm and ease I found it quite easy to accept. As present day offers her friendship with the likeable Josh, the past offers a different friendship with Jane herself and the possibility of love looms with Janes brother Charles.
Whilst Sophie investigates a secret romance she suspects existed between Jane and a mystery man, discovers a chain of coincidences linking her family history to the Austens and struggles with travelling back and forth in time taking its toll on her health.
The setting of Bath is exquisitely described and the authors knowledge of and love for Jane Austen shines through like a beacon.
I enjoyed both the modern day story and the past regressions Sophie experiences and although there are one heck of a lot of coincidences to accept, the whole story is captivating, fun, very romantic and very cleverly constructed. A delight for romance lovers and an absolute must for Austen enthusiasts.
When I received it I firstly admired the lovely cover. Then I wondered if I'd done the right thing agreeing to read it, when I realised just how passionate the author is about Jane Austen and her works. This book is based very firmly around Janes life and although I've enjoyed several movies based on books by Jane Austen I've never actually read any of her books and I wondered if this was going to make any sense without an in depth knowledge of her work and in particular Persuasion on which this book leans heavily for inspiration.
I needn't have worried it stands alone as a dual time romance and is a lovely flowing story. It begins in the present day when young Sophie Elliott, reeling from a broken romance, longing to be a writer, having lost her mojo somewhat is out of the blue offered the keys to an apartment in Bath and an invitation to occupy the formerly empty apartment for as long as she needs to get back on her feet. Who could resists an offer like that? When she arrives to find it full of dust from years of disuse only the fact that it is situated next door to the house where one of her favourite authors used to live makes her want to stay.
When young and handsome neighbour Josh drops a glove, Sophie picks it up intending to return it and is mysteriously transported back in time to the Regency era, where she happens to meet and befriend Jane Austen herself.
Travelling back and forth between past and present is always a difficult concept to grasp and one has to suspend disbelief somewhat, however it is done with such charm and ease I found it quite easy to accept. As present day offers her friendship with the likeable Josh, the past offers a different friendship with Jane herself and the possibility of love looms with Janes brother Charles.
Whilst Sophie investigates a secret romance she suspects existed between Jane and a mystery man, discovers a chain of coincidences linking her family history to the Austens and struggles with travelling back and forth in time taking its toll on her health.
The setting of Bath is exquisitely described and the authors knowledge of and love for Jane Austen shines through like a beacon.
I enjoyed both the modern day story and the past regressions Sophie experiences and although there are one heck of a lot of coincidences to accept, the whole story is captivating, fun, very romantic and very cleverly constructed. A delight for romance lovers and an absolute must for Austen enthusiasts.
February 22, 2015
I admit that the title is what first caught my eye. Anything to do with Persuasion is bound to! :) But the story within was delightful enough to capture my interest and keep me "turning" the pages on my kindle. It's not a rewriting of, but more based on, Ms. Austen's original. How exciting would it be to time travel back and actually speak with Ms. Austen herself? That's precisely what the heroine of this story gets to do! And how the time travel works doesn't fully make sense, but who cares? With simultaneous romances going on, one in real life and one in Austen's time period, the cute and fun is enough to make me happy to suspend my disbelief. With our heroine doing a balancing act between two worlds and two handsome, but confusing gentlemen, as well as getting to converse with Jane and her family, and trying to figure out what's real and what's not, life's a little busy. Ms. Odiwe's characters are so much fun! If you enjoy Austen sequels, then I would certainly recommend this one. Time travel and Jane Austen make a fabulous combo! :)
March 7, 2013
Well.. that was not what I was expecting
I just wanted to read some book about captain Wentworth from my favorite classic book "Persuasion" .
But it was about trying to know who had inspired Jane Austen to create captain Wentworth's character.
But I really don't like people thinking that every character in Jane Austen's novels really exist in her real life, that means that she has no imagination to create her own heroes and heroins.
I just wanted to read some book about captain Wentworth from my favorite classic book "Persuasion" .
