The Ladies of Ivy Cottage - Review

Book:  The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

Author: Julie Klassen

Publisher: Bethany House

Paperback, 444 pages.

This book has a beautiful cover which makes one think of England.  The story itself is reminiscent of a sort of Jane Austen - style of writing.  I very much enjoyed reading about quiet, day-to-day living in "Ivy Hill" in England.

The book includes a map in the beginning so you can look back to see where everyone lives, or where the businesses are located in town.  This is so helpful, particularly when some of the characters are taking a walk and you want to see how far they have to travel.

We are treated to a fascinating description of what it used to be like to form and operate a public library.  Guests had to pay a subscription for the privilege of borrowing books.  The main character, in this story, is the proprietress of a newly formed library which she started with the books from her father's personal library.

I loved the courteous way about the characters. Their manners and social graces were refreshing.

As much as I enjoyed reading this story, I hesitated when readers were introduced to the suspicious character, Mrs. Haverhill.  The reference by local residents that she was some sort of terrible person, complete with the author's description came off as something during the season of October, which I would never choose to read.  I started to wonder if I could trust the author by continuing to read, hoping she wouldn't take me to a "place" in her story that I would not want to go.  This seriously troubled me and made me not want to read any further.  I started to skim over the next several pages and found Mrs. Haverhill to be nothing of what she insinuated and was relieved.  However, because of this, I would not recommend this book to my family or friends.  It is not the type of thing I have any interest in reading.  I was really shocked by it and was not expecting this.  For me, I would much rather have read a quiet, pleasant story of a town in England, and the distinguished people, without the bold - sort - of - cinema - attraction coming through some of the pages.

Regardless of my thoughts on this story, Julie Klassen is very talented and an excellent writer.


*  Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *