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Scones and Sensibility
In a small New Jersey beach town, twelve-year-old Polly Madassa, who speaks like a character in her two favorite novels, "Pride and Prejudice" and "Anne of Green Gables," spends the summer making deliveries for her parents' bakery and playing matchmaker,with disastrous results.
320 pages, Library Binding
First published December 1, 2009
40 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Eland
6 books92 followers Lindsay Eland knew she wanted to be a writer ever since fifth grade, when she won an honorable mention for her book “What Can You Learn From a Giflyaroo.” The book received rave reviews and was highly acclaimed among her family members. Sadly, with only ten hard-bound copies produced, the book is now out of print. In high school and early college, Lindsay traveled to India and had the privilege of working in Mother Teresa’s Home for Orphans in Calcutta. Years later, after getting hitched to a wonderful guy she met in college and having four kids in four years, she decided she didn’t have nearly enough to do. Picking up pen and paper, she began writing again with the humor, passion, and determination that always marked her character. A true romantic like Polly, an avid espresso drinker, savvy, reliable, and a lover of all that can make her laugh, Lindsay lives in Breckenridge, Colorado, with her husband, their four kids, a great big dog they call Cowboy, and various bears and foxes that venture into their yard. One day Lindsay hopes to own a horse, and she’ll name him, of course, Mr. Darcy.
Lindsay writes funny, heart-warming stories to make you laugh, cry, and long for more.
Lindsay writes funny, heart-warming stories to make you laugh, cry, and long for more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
January 26, 2016
i'm such a sucker for a pretty book cover, and i still think that this one is a beauty. but it also raised expectations, already somewhat elevated by some advanced praise i read of the book. alas, it didn't quite live up to either. which is a darn shame, because i still think the idea is solid and that polly has the makings of a good character. but ...
the word "annoying" has been bandied about a lot on these other goodreads reviws and i'm going to agree with them. and it isn't just the trying-too-hard "voice" that the book is written in, although that got old very, very quickly (insert rant here about authors who try to evoke the voice of older, classic writers without actually developing their own). things our heroine polly does and says in the book ... they grate. they're stupid. and irksome. i'm pretty sure that i was supposed to be charmed, but mostly i wanted to slap polly. as, i suspect, did some of her fellow characters; although in a terribly passive-aggressive manner, they just hemmed and hawed and went along with her ridiculousness. except for her sister, who quickly earned her way to my heart by calling bullshit.
the word "annoying" has been bandied about a lot on these other goodreads reviws and i'm going to agree with them. and it isn't just the trying-too-hard "voice" that the book is written in, although that got old very, very quickly (insert rant here about authors who try to evoke the voice of older, classic writers without actually developing their own). things our heroine polly does and says in the book ... they grate. they're stupid. and irksome. i'm pretty sure that i was supposed to be charmed, but mostly i wanted to slap polly. as, i suspect, did some of her fellow characters; although in a terribly passive-aggressive manner, they just hemmed and hawed and went along with her ridiculousness. except for her sister, who quickly earned her way to my heart by calling bullshit.
March 22, 2010
Polly Madassa is quite the winsome character, and I adore her. She takes her favorite novels very seriously, allowing them to inspire the way she dresses, talks, and interacts with others. With books as her guide, she tends to get lost in whimsical fantasies and has a flair for the dramatic. But her heart is in the right place.
Though she sometimes slips up and talks like a modern girl, her narration is very much like reading novels by Jane Austen and Lucy Maud Montgomery. It was refreshing. And you really can't blame a girl for wanting a world filled with chivalry, romance, and cordial behavior.
Unfortunately, Polly is only twelve years old and hasn't experienced love on her own. The only things she knows about love come from books, which leads to a comedy of errors--including breakups, arguments, and even an arrest--as she plays matchmaker around town. I laughed out loud more than once and really wanted her to make a successful match.
But, like most true heroines, Polly holds her head high, rights her wrongs, and learns about real love and happiness. She even meets a romantic suitor of her very own.
Having Polly's parents own a bakery was the cherry on top of this very sweet story. I could almost smell the delicious treats that were baked and delivered to customers.
Scones and Sensibility was a lovely story from beginning to end. I'm eagerly awaiting Lindsay Eland's next book!
Though she sometimes slips up and talks like a modern girl, her narration is very much like reading novels by Jane Austen and Lucy Maud Montgomery. It was refreshing. And you really can't blame a girl for wanting a world filled with chivalry, romance, and cordial behavior.
Unfortunately, Polly is only twelve years old and hasn't experienced love on her own. The only things she knows about love come from books, which leads to a comedy of errors--including breakups, arguments, and even an arrest--as she plays matchmaker around town. I laughed out loud more than once and really wanted her to make a successful match.
But, like most true heroines, Polly holds her head high, rights her wrongs, and learns about real love and happiness. She even meets a romantic suitor of her very own.
Having Polly's parents own a bakery was the cherry on top of this very sweet story. I could almost smell the delicious treats that were baked and delivered to customers.
Scones and Sensibility was a lovely story from beginning to end. I'm eagerly awaiting Lindsay Eland's next book!
July 21, 2009
Scones and Sensibility when first revealed is a charming book with an equally charming main character. The novelty soon dies in the middle of the book where I suggest that the reader set the book down for a few hours.
Polly Madassa is someone who believes in true love but her idea of finding love comes from a novel. This is where things go downhill. Love cannot be dictated by an outside source just as Polly finds out at the end of the book when every blind date she’s prepared turns out disastrous. From kites running amok, to getting your best friend’s dad’s date handcuffed, to making your sister hate your guts, Polly risks it all to find the “perfect” match for her love ones—even at the cost of their own love interest. Her heart’s in the right place but she sometimes takes things just too far as Polly’s bosom friend lets her know.
Polly’s interference at love starts out charming even adorable but takes on an annoying tone later on. That was where the book lost some of its novelty. I thought the little slip ups with Polly’s speech from Jane Austen to modern day 12 year old gave the reader insight how Polly is just a regular girl. And Polly’s own little love trouble makes the book more squealish. I enjoy the terms of affection that she used, I mean “boson friend” how cute is that? (My friend uses the term butt buddy (which makes me think of bubble buddy from Spongebob Squarepants) so I like to squish the two terms together to make bosom buddy.) The antics of Polly were sweet but grew frustrating when Polly would not listen to sound advice. The ending, of course, was a bit to be expected with Polly finally deciding that love cannot be messed with but ending with at least one good match that Polly had made. It was a happy ending for all as everyone found some kindling of love even if Polly did not help set up.