But it was about trying to know who had inspired Jane Austen to create captain Wentworth's character.
But I really don't like people thinking that every character in Jane Austen's novels really exist in her real life, that means that she has no imagination to create her own heroes and heroins.
June 14, 2013
I love this book!!!!!!!!
Zin in een romantisch avontuur en een sneetje mysterie?
Zin in een theorie over wie Captain Wentworth is?
Dan moet je dit absoluut lezen! Het is z'n 5 sterren beoordeling dik waard!
Zin in een romantisch avontuur en een sneetje mysterie?
Zin in een theorie over wie Captain Wentworth is?
Dan moet je dit absoluut lezen! Het is z'n 5 sterren beoordeling dik waard!
July 19, 2020
Predictable but still an enjoyable read. I liked the Bath setting and Jane Austen references.
October 21, 2012
The story behind the inspirational writer and one of her most celebrated novels; Persuasion, being an indispensable read for all Austen fans.
Just as Jane Austen captured the hearts and minds of her devoted readers so too does Jane Odiwe, who writes in such a captivating and beautifully rich style as to melt your heart. This poignant and compelling love story is about one of the most highly acclaimed, remarkably striking and much loved writers ever in history who is still cherished as much today as she was a hundred years ago. Over the years so many have read about those famous characters like Mr. Darcy or Cornel Brandon or Emma Woodhouse delving into their hearts, but never finding out about the woman behind the noteworthy stories that reveal the workings of the heart with such perfect clarity and integrity. Here all is discovered about Jane Austen’s heart and her life, and in particular regarding the hero of the much loved novel Persuasion; Captain Wentworth.
Sophie Elliot moves to her new home in Bath, where she will dwell next to the prior residence of one of the most distinctive female authors ever; Jane Austen. The neglected, abandoned house seems to be concealing more secrets than initially meets the eye, as Sophie’s curiosity and inquisitiveness gets the better of her. She then discovers an ancient glove belonging to her peculiar neighbor Josh Strafford that transports her back in time to the Regency period. At first everything seems astonishing as Sophie is baffled by the time traveling, as she is caught up in the middle of two very different dimensions that each are as real as the other. She becomes lost, torn between her ancestor who is a close friend of Jane Austen and her brother Charles, and her life in the modern, present day world where she truly belongs. As her story spans across a two hundred year time span, she tries to unite this modern heroine with her own Captain Wentworth, applying her deep knowledge of the inner workings of the human heart and of true love, into the modern age of civilization. This clever and inspired story blends both fact and fiction together, combining the historical past with the relevant modern day, twenty-first century to create something absolutely spectacular. This is a tale of Jane Austen’s own quest for happiness as she becomes very much a part of her own novels, and similar to those iconic characters that she has created and developed. Here in a most authentic, believable world full of new possibilities one finds out more about the true inspiration behind Persuasion, and the writer who made such words come to life.
I cannot express in words how much I enjoyed reading this beautiful, haunting and mesmerizing novel that I was unable to put down for even a moment. I have always been such an avid reader and admirer of Jane Austen who is an inspirational, exceptional writer whose work is just as relevant today as it was many years ago, with her beloved and so credible characters standing the test of time. Reading this book was like opening a window into one of the most beloved writers of an age and glimpsing into the depths of her soul, hence I urge those of you who endeavor to acquire such a sight to take a look. I also adore historical fiction that is well-written and authentic, and I loved how I was transported back in time with everything down to the small details captured perfectly. The combination of past and present makes this story so readable to such a diverse readership, that you can totally relate to and connect with being that the modern elements bring the past vividly to life once again. If you love historical fiction, well written narrative that is gripping and adore Jane Austen’s work and her iconic characters then I urge you to read Jane Odwie’s novel for it is breathtaking. Just completely tremendous, this wonderful read that is full of panache and elegance, is taking pride of place at the top of my bookshelf to be re-read time and time again just like Austen’s books.
