12/150

"The message was short. I want to see you now. I want you to come to me, it doesn't matter how late it is, and tell me exactly what you want from me.'

At the dawn of the twenty-first century Adam Kellas finds himself hurled on a journey between continents and cultures. In his quest from the war-torn mountains of Afghanistan to the elegant dinner tables of north London and then the marshlands of the American South, only the memory of the beautiful, elusive Astrid offers the possibility of hope."

We Are Now Beginning Our Descent is a novel that I was obliged to study on my Contemporary Writing module at university. It took a while for me to get into this book, as the context and themes of the novel are all very current to the news everyday, and I tend to read books as an escapist hobby rather than a depiction of the reality of which I'm currently living in. When one puts that aside, the novel is rather good.

The text has thematics such as war, long distance love, obsession and trauma. Our protagonist Adam Kellas is a brilliant character because he develops along with the novel. Due to the clever opening of the novel, the reader is immediately thrown into the centre of a young afghan person's life, I didn't realise that this wasn't actually happening but was the musings of Adam. We discover he is a reporter out in the Middle East who is also aspiring to write a novel. Due to the opening, the reader is immediatly put into the mind set that is needed to really get behind the meaning of this text.

I believe that Meek is initially making us realise and think about the effects of seeing the ongoings in the middle east from an outsiders point of view, but due to his friend from the country we are also given the perspective of a person who is actually from the Middle East. By bringing Astrid into the novel, Meek is not only creating a sort of 'relief' character for the reader, but once again a different dimention, as Astrid's character also shows us how even though there are this incredibly horrendous things occurring abroad, she also has her own problems.

Overall this book was a good read, but I found it rather difficult to keep flicking between the various settings of the UK, the Middle East and the USA. I also question the realistic quality of Adam's decision to just jump on a plane one night and go to Astrid. Yes, I realise novels are supposed to be escapist, but one questions that idea in this scenario due to the rest of the novel seeming to be so realistic and accurate.

For me, this is about a 3 star read - Sophie.

BOOK 3/150

A Weekend with Mr Darcy - Victoria Connelly.
"A Weekend with Mr Darcy' is the first in a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts," with the two other novels being realised over the next two years.  I loved this book as it encompassed my favourite author; Jane Austen, while managing to intertwine the themes of humour, heartbreak, bereavement and how to deal with an Austen conference. Also, let's face it, what sort of woman doesn't immediately reach for a book with the words "Mr. Darcy" pasted across the front of it?! You'd be mad not to!

My first point of discussion has to be the choice of characters. Connelly is mightily clever in regards to her choice of the two main characters as they juxtapose one another beautifully, while interacting perfectly. You have the romantic, 'bohemian' Robyn who is stuck in a relationships she'd rather be out of and in a dead end job. Something many people can relate to. And the other female character is Oxford lecturer in Jane Austen (obviously!) Katherine who once again fails at relationships. Connelly has managed to bring the central thematics of Austen into the contemporary world of literature, which enbles us as readers to fully engage with the characters and fully understand their perspective on events occurring throughout the plot.

The key location used throughout the novel is Purley Hall in 'Austen' country - so the guests at the Austen conference allow the reader to join them in their exploration of Purley Hall, Austen-like events and Jane's old house. I love how Connelly merges fiction and fact here as one really gets the feeling of actually being there and experience these things with the characters. Of course, Purley is described in such a way that one immediately falls in love with it, and if you're anything like me, google it to learn of it's existence! Now, similar to every Austen novel, there was a hunky male present in this story - Dan, who is rather romantic and lives in the stables. Of course, this creates a problem for Robyn who falls for him. I enjoyed the sections where the reader was exposed to Robyn and Dans 'alone' time, as we were able to draw comparisons between her relationship with Dan and Jace. The structure of Dan as a character is fabulous, as he is portrayed as the 'knight in shining armour' after having helped Robyn through difficult times.

Now, Katherine also has an romantic encounter of an entirely different nature, which I believe shows Connelly's diversity of writing as she is able to take similar situations but create completely opposite effects. Katherine unfortunately gets involved with Warwick, who is an author writing under the pseudonym  of Lorna Warwick. This obviously causes problems which helps to create a tense atmosphere in the book, as the reader desperately wants things to work about between Katherine and Warwick, but we are forced right to the end of the novel to learn of the happy outcome.

This book makes you laugh, cry and scream in frustration at the amazingly formed characters, and it is a fabulous read if you love Austen or adore romantic novels.

Definitely a 5 star read for me.
- Sophie.

BLOGGER TWO: Sophie

NAME: Sophie. Otherwise known as Soph, Shizzle, or Sid (thanks to Tom).

UNI: Aberystwyth University.

COURSE: English Literature BA.

FAVOURITE GENRE: As a student of English Literature, I read an eclectic mix of genres for my course, but currently I have three real faves. Firstly Jane Austen novels as I think they’re escapist which I love, plus the romantic side, no one can resist a Mr Darcy right? Secondly, historic novels by author’s such as Phillipa Gregory and Alison Weir. My favourite historical period would have to be the Tudor reign. And lastly chic lit novels are always a winner, and never cease to leave me in a happier mood than when I’d started reading them.

THE BOOK YOU WOULD MOST RECOMMEND AT THE MOMENT: Well, I’ve just finished reading A Weekend with Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly which was fabby! I loved it because it was based on two women who were complete opposites finding the meaning of true love while at an Austen weekend in Hampshire. Firstly it made me desperately want to go on an Austen weekend, and secondly it was all lovely and romantic. I would also recommend any books by Phillipa Gregory as her descriptive writing, which is based around fact really transports you to Tudor England.

OTHER INTERESTS: I adore anything to do with performing arts whether it’s dancing, singing or acting. Dancing is my first passion in life, so I always try to see ballets whether its performed by professionals or amateurs. I love musical theatre as well, and unfortunately don’t get to see a massive amount of west end shows, but I always try to have a sneeky night out to one if I’m around a theatre! A new interest of mine is folk music, which I find mesmerising. Also love writing hence why I’m an English student and I would love to become an author or freelance book editor one day!

ANY OTHER NIFTY INFO: I attempt to do the odd bit of knitting, but I won’t lie, I’m starting to fail dramatically! You can find me on twitter, muttering away to the world wide web about my daily musings: www.twitter.com/sophieshizzle

Peace & Love.