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July 2009: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow
- diamondlil
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 2642
- Joined: August 2008
July 2009: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow
Please discuss the July 2009 book, Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow in this thread.
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All things Historical Fiction - Historical Tapestry
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton
All things Historical Fiction - Historical Tapestry
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton
I finished Celia Garth yesterday and enjoyed it. I think the book's strongest asset is the historical detail surrounding Charleston and the events of the war. I felt somewhat detached and lukewarm about the romance, perhaps because I liked Jimmy better than Luke and, well... (poor Jimmy). I was also a bit shocked by the grieving Miles shooting Roscoe (what is it about animals that immediately gain our sympathy, sometimes more than reading about human loss?).
My burning question at the end of the book was whether the bells of St. Michael's (taken as spoil by the British) were ever returned. I found this very old NY Times article (dated April 19, 1896) which gives the interesting history of the bells from their making past the end of the Civil War.
I can't yet claim to have visited Charleston. Last time we visited SC, we rambled around the area between Hilton Head and Edisto... never quite made it to Charleston. Maybe next time...
My burning question at the end of the book was whether the bells of St. Michael's (taken as spoil by the British) were ever returned. I found this very old NY Times article (dated April 19, 1896) which gives the interesting history of the bells from their making past the end of the Civil War.
I can't yet claim to have visited Charleston. Last time we visited SC, we rambled around the area between Hilton Head and Edisto... never quite made it to Charleston. Maybe next time...
I was hoping to get a chance to reread this one for BOTM. Library has one old copy and believe it or not I'm #6 on the wait list. Someone must like it.
I do like Bristow's books and it's nice to see them being rereleased.
I do like Bristow's books and it's nice to see them being rereleased.
At home with a good book and the cat...
...is the only place I want to be
...is the only place I want to be
- Vanessa
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 4378
- Joined: August 2008
- Currently reading: The Farm at the Edge of the World by Sarah Vaughan
- Interest in HF: The first historical novel I read was Katherine by Anya Seton and this sparked off my interest in this genre.
- Favourite HF book: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell!
- Preferred HF: Any
- Location: North Yorkshire, UK
I'm taking this on holiday with me so shall report back towards the end of July.
currently reading: My Books on Goodreads
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind
- Charliekat
- Scribbler
- Posts: 16
- Joined: September 2008
I started this book July 1st, and finished July 3rd. I don't think I read a book that fast in a long time. I loved it! I really enjoyed reading a story about a smart female heroine and I thought Bristow's voice through her was very amusing and fun.
I also really American History so I enjoyed the American revolution storyline.
Needless to say I'm onto my next Gwen Bristow book, Jubilee Trail.
I also really American History so I enjoyed the American revolution storyline.
Needless to say I'm onto my next Gwen Bristow book, Jubilee Trail.
Nice to see a new fan. I am just amazed that a book written in the late 50's(according to Wik) can be so popular that the one and only copy in my county has six people waiting in line to read it.
At home with a good book and the cat...
...is the only place I want to be
...is the only place I want to be
- Charliekat
- Scribbler
- Posts: 16
- Joined: September 2008
I liked the historical details of the war but the story left me flat.
First Miles shoots the dog and then Luke shoots his horse and it was just too much shooting of poor animals for me.
I didn't care for the Luke character and the romance between him and Celia felt contrived.
I found a nice new hard copy of the book and I like the Charleston street scene on the front of it. However, I didn't like the book enought to keep it. Anyone wants it -just let me know.
First Miles shoots the dog and then Luke shoots his horse and it was just too much shooting of poor animals for me.
I didn't care for the Luke character and the romance between him and Celia felt contrived.
I found a nice new hard copy of the book and I like the Charleston street scene on the front of it. However, I didn't like the book enought to keep it. Anyone wants it -just let me know.
I didn't care for this book at all; got bored and picked up something more interesting. I felt that it was written for YAs (which isn't usually a problem for me but in this case I thought the writting quite simple). Id be interested to see other comments, maybe I am missing something and should try again.