Trai > Recent Status Updates

I read a book earlier that really let me down and I was seriously anticipating this one, so I'm desperately hoping it's as good as I want it to be. So far I like where it's going.

The one thing so far I have a slightly tough time believing is that even someone with Sam's background would view sixteen as child-age when it comes to (even coerced and abusive) sexual relationships. Since the age of consent was thirteen until at least 1885 (and I thought lower at some points), it feels a little bit anachronistic. Though don't get me wrong, I love that he's so patient with Hartley's recovery.

When Hartley accidentally says a stupid thing that offends Sam and you feel the NOOOOOOOO in your whole body

Sam is an utter cinnamon roll as promised, and considering the prospect of clearly-traumatized Hartley as the next lead made me really nervous about how a relationship for him would even happen, I am really pleased. There's a strict focus on consent and boundaries which I am living for, because I've DNFed romances where either lead gets inappropriately pushy physically or emotionally.

The dialogue could sometimes use some work, but I was thrilled to find out this book exists and is telling an important (if fictionalized) story. I'm so looking forward to getting further into it.

I gave myself a break after listening to the first three in close succession and went back to the fourth and fifth now that the TV series is a little over a week away. This book is possibly even funnier than the first three; it's a struggle not to audibly laugh at work!

My biggest problem so far is that as engaging as I find it, Carr isn't even TRYING to be anything but an ACD Holmes pastiche. Laszlo is definitely an homage and the way John (JOHN.) talks about him is so similar to the way Watson talks about Holmes. There's even one or two lines of dialogue that were almost direct quotes. I love the story but the number of similarities is a bit off-putting.

Started over again with a different, more modern translation. Just as fascinating and a bit less stilted.

Having seen Dunkirk depicted or referenced in some of my favorite period dramas, I'm excited to finally be reading about the history. Really glad this book was commissioned to accompany the film and that it focuses particularly on how Dunkirk affected the young men involved.

I can't believe I'm almost a quarter of the way through it!

Really interesting to be reading this depiction of refugees at this particular time. I'd send a copy to Trump if it would make any difference.

Already I'm struck by the depth of her observations, how minutely each scene is observed. I'd say this is definitely a feminine perspective, because of how much attention is paid to each member of the household and the smallest details about them, like the cook who doesn't want to come into the parlor by her mistress because her hands smell of fish.