The Heroine’s Bookshelf: Life Lessons. From Jane Austen to Laura Ingalls Wilder
Erin Blakemore
2010
193 pages
Published by Harper
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I bought it. And it’s Leah’s fault.
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The only problem with this book is that it will make you want to read (or re-read) all of the book mentioned.
Each chapter focuses on a particular heoine, and illustrates how she (and often the author herself) exemplifies a particular trait. Here’s the run-down:
- Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) and Self
- Janie Crawford (Their Eyes Were Watching God) and Faith
- Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables) and Happiness
- Celie (The Color Purple) and Dignity
- Francie Nolan (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) and Family Ties
- Claudine (from Colette’s novels) and Indulgence
- Scarlett O’Hara (Gone with the Wind) and Fight
- Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Compassion
- Laura Ingalls (from the Little House books) and Simplicity
- Jane Eyre and Steadfastness
- Jo March (Little Women) and Ambition
- Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden) and Magic
In her introduction, Blakemore states:
“I am here to posit that it’s exactly in these moments of struggle and stress that we need books the most. There’s something in the pause to read that’s soothing in and of itself. A moment with a book is basic self-care, the kind of skill that you pass along to your children as you would a security blanket or a church-going habit. It’s a pair of glasses you let sit on your nose for a few stolen hours, coloring your familiar living room and the blustery world outside with the lens of another woman’s experience. It’s a familiar book, rediscovered and dusted off, cracked open at random until you’re sucked in again. It reads differently at different junctures in your life, but that’s part of the fun. Time travel, redemption, escape, and self-knowledge are all neatly bound and sewn into the modest covers of the books we pass from hand to hand, library to purse, mother to daughter, where heroines’ lessons live long after they’ve gone out of print or disintegrated from love and wear.” p. xv
And even though Blakemore still hasn’t convinced me to be a re-reader (I have too many unread books on the shelf!), I still agree with her thoughts on reading as self-care and self-knowledge.
Of the books discussed, I’ve read 7 of the 12 (those shaded in blue). I’ve tried P&P, and it didn’t go well. Even the zombie version was a failure. And I have no desire to read Gone with the Wind. But I’ve being thinking a Jane Eyre readalong is in order (after I get through The Odyssey and Ulysses!), and The Color Purple and Colette are on the someday list.
This would make a really cool reading challenge…read the book, along with each of the books discussed and see what you think about Blakemore’s analysis. But I’m a flake with challenges, so don’t start thinking I’m going to organize anything. I’ll just enjoy the fact that I really liked this book and what the author had to say, and I might just hold onto it for future reading inspiration (and for me to keep a book is almost unheard of).
I need to reread Jane Eyre, and Colette is definitely on my list for next year.
I love books like this, but I have the same ‘easily motivated to read’ problem as you do with them. Make it a month long project – read a chapter, read a book, read a chapter….
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review- The Odyssey Books 1-6
I agree that this sounds dangerous – making you want to read or reread all the books, as if we don’t have enough to read or reread!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “The Ice Princess” by Camilla Läckberg
I definitely want this book!! I love the quote you included.
I know I’ve failed at all your other read-a-longs, lol… but I HAVE to read Jane Eyre by the end of the year because I requested and got a copy of this for Christmas last year and my goal is to at least finish all last year’s Christmas gifts this year, LOL!! I guess we shall see… I think I’m putting this book on this year’s list…
Oh wow! I loved the paragraph you posted and think this would be a wonderful book. I haven’t read many of the books that she mentions, but there is always time to start, right?
zibilee´s last [type] ..STORM by Dave Pearson — 290 pgs
Please tell me you’ll reconsider Gone with the Wind. You just broke my heart a little bit!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon 11-07-2010
Oh, I’m so glad you loved this book. I can’t wait to read it myself. I’m with Stephanie about Gone With the Wind. You don’t know what you’re missing, my friend!
Literate Housewife´s last [type] ..286 Pillars of the Earth
Ohhh, I’ve read all the books listed except A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! So I kind of want to get ahold of that and then read this one.
Also, I think you’d really enjoy the Claudine books! They’re very lighthearted and fun.
Eva´s last [type] ..Assembling My Atheneum- Larissa Volokhonsky & Richard Pevear
This does sound interesting, but like you, I rarely re-read.
I never re-read. But I have many books I hve not read on this list.
Veens´s last [type] ..Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
As I was skimming the list of heroines/books included, I thought, How cool would it be to do a challenge based on this book?? And then I saw you’d already had that idea! I’ve never hosted a challenge before, so I wouldn’t tackle it alone, but I would totally co-host one. If you hear of anyone looking for a co-host!
Um, also, I have never read Jane Eyre and was planning to read it really soon. If I should wait, because a readalong is going to happen in the next few months, let me know and I’ll hold off!
Erin´s last [type] ..Thoughts on “Will Grayson- Will Grayson” by John Green and David Levithan
I’m embarrassed to say that some of the books mentioned would not be re-reads for me. Glad to see Mary Lennox on the list from Secret Garden.
Rob´s last [type] ..Musing Monday- Reaction to Book Buying Trends
You’re welcome!
A Jane Eyre read along sounds great by the way…as long as it’s next year!
Amused´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday- November 1st – 5th- 2010
This sounds like a read for me! I love to reread though I don’t do it often enough. I’m adding this to my TBR pile. That’s a great quote.
The book sounds interesting and before I started to see reviews I really wanted to read it. I’ve read all 12 books/authors/series (and many of them more than once) but I’m not sure I agree with the trait picked out for each one. I think I’ll just keep my own reactions, love, memories, and connections. Not sure that makes sense to others, but I know what I mean.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Todays Read- Diamond Ruby by Joseph Wallace
After everyone raving about this book, I’m waiting for a copy to come in at the library. I haven’t read most of the books mentioned, but I tend to enjoy classics better in theory than practice. I know enough to answer trivia questions and spot illusions in contemporary literature, but usually stop short of actually reading them (sadly). I’m curious to see if this book will inspire to actually read more of them!
nomadreader (Carrie)´s last [type] ..Waiting on Wednesday- The Great Night by Chris Adrian
I’ve read eight of these, many of them more than once. Maybe Blakemore’s book is explaining to me why I keep returning to these beloved treasures!
Lisa´s last [type] ..To Kill A Mockingbird
You’re right … this has the makings for an excellent challenge. But nothing will get to me to reread Jane Eyre so I’m out.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Five Winners … And One Whiner
I really want to get this!
I truly thing they should have put Hermione Granger from Harry Potter in there though. She is such an outstanding heroine and role model (despite beng a fictional character)!
Cant wait to read it!