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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
Anna is the daughter of Walter Elliot, a washed up has-been TV personality. Walter has been out of work for over a year and has refused to curb his lifestyle, which has caused major financial difficulties for the Elliot’s. Family friend Marina has convinced Walter to move rent-free into an apartment near the marina where he can “house-sit” for her friends, while a nice couple pays to rent out the family estate. Marina begins telling Anna about the couple that is going to be renting out the house when Anna suddenly gets the feeling that she’s heard of them before. Turns out the couple renting the house are the aunt and uncle of Felix Wentworth, the love of Anna’s life. All would be well with their being there, except for the fact that Anna’s family came between her and Felix two years earlier, tearing them apart. Anna comes to learn that Felix is going to be visiting them for the summer while he is on leave from the military, and sees that she might have a chance to win him back if she can prove her love and remorse. Will she be able to convince him that there has never been anyone but him for her, and that her family will never make her decisions for her again?
Echoes of Love is the fifth book in the 21st Century Austen series by Rosie Rushton. The series takes Jane Austen’s novels and turns them into contemporary teen romance stories, with Echoes of Love being based on Persuasion. Rushton is also well known for her other teen series The Leehampton Series, Best Friends, and What a Week. Echoes of Love does a great job at making Persuasion relevant to the social issues of today. I think it was an interesting twist to make Felix black and Anna white. Bi-racial relationships are still sometimes tough sells to some people, and it was nice to see it accepted here. And what a great twist to make Felix a soldier in Afghanistan! So many people in today’s society are dating/engaged/married to a soldier and it was interesting to see it represented here. The personal struggle Anna had with saying goodbye to him when he left for training and boot camp and her response when she found out that he had been injured were definitely relatable for many today.
My biggest complaint with the book would probably have been the Wentworth “you pierce my soul” letter. It’s missing. Anyone who has read Persuasion knows that the letter is the standout part of the novel. I was all anticipation to find out whether or not Rushton was going to include it in her novel, and when I finally got to it I was a bit let down. I guess since it was a teen related book I shouldn’t have expected something as stunning and heartfelt as an adult’s love letter, but I hoped anyway!
I’m a huge fan of turning Austen’s novels into ones geared towards teens. Rushton does a great job at bringing Persuasion to a more mature teen audience. The book takes place in Europe, where the drinking age is 18, so many of the characters meet at bars and drink wine and beers. There are also some sexual innuendo’s made, which might make some parents uncomfortable about their younger teens reading the book. This young, hip, fresh take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion is sure to have the teen in your family clamoring for Austen’s originals.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://lifeand100books.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/19-a-guest-review-of-echoes-of-love-by-rosie-rushton/
Echoes of Love is the fifth book in the 21st Century Austen series by Rosie Rushton. The series takes Jane Austen’s novels and turns them into contemporary teen romance stories, with Echoes of Love being based on Persuasion. Rushton is also well known for her other teen series The Leehampton Series, Best Friends, and What a Week. Echoes of Love does a great job at making Persuasion relevant to the social issues of today. I think it was an interesting twist to make Felix black and Anna white. Bi-racial relationships are still sometimes tough sells to some people, and it was nice to see it accepted here. And what a great twist to make Felix a soldier in Afghanistan! So many people in today’s society are dating/engaged/married to a soldier and it was interesting to see it represented here. The personal struggle Anna had with saying goodbye to him when he left for training and boot camp and her response when she found out that he had been injured were definitely relatable for many today.
My biggest complaint with the book would probably have been the Wentworth “you pierce my soul” letter. It’s missing. Anyone who has read Persuasion knows that the letter is the standout part of the novel. I was all anticipation to find out whether or not Rushton was going to include it in her novel, and when I finally got to it I was a bit let down. I guess since it was a teen related book I shouldn’t have expected something as stunning and heartfelt as an adult’s love letter, but I hoped anyway!