*I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the author Jane Odiwe for having her novel as a giveaway on a blog, which I concider myself unbelievably fortunate to have won. The lovely, personal inscription and card were so touching hence I cannot thank her enough. I do hope to read more of this accomplished author’s original and unique work in the future.
Just as Jane Austen captured the hearts and minds of her devoted readers so too does Jane Odiwe, who writes in such a captivating and beautifully rich style as to melt your heart. This poignant and compelling love story is about one of the most highly acclaimed, remarkably striking and much loved writers ever in history who is still cherished as much today as she was a hundred years ago. Over the years so many have read about those famous characters like Mr. Darcy or Cornel Brandon or Emma Woodhouse delving into their hearts, but never finding out about the woman behind the noteworthy stories that reveal the workings of the heart with such perfect clarity and integrity. Here all is discovered about Jane Austen’s heart and her life, and in particular regarding the hero of the much loved novel Persuasion; Captain Wentworth.
Sophie Elliot moves to her new home in Bath, where she will dwell next to the prior residence of one of the most distinctive female authors ever; Jane Austen. The neglected, abandoned house seems to be concealing more secrets than initially meets the eye, as Sophie’s curiosity and inquisitiveness gets the better of her. She then discovers an ancient glove belonging to her peculiar neighbor Josh Strafford that transports her back in time to the Regency period. At first everything seems astonishing as Sophie is baffled by the time traveling, as she is caught up in the middle of two very different dimensions that each are as real as the other. She becomes lost, torn between her ancestor who is a close friend of Jane Austen and her brother Charles, and her life in the modern, present day world where she truly belongs. As her story spans across a two hundred year time span, she tries to unite this modern heroine with her own Captain Wentworth, applying her deep knowledge of the inner workings of the human heart and of true love, into the modern age of civilization. This clever and inspired story blends both fact and fiction together, combining the historical past with the relevant modern day, twenty-first century to create something absolutely spectacular. This is a tale of Jane Austen’s own quest for happiness as she becomes very much a part of her own novels, and similar to those iconic characters that she has created and developed. Here in a most authentic, believable world full of new possibilities one finds out more about the true inspiration behind Persuasion, and the writer who made such words come to life.
I cannot express in words how much I enjoyed reading this beautiful, haunting and mesmerizing novel that I was unable to put down for even a moment. I have always been such an avid reader and admirer of Jane Austen who is an inspirational, exceptional writer whose work is just as relevant today as it was many years ago, with her beloved and so credible characters standing the test of time. Reading this book was like opening a window into one of the most beloved writers of an age and glimpsing into the depths of her soul, hence I urge those of you who endeavor to acquire such a sight to take a look. I also adore historical fiction that is well-written and authentic, and I loved how I was transported back in time with everything down to the small details captured perfectly. The combination of past and present makes this story so readable to such a diverse readership, that you can totally relate to and connect with being that the modern elements bring the past vividly to life once again. If you love historical fiction, well written narrative that is gripping and adore Jane Austen’s work and her iconic characters then I urge you to read Jane Odwie’s novel for it is breathtaking. Just completely tremendous, this wonderful read that is full of panache and elegance, is taking pride of place at the top of my bookshelf to be re-read time and time again just like Austen’s books.
*I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the author Jane Odiwe for having her novel as a giveaway on a blog, which I concider myself unbelievably fortunate to have won. The lovely, personal inscription and card were so touching hence I cannot thank her enough. I do hope to read more of this accomplished author’s original and unique work in the future.
February 19, 2013
In Searching for Captain Wentworth, I have found such a lovely mixture of some of my favorite things. What could be better? Austenesque fiction? Check. Jane Odiwe, one of my preferred authors? Check. Time travel!?!? I was in love before I even began this novel. Throw in Jane’s unexpected and surprising thanks to me in her acknowledgements (a first for me as a reviewer!), and I was positively biased by the time I began reading. I will do my best to present a balanced opinion, but the scales were already pre-weighted, I believe!
