The Blind Contessa’s New Machine
Carey Wallace
2010
207 pages
Published by Viking
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For the FTC: I bought this at Barnes and Noble. Isn’t the cover pretty? Seriously, you should take some time off from your hectic snooping schedule to admire the cover art.
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This is a pretty little book. Literally…it’s neither trade nor mass market sized, but rather a squarish in-between hardback hybrid that totally works for this almost old-fashioned story of a man who invents the typewriter for his friend who is going blind (and how’s that for a run-on sentence?). It’s based on a true story, as Pellegrino Tutti and the Countess both existed.
It also provides a glimpse into upper class marriages of the 1700s, as well as what was expected from a wife.
While the book jacket emphasizes that love can be a powerful motivator, what really struck me about this novel was what was considered proper and acceptable, and how being blind most definitely did not fit into society’s beliefs about an ideal woman. When the Countess told her parents and her fiancé that she was going blind, no one believed her. It was as if they chose not to believe, than it wasn’t actually true.
Are you interested in reading this little cutie? Would you like my like-new but not really copy? If so, let me know in the comments and I’ll draw a winner in a few days (and how’s that for being ambiguous? I like to allow for a little forgetfulness on my part.)
I had heard about this book a few weeks ago and thought it sounded like a good but sad story. It is definitely on my TBR list.
I have heard such good things about this book, and would love the chance to read it! I am glad that you enjoyed it too!
heather(at)figearo(dot)net
zibilee´s last [type] ..Stiltsville by Susanna Daniel — 320 pgs
I have this one out from the library now and would LOVE to own a copy. Dying to read this one. You’re absolutely right about the gorgeous cover.
Melissa (The Betty and Boo Chronicles)´s last [type] ..Book Review- The Living Fire- New and Selected Poems- by Edward Hirsch
It sounds like such a lovely book. And I’m so fond of typewriters, even though no one uses them anymore. Please enter me!
Jeane´s last [type] ..A Wolf in the Family
Sweet little book. Glad you liked it.
vivienne´s last [type] ..Wacky Wales
Pretty is a good way to describe even the content/writing of the book. It’s such a sweet book. That’s a great point about whether they truly didn’t believe her or chose not to…
That is a lovely cover and sounds like a lovely book. I’m going to have to get this for my mom who would enjoy that love was the impetous behind the typewriter.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Stay by Allie Larkin
I’d love to win a copy of The Blind Contessa’s New Machine for my daughter. She just talked about wanting to read it last week when we were at the bookstore.
Lori L (she treads softly)´s last [type] ..Otherland- Mountain of Black Glass
This sounds fantastic softdrink. Sign me up, I’d love to get your copy. rubbieburns at gmail dot com
Robbie´s last [type] ..Gods Behaving Badly – Marie Phillips – Book Review
I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book, but don’t enter me unless no one else wants it, since you just sent me a book. See – I can write a run on sentence too.
Would love to win a copy! Thank you for the opportunity…..
bunnymom1970 at aol dot com
Julie´s last [type] ..The Life OReilly by Brian Cohen Giveaway
Won’t it be hard for someone if on one believes them, because it is convenient not to believe.
Enter me too
givingreadingachance AT gmail.com
Veens´s last [type] ..Dead to the World Sookie Stackhouse 4 by Charlaine Harris
I really loved this book. I think the cover and the size really influenced my love for it. It was just so darn different from anything else out there!
Amused´s last [type] ..Ghosts of Your Past
Definitely want to read this book. And I agree, the cover is gorgeous!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review- The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
HI Jill – I love that cover – it is frame worthy. Count me in on the drawing… I have my lucky rabbits foot and troll doll at the ready….. come on lucky number 15! LOL
Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last [type] ..Author Chat with Emma Donoghue author of ROOM
I saw this at the store and considered buying it, but decided it sounded too weird.