I’m a huge fan of turning Austen’s novels into ones geared towards teens. Rushton does a great job at bringing Persuasion to a more mature teen audience. The book takes place in Europe, where the drinking age is 18, so many of the characters meet at bars and drink wine and beers. There are also some sexual innuendo’s made, which might make some parents uncomfortable about their younger teens reading the book. This young, hip, fresh take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion is sure to have the teen in your family clamoring for Austen’s originals.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://lifeand100books.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/19-a-guest-review-of-echoes-of-love-by-rosie-rushton/
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A modern re-telling of my favourite Jane Austen's books - Persuasion. The book was fun and light book whilst keeping to the original's main idea of being persuaded to against a relationship. But, I think that was might be where the similarities end. This book misses a major aspect of the original's which is that Anne is 27 years old, with her relationship with Wentworth ending 7 years previous and walking into the path of old maid. The painful loss of youth and love makes the stakes of the relationship very different. Also, I am not a huge fan of the majority of focus on the relationship before the break up as the slow reconciliation and longing between the characters is the main drive for the original book.
Overall, this is a enjoyable and fun book if you don't compare it too closely to the original's but as an Austen's Stan, this book wasn't ever going to work for me.
Let me start by saying that Persuasion is my favourite Austen novel and when I found out that my library's Overdrive collection includes a modern-day adaptation of the story, I immediately included it in my wish list. The best part about Persuasion is its focus on second chances at love and the maturity of its characters. Anne has to overcome her sense of duty and reach out towards what she really wants while Captain Wentworth has to understand the circumstances under which she made her decision all those years ago and learn to forgive her.
That said, perhaps it is unfair to compare Echoes of Love, in my opinion, to one of the most enduring love stories ever written. But when an author is writing an adaptation of a classic, comparisons are inevitable.
While Austen's story endures, it is also woefully behind in terms of representation. This is where Echoes of Love triumphs. It's portrayal of a POC protagonist in Wentworth and by extension, his family, and a person with a disability in Shannon Smith enables the story to be modern and more inclusive than the original. However, the author spent so much time describing Anna and Felix's first turn at a relationship and the ensuing fall out in so much detail that it takes up nearly 75% of the book. What I wanted to read was how they'd find their way back to each other, what would lead them there, and if possible, a new insight into their psyche. Not many authors can succeed at this and I can only think of one, PD James's sequel to Pride and Prejudice, Death Comes to Pemberley.
I would recommend this story for YA readers as an introduction to Austen's story. Read Echoes of Love and if you like it, read Persuasion, which I think has the best love letter in the entire English literary canon.
That said, perhaps it is unfair to compare Echoes of Love, in my opinion, to one of the most enduring love stories ever written. But when an author is writing an adaptation of a classic, comparisons are inevitable.
While Austen's story endures, it is also woefully behind in terms of representation. This is where Echoes of Love triumphs. It's portrayal of a POC protagonist in Wentworth and by extension, his family, and a person with a disability in Shannon Smith enables the story to be modern and more inclusive than the original. However, the author spent so much time describing Anna and Felix's first turn at a relationship and the ensuing fall out in so much detail that it takes up nearly 75% of the book. What I wanted to read was how they'd find their way back to each other, what would lead them there, and if possible, a new insight into their psyche. Not many authors can succeed at this and I can only think of one, PD James's sequel to Pride and Prejudice, Death Comes to Pemberley.
I would recommend this story for YA readers as an introduction to Austen's story. Read Echoes of Love and if you like it, read Persuasion, which I think has the best love letter in the entire English literary canon.
This is the fourth 'Jane Austen in 21st century' novel by Rosie Rushton I read. The one that I still want to read is Sense&Sensibility of 21st century. Even though I have enjoyed the previous titles read, this one became my favorite while I was reading the first couple of chapters of this novel.
Anna Eliot is a daugter of Walter Eliot, a famous TV show host who has recently been on the media because of this outbursts at wrong occasions. Walter is is difficult economical position; he has lost his job and he just keeps spending money without understanding that he is really broke. Anna's older sister Gaby, a favorite of her father, wants to be a model and is not ready to change the lifestyle she is used to. Anna's little sister, Mallory, isn't ready for the change either. After the death of their mother, the middle child Anna, the sensible and responsible one, has taken the role of the mother; she is the one trying to make her father understand that they are broke. There is also Marina, Anna's godmother, who has promised to Anna's mother to take care of the family.
Since Walter is on bad economical situation, he has to give his house for rent and move to live at a different city for a while. Ruth and Joseph Croft, a couple who has been traveling the world for the past years, rent the house. When Anna understand's who Ruth and Joseph are, leaving her home gets harder. When Ruth starts to talk about the homecoming of his nephew, Felix, Anna understands that she has to stick to the surroundings to meet Felix... again.