Although I have shamefully not read Jane Austen’s Persuasion, I have come to love the story in recent years through retellings and some of the cinematic versions. While Searching for Captain Wentworth is not a retread of that classic novel, several elements are woven into the story. We have the setting of Bath, England, lovers torn apart over time and space, leaps off the Cobb and much more. A man who could easily stand in for the titular character is frequently about, and as in Persuasion, we root for him to finally be with the woman he loves.
In addition to fans of Persuasion, those who enjoyed Bid Time Return and its film version Somewhere in Time would love this as well. As in Richard Matheson’s tale, Odiwe’s novel has a talisman which affects the time in which the main character inhabits. In Somewhere in Time, it’s a modern penny which has the unfortunate power to throw Richard Collier back to the present after falling in love while in the past. In Searching for Captain Wentworth, we have a white glove that has the power to send modern Sophia in either direction—back or forward in time, sometimes with similarly frustrating results. There’s a yearning there in Sophia’s heart that very much reminds me of the pain that Collier had in his experience.
Jane Austen herself makes appearances frequently in the novel, as do many of her family members. After just reading an Austen biography not too long ago, I enjoyed spending time with these characters and getting to know them better, with the new perspective that was in my mind. Of course Odiwe takes her own liberties with history, but I think the choices she made with her Jane Austen and family were good ones and certainly possible scenarios for our beloved authoress. I’m also pleased that her brother Charles was such a prominent character, and even wish he had been given more time on the page.
In the interest of a completely honest, balanced review, I can say that Searching for Captain Wentworth is not my favorite of Jane Odiwe’s as far as her style of writing. There seemed to be a different tone this time around. There was a bit more emphasis on describing the minute details of each environment, and at times I felt this slowed down the story. Others may appreciate this attention however, as it does allow the reader to feel more ingrained within the scenes. There also seemed to be an inexplicable shortage for commas from time to time, but if that is my most powerful complaint, Mrs. Odiwe is doing just fine.
Searching for Captain Wentworth is an excellent choice for a wide array of readers. It’s a sweet, clean love story. It’s a time-travel science fiction fantasy. And it allows us to once again transport ourselves into the world of Jane Austen and her characters. So many elements come together in a lovely mixture of literary delights. Jane Odiwe has given her readers their very own talisman with which they can be delivered into a world that has been, and will continue to be, savored time and time again.
Although I have shamefully not read Jane Austen’s Persuasion, I have come to love the story in recent years through retellings and some of the cinematic versions. While Searching for Captain Wentworth is not a retread of that classic novel, several elements are woven into the story. We have the setting of Bath, England, lovers torn apart over time and space, leaps off the Cobb and much more. A man who could easily stand in for the titular character is frequently about, and as in Persuasion, we root for him to finally be with the woman he loves.
In addition to fans of Persuasion, those who enjoyed Bid Time Return and its film version Somewhere in Time would love this as well. As in Richard Matheson’s tale, Odiwe’s novel has a talisman which affects the time in which the main character inhabits. In Somewhere in Time, it’s a modern penny which has the unfortunate power to throw Richard Collier back to the present after falling in love while in the past. In Searching for Captain Wentworth, we have a white glove that has the power to send modern Sophia in either direction—back or forward in time, sometimes with similarly frustrating results. There’s a yearning there in Sophia’s heart that very much reminds me of the pain that Collier had in his experience.
Jane Austen herself makes appearances frequently in the novel, as do many of her family members. After just reading an Austen biography not too long ago, I enjoyed spending time with these characters and getting to know them better, with the new perspective that was in my mind. Of course Odiwe takes her own liberties with history, but I think the choices she made with her Jane Austen and family were good ones and certainly possible scenarios for our beloved authoress. I’m also pleased that her brother Charles was such a prominent character, and even wish he had been given more time on the page.
