In the beginning of my reader of The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay, I believed I would not enjoy it. Within the first fifty pages, some of my thoughts included: characters don’t feel real; there seems to be a lot of information missing; and the setting has not been set up well enough to hold the significance the author tries to achieve.
During the first fifty pages, the dialogue and the things certain characters do felt strange. After only seeing Lucy three times, James asks about Lucy’s father who she clearly in uncomfortable discussing. Examples such of this feel highly unrealistic and break any sort of immersion. On top of cases such as this, the first fifty pages feel over edited. Information seems to be missing and makes it hard to fully understand what is going on.
Find the full review at curtiscalkins.com
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The Bronte Plot Paperback – 14 December 2015
by
Katherine Reay
(Author)
Katherine Reay
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Product details
- Publisher : Thomas Nelson - US (14 December 2015)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1401689752
- ISBN-13 : 978-1401689759
- Dimensions : 13.9 x 2.3 x 21.5 cm
-
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- 2,488 in Amish Romance
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Product description
Review
'Quotations and allusions flow freely in Reay's third tribute to the female giants of English literature . . . the finely drawn characters, flawed and authentic, dominate and ground the story emotionally. Lucy realizes that her beloved Brontë characters know more about God and grace than she ever suspected. Fans may find themselves unearthing their classic novels after savoring this skillfully written homage."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Great works of literature and other priceless antiques populate Reay's thoughtful tribute to the Brontë sisters. The moral ambiguity makes the story more modern than its premise would suggest---and proves how well its source material holds up over time."--Kirkus Reviews
"Reay interweaves classic book characters and references, colorful descriptions, and tantalizing depictions of British literary/artsy tourist spots with a captivating, romantic storyline. Recommend to lovers of excellent storytelling."--CBA Retailers and Resources
4 stars. 'Reay's latest is an enjoyable trip to Europe, although at times it reads more like a travel narrative than a novel. Readers less familiar with the Brontë sisters' books might have a difficult time, yet the redemption of the characters is heartfelt and the plot is unpredictable.'--RT Book Reviews
"Great works of literature and other priceless antiques populate Reay's thoughtful tribute to the Brontë sisters. The moral ambiguity makes the story more modern than its premise would suggest---and proves how well its source material holds up over time."--Kirkus Reviews
"Reay interweaves classic book characters and references, colorful descriptions, and tantalizing depictions of British literary/artsy tourist spots with a captivating, romantic storyline. Recommend to lovers of excellent storytelling."--CBA Retailers and Resources
4 stars. 'Reay's latest is an enjoyable trip to Europe, although at times it reads more like a travel narrative than a novel. Readers less familiar with the Brontë sisters' books might have a difficult time, yet the redemption of the characters is heartfelt and the plot is unpredictable.'--RT Book Reviews
About the Author
Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her MTS. Her works have been published in Focus on the Family and the Upper Room. Katherine currently lives with her husband and three children in Seattle. Dear Mr. Knightley is her first novel.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
139 global ratings
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Top reviews from other countries

Curtis
3.0 out of 5 stars
I believed I would not enjoy it. Within the first fifty pages
Reviewed in Canada on 17 November 2015Verified Purchase
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BC Belle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
Reviewed in Canada on 3 November 2018Verified Purchase
Books. England through the eyes of an avid reader. Ragged relationships and forgiveness. Truth and consequences. Joys and complications of families. Love and choices. A great plot and enjoyable characters.

toothfairy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved It
Reviewed in Canada on 19 April 2016Verified Purchase
Very cute story and I loved the literary references so fun!!!

