Erin Blakemore – The Heroine’s Bookshelf
Simple idea, very well executed. Blakemore takes twelve of literature’s classic female characters and their authors, and talks about how they exemplify a particular characteristic. Celie from The Colour Purple is dignity. Francie Nolan from a Tree Grows in Brooklyn is family. It’s sweet and heartfelt and lovely. Blakemore has a very nice, write-as-you-speak style, and the book will resonate with all of us who spent our childhoods romping around in our imaginations with heroines like Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Have to say that I didn’t love the chapter on Charlotte Bronte – I felt it made the classic mistake of seeing her just as a victim. Yes, she faced unimaginable sorrow, but she created immortal works of art out of passion and ambition and talent – our response should be awe, not pity. I also felt that it wasn’t always clear whether the heroines were the writers or the characters. No reason why they can’t both be, of course, but they aren’t the same. It underestimates the heroic achievements of the writers to think their creations are just autobiographical shadows.
But overall, I was reminded of some of literature’s great heroines, and inspired to go hunt down the originals again – and I think Blakemore would count this as a success. The Heroine’s Bookshelf is not for snippy or cynical moods – but if you need comfort-reading or to be charmed, it will go down nicely.
I was very interested in some of the lives Blakemore talked about – like Frances Hodgson Burnett who sounds brilliantly rebellious – but unfortunately, there was no bibliography or references. Not even on the author’s website. (However, there is a cool walking tour, which I would love to do). This was a real shame for a biography geek like me. I really enjoyed reading ‘The Woman Behind Little Women’ about Louisa May Alcott last year and would love some suggestions for further books like that. Any thoughts?
I wish I was a literary heroine.
Posted on February 23, 2011, in Uncategorized and tagged anne of green gables, book reviews, books, erin blakemore, heroines, literary heroines, the heroines bookshelf, to kill a mockingbird. Bookmark the permalink. 15 Comments.
“I wish I was a literary heroine.”
Ohhh, I hear ya.
The book sounds great – I’ve added it to my wishlist and look forward to doing a little nostalgic romping of my own! So to speak…
Would you like to swap for something you’ve read recently?
I’d say yes, but almost everything I’ve read recently has either gone to the shop already and been sold, or gone back to the library! Ah well…
This sounds really interesting! And I’ve got to back you up on your thoughts regarding Charlotte Bronte. Beautiful cover as well, thanks for sharing.
This one sounds lovely! You’re definitely enabling me to buy.
I love it when people review books I’ve already read. Then, unlike Andi, I’m not facing the temptation to buy.
First of all, thanks so much for taking the time to read the book and post your thoughts.
Secondly: While I was writing THB I kept thinking “God, I could probably write a book just on the books and documents written on these amazing women.” My own reference list is a very lengthy and somewhat crazed assortment, since I drew on many different kinds of sources for the book (the history major and would-be librarian in me would have it no other way), but your post reminds me that I really should link to some recommended further reading for each heroine/author pair! My reluctance to do so has been more about time crunch/worry that I’ll leave something out as opposed to lack of material, but you’ve inspired me to get something up on the site ASAP.
Best,
Erin
Hey Erin, thank YOU so much for taking the time to stop by! I feel bad now for sounding like a nag – I completely see how you wouldn’t want your beautiful book to be ruined by endless academicy footnotes and references! On the other hand…I am SO PLEASED that you will be putting up further reader resources! As well as Frances Hodgson Burnett, I was really interested in the story you told about Lucy Maud Montgomery; and I want to know much more about her than I could find on any wikipedia page. I think one of the nicest things about your book is that hopefully it will send readers on heroic (heroine-ic?) quests of their own – not only back to the original books but also to find out more about the writers. Really looking forward to your suggestions!
Not naggy at all! As you might have guessed, a very conscious choice was made not to “weigh down” the book with the academic trappings
I got my list together: http://theheroinesbookshelf.com/goodies/further-reading/
It was so fun to assemble! As for LMM, I mention a few really great books on the page. Irene Gammel’s recent bio/history of Anne of Green Gables is pretty incredible.
Let me know what you think!
Best,
Erin
The Heroine’s Bookshelf definitely intrigues me — like you, I love reading the stories behind the stories and learning more about the authors themselves! Often the writers interest me more than their characters.
Have you checked out Clair Tomalin’s biographies on writers? I’m a biography nut like you, and loved her research on Jane Austen. I’ll be reading about Wollstonecraft and Dickens soon, too — also by Claire Tomalin.
I have read all those – I love her! And she has a great book on Hardy too.
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