Overall: Cute as a Danish. But sometimes too many Danishes can have its faults.
Polly Madassa is someone who believes in true love but her idea of finding love comes from a novel. This is where things go downhill. Love cannot be dictated by an outside source just as Polly finds out at the end of the book when every blind date she’s prepared turns out disastrous. From kites running amok, to getting your best friend’s dad’s date handcuffed, to making your sister hate your guts, Polly risks it all to find the “perfect” match for her love ones—even at the cost of their own love interest. Her heart’s in the right place but she sometimes takes things just too far as Polly’s bosom friend lets her know.
Polly’s interference at love starts out charming even adorable but takes on an annoying tone later on. That was where the book lost some of its novelty. I thought the little slip ups with Polly’s speech from Jane Austen to modern day 12 year old gave the reader insight how Polly is just a regular girl. And Polly’s own little love trouble makes the book more squealish. I enjoy the terms of affection that she used, I mean “boson friend” how cute is that? (My friend uses the term butt buddy (which makes me think of bubble buddy from Spongebob Squarepants) so I like to squish the two terms together to make bosom buddy.) The antics of Polly were sweet but grew frustrating when Polly would not listen to sound advice. The ending, of course, was a bit to be expected with Polly finally deciding that love cannot be messed with but ending with at least one good match that Polly had made. It was a happy ending for all as everyone found some kindling of love even if Polly did not help set up.
Overall: Cute as a Danish. But sometimes too many Danishes can have its faults.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2014
12 year-old Polly Madassa dreams of the days when Elizabeth Bennet walked the halls of Pemberley with Mr. Darcy and Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe (Anne of Green Gables) rambled down Lover's Lane. Polly lives and breathes her two favorite novels, even attempting to speak like a 19th century heroine. In the small seaside town where her parents own a bakery, Polly searches for real life Elizabeths, Darcys, Annes and Gilberts for her nearest and dearest. She also wants to regain the affections of her dearest sister and must deal with an unwanted suitor. Though things don't always go the way she planned, Polly never gives up until she sees the truth of the situation. Polly is a modern tween equivalent of Jane Austen's Emma. Like Emma, Polly is certain she is right and ignores what is right under her nose. I can really relate to Polly and her love of old-fashioned romances. I remember speaking and dressing like a 19th century heroine, too and that made Polly all the more of an appealing heroine. The other characters are real people who inhabit the real, modern world with problems of their own that many readers will be able to relate to. This is a sweet, charming novel that girls (and women) who dream of being Elizabeth and Anne will love.
September 16, 2022
"Indeed, love was not a book and I had seen it manifest in ways I had not dreamt, but still it had mysteriously come just the same."
polly was so cute at first with all her mannerisms and the way she speaks like the characters from jane austen's books, but she became really annoying ngl. miss girl was totally oblivious to social cues and was very controlling. but it's still entertaining and i loveee the atmosphere in this middle grade book. i legit wanna leave in her neighborhood she's so damn lucky.
polly was so cute at first with all her mannerisms and the way she speaks like the characters from jane austen's books, but she became really annoying ngl. miss girl was totally oblivious to social cues and was very controlling. but it's still entertaining and i loveee the atmosphere in this middle grade book. i legit wanna leave in her neighborhood she's so damn lucky.
May 17, 2020
This was one of my most favorite books EVER!!!! Polly (the main character) was so relatable on so many levels. What especially made the book better was that Polly was 12, as am I! I devoured this book because I loved this book so much, which is what makes a great book. This was like a modern Sense and Sensibility story, which kind of makes me want to read Jane Austen. I'd recommend this to all of my friends, for certain!
July 13, 2014
At the tender age of 12, Polly Madassa has discovered Jane Austen and fallen hopelessly in love. Convinced that she's an Austen heroine born in the wrong time, Polly walks around her modern town speaking in Austen's flowery prose. She's only read Pride and Prejudice, and so has not learned Emma's lesson about meddling. Polly goes about delivering baked goods from her family's bakery and trying to spread happiness and love among her neighbors by matchmaking. Of course, as we all know, the course of true love is never smooth, and neither is this summer an easy one for Polly.
A-dor-a-ble.
That's all there really is to say about this.
It's nothing terribly original for an older Austenite, but it's cute for the younger set. Polly is well-intentioned if misguided, and more than a few of us can probably relate to her. Who wouldn't be upset if her older sister neglected her for a boring boy? It's much better to set her up with the new boy in town who is not only handsome but also has a British accent! Right?
Polly is an Emma, and so it was a little hard to feel sorry for her when everything comes crashing down on her, but she's plucky and she's a reader.
This will be perfect for girls who might be a little too romantic for their own good. Moms will probably enjoy reading it with them.
A-dor-a-ble.
That's all there really is to say about this.
It's nothing terribly original for an older Austenite, but it's cute for the younger set. Polly is well-intentioned if misguided, and more than a few of us can probably relate to her. Who wouldn't be upset if her older sister neglected her for a boring boy? It's much better to set her up with the new boy in town who is not only handsome but also has a British accent! Right?
Polly is an Emma, and so it was a little hard to feel sorry for her when everything comes crashing down on her, but she's plucky and she's a reader.
This will be perfect for girls who might be a little too romantic for their own good. Moms will probably enjoy reading it with them.
February 19, 2013
Lucy Maud Montgomery and Jane Austen book fans will enjoy this modern day middle grade story. I did!! It's breezy and fun. Wittingly, twelve old Polly Madassa "channels" revered literary idols, Anne Shirley and Elizabeth Bennett, as she goes about her business (and that of many others) in a dreamy coastal town. Her self-proclaimed sole purpose is to devise ways to assist townsfolk in finding true love. She speaks with the lilt of bygone days and thus the story unfolds with triumphs and troubles.