Kate Unger
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good characters but poor plot and pacing
Reviewed in the United States on 18 November 2015Verified Purchase
This book is hard to review. There were parts that I really enjoyed, but other parts where I was really confused about what was happening. The pacing did not work for me at all. It felt like this book should have been a sequel, but instead Katherine Reay rushed the beginning to get to the story she really wanted to be telling.
It starts off with Lucy, who works in an antique/decorating shop in Chicago. She manages the book selling business within the shop and assists the owner/designer with house decorating jobs. James comes into her shop several times to buy books, and they start up a relationship. I really wanted more time with their courtship. It could have been a whole book. I enjoyed their shared bookishness. It was a glimpse of what it would be like to be with someone who shared that love. But the way it was written was very confusing. They'd mention things as if they'd already been discussed, but the reader had no knowledge of them. I honestly don't know how long their relationship was supposed to have gone on until James finds out about something dishonest that Lucy has done.
Then it all falls apart, except that Lucy is invited on a trip to England by James' grandmother. This story is the one I really enjoyed. When Reay wasn't discussing decorating or literary references, which were over my head since I haven't read the Bronte sisters' books (except Jane Erye), she told the story of an older woman full of regret who was trying to right the wrongs of her past. Helen also wanted honesty at the end of her life, and her conversations with Lucy were so real and enjoyable. But unfortunately, there wasn't enough of that story line.
James and Lucy's relationship, which I honestly didn't care very much about, kept muddling up the story. Had this been a sequel, I would have been invested in their story. But the rushed romance at the beginning of the book didn't do enough to make me want these two characters to end up together. The small bit of romance between the chauffeur and the inn keeper would have been enough for me.
Overall this is a sweet and quiet novel with good characters but poor plot and pacing. I loved Reay's other Austen-inspired novels, so I was disappointed that this one didn't work for me. Maybe fans of the Brontes would like it more?
http://www.momsradius.com/2015/11/book-review-bronte-plot.html
It starts off with Lucy, who works in an antique/decorating shop in Chicago. She manages the book selling business within the shop and assists the owner/designer with house decorating jobs. James comes into her shop several times to buy books, and they start up a relationship. I really wanted more time with their courtship. It could have been a whole book. I enjoyed their shared bookishness. It was a glimpse of what it would be like to be with someone who shared that love. But the way it was written was very confusing. They'd mention things as if they'd already been discussed, but the reader had no knowledge of them. I honestly don't know how long their relationship was supposed to have gone on until James finds out about something dishonest that Lucy has done.
Then it all falls apart, except that Lucy is invited on a trip to England by James' grandmother. This story is the one I really enjoyed. When Reay wasn't discussing decorating or literary references, which were over my head since I haven't read the Bronte sisters' books (except Jane Erye), she told the story of an older woman full of regret who was trying to right the wrongs of her past. Helen also wanted honesty at the end of her life, and her conversations with Lucy were so real and enjoyable. But unfortunately, there wasn't enough of that story line.
James and Lucy's relationship, which I honestly didn't care very much about, kept muddling up the story. Had this been a sequel, I would have been invested in their story. But the rushed romance at the beginning of the book didn't do enough to make me want these two characters to end up together. The small bit of romance between the chauffeur and the inn keeper would have been enough for me.
Overall this is a sweet and quiet novel with good characters but poor plot and pacing. I loved Reay's other Austen-inspired novels, so I was disappointed that this one didn't work for me. Maybe fans of the Brontes would like it more?
http://www.momsradius.com/2015/11/book-review-bronte-plot.html
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SK
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mixed Read for me
Reviewed in the United States on 25 September 2020Verified Purchase
The central character is Lucy Alling, who works in an antique, interior design shop owned by Sid McKenna. Sid allows Lucy to operate a special area devoted to rare books. She is not just an employee, but is being mentored by Sid. Sid reminds her that the reputation of the shop rests on the integrity they bring to the work as highly regarded specialists.
That reputation comes to a crashing halt when Lucy’s actions come to light in regards to “signed books,” her methods used to buying and selling items at and under Sid’s name for the shop. Sid’s reputation is on the line because of her actions. Reay lets us know that Lucy comes from three generations of con-artists, grifters. When her house of cards starts falling, her relationship with her mentor and employer suffers devastation. Her blossoming relationship with James, her boyfriend, blows up. What will she do? In walks the wealthy grandmother of her boyfriend, James. Helen who knows and understands Lucy’s crippling proclivity for “making up stories” instead of “plain talking.” Helen, who is seriously ill, wants to enjoy one more trip across England, visiting historical and literary places of significance; she asks Lucy to come with her to help facilitate the trip. This appeals to Lucy’s love of literature and the literary. Things come to a climax, she ends up back with Sid and to quote from The Music Man, she is “the sadder but wiser girl.”
I enjoy history, British literature, reading, antiques, and this book hit all those buttons. Reay is a good writer and I rated this work of fiction a 4.8. But the fact that this book is sold as Christian fiction, by a Christian publisher, for me as a work of Christian fiction I could not rate it higher than 3.8. Why? Lucy does not exemplify Philippians 4:8 “…whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things.” She is not a praiseworthy character. Even when she is brought low and is convicted, and starts a new redemptive path, it is based on her endeavors to cleaning up her life. God, the Bible, faith affecting practice are nowhere seen. So, I enjoyed the book, but it fails as a work of Christian fiction for me. Composite rate 4.
That reputation comes to a crashing halt when Lucy’s actions come to light in regards to “signed books,” her methods used to buying and selling items at and under Sid’s name for the shop. Sid’s reputation is on the line because of her actions. Reay lets us know that Lucy comes from three generations of con-artists, grifters. When her house of cards starts falling, her relationship with her mentor and employer suffers devastation. Her blossoming relationship with James, her boyfriend, blows up. What will she do? In walks the wealthy grandmother of her boyfriend, James. Helen who knows and understands Lucy’s crippling proclivity for “making up stories” instead of “plain talking.” Helen, who is seriously ill, wants to enjoy one more trip across England, visiting historical and literary places of significance; she asks Lucy to come with her to help facilitate the trip. This appeals to Lucy’s love of literature and the literary. Things come to a climax, she ends up back with Sid and to quote from The Music Man, she is “the sadder but wiser girl.”
I enjoy history, British literature, reading, antiques, and this book hit all those buttons. Reay is a good writer and I rated this work of fiction a 4.8. But the fact that this book is sold as Christian fiction, by a Christian publisher, for me as a work of Christian fiction I could not rate it higher than 3.8. Why? Lucy does not exemplify Philippians 4:8 “…whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things.” She is not a praiseworthy character. Even when she is brought low and is convicted, and starts a new redemptive path, it is based on her endeavors to cleaning up her life. God, the Bible, faith affecting practice are nowhere seen. So, I enjoyed the book, but it fails as a work of Christian fiction for me. Composite rate 4.