Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Goodreads: Strands of Bronze and Gold

Series: Strands of Bronze and Gold #1

Source: Purchased

Published: 2013

Summary: After the death of her father, seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram goes to live with her godfather, a mysterious man who keeps to himself in his abbey in Mississippi.  Initially, Sophia delights in the fantastic world he has created—one where she lives surrounded by beauty, art, and luxury, and can break all the social taboos.  Her godfather, however, keeps her isolated and soon Sophia begins to fear both his violent temper and the veil that lies over his past.  The discovery of his four former wives, all with hair as red as her own, sets into motion a series of events that may leave her a prisoner in the abbey forever.

Review: Nickerson makes the Bluebeard fairy tale her own, setting it in antebellum Mississippi where she can not only play with the details of the original story but also reimagine them in the context of a society preoccupied with class codes and the ideal of the proper woman.  Much of the allure surrounding Sophia’s godfather lies in his encouragement for her to break the social taboos, to dress more exotically, to lower her inhibitions.  In succumbing to his manipulations, Sophia starts to lose both her sense of morality and her sense of self.  Her journey back to find her moral center makes this book stand out from other contemporary retellings that often focus on the darkness of fairy tales, but sometimes forget to let in the light.

Of course, setting forth a moral in any tale proves tricky ground.  In Bronze and Gold, Nickerson does not avoid the common trap of assigning modern sensibilities and philosophies to her protagonist.  Thus, Sophia (somewhat suddenly) shows herself an ardent abolitionist once she steps foot on her godfather’s plantation.  While authors understandably want readers to relate to their protagonists, imposing contemporary beliefs onto historical characters does a disservice to both the past and to readers.  A more provocative and believable story might have shown a sheltered girl who never thought much of slavery (Sophia has enough naivety and even foolishness to find herself lured into Bluebeard’s trap, so it is not such a stretch to imagine she never thought about the hot button issues of her day) until she witnesses it.  Watching Sophia learn to appreciate the humanity of those around her would have been great development for her.  Instead, readers are treated to a girl who randomly spouts off offers to serve on the Underground Railroad to anyone who seems like they might be abolitionists--her only motivation apparently being that doing so will make her a superior moral force in the eyes of the readers.  Perhaps wisely, none of the characters takes up her offer.  (She is, after all, essentially a prisoner in the house of a man who owns slaves.  One wonders what exactly Sophia plans to do for the Underground Railroad.)

Sophia's actions, in fact, often seem written solely because they fit the needs of the plot and not because they form an integral part of her character.  None of the other characters, barring perhaps her godfather, who exudes a mixture of sensuality and danger that should have had the girl running for the door as soon as she arrived, ever rise about mere stock types.  The standard rebellious and handsome youth makes an appearance, as does his pretty and more cautious lover.  The old and wise conductor on the Underground Railroad, the handsome and bookish minister, the leering groom—they are all included.  Arguably, the status of the book as a retold fairy tale might allow for or even call for flat characters, but it still seems odd to focus the story around the premise of the characters’ humanity and then portray them as one-dimensional.

If the characters lack something, however, the atmosphere of the book proves suitably creepy.  Readers will experience the same sense of wonder and danger as Sophia as they explore her godfather’s abbey and his past.  Nickerson has all the ingredients she needs to create an exciting and compelling story.  Perhaps the second in the trilogy will show what she is truly capable of doing. 

Note: The darkness of the plot and some of the themes addressed, such as sexuality, make this book more appropriate for older readers.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Goodreads: Quiet

Source: Borrowed

Published: 2012

Review: Cain offers an interesting and informative look at the ways in which America has cultivated what she calls the “Extrovert Ideal”—a belief that the talkative and outgoing possess more intelligence and generate better ideas than those who prefer quiet and solitude.  In response, she argues that introverts have contributed valuable art, literature, and research to the world, all through utilizing their own unique skills.  To support her claims, she offers the results of studies indicating that solitude is requisite for the deep studying needed for success in many fields, that introverts have an edge in university, and more.  Her conclusions will not surprise those introverts aware of their own abilities, but may provide encouragement to those who have been conditioned by well-intentioned family, friends, or even educators to believe that there is something inherently wrong with them for preferring small group settings to large parties or for choosing silence over speech.

Because Quiet tries to address so many issues, however, it often seems to address no audience in particular.  Cain encourages her readers to take away only those parts which pertain to them, so, for example, those introverts who are not shy (the distinction will be welcome to many) need not worry about the chapters pertaining to those who are.  Still, the leaps from sensitivity to shyness to cultural expectations about extroversion and introversion (focused mainly on Asian Americans) make the read a little disjointed.  One topic will just start to prove particularly engrossing when another replaces it.

Despite the seeming disjointedness, however, Quiet remains a valuable resource for many—educators, business leaders, parents, and extroverts seeking to understand the introverts in their lives.  Those introverts who feel judged for not speaking up in class or meetings, or who are tired of seeing their good ideas passed over because they could not outtalk the other members in their groups will have the information they need not only to boost their confidence but also to educate others about the value of their skills.  But perhaps the best advice Quiet offers is that the book should not be read as an affirmation of introversion over extroversion.  Rather, Cain, posits, both extroverts and introverts are needed to make the world work.

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2 by Naoko Takeuchi

Translated by William Flanagan

Goodreads: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, Vol. 2

Series: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Renewal Edition #2

Source: Gift

Summary: The search for the Legendary Silver Crystal continues, but Luna fears that Sailor Moon’s feelings for Tuxedo Mask may threaten the mission.  Is Tuxedo Mask friend or foe and why does he want the crystal for himself?

Review: The second volume of the Sailor Moon manga focuses on the developing relationship between Usagi and Mamoru which, I suspect, is a big draw for many fans of the series.  Though the acts are rather episodic and the plot progresses surprisingly quickly, Takeuchi still manages to add a little bit of suspense and tension to the romance.  Any prior knowledge readers may have of how things develop matters not at all; watching Usagi and Mamoru shyly interact and secretly struggle with their attraction makes their relationship seem as if it is happening for the first time.  And, though the volume functions mainly to deliver backstory, Takeuchi does not allow her readers to get comfortable in the knowledge that everything will work out.

Despite the generous amount of backstory, however, I still feel as if I am missing key information about the characters. This, coupled with the expectation that readers will accept various plot devices without question, marred my enjoyment of the story somewhat.  I can't help but wonder why the villains are defeated in the ways they are, where all the magical items keep coming from, and why the guardians feel so threatened by the enemy when they seem to triumph so easily.  The manga consistently threatens my suspension of disbelief.

Even with its flaws, however, Sailor Moon still provides an exciting adventure driven by strong female characters.  The other four scouts may not have played a main role in this installment, but they were still present to support their leader, each in her own unique way.  I look forward to continuing the series and watching all of the scouts develop.