October 2, 2016
After reading "Pride & Prejudice", 12-year-old Polly decides to emulate her new romantic role model Elizabeth Bennet who surpasses her previous one -- Anne Shirley of "Anne of Green Gables"-- by becoming a matchmaker during her summer vacation while making deliveries for her parents' bakery.
The title is a bit of a misnomer. The story had more in common with Green Gables than Austen. The first chapter was fine and I was expecting a kind of Flavia de Luce character. By the end of the second chapter, the language and situations became really cloying.
Nice idea
Quick, quick read
The title is a bit of a misnomer. The story had more in common with Green Gables than Austen. The first chapter was fine and I was expecting a kind of Flavia de Luce character. By the end of the second chapter, the language and situations became really cloying.
Nice idea
Quick, quick read
February 13, 2015
This book was utterly adorable. Polly was a great main character and I loved how the entire thing was written like we were actually there with Jane Austen, even though it takes place in the twenty first century. There were a couple times though I was a bit annoyed by the characters, which is why I gave it four and not five stars. Still an overall enjoyable read.
April 25, 2011
Ia lebih menyukai lilin daripada lampu, lebih suka suara mesin tik daripada komputer, dan sangat menyukai gaun berhias renda dan kerutan. Ia bicara dalam bahasa berbunga-bunga, senang bersepeda sambil menikmati wangi garam di udara (karena ia tinggal dekat laut), dan mengawali tiap pagi dengan harum roti dan gula karena kedua orang tuanya memiliki toko roti.
Namanya Polly Madassa, usia 12 tahun. Novel kesukaan: Anne of The Green Gables dan Pride and Prejudice. Berbekal kedua novel romantis itu dan melihat keadaan di sekitarnya, di mana satu-satunya kakak perempuannya, Clementine, memiliki pacar yang, menurutnya, sangat tidak layak mendapatkan kakaknya; juga bahwa Fran sahabatnya sangat mendambakan kehadiran seorang Ibu, dan Mr. Nightsquit yang baik hati serta sudah lama menduda, Polly bertekad menjalankan takdirnya sebagai orang yang akan merajut cinta bagi orang-orang tersayangnya itu.
Dan melihat luasnya pengetahuanku tentang asmara dan percintaan yang kudapat dari membaca Jane Austen, aku sangat bersedia dan siap mengemban tugas itu (hlm. 6)
Apalagi selama libur musim panas itu, Polly mendapat tugas mengantarkan pesanan roti ke beberapa langganan. Jadilah Polly tak hanya mengantarkan roti, tapi juga mengantarkan cinta.
Namun, apakah cinta bisa berjalan selancar cerita dalam novel romansa?
Akankah Polly berhasil?
Bagaimana bila niat baiknya justru mendatangkan bencana di mana-mana?
Alasan saya membeli buku ini adalah karena pertama, novel ini terbitan Atria (imprint Penerbit Serambi dan saya sudah telanjur memberi cap recommended pada penerbit itu, maaf ya kalau jadi terlalu subyektif :p)
Dan kedua, penerjemahnya adalah Barokah Ruziati (Mbak Uci), satu dari beberapa penerjemah favorit saya karena mampu menjadikan Secret Garden begitu mengalir dan enak dibaca :)
Yang ketiga, siapa yang tidak akan jatuh cinta pada covernya?
Saya pribadi, sebagai penyuka novel klasik, amat sangat menyukai gaya penulisnya bertutur. Menggunakan sudut pandang orang pertama, saya sering tersenyum-senyum sendiri melihat ulah Polly yang kadang sok dewasa dalam alam pikirannya yang masih sangat remaja. Saya juga menyukai pilihan kata yang digunakan.
Kalau kamu punya adik perempuan/ pacar/ sahabat/ istri yang tipenya romantis, hadiah ini dijamin cocok sekali baginya, sebab saya sendiri mendapat novel ini sebagai hadiah ulang tahun dari suami tersayang ^_^
Namanya Polly Madassa, usia 12 tahun. Novel kesukaan: Anne of The Green Gables dan Pride and Prejudice. Berbekal kedua novel romantis itu dan melihat keadaan di sekitarnya, di mana satu-satunya kakak perempuannya, Clementine, memiliki pacar yang, menurutnya, sangat tidak layak mendapatkan kakaknya; juga bahwa Fran sahabatnya sangat mendambakan kehadiran seorang Ibu, dan Mr. Nightsquit yang baik hati serta sudah lama menduda, Polly bertekad menjalankan takdirnya sebagai orang yang akan merajut cinta bagi orang-orang tersayangnya itu.
Dan melihat luasnya pengetahuanku tentang asmara dan percintaan yang kudapat dari membaca Jane Austen, aku sangat bersedia dan siap mengemban tugas itu (hlm. 6)
Apalagi selama libur musim panas itu, Polly mendapat tugas mengantarkan pesanan roti ke beberapa langganan. Jadilah Polly tak hanya mengantarkan roti, tapi juga mengantarkan cinta.
Namun, apakah cinta bisa berjalan selancar cerita dalam novel romansa?
Akankah Polly berhasil?
Bagaimana bila niat baiknya justru mendatangkan bencana di mana-mana?
Alasan saya membeli buku ini adalah karena pertama, novel ini terbitan Atria (imprint Penerbit Serambi dan saya sudah telanjur memberi cap recommended pada penerbit itu, maaf ya kalau jadi terlalu subyektif :p)
Dan kedua, penerjemahnya adalah Barokah Ruziati (Mbak Uci), satu dari beberapa penerjemah favorit saya karena mampu menjadikan Secret Garden begitu mengalir dan enak dibaca :)
Yang ketiga, siapa yang tidak akan jatuh cinta pada covernya?
Saya pribadi, sebagai penyuka novel klasik, amat sangat menyukai gaya penulisnya bertutur. Menggunakan sudut pandang orang pertama, saya sering tersenyum-senyum sendiri melihat ulah Polly yang kadang sok dewasa dalam alam pikirannya yang masih sangat remaja. Saya juga menyukai pilihan kata yang digunakan.
