I'll admit that with no background in the subject of this book whatsoever, I didn't realize it was a biography until I was quite a few pages into into it and looked it up, because the writing style confused me. Daughter is a biography of Marie Roland, a significant figure in the French revolution. Unfortunately, she met an untimely demise at the guillotine.This book would be a very, very tough sell. The librarian in me was instantly irked at the fact that it contained no bibliography or citations to verify anything that it said. Additionally, it's a very thick volume and unless you have a background in French history and/or language, the world and names are rather disorienting (especially the author's insistence on writing out digits, for example, Louis Seize instead of Louis XVI). I didn't know enough about the people involved to care enough to continue to plod through it, so I gave up halfway through (a first for me in this Newbery endeavor). I'm a little disappointed in myself, but not enough to go back and try it again.
Huh. It would be interesting to know more about how and why this particular book was selected by the Newbery committee. Based on what you've said, I can't imagine there would be much interest in the book beyond the first few pages. I wonder: how many other 300+ page Newbery Honor books have there been?!
ReplyDeleteWell, unlike the RITBA, which allots 3 of 10 possible points for a popularity score, the Newbery seems to have no qualms about nominating excellent books which will appeal to virtually no-one ;) Good Masters, Sweet Ladies, I'm looking at you.
ReplyDeletehey, I liked Good Masters, Sweet Ladies!!
ReplyDeletelol, no offense intended, Sue!
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