Blast from the Past discussion
Lilli de Jong
>
Notebook 9-10 (end)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Robyn
(new)
Sep 01, 2017 06:59AM
Mod
reply
|
flag
Mod
I just finished this book this evening. I loved this book. The only thing I found confusing was between the last two chapters when Lilli is discovered by her brother and Johan....what made them come to find her finally? Did they finally get a letter from the dad orrrr? I was confused because it wasn't the solicitor that found them. Maybe I missed something? But I really loved Benton's writing, and I was really invested in Lilli throughout the entire book. The way that she cared for Charlotte, and the things that she would do to provide for her. If you guys didn't read the author's note, I recommend that you do because Janet goes into the research she did for this book. The way that women were treated back in Lillian's time was awful. She writes about the places that she took as inspiration....pretty heartbreaking that so many women and infants suffered due to lack of care by anybody. Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed the book!
I finished. Here's my review I placed on GR:
2.5 ↑ 3
Any woman with some sort of motherly instinct, who has carried and delivered a child will understand Lilli. I think this is why this book is so loved. Moms understand Lilli's drive and determination and sacrifice for her daughter.
Literature has a way of changing a culture, and Benton uses this novel to push forth her views. I wouldn't have objected except it felt as if it was shoved down my throat constantly. When I spit it out, it is again forced down. Many times I felt as if I was reading a lecture instead of a novel. The incessant male bashing became old.
If Benton was able to weave more of her views into the story, it would have been more enjoyable. If the story didn't go on and on with the same circumstances repeating themselves until everything lines up perfectly in a moment and thus Lilli is saved, it would have been more enjoyable. If every male character wasn't completely horrible (in the end a few are pardoned), the story would have been more enjoyable.
I understand why it is loved so much by so many. It was interesting and it does make one think if people look deeper than the novel's surface. But the problems outlined above led me to the 2.5 to 3 stars.
----------------------------
Overall, I did enjoy the book. My ratings fluctuated between a 2 and a 4 during my reading. There were parts of the book I really enjoyed, and other parts I couldn't wait to get past. I would definitely pick up another Benton novel.
2.5 ↑ 3
Any woman with some sort of motherly instinct, who has carried and delivered a child will understand Lilli. I think this is why this book is so loved. Moms understand Lilli's drive and determination and sacrifice for her daughter.
Literature has a way of changing a culture, and Benton uses this novel to push forth her views. I wouldn't have objected except it felt as if it was shoved down my throat constantly. When I spit it out, it is again forced down. Many times I felt as if I was reading a lecture instead of a novel. The incessant male bashing became old.
If Benton was able to weave more of her views into the story, it would have been more enjoyable. If the story didn't go on and on with the same circumstances repeating themselves until everything lines up perfectly in a moment and thus Lilli is saved, it would have been more enjoyable. If every male character wasn't completely horrible (in the end a few are pardoned), the story would have been more enjoyable.
I understand why it is loved so much by so many. It was interesting and it does make one think if people look deeper than the novel's surface. But the problems outlined above led me to the 2.5 to 3 stars.
----------------------------
Overall, I did enjoy the book. My ratings fluctuated between a 2 and a 4 during my reading. There were parts of the book I really enjoyed, and other parts I couldn't wait to get past. I would definitely pick up another Benton novel.
There was a quote, in the letter that Lilli's mother wrote for her wedding. "It is as a mother that thee shapes the world to come."
I think this so true and so frowned upon in North American society.
I think this so true and so frowned upon in North American society.
Finished and review posted. I'm almost gasping for air. It was infuriating in a way. I couldn't feel extreme sympathy for any of the characters, but the writing held me. The word choice, the reveries the exhausted and end -of-the line Lilli fell into pushed a few emotional buttons
Well chosen, Robyn!
Mod
2.5 ↑ 3
Any woman with some sort of motherly instinct, who has carried and delivered a child will understand Lilli. I think this is why this book is s..."
So now that I've read your review of the book, I do agree that there was a lot of strong feelings towards men in the book. I didn't pick up on it at all when I was reading, but in reflection, I see what you mean. Isn't it funny how we pick up on different things in books? Mind you, I am totally influenced by the recent birth of my son, so I connected a lot with Lilli's emotional state in the book. Thanks for joining us this month!
Mod
I'm almost gasping for air. It was infuriating in a way. I couldn't feel extreme sympathy for any of the characters, but the writing held me. The word choice, the reve..."
Thanks for joining Jan! :) Glad you liked it!
Robyn wrote: "Carrie wrote: "I finished. Here's my review I placed on GR:
2.5 ↑ 3
Any woman with some sort of motherly instinct, who has carried and delivered a child will understand Lilli. I think this is why..."
I understand why people enjoyed it and I really think Lilli's perseverance is what I loved about the book. (I have three kids: 7, 6, 4) Honestly, I went from two stars to four stars and back again. I will give her forthcoming novels a chance. I think I've become a bit more critical lately of what I read lately.
2.5 ↑ 3
Any woman with some sort of motherly instinct, who has carried and delivered a child will understand Lilli. I think this is why..."
I understand why people enjoyed it and I really think Lilli's perseverance is what I loved about the book. (I have three kids: 7, 6, 4) Honestly, I went from two stars to four stars and back again. I will give her forthcoming novels a chance. I think I've become a bit more critical lately of what I read lately.
Mod
2.5 ↑ 3
Any woman with some sort of motherly instinct, who has carried and delivered a child will understand Lilli. I thi..." But you know what? That's okay. I've been the same way. I have been DNFing books left and right. :)
I thought this story was so well written, it compelled me to keep reading. There were parts in this story that were so infuriating and I thought Benton did a wonderful job portraying all of the emotions/changes that would come with a woman living in this situation. I was heart broken over Nancy and all of the women's lives we were unable to read about. I thought this book did an especially great job with showing how tied women's lives were to the choices that the men around them made. This was shown again and again throughout all of the women we encountered in the story. I especially was interested in the choices that Lilli's father made and how they totally flipped her world. I Loved the women workers that Lilli came to know through her service to the Burnham family. I was also interested in Lilli's relationship to her church and how sad it was that because they were so focused on her "sin" that they ignored the vital part they could have played in her life, especially with how positive a role the church plays in so many different areas in the book. And then to compare that to the compassion shown through Vera was really cool. Robyn, I think that Peter gets Lilli's letter she wrote to him earlier in the novel, though I will agree that was a bit confusing and could have been explained better. Great read, I don't think I would have ever read this if it hadn't been your club pick!