Kalau kamu punya adik perempuan/ pacar/ sahabat/ istri yang tipenya romantis, hadiah ini dijamin cocok sekali baginya, sebab saya sendiri mendapat novel ini sebagai hadiah ulang tahun dari suami tersayang ^_^
June 7, 2021
Initial Response
Oh, Polly...Have you no SENSE?
High Lights
- I love love LOVED the style of writing. It was super easy to get into and the descriptions were lovely.
- THE SETTING. I am all for the bakery setting. Delicious foodie descriptions = win.
- It's also by the ocean, which makes it all the more whimsical.
- There were chapter titles!! I LOVE those! <3
- I love how it had a very old-fashioned feel to it, with Polly being obsessed with Jane Austen and Anne of Green Gables and the like.
- Fran is a sweetie.
- Brad is hilarious.
- And I love how poor Eddie just let's himself get pulled around by Polly. The poor, confused, guy... XD
- And OMGOSH THAT ENDING.
Low Lights
- Polly. She annoyed me to absolutely no end. I get that she's trying to be charming and all, talking like a proper lady, but messing in other people's affairs?! Are you kidding?! Are really just so lost up in that perfect little world of yours that you can't take real life for what it is?
- The characters were quite ordinary to me. They weren't badly written, not at all, but I found them to be a bit less than memorable.
- Clementine was a TOTAL stereotype of an angsty teenager, which was slightly frustrating. I didn't like her character at all. The only thing her and I agreed on was that Polly was positively infuriating. XD
- Yeah, Polly. I realize that there would be no story if she hadn't gotten herself into all these fine little predicaments, but it annoyed me very much that she was so insensitive to everybody.
Conclusion
This was a fun, fluffy read. Aside from the main character being really frustrating, I loved the lovely writing and the delightful bakery setting. If you're looking for a light, quick summer read, you might consider picking this one up.
3.5/5.
Oh, Polly...Have you no SENSE?
High Lights
- I love love LOVED the style of writing. It was super easy to get into and the descriptions were lovely.
- THE SETTING. I am all for the bakery setting. Delicious foodie descriptions = win.
- It's also by the ocean, which makes it all the more whimsical.
- There were chapter titles!! I LOVE those! <3
- I love how it had a very old-fashioned feel to it, with Polly being obsessed with Jane Austen and Anne of Green Gables and the like.
- Fran is a sweetie.
- Brad is hilarious.
- And I love how poor Eddie just let's himself get pulled around by Polly. The poor, confused, guy... XD
- And OMGOSH THAT ENDING.
Low Lights
- Polly. She annoyed me to absolutely no end. I get that she's trying to be charming and all, talking like a proper lady, but messing in other people's affairs?! Are you kidding?! Are really just so lost up in that perfect little world of yours that you can't take real life for what it is?
- The characters were quite ordinary to me. They weren't badly written, not at all, but I found them to be a bit less than memorable.
- Clementine was a TOTAL stereotype of an angsty teenager, which was slightly frustrating. I didn't like her character at all. The only thing her and I agreed on was that Polly was positively infuriating. XD
- Yeah, Polly. I realize that there would be no story if she hadn't gotten herself into all these fine little predicaments, but it annoyed me very much that she was so insensitive to everybody.
Conclusion
This was a fun, fluffy read. Aside from the main character being really frustrating, I loved the lovely writing and the delightful bakery setting. If you're looking for a light, quick summer read, you might consider picking this one up.
3.5/5.
April 6, 2010
I really wanted to like this book, with its cute premise of a young girl infatuated with all things Jane Austen, the pastry shop, and multiple courtships, but I just didn't. While it might be because the 12 year old character Polly grated on my nerves with her endless talking as if she somehow was a Romantic period character, I simply couldn't shake my annoyance over her behavior. Yes, Polly was cute, the way a 12-year old is supposed to be cute, but I didn't really believe her either. I couldn't see a girl of her age getting Jane Austen the way she claimed, and if she did, I couldn't help but feel that this little girl needed more experiences to add to her fantasies.
On the cuteness factor, this story is definitely that...cute. I really would like to hand the book over to a younger reader to see how they respond. Although not realistic in a lot of ways, I suppose that really is what reading is about, a fantasy story that asks "what if" for us. So, maybe Polly is this Austen fan at 12, and maybe she does speak in an antiquated British speech...nonstop. I, however, think that for the story and the maturity of the characters, that it seemed too juvenile. Cute story, but a bit too formulaic for me. Sorry.
On the cuteness factor, this story is definitely that...cute. I really would like to hand the book over to a younger reader to see how they respond. Although not realistic in a lot of ways, I suppose that really is what reading is about, a fantasy story that asks "what if" for us. So, maybe Polly is this Austen fan at 12, and maybe she does speak in an antiquated British speech...nonstop. I, however, think that for the story and the maturity of the characters, that it seemed too juvenile. Cute story, but a bit too formulaic for me. Sorry.
March 27, 2020
Vorrei davvero dare di più a questo romanzo dal sapore austeniano per ragazzi, ma davvero, la protagonista, Polly Madassa, una Emma in miniatura (ma molto, molto più pericolosa di Emma Woodhouse), mi attaccava continuamente i nervi. Se la avessi avuta davanti l'avrei addirittura presa a schiaffi, e non so come abbia fatto sua sorella maggiore Clementine a trattenersi, visto che per colpa sua deve mettere fine alla sua storia romantica con Clint.
Oltre a Emma, ho visto in lei una certa somiglianza con Anna dai capelli rossi negli atteggiamenti, ma soprattutto la Catherine Morland dell'Abbazia di Northanger nella sua cocciutaggine a voler vedere per forza alcuni aspetti dei libri che ama nella realtà, ma travisando tutto secondo le proprie idee e i propri interessi.
Un film tratto da questo libro non lo vedrei neanche male (sarebbe stato carino interpretato dalla Lindsay Lohan degli anni '90, per esempio, che come faccia da schiaffi non era male da dodicenne.)
Oltre a Emma, ho visto in lei una certa somiglianza con Anna dai capelli rossi negli atteggiamenti, ma soprattutto la Catherine Morland dell'Abbazia di Northanger nella sua cocciutaggine a voler vedere per forza alcuni aspetti dei libri che ama nella realtà, ma travisando tutto secondo le proprie idee e i propri interessi.
