The author is brilliant with her stunning displays of vivid imagery, metaphors, whimsy and nods to the famous Bronte sisters later writings [Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is my all time favorite classic novel]; but, once we left the lives of the four siblings in Yorkshire at the parsonage, and entered the fantasy world of their childhood toys and stories, Glass Town, I'm afraid, the surreal "Alice in Wonderland" scenes were too random for my tastes. Although highly imaginative and inventive, and at times quite powerful with sad and frightening plot twists, I had difficulty getting over Napoleon riding into battle on a fire-breathing porcelain rooster named Marengo! In this way it reminded me of many of Roald Dahl's quirky stories. No doubt there will be fans for the superb way this fantasy world is realized and the exploration of the children's quirky creative personalities as they are forced to abide by restrictive roles that define their lives. Throughout this complicated tale there are references to true historical characters like Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington and Queen Victoria and in a compelling way the siblings are trying to come to terms with the loss of their mother and sisters and their need to face the hardships of becoming adults in an unfair world that can send two sisters, against their will, to a cruel boarding school. This escapist book will be a challenging read for those that are not familiar with the history and literary references of mid 19th century England.

Quotes from the book:

"Back home, anything could hurt them. Anything could sweep in suddenly and take the whole of everything away. School, Papa, marriages, fevers. But somehow, somehow, they'd slipped the trap of the real world and found their own place, the place they'd dreamed into life."

"A tongue is very like a gun, which is why they nearly rhyme. Both can be fired to devastating effect, for good or evil, and both can explode in your hands, wounding your comrades instead of your enemies."

It is time to select my second book for next week. I've chosen from my shelf a book I've been wanting to read since I read the summary that it is about the childhood make-believe world of my favorite authors, the Bronte sisters and their brother Branwell. "Together the Bronte siblings must battle their own imaginations in this magical celebration of authorship and creativity from award-winning author Catherynne M. Valente."

Here's what I am reading this week!

It's easy to feel at home in Mitford, North Carolina. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are friendly. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives.

I'm in...my choice for this week is Winterhouse by Ben Guterson...the enticing summary on the back reads "a lavish hotel, a family secret, a book of puzzles, and a veil of magic..." who could resist such a promising story or a cover illustration of such a grand hotel in winter? I do so love a "cozy" mystery!

Here's the blurb on the Author:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ben Guterson was born and raised in Seattle. Before working at Microsoft as a Program Manager, Ben spent a decade teaching public school on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and in rural Colorado. He has written features and book reviews for newspapers, magazines, and websites, as well as a nature-travel guide to the Southwest. Ben and his family live in the foothills of the Cascades east of Seattle. Winterhouse is his first book.

I accept this challenge! Who will join me?