In the interest of a completely honest, balanced review, I can say that Searching for Captain Wentworth is not my favorite of Jane Odiwe’s as far as her style of writing. There seemed to be a different tone this time around. There was a bit more emphasis on describing the minute details of each environment, and at times I felt this slowed down the story. Others may appreciate this attention however, as it does allow the reader to feel more ingrained within the scenes. There also seemed to be an inexplicable shortage for commas from time to time, but if that is my most powerful complaint, Mrs. Odiwe is doing just fine.
Searching for Captain Wentworth is an excellent choice for a wide array of readers. It’s a sweet, clean love story. It’s a time-travel science fiction fantasy. And it allows us to once again transport ourselves into the world of Jane Austen and her characters. So many elements come together in a lovely mixture of literary delights. Jane Odiwe has given her readers their very own talisman with which they can be delivered into a world that has been, and will continue to be, savored time and time again.
February 19, 2017
Sophie Elliot visits the family home in Bath, which is next door to the home of Jane Austen in the early nineteenth century, to help get over a broken romance. The story is from Sophie's point of view as she meets the downstairs tenant and the finding of a white glove which transports her to Regency Bath. There she meets the Austen family - how close is Persuasion to the life of Jane and Sophie.
I enjoyed the parallel romance in modern day and Regency, and liked the characters which made it a satisfying read.
I enjoyed the parallel romance in modern day and Regency, and liked the characters which made it a satisfying read.
January 25, 2017
Any true Austen reader, do not waste your time reading this book.
This is my warning. Do not say that no one warned you when you opened this stinking book.
Th problems are as follows:
This book has hardly any tone. Its beginning puts me to sleep. Its ending is just as deplorable as i had expected.
This book is a total modernisation of austen!!! This author ought to be ashamed! She has taken a perfectly good book and manipulated to fit this crappy society we currently live!!!
Furthermore, the only reason why this deplorable, dispicable, detestable book has good reviews is because the reviewers read this crap for life!!! They want this crappy stuff, they love it.
The story goes a little like this.
The girl is feeling sorry for herself because life has turned bad for her, then this sobby baby gets to go on a holiday with money her dad does not have, and sulk some damn more, and without resolving anything, gets a damn happy ending for no damn reason.
UNLIKE PERSUASION.
Oh well.
Just do not waste your time reading this.
This is my warning. Do not say that no one warned you when you opened this stinking book.
Th problems are as follows:
This book has hardly any tone. Its beginning puts me to sleep. Its ending is just as deplorable as i had expected.
This book is a total modernisation of austen!!! This author ought to be ashamed! She has taken a perfectly good book and manipulated to fit this crappy society we currently live!!!
Furthermore, the only reason why this deplorable, dispicable, detestable book has good reviews is because the reviewers read this crap for life!!! They want this crappy stuff, they love it.
The story goes a little like this.
The girl is feeling sorry for herself because life has turned bad for her, then this sobby baby gets to go on a holiday with money her dad does not have, and sulk some damn more, and without resolving anything, gets a damn happy ending for no damn reason.
UNLIKE PERSUASION.
Oh well.
Just do not waste your time reading this.
dnf
July 11, 2015I give up so easy now, it's awesome.
I just never got into it, and then when I started skimming I decided to stop reading. Just not the variation for me this time around.
I just never got into it, and then when I started skimming I decided to stop reading. Just not the variation for me this time around.
April 14, 2013
This book was a wonderful read, love the time slip genre and such a unique and romantic twist. Loved both the modern and historic stories...highly recommend.
November 9, 2013
Totally implausible, but absolute fun. If you've ever read Persuasion and tried to imagine yourself within its pages, this is the book for you.
December 20, 2023
Imagine losing your much beloved mother and then the love of your life but are blessed with a loving father and great-aunt who insist you spend time in the family owned house in Bath to recover from heartbreak. That is how Sophie's story begins.
She installs herself therefore, in a neglected house that was once a fine Georgian property and next door to the Austen family no less, which became divided into flats and happens to have a dishy, dark haired neighbour called Josh Strafford living in the flat below.
He drops a glove and that is how the magic begins to unfurl. She is transported to the world of Jane and Cassy Austen and back again, causing confusion and more heartbreak.