Un film tratto da questo libro non lo vedrei neanche male (sarebbe stato carino interpretato dalla Lindsay Lohan degli anni '90, per esempio, che come faccia da schiaffi non era male da dodicenne.)
August 15, 2009
Polly Madasa is darn near one of the cutest protagonists I've read. I fell hard for her quirky ways! A lover of all things quaint and romantic, Polly is like a fish-out-water in the rough-and-tumble 21st Century. She prefers candlelight to electric lamps, carriages to cars, and good old fashioned courting to today's internet dating. When she decides to take her town's romantic interests into her own hands, silly matchmaking (and hilarity) ensues!
Funny, sweet, and charming, Scones & Sensibility is a fabulous debut for Eland!
Funny, sweet, and charming, Scones & Sensibility is a fabulous debut for Eland!
March 14, 2014
Did not finish.main character was too pretentious.
March 19, 2021
Laugh out loud funny, very cute and quick read.
January 28, 2011
Review originally posted here.
Polly is a very quirky 12 year old. She is a precocious young reader who read Anne of Green Gables in fourth grade and at 12 has just read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. She has requested that her computer be replaced with an old fashioned typewriter, learned calligraphy, embroiders and wears frilly dresses. She also talks like Anne at her most flowery and melodramatic. The book is a first person narrative from Polly's POV so the entire thing is written in this style. Which was cute at first but became annoying after a while. Polly did slip up every now and then, resuming 21st American tween speech, but the slip ups didn't occur nearly as often as would be realistic.
There were some amusing parts in the story one of my favorites being this exchange between Polly and a boy who has a crush on her:
Boy: "I know. Mind if I call you sometime? Maybe tonight, and we can talk about...about the olden times or something. My dad used to have an Afro when he was in college, you know. And my grandpa, he's even older than that."
Polly: "I...I am afraid I cannot commit to any telephone calls about your family genealogy at this time. Pleas enjoy yourself, and perhaps I may see you when school, once again, commences in the fall. Good day.
I was interested in reading the book originally because I saw a lot of reviews saying the story worked Jane Austen into it well and that its language was reminiscent of Austen's language. Except it's not. Jane Austen wrote in the language of her period and genre but her heroines never sounded as though they were vomiting up a Hallmark store on every page. The language is more like Anne waxing lyrical, but instead of it just popping up every now and then the entire book is written that way. As far as working in elements of Austen, that is definitely there. The book mentions both P&P and Persuasion. The title is a riff on Sense and Sensibility. Polly is playing matchmaker like Emma. However, her character most resembles Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey. She is applying the romantic notions she has picked up in books on the world around her and trying to force real people into the roles of characters. She makes an absolute cake of herself and hurts some people in the process. As Northanger Abbey is a satire making fun of romantic melodrama and its effects I was left wondering what the author was trying to do with this. But that could be me, who wrote way to many English papers on Austen, overthinking the whole thing. Probably.
Overall it is a cute and fluffy story if you can stomach the language. It is best suited for its intended audience, 8-12 year old girls (particularly those who have shown a partiality to the types of stories mentioned).
Polly is a very quirky 12 year old. She is a precocious young reader who read Anne of Green Gables in fourth grade and at 12 has just read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. She has requested that her computer be replaced with an old fashioned typewriter, learned calligraphy, embroiders and wears frilly dresses. She also talks like Anne at her most flowery and melodramatic. The book is a first person narrative from Polly's POV so the entire thing is written in this style. Which was cute at first but became annoying after a while. Polly did slip up every now and then, resuming 21st American tween speech, but the slip ups didn't occur nearly as often as would be realistic.
There were some amusing parts in the story one of my favorites being this exchange between Polly and a boy who has a crush on her:
Boy: "I know. Mind if I call you sometime? Maybe tonight, and we can talk about...about the olden times or something. My dad used to have an Afro when he was in college, you know. And my grandpa, he's even older than that."
Polly: "I...I am afraid I cannot commit to any telephone calls about your family genealogy at this time. Pleas enjoy yourself, and perhaps I may see you when school, once again, commences in the fall. Good day.
I was interested in reading the book originally because I saw a lot of reviews saying the story worked Jane Austen into it well and that its language was reminiscent of Austen's language. Except it's not. Jane Austen wrote in the language of her period and genre but her heroines never sounded as though they were vomiting up a Hallmark store on every page. The language is more like Anne waxing lyrical, but instead of it just popping up every now and then the entire book is written that way. As far as working in elements of Austen, that is definitely there. The book mentions both P&P and Persuasion. The title is a riff on Sense and Sensibility. Polly is playing matchmaker like Emma. However, her character most resembles Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey. She is applying the romantic notions she has picked up in books on the world around her and trying to force real people into the roles of characters. She makes an absolute cake of herself and hurts some people in the process. As Northanger Abbey is a satire making fun of romantic melodrama and its effects I was left wondering what the author was trying to do with this. But that could be me, who wrote way to many English papers on Austen, overthinking the whole thing. Probably.
Overall it is a cute and fluffy story if you can stomach the language. It is best suited for its intended audience, 8-12 year old girls (particularly those who have shown a partiality to the types of stories mentioned).
April 12, 2011
Polly Madasa, gadis kecil berusia 12 tahun mungkin bisa kita anugrahkan predikat gadis paling romantis yang ada di muka bumi. Bagaimana tidak, buku favoritnya Pride and Predudice and Anne of Green Gables yang dibaca berulang kali. Ia lebih menyukai menulis dengan lilin dibanding mengetik di internet. Bahasa sehari-hari Pollypun sama persis dengan kalimat jadul ala Anne ditambah Polly juga pengkhayal kelas berat, sering kali orang tua dan teman-temannya dibuat bingung oleh tingkah laku Polly yang seakan terjerat masa lalu.
"Pesta minum teh dengan hidangan roti isi mentimun adalah kegiatan favoritku sejak usia lima tahun. Sebagian besar pakaianku sejak mulai menghirup napas pertama di dunia ini berhias renda dan kerutan (kecuali kamping sial ketika aku dipaksa memakai celana jins yang dipotong pendek dan tank top bertuliskan whassup?" Kalimat di paragraf awal :p Sudah kelihatan kan lebaynya, hehehe.
