Has anyone else read this? One reviewer (maybe more) has compared it to Austen in that it is a comedy of manners set in an English village. It is contemporary, however, so it has elements such as racism/race relations that Austen dealt with only in a very cursory way (e.g. Gypsies in Emma). The author talks about "passion rooted in friendship" being a kind of recipe for relational success, which I found interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, though it is rather "light". Perhaps because it is so much lighter and brighter than much contemporary "literary" fiction. What did you think?https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?16,68694,68694#msg-68694Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:17:05 +0100 Phorum 5.2.22 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?16,68694,69158#msg-69158 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?16,68694,69158#msg-69158
I wouldn't have described it as "light," or even "bright" although it ends happily. It does have a dry sense of humor and it's written somewhat sparingly of emotion. But the characterization and themes are so complex – and what I appreciate even more, dealt with subtly rather than hitting you over the head. Maybe that's what you meant by "light"?

I thought the romance/friendship completely satisfying and unusual, loved the side characters. And laughed several times while reading, which is rare for me.]]> Katharine T JAFF LibraryWed, 04 May 2011 22:13:38 +0100 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?16,68694,68814#msg-68814 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?16,68694,68814#msg-68814
Thank you though for the recommendation; when I finally get my hands on it, I'll let you know what I thought about it! ;-)]]> Mari A. JAFF LibraryFri, 29 Apr 2011 21:30:00 +0100 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?16,68694,68694#msg-68694 https://www.dwiggie.com/phorum/read.php?16,68694,68694#msg-68694
One reviewer (maybe more) has compared it to Austen in that it is a comedy of manners set in an English village.

It is contemporary, however, so it has elements such as racism/race relations that Austen dealt with only in a very cursory way (e.g. Gypsies in Emma).

The author talks about "passion rooted in friendship" being a kind of recipe for relational success, which I found interesting.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, though it is rather "light". Perhaps because it is so much lighter and brighter than much contemporary "literary" fiction.

What did you think?]]> Meg E JAFF LibraryTue, 26 Apr 2011 16:19:28 +0100