No spoilers in this brief review but be prepared to weave a modern day Anne Elliot with Sophie Elliot and you will see how the story can progress.
My only gripe is that the ending was not up to the rest of the book hence why I only gave three stars but it was lovely to read regardless. It was confusing and lacking in credible finality sadly. The highlight was, of course, the repeat of Capt Wentworth's letter to his dear Anne Elliot. One most women wish they could have had in their possession!
She installs herself therefore, in a neglected house that was once a fine Georgian property and next door to the Austen family no less, which became divided into flats and happens to have a dishy, dark haired neighbour called Josh Strafford living in the flat below.
He drops a glove and that is how the magic begins to unfurl. She is transported to the world of Jane and Cassy Austen and back again, causing confusion and more heartbreak.
No spoilers in this brief review but be prepared to weave a modern day Anne Elliot with Sophie Elliot and you will see how the story can progress.
My only gripe is that the ending was not up to the rest of the book hence why I only gave three stars but it was lovely to read regardless. It was confusing and lacking in credible finality sadly. The highlight was, of course, the repeat of Capt Wentworth's letter to his dear Anne Elliot. One most women wish they could have had in their possession!
March 18, 2024
In truth, the story itself is a 5, with the main character (Sophie) jumping back and forth between modern times and Jane Austen's time, and striking up a friendship with Jane. Any story involving a friendship with Jane Austen is FAB.
But ... unfortunately, the author clearly has only a vague understanding of commas and (heaven help her) semi-colons, so she simply sprinkles them like fairy dust on the page. It kept throwing me out of the story, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was a good story. I first contemplated putting the book down on page 1, and I thought HARD about it by page 2, but by then she was sufficiently into the story itself that I kept reading. The fairy-dust rendering of commas and semi-colons never improved. The writing itself is otherwise fine, but I was pretty sure no copyeditor touched this.
But ... unfortunately, the author clearly has only a vague understanding of commas and (heaven help her) semi-colons, so she simply sprinkles them like fairy dust on the page. It kept throwing me out of the story, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was a good story. I first contemplated putting the book down on page 1, and I thought HARD about it by page 2, but by then she was sufficiently into the story itself that I kept reading. The fairy-dust rendering of commas and semi-colons never improved. The writing itself is otherwise fine, but I was pretty sure no copyeditor touched this.
May 19, 2017
if you are an austen fan this is the book for you , enjoyable read and the characters in the book matched to jane characters ❤
June 13, 2018
I appreciated this approach to the Jane Austen adaptation genre, but the narration was rather clunky and the romance never clicked for me.
January 10, 2020
The blurb describes it perfectly. Doesn't stray far from the expected.
August 25, 2020
Oh, this book makes my heart go all fuzzy. I want to curl up inside it and never leave. I waited an incredibly long time to finally read this book, but I am SO glad I finally did.
January 23, 2013
What do Jane Austen, time-traveling, "Captain Wentworth", and a pair of white gloves all have in common? They're all major parts of Jane Odiwe's newest novel Searching for Captain Wentworth, a time-travelling tale that puts us smack dab in the middle of Jane Austen's life!
Sophie Elliot is in a bit of a slump, to put it mildly. Her boyfriend has cheated on her, with her best friend, no less. Totally distraught, she can't focus on the book she is attempting to write, and is quite depressed indeed. So, in order to help her recuperate and focus on her writing, her great-aunt gives her the keys to the family townhouse in Bath. She is shocked to learn that the home is located right next to the former home of none other than Jane Austen herself. She is not alone, however, as she meets a somewhat mysterious man in the townhouse named Josh Strafford. After Strafford drops an old glove, Sophie grabs it in order to return it to him. Instead of simply picking up the glove, something extremely unexpected happens. She finds herself transplanted into the body of her namesake, in Jane Austen's time! She is able to live out her wildest dream as she befriends Austen and experiences life in Regency-era bath. She soon becomes caught in the dizzying travel between these two eras separated by 200 years. She learns more about Austen than she ever thought possible. What will become of Sophie now that this magical transformation has occurred? What will happen with Josh once she tells him about the magical properties his glove seems to possess?
