I don't know why I am so delighted when I hear of a man
who
reads and enjoys Jane Austen, but it seems to always catch
me by surprise. The author of FIRST IMPRESSIONS, Charlie
Lovett, is obviously one of those men. In fact, when
reading his books, both this one and The Bookman's Tale, I
get the distinct impression that here is a true
bibliophile.
This love of books permeates the entire novel. The
story takes place in two settings: Jane Austen's time
right
before she becomes a published author; and present day
England with a woman, Sophie Collingwood, who has recently
been hired at an antiquarian bookshop. When she receives
two requests for the same printing of the same obscure
book, the mystery begins. Mr. Lovett weaves a mystery that
left me guessing until the very end.
And if the mystery story isn't enough, there is a love
story, a lovely reimagining of Jane Austen's life, and
even
some tidbits about bookselling, book collecting, and the
history of book printing. This seems like a lot to pack
into one book, but Mr. Lovett does it with ease. Having
two
time periods switching back and forth can be cumbersome,
but the two stories are engrossing and I can't pick which
one I like best. They do have a common thread and
eventually converge into one story at the end. And like
Jane Austen's books, FIRST IMPRESSIONS has a very
satisfying ending indeed.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS affected me in many ways. One way was
that I was
compelled to purchase a hardcover copy in addition to the
ebook for my library. FIRST IMPRESSIONS, (which, as Jane
Austen enthusiasts know, is the original title of Pride
and
Prejudice) made it into the ranks of my special book
friends, so I had to have it on my actual bookshelves.
Another effect this book had was to entice me to read all
of Jane Austen's books yet again. FIRST IMPRESSIONS is a
lovely tribute to Jane Austen and her body of work. I look
forward to other offerings by Charlie Lovett--perhaps
about
other beloved authors?
A thrilling literary mystery costarring Jane Austen from
the
New York Times bestselling author of The Bookman’s Tale
Charlie Lovett first delighted readers with his New York
Times bestselling debut, The Bookman’s Tale. Now, Lovett
weaves another brilliantly imagined mystery, this time
featuring one of English literature’s most popular and
beloved authors: Jane Austen.
Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has
recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London
when two different customers request a copy of the same
obscure book: the second edition of Little Book of
Allegories by Richard Mansfield. Their queries draw Sophie
into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true authorship
of Pride and Prejudice—and ultimately threaten Sophie’s
life.
In a dual narrative that alternates between Sophie’s quest
to uncover the truth—while choosing between two suitors—
and
a young Jane Austen’s touching friendship with the aging
cleric Richard Mansfield, Lovett weaves a romantic,
suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in
all
its forms and the joys of a life lived in books.
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