I have been dying to talk about these books since I read them in the autumn months of 2020, but alas, there were other things that prevented that (time, school, Christmas content, etc). However, I was absolutely determined to eventually write about these reads as they were so lovely, impactful, and beautiful, so here we are! Cheers to three books I didn’t get to talk about in 2020–Tolkien: A Biography, by Michael White; Shirley, by Charlotte Brontë; and Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen.
Tolkien: A Biography — Michael White — previously published as Critical Lives: J.R.R. Tolkien
Though this book was only 250 pages, it was rich with the details of Tolkien’s life. I learned so much that I didn’t know, and what I already had knowledge of was expounded upon in more depth. So much of Tolkien’s early life was new to me, and I was moved at how much the young boy had to go through. There can be no doubt that such circumstances are what turned him into the man he became.
White tells Tolkien’s life story well. The narrative is engaging, the writing easy to read, and the tone is charming. White’s helpful inclusion of chapter notes, a chronology, & an index is both fruitful and gratifying for the reader. If you’re interested in reading about this literary legend, White’s book is a fantastic place to start. Personally, I found this a great beginning for what I know will be only the first of the Tolkien biographies I will read.
Shirley — Charlotte Brontë
What. A. Book. This is one of my favourite explorations of human nature that I have read. I have found that this is what classic authors do very often—they touch on the fallibility of mankind in a way that is unmatched, except in Scripture, of course :’) And I LOVE THEM FOR IT. I am SO HERE for it. Brontë is no exception. When it is explicitly discussed in the book itself, I am even MORE HERE for it. Take Robert Moore, for example…
Let me tell you, I particularly abominate that sort of trash, because I know so well that human nature is human nature everywhere, whether under tile or thatch, and that in every specimen of human nature that breathes, vice and virtue are ever found blended, in smaller or greater proportions, and that the proportion is not determined by station.
Robert
HECK YA. The TRUTH in this quote is so strong it’s hurting my eyes. I am blinded by how good that is. (Pls excuse this nonsensical metaphor.)
Brontë expertly scrutinizes both man’s frailty and man’s strength in a way that I adore, admire, and concur with. It is far too easy (not to mention illogical, immoral, & foolish) to say and believe blanket statements like “rich man bad”. Rather, the truth of the matter is “vice and virtue are ever found blended…[and that] proportion is not (emphasis added) determined by station.”
Too many other good quotes, so here’s a mini bookish snippets installment; have a look at my favourites. Such impeccable prose. (*the last one is a spoiler!!*):
Mansfield Park — Jane Austen
This was a long-awaited buddy read with the lovely Lauren of Literary Dates (oooh, nice alliteration hehe). I had so much fun talking about these characters with her, and we puzzled and swooned over some of the same things :’) She wrote her thoughts on this read back in December; do check that out!
Another favourite classic author, another wonderfully profound exploration of human nature. Austen is charming, insightful, and memorable—yet again. Though it took me longer than usual to get invested in these characters, I was hooked once I did.
Henry Crawford is the kind of guy my dad has always told me to avoid; Edmund is, of course, the opposite—though when he makes a mistake, it creates for some plot ~spice~, as I said to Lauren, haha!! Fanny was a character I enjoyed following; watching her development was intriguing. The vanity & emptiness of some of the other *ahem* characters, was irritating, but it absolutely made for excellent conflict.
My only critcism (shock!! horror!! i think this is my first time criticising a classic author, and one i love, at that) is that the resolution was wrapped up too quickly for my liking. The lack of dialogue between our protagonist and her man (in the culmination of the story) was a disappointment. Aside from that, it was a satisfying finish.
Here’s one of my favourite quotes from the book (and of course, it’s on hUmAn nAtUrE):
The evil lies deeper; in her total ignorance, unsuspiciousness of there being such feelings, in a perversion of mind which made it natural to her to treat the subject as she did. She was speaking only, as she had been used to hearing others speak, as she imagined every body else would speak. Her’s are not the faults of temper…Her’s are faults of principle, Fanny, of blunted delicacy and a corrupted, vitiated mind.
this is so HARSH lol, but i love it because it is PAINFULLY accurate
‘tis all
Thank you for reading about the books I didn’t get to talk about in 2020!! It’s been awhile since I wrote some mini-reviews, and I think it was the perfect way to revisit these reads to share them with y’all. Have you read any of these titles?? I hope I’ve intrigued you to pick them up, if you haven’t 😉