Right off the bat I was impressed with this book. I loved how Odiwe was able to make Austen herself personify traits that fit all of her heroines. She had the wit of Elizabeth, the matchmaking skills of Emma, the lost love like Anne, etc. I personally like to believe that Jane truly did have traits from all of her heroines. Knowing her characters so well and then believing they're little parts of Jane herself makes me feel closer to her work for some reason. (Any one else feel this way??) Also, can I talk about Charles Austen and Josh for a second? What wonderfully male creations Odiwe has invented. They were both written with such superbly gentleman-like characteristics that I couldn't help but swoon over them. Overall, Odiwe fleshed out each character quite well, with my opinions on them matching what I thought Odiwe would want to happen, making the story progress that much faster and drawing me in more.
Finally, I have to give Odiwe a lot of credit for her inspiring words throughout the work. I was touched by several quotes, my personal favorite being: Time is but a shadow; Too slow, too swift, but for those who love, time does not exist. How amazing is that? It's all too true in our society today. It makes the maxim "take time to stop and smell the roses" all that more important, as we are constantly bombarded by stimuli and fail to take in the importance of the people and places around us. Between the exquisitely written story and intriguing characters, I was hooked from cover to cover. Even if time travelling books aren't normally your style, I'd suggest that you still give this a try. After all, haven't we all wanted to be Jane's best friend?
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1Ar
Sophie Elliot is in a bit of a slump, to put it mildly. Her boyfriend has cheated on her, with her best friend, no less. Totally distraught, she can't focus on the book she is attempting to write, and is quite depressed indeed. So, in order to help her recuperate and focus on her writing, her great-aunt gives her the keys to the family townhouse in Bath. She is shocked to learn that the home is located right next to the former home of none other than Jane Austen herself. She is not alone, however, as she meets a somewhat mysterious man in the townhouse named Josh Strafford. After Strafford drops an old glove, Sophie grabs it in order to return it to him. Instead of simply picking up the glove, something extremely unexpected happens. She finds herself transplanted into the body of her namesake, in Jane Austen's time! She is able to live out her wildest dream as she befriends Austen and experiences life in Regency-era bath. She soon becomes caught in the dizzying travel between these two eras separated by 200 years. She learns more about Austen than she ever thought possible. What will become of Sophie now that this magical transformation has occurred? What will happen with Josh once she tells him about the magical properties his glove seems to possess?
Right off the bat I was impressed with this book. I loved how Odiwe was able to make Austen herself personify traits that fit all of her heroines. She had the wit of Elizabeth, the matchmaking skills of Emma, the lost love like Anne, etc. I personally like to believe that Jane truly did have traits from all of her heroines. Knowing her characters so well and then believing they're little parts of Jane herself makes me feel closer to her work for some reason. (Any one else feel this way??) Also, can I talk about Charles Austen and Josh for a second? What wonderfully male creations Odiwe has invented. They were both written with such superbly gentleman-like characteristics that I couldn't help but swoon over them. Overall, Odiwe fleshed out each character quite well, with my opinions on them matching what I thought Odiwe would want to happen, making the story progress that much faster and drawing me in more.
Finally, I have to give Odiwe a lot of credit for her inspiring words throughout the work. I was touched by several quotes, my personal favorite being: Time is but a shadow; Too slow, too swift, but for those who love, time does not exist. How amazing is that? It's all too true in our society today. It makes the maxim "take time to stop and smell the roses" all that more important, as we are constantly bombarded by stimuli and fail to take in the importance of the people and places around us. Between the exquisitely written story and intriguing characters, I was hooked from cover to cover. Even if time travelling books aren't normally your style, I'd suggest that you still give this a try. After all, haven't we all wanted to be Jane's best friend?
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1Ar
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