Di halaman selanjutnya ".. Saat aku berbaring di kamarku merenungkan semua hal ini, sekonyong-konyong aku dibanjiri kecemerlangan dan keagungan musim panas. Udara pekat dan manis bagai kembang bokor yang baru mekar, serta aroma air garam yang menyeruak dalam embusan angin, bagaikan baju yang dijepit apik pada tali jemuran, terasa memabukkan." Wih, luar biasa berbunga bahasanya dan salut untuk mbak Uci yang bisa menerjemahkan kalimat Polly dengan pas!
Niat mulai Polly selama musim panas ingin menjodohkan orang-orang terdekatnya. Clementine, kakak tersayang yang menurut Polly pacarnya tidak sesuai dengan Clementine, tidak bertindak layaknya seorang laki-laki terhormat. Ada juga Mr. Nightquist yang kesepian setelah kematian istrinya. Miss Wiskerton, perawan tua kesepian yang hanya tinggal dengan anjingnya juga tak luput dari Polly. Terakhir, ayah sobat karib Polly, Mr. Fisk telah 3 tahun menduda dan tentunya Polly tak tinggal diam.
Berdasar dari kisah cinta ala Pride and Prejudice ataupun kisah cinta Anne - Gilbert di buku Anne of Green Gables, Polly mulai melancarkan aksinya menjodohkan pasangan yang menurutnya pasti menjadi pasangan serasi. Sayangnya Polly lupa, cinta tak dapat dipaksa dan benarkah cinta berbunga ala novel klasik beneran dapat terwujud di dunia jaman sekarang? Nah, Polly harus belajar dari tante Mia kalau gitu :p
Buku yang saya peroleh hasil menang kuis di facebook ini memiliki inti cerita yang menarik ditambah lagi covernya yang manis banget. Sayangnya kemanisan cerita sedikit terganggu dengan tingkah laku Polly yang terkadang sedikit di luar jalur plus kesan yang saya dapat 'duh ni anak sok tua banget sih?' Bagi pecinta romance remaja dan pengagum cover seperti saya, buku ini layak kok untuk dikoleksi :)
"Pesta minum teh dengan hidangan roti isi mentimun adalah kegiatan favoritku sejak usia lima tahun. Sebagian besar pakaianku sejak mulai menghirup napas pertama di dunia ini berhias renda dan kerutan (kecuali kamping sial ketika aku dipaksa memakai celana jins yang dipotong pendek dan tank top bertuliskan whassup?" Kalimat di paragraf awal :p Sudah kelihatan kan lebaynya, hehehe.
Di halaman selanjutnya ".. Saat aku berbaring di kamarku merenungkan semua hal ini, sekonyong-konyong aku dibanjiri kecemerlangan dan keagungan musim panas. Udara pekat dan manis bagai kembang bokor yang baru mekar, serta aroma air garam yang menyeruak dalam embusan angin, bagaikan baju yang dijepit apik pada tali jemuran, terasa memabukkan." Wih, luar biasa berbunga bahasanya dan salut untuk mbak Uci yang bisa menerjemahkan kalimat Polly dengan pas!
Niat mulai Polly selama musim panas ingin menjodohkan orang-orang terdekatnya. Clementine, kakak tersayang yang menurut Polly pacarnya tidak sesuai dengan Clementine, tidak bertindak layaknya seorang laki-laki terhormat. Ada juga Mr. Nightquist yang kesepian setelah kematian istrinya. Miss Wiskerton, perawan tua kesepian yang hanya tinggal dengan anjingnya juga tak luput dari Polly. Terakhir, ayah sobat karib Polly, Mr. Fisk telah 3 tahun menduda dan tentunya Polly tak tinggal diam.
Berdasar dari kisah cinta ala Pride and Prejudice ataupun kisah cinta Anne - Gilbert di buku Anne of Green Gables, Polly mulai melancarkan aksinya menjodohkan pasangan yang menurutnya pasti menjadi pasangan serasi. Sayangnya Polly lupa, cinta tak dapat dipaksa dan benarkah cinta berbunga ala novel klasik beneran dapat terwujud di dunia jaman sekarang? Nah, Polly harus belajar dari tante Mia kalau gitu :p
Buku yang saya peroleh hasil menang kuis di facebook ini memiliki inti cerita yang menarik ditambah lagi covernya yang manis banget. Sayangnya kemanisan cerita sedikit terganggu dengan tingkah laku Polly yang terkadang sedikit di luar jalur plus kesan yang saya dapat 'duh ni anak sok tua banget sih?' Bagi pecinta romance remaja dan pengagum cover seperti saya, buku ini layak kok untuk dikoleksi :)
April 23, 2010
SCONES AND SENSIBILITY, Lindsay Eland’s debut novel, introduces to us a quirky yet endearing heroine who will probably remind us all too well of ourselves, especially if you are, too, a fan of Anne Shirley and Elizabeth Bronte. Its romantic affectations may make it appeal more to older readers instead of its intended middle-grade audience, but readers of all age will be able to laugh at Polly’s misconceptions and mistakes, and smile as she grows up and discovers the difference between fiction and reality.
Polly’s voice and narration—so influenced by what she feels is a more romantic way of talking—is the make-it-or-break-it element of this book. I can certainly recall many moments when I wish my life were like Anne Shirley’s, or if I lived in Anne’s world, where mishaps lead to endearments, and every girl found a horribly romantic and swoon-worthy Gilbert Blythe-esque figure. On the other hand, I also never actually allowed myself to talk in the way Polly does, because I probably would’ve been laughed out of the state. Polly’s overuse of “indeeds,” “trulys,” and other words may get on readers’ nerves, even those who liked Montgomery and Austen’s writing.
In a way, Polly exists in her own little world that’s difficult to place in a contemporary setting. She’s a 12-year-old growing up in 21st-century America, but her speech and her social concerns aren’t anything like what I remember thinking about when I was 12. Polly’s romantic imagination makes her sound younger than her age, and yet the language of the book may be slightly more sophisticated than the age of readers who’d perhaps find Polly the most entertaining.
