Happyily Ever After is almost always considered the resolution of a conflict including the blossoming of a romance. I do not disagree with this, but the kind of Happily Ever After I crave is of a different nature, altogether. In my opinion, a true Happily Ever After is merely the ability to have found someone you can share your life with, be it within or without the norms of marriage - someone who witnesses the progression of your life, someone who can provide testament to the small, insignificant events and achievements, in addition to the great milestones of your life. Also, in my Happily Ever After, although romance, love & understanding are key...another extremely important aspect is 'self-acceptance', and having found something to do with your life that truly provides comfort to you, and makes you feel validated. I mean, what good is being in love with someone, and having them love you back...when you cannot love yourself, or are not also loving what you do? The amalgamation of all those aspects is what truly makes a perfect "Happily Ever After" - and I wish it for every man and woman in this world! :)
"Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott is, and always has been, my favorite novel. Although I enjoyed "Jo's Boys" very much, as well for all its shenanigans, it was the "Little Women" that always held my fascination. Every character in that novel was multi-dimensional, and inspiring. But for me, the two most inspiring characters were that of Marmee and Jo. Marmee, for her sage-like wisdom, patience and morality. Jo inherited the same moral compass, but had a fiery streak and immense passion which made her a perfect role model. It was her passion for writing that made me want to be an author myself.
I cannot wait to read "The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott" - I believe it would be an excellent way to reconnect with the author, and by way of the author, to the characters that I have come to know and love as family. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! :D
Reading Historical Fiction is like time traveling. And it has always been a habit of mine to imagine how a character appearing in a historical fiction novel would fit into the world of today. My favorite re-imagining is for "Mr. Darcy" from Pride & Prejudice and Louisa May Alcott's "Jo March".
Books allow us to explore our own emotions, fears, hopes and dreams. Heartwrenching and emotionally fraught stories always touch us far more because they are the explorations of our own insecurities, our own emotions, and our own frailty. We are far like to relate to the characters engulfed in such a drama than any other book. Also, such stories examine the dynamics of the human psyche and the interaction, and emotional attachments, of one human being with another, so they are really also commentary on humanity! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity, your book is on my TBR list, and I would be ecstatic if I had a chance to read it. Have an amazing day, and a wonderful summer :)
Wow, sounds like such an interesting premise. I love that its fairy-tale like, and yet has that unique twist to it! :D Adding it to my TBR and Wishlist right NOW :)
I'm a 4th year medical student, and I love Dr. House. But in terms of movies, Dr. Zhivago was truly inspirational and memorable!
I think Doctors make for great heroes because they understand human frailty, and they deal with life AND with death, which serves to make them sensitive as well as tough in difficult situations.