Welcome to the Historical Fiction Online forums: a friendly place to discuss, review and discover historical fiction.
If this is your first visit, please be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You will have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing posts, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

July 2009: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow

A monthly discussion on varying themes guided by our members. (Book of the Month discussions through December 2011 can be found in this section too.)
User avatar
diamondlil
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 2642
Joined: August 2008

July 2009: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow

Post by diamondlil » Wed July 1st, 2009, 10:44 am

Please discuss the July 2009 book, Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow in this thread.
My Blog - Reading Adventures

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

User avatar
Ludmilla
Bibliophile
Posts: 1346
Joined: September 2008
Location: Georgia USA

Post by Ludmilla » Thu July 2nd, 2009, 12:48 pm

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...

User avatar
Misfit
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 9581
Joined: August 2008
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by Misfit » Thu July 2nd, 2009, 1:48 pm

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.
At home with a good book and the cat...
...is the only place I want to be

User avatar
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

Post by Vanessa » Thu July 2nd, 2009, 3:32 pm

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

Ash
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 2475
Joined: August 2008
Location: Arizona, USA

Post by Ash » Fri July 3rd, 2009, 2:16 pm

I just started this one, and already love the character's voice! I'm taking this one with me to San Diego, so I should be able to report back in week or so.

User avatar
Charliekat
Scribbler
Posts: 16
Joined: September 2008

Post by Charliekat » Mon July 6th, 2009, 12:01 am

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.

User avatar
Misfit
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 9581
Joined: August 2008
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by Misfit » Mon July 6th, 2009, 12:18 am

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

User avatar
Charliekat
Scribbler
Posts: 16
Joined: September 2008

Post by Charliekat » Mon July 6th, 2009, 12:34 am

I thought the book felt so much more modern than what I would have expected from a book written 50 years ago.

I wasn't really sure if I wanted to read this book at first, but in the library I read the first couple pages and was so surprised I took it home right away. :)

Mattigan
Scribbler
Posts: 31
Joined: March 2009
Location: Texas,at the moment

Post by Mattigan » Sat July 11th, 2009, 4:45 am

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.

Ash
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 2475
Joined: August 2008
Location: Arizona, USA

Post by Ash » Sat July 11th, 2009, 8:25 pm

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.

Locked

Return to “Feature of the Month”