SCONES AND SENSIBILITY, then, is most fun in a retrospective sort of way. Readers who will be able to best enjoy Polly’s adventures will be the ones who can still remember the magic that Green Gables and Regency England held for them, but are old enough to have some distance from their childhood infatuations. It’s a challenging book to market as a result, but if mothers buy this book for their daughters, they’ll surely be able to enjoy it themselves as well.
Polly’s voice and narration—so influenced by what she feels is a more romantic way of talking—is the make-it-or-break-it element of this book. I can certainly recall many moments when I wish my life were like Anne Shirley’s, or if I lived in Anne’s world, where mishaps lead to endearments, and every girl found a horribly romantic and swoon-worthy Gilbert Blythe-esque figure. On the other hand, I also never actually allowed myself to talk in the way Polly does, because I probably would’ve been laughed out of the state. Polly’s overuse of “indeeds,” “trulys,” and other words may get on readers’ nerves, even those who liked Montgomery and Austen’s writing.
In a way, Polly exists in her own little world that’s difficult to place in a contemporary setting. She’s a 12-year-old growing up in 21st-century America, but her speech and her social concerns aren’t anything like what I remember thinking about when I was 12. Polly’s romantic imagination makes her sound younger than her age, and yet the language of the book may be slightly more sophisticated than the age of readers who’d perhaps find Polly the most entertaining.
SCONES AND SENSIBILITY, then, is most fun in a retrospective sort of way. Readers who will be able to best enjoy Polly’s adventures will be the ones who can still remember the magic that Green Gables and Regency England held for them, but are old enough to have some distance from their childhood infatuations. It’s a challenging book to market as a result, but if mothers buy this book for their daughters, they’ll surely be able to enjoy it themselves as well.
February 7, 2010
A fun, charming book full of romanticism and sentiment, though at times it was almost too much so for me.
12 year-old Polly, daughter of the owners of a bakery in a seaside town, is utterly and inescapably enchanted by the works of L. M. Montgomery and Jane Austen, those immortal scribes of a lost era of gentility, civility, elegance and ... romance. Polly does her best to conform to the ideals of those more enlightened times, adopting in particular an Anne Shirley-like mode of expressing herself. And this summer, Polly takes it upon herself to play matchmaker to four hapless individuals in her circle of acquaintance: her sister, her best friend's father, an elderly widower and a lonely spinster. But as so often occurs, her plans go wildly awry and she may just have ruined these same individuals' chances at love. Can she make things right?
I enjoyed the book, truly. After all, I discovered Austen and Montgomery around the same time and made it through every single one of their works and I absolutely loved them. I still rank them amongst my very favorite books. But I was never as ... obsessed with the idea of romance nor as day-dreamy as Polly and at times I did get very frustrated with her because she is so caught up in the idea that she knows best that she is ignoring the fact that she is mucking about in these peoples' personal lives. Which Polly does learn, but it takes a long time and in the midst I was getting fed up with her. And she was quite ridiculous in how far she took her attempts at times to emulate her heroines' lives and times. And I did think the pacing was slow. A good fifty pages could have been cut if things had been ever so slightly condensed. The descriptions of the bakery were spot on and made me really want to take a trip to the nearest bakery. It was a fun and superbly summery read and I look forward to the next offering from Lindsay Eland.
12 year-old Polly, daughter of the owners of a bakery in a seaside town, is utterly and inescapably enchanted by the works of L. M. Montgomery and Jane Austen, those immortal scribes of a lost era of gentility, civility, elegance and ... romance. Polly does her best to conform to the ideals of those more enlightened times, adopting in particular an Anne Shirley-like mode of expressing herself. And this summer, Polly takes it upon herself to play matchmaker to four hapless individuals in her circle of acquaintance: her sister, her best friend's father, an elderly widower and a lonely spinster. But as so often occurs, her plans go wildly awry and she may just have ruined these same individuals' chances at love. Can she make things right?
I enjoyed the book, truly. After all, I discovered Austen and Montgomery around the same time and made it through every single one of their works and I absolutely loved them. I still rank them amongst my very favorite books. But I was never as ... obsessed with the idea of romance nor as day-dreamy as Polly and at times I did get very frustrated with her because she is so caught up in the idea that she knows best that she is ignoring the fact that she is mucking about in these peoples' personal lives. Which Polly does learn, but it takes a long time and in the midst I was getting fed up with her. And she was quite ridiculous in how far she took her attempts at times to emulate her heroines' lives and times. And I did think the pacing was slow. A good fifty pages could have been cut if things had been ever so slightly condensed. The descriptions of the bakery were spot on and made me really want to take a trip to the nearest bakery. It was a fun and superbly summery read and I look forward to the next offering from Lindsay Eland.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2010
The Original Review - Here!
The narrator of the story, Polly, is a charming girl who enjoys classic stuff. In the summer the story’s narrated, Polly finds herself at a new job; making deliveries for her parent’s bakery while remembering her matchmaking gift at a singular situation she decides to find an “true love” to her Dearest Fran father. This is where the adventure starts since Polly already feels confident about her gift that she decides to take her town’s romantic interests into her own hands with her plan: “Love is In The Making”. What Polly’s ignoring is that she also has an admirer. One of the most admirable aspects of the story is how Eland drives her characters; through Polly’s eyes we’ll have a clear idea on the lives of secondary characters. The reader will grow fond of them throughout the story and will want the same as Polly; seeing them happy. Experiences also seem real and according to each character’s age. The biggest credit I can give the author is how she managed parents and authority figures without taking the spark off the book. Scones and Sensibility possesses a singular charm, its plot is surrounded by sweetness and one of the most charming main characters I’ve read about in a long time. No lack of deepness and gives the reader one than another lesson in the process. Scones and Sensibilities is really one of those titles I wish moves from generation to generation because of the beauty of its content.
