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Kelly
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So here’s what I’d like: a book with a reassuringly authoritative, in control narrator and a heart. I would take Vanity Fair, Wives & Daughters, Northanger Abbey, Orlando or Anna K over again. See? All very different, but all have exactly those two things.
Anybody got a book like that for me? I’m trying Trollope right now and it’s got the former and not the latter and it’s killing me.
— Jan 22, 2019 06:33PM
Anybody got a book like that for me? I’m trying Trollope right now and it’s got the former and not the latter and it’s killing me.
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Jess
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Jan 22, 2019 07:11PM
NK Jemisin comes to mind. Also Robin McKinley. Vita Nostra by Dyachenko maybe.
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I would suggest 'The Old Wives' Tale' by Bennett, or 'Villette' by Charlotte Bronte, or even something contemporary - 'The Neapolitan Novels' by Ferrante.
Have you read any Josephine Tey? The Daughter of Time might fill this bill, or Miss Pym Disposes.
I love Villette and Ferrante! That’s what I’m talking about. I’ve read Robin McKinley’s Sunshine, which was lovely and had the heart but maybe not the narrator? Is there another one of hers that does? I haven’t read any of the others but Jemisin and Tey have been on my list. I will look into the others. Thanks, Jessica, Speranza and Michelle!! :)
For McKinley, The Hero & The Crown had the narration, I think.
Are you specifically looking for ones where the narrator in question is 1st person/a character? If not, I think Strange the Dreamer & Muse of Nightmare by Laini Taylor fits! I see you didn't love Taylor's other series, but I like these one much better and I think you might too :)
I think it’s more like a very strong authorial voice. I want to feel the author present and taking care of the story. Does that make sense? But strong narrators of any kind might work, so thanks!
I'm puzzled at your hint that Trollope doesn't have "a heart". Can you explain that a little more?
The Way We Live Now has been mostly mildly amusing satire so far and I’m not in the mood for it if that’s all it is.
Depends on how far you are into WWLN. I've read parts of it and thought it had plenty of heart. However, if you're looking for heart in Trollope, the Warden is the first place I'd point you. Overall, I've found Trollope to be a very sophisticated student of human nature...much more so than some of his more popular contemporaries.
I’ll have to put The Warden on my list. I’m just not in the mood for biting satire only right now, so I’ll have to come back to WWLN. I found the book I’m looking for I think, so yay! :)
The first book I thought of (given your taste for 19th century novels) was David Copperfield. Famous first line: “‘Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.” DC meets your critieria & it’s Dickens at his best.
Then there’s the greatest American novel ever: Moby Dick. First line “Call me Ishmael.” And you’re off on an adventure as great as any in literature.
I liked DC at first but I wanted to claw my own ears out by halfway through- though perhaps it just wasn’t the best audiobook choice. But then again, Richard Armitage narrated it, so like, if anyone's going to sell it... I have not yet tackled Moby Dick, tho I did enjoy shorter Melville in HS. So perhaps that is a candidate!
William wrote: "Depends on how far you are into WWLN. I've read parts of it and thought it had plenty of heart. However, if you're looking for heart in Trollope, the Warden is the first place I'd point you. Overal..."Well said. His combination of brain and heart makes him one of the greatest novelists.
Ok! Hope to agree with you when I get farther next time and try it again. Thanks. :)
Possibly! I am good with the one I’m reading now but maybe later!