The narrator of the story, Polly, is a charming girl who enjoys classic stuff. In the summer the story’s narrated, Polly finds herself at a new job; making deliveries for her parent’s bakery while remembering her matchmaking gift at a singular situation she decides to find an “true love” to her Dearest Fran father. This is where the adventure starts since Polly already feels confident about her gift that she decides to take her town’s romantic interests into her own hands with her plan: “Love is In The Making”. What Polly’s ignoring is that she also has an admirer. One of the most admirable aspects of the story is how Eland drives her characters; through Polly’s eyes we’ll have a clear idea on the lives of secondary characters. The reader will grow fond of them throughout the story and will want the same as Polly; seeing them happy. Experiences also seem real and according to each character’s age. The biggest credit I can give the author is how she managed parents and authority figures without taking the spark off the book. Scones and Sensibility possesses a singular charm, its plot is surrounded by sweetness and one of the most charming main characters I’ve read about in a long time. No lack of deepness and gives the reader one than another lesson in the process. Scones and Sensibilities is really one of those titles I wish moves from generation to generation because of the beauty of its content.
January 24, 2010
Eland's protagonist, a middle schooler newly obsessed with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice after a childhood of Anne of Green Gables, is written with quirky charm as she takes up calligraphy, wears dresses and bonnets, and otherwise does her best to live up to the example of her literary heroes. She has even schooled herself to speak (and think!) in an approximation of the proper English of centuries ago. It is the perfect hook.
Unfortunately, the protagonist is blind to the real-world needs of her friends and family. Her romantic daydreams and near constant playacting are both humorous and irritating. With her narrating and dominating the dialogue, I didn't feel like I got enough of the contrast between Polly's anachronistic mannerisms and the 21st century world (and language) around her. That was probably a deliberate choice, to have the book merged with the daydream, but I would have liked as an observer the chance to see her behavior in context with the world she's living in better.
Still, I enjoyed it. Scones and Sensibility was both charming and smart...a really admirable debut book.
Unfortunately, the protagonist is blind to the real-world needs of her friends and family. Her romantic daydreams and near constant playacting are both humorous and irritating. With her narrating and dominating the dialogue, I didn't feel like I got enough of the contrast between Polly's anachronistic mannerisms and the 21st century world (and language) around her. That was probably a deliberate choice, to have the book merged with the daydream, but I would have liked as an observer the chance to see her behavior in context with the world she's living in better.
Still, I enjoyed it. Scones and Sensibility was both charming and smart...a really admirable debut book.
December 31, 2016
I was disappointed in this book. I thought it would have more humor and more cute twelve year old romance but really it was about a whiny little girl who wanted to set people up when she really didn't have a clue how to do it. Instead of Sensibility she was playing a little bit Emma but way more annoying.
The main character, Polly, loves JA and throughout the entire novel talks like they did in JA books. At first I thought it was endearing but it really it was annoying. However, I found it fabulous that she referred to her friend as her bosom friend. haha I have to start using that.
Polly had good intentions when she thought to find a spouse for her bosom friend's dad and the local spinster. Then there was her interference with her sister and her boyfriend. Ugh. This was the whole book.
For me, this book became increasingly boring. I just couldn't finish it.
The main character, Polly, loves JA and throughout the entire novel talks like they did in JA books. At first I thought it was endearing but it really it was annoying. However, I found it fabulous that she referred to her friend as her bosom friend. haha I have to start using that.
Polly had good intentions when she thought to find a spouse for her bosom friend's dad and the local spinster. Then there was her interference with her sister and her boyfriend. Ugh. This was the whole book.
For me, this book became increasingly boring. I just couldn't finish it.
November 24, 2010
A romantic book for tweenage readers who love Anne of Green Gables and Mr. Darcy?! That was all I needed to hear before delving into this charming tale of twelve-year-old Polly Madassa, who decides to play matchmaker (ála Austen’s Emma) in her small beach town, often with disastrous and comical results. The language is hilariously overwrought and the chapter titles adorable, as in “In Which My Family Is Introduced and My Bosom Friend Gives Me Distressing News.” I happily embraced my “30 going on 13” persona and dug right into this delicious read. I loved every minute of this book and can only imagine how excitedly my tweenage self would also have devoured it. This is coming from the girl whose mother indulgently brought her to Prince Edward Island at the height of her Anne of Green Gables obsession, no less.
February 16, 2010
While well-written, Polly, the main character, just plain annoyed me. I understand that her romantic fancies and old-fashioned way of speaking is part of her character, but it just seemed a bit too forced. And her journey to realizing that she couldn't force real love to be what it is in her beloved storybooks took far too long, leaving the character to seem fairly unlikeable at times. And is it just me, or does a 12 year old seem a bit too young to be enamored with Pride and Prejudice? However, regardless of these quibbles, Eland creates a good set of supporting characters and a charming atmosphere.
January 9, 2013
How adorable is this book? I mean really, it's so cute and I fell in love with it immediately. Polly is 12 and has just read Pride and Prejudice and it has changed her life. She is transformed into a well bred elegant lady who must become a matchmaker for all the love starved people in her little town. Unfortunately, Polly's matchmaking turns disastrous and she has to learn the hard way that books are very different than real life. I loved the cover, the title, and all of the characters. I laughed so much with this book, it is hilarious. I really enjoyed it.
March 15, 2013
Cute and sugary story of a young girl, Polly, who is equal parts Emma Woodhouse (Austen's "Emma") and Anne Shirley (Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables").
Polly is a matchmaker wannabe in the modern world, desperately trying to keep her bosom friend Fran from hating her when her matchmaking skillz go rabidly wrong for her father. Polly's also doomed at trying to find Mr. Right for her sister. Will she get it right? Or wallow in the pits of despair at being the ultimate busybody and failure?
Mix that up with a few croissants and the story is recipe for good clean fun.
Polly is a matchmaker wannabe in the modern world, desperately trying to keep her bosom friend Fran from hating her when her matchmaking skillz go rabidly wrong for her father. Polly's also doomed at trying to find Mr. Right for her sister. Will she get it right? Or wallow in the pits of despair at being the ultimate busybody and failure?
Mix that up with a few croissants and the story is recipe for good clean fun.
December 30, 2009
This was sweet and funny - with a narrator who wants to be Elizabeth Bennet, but whose matchmaking attempts turn out more like Emma Woodhouse's.
February 8, 2012
Very funny story as Polly tries to emulate her heroines from Jane Austen's novels, especially match-maker Emma.
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