Anna and Felix. It was love at the first sight. Felix, a gorgeous, tall guy Anna meets at the party steals her heart. After meeting Felix, nothing is the same. Anna feels like only with Felix, she can be herself. But nothing goes as Anna wishes for and sooner of later, she notices that she is in a situation where she has to choose between Felix and the loyalty to her family. Anna's persuasive father and god mother force Anna do a decision she will regret for her whole life.
Now Felix is back. He has been serving at Afganistan; he is a military hero now. When Anna sees Felix again all the feelings get back to the surface. But Felix acts like he does not even notice Anna. Can Felix forgive Anna, or will Anna be watching Felix falling love with another girl?
'Echoes of Love' is the modern re-telling of Jane Austen's classic novel Persuasion. You all probably already know that I love Jane Austen and everything related to her. So when I for the first time heard about the Jane Austen 21st century novels written by Rosie Rushton, I was hyped. I bought the previous copies I have reviewed from London when I was there on August 2009, and now when I visited the city again on April, I bought this one which was published on February of this year.
I really liked the character of Anna in this novel. She is strong and independent, but when the loyalty to her family gets into the questions, she acts in a way she later on regrets. I understand why she acts as she does; her father and god mother can be very persuasive. And when Anna's mother, who has died a couple of years earlier, is brought into the discussion, she thinks that the only thing she can do is to do as her father and godmother say. But even after her decision, she does not stop thinking about Felix.
Felix. A gorgeous, hot, black guy; a guy totally from a different world with Anna. I really liked the fact that Rushton's Wentworth is a black guy. It brings a totally new twist into the story. The character of Felix is almost as gorgeous as Austen's captain Wentworth. You can personally find our why; I don't want to spoil the best parts of the novel. ;)
I really like Rushton's style of writing; she engages the reader and the book is hard to put down. I think the reason why I liked this one the most of the books I've read by Rushton is the fact that I, in a way, was able to identify with Anna. When Felix leaves, she only can think of him and she thinks that she cannot continue her life without him. I also have been in a situation when I have had to left when I was in a relationship with someone; it is two years from that but I still sometimes feel that leaving was the worst decision I've ever made.
'Jane Austen in 21st Century' novels are great for young readers who want to get familiar with Jane Austen, but who do not want to read the original pieces. (You should read them, there is nothing that can be compared to them.) And of course, all the lovers of Jane Austen will love these 21st century remakes with new twists to the old story we love so much.
Anna Eliot is a daugter of Walter Eliot, a famous TV show host who has recently been on the media because of this outbursts at wrong occasions. Walter is is difficult economical position; he has lost his job and he just keeps spending money without understanding that he is really broke. Anna's older sister Gaby, a favorite of her father, wants to be a model and is not ready to change the lifestyle she is used to. Anna's little sister, Mallory, isn't ready for the change either. After the death of their mother, the middle child Anna, the sensible and responsible one, has taken the role of the mother; she is the one trying to make her father understand that they are broke. There is also Marina, Anna's godmother, who has promised to Anna's mother to take care of the family.
Since Walter is on bad economical situation, he has to give his house for rent and move to live at a different city for a while. Ruth and Joseph Croft, a couple who has been traveling the world for the past years, rent the house. When Anna understand's who Ruth and Joseph are, leaving her home gets harder. When Ruth starts to talk about the homecoming of his nephew, Felix, Anna understands that she has to stick to the surroundings to meet Felix... again.
Anna and Felix. It was love at the first sight. Felix, a gorgeous, tall guy Anna meets at the party steals her heart. After meeting Felix, nothing is the same. Anna feels like only with Felix, she can be herself. But nothing goes as Anna wishes for and sooner of later, she notices that she is in a situation where she has to choose between Felix and the loyalty to her family. Anna's persuasive father and god mother force Anna do a decision she will regret for her whole life.
Now Felix is back. He has been serving at Afganistan; he is a military hero now. When Anna sees Felix again all the feelings get back to the surface. But Felix acts like he does not even notice Anna. Can Felix forgive Anna, or will Anna be watching Felix falling love with another girl?
'Echoes of Love' is the modern re-telling of Jane Austen's classic novel Persuasion. You all probably already know that I love Jane Austen and everything related to her. So when I for the first time heard about the Jane Austen 21st century novels written by Rosie Rushton, I was hyped. I bought the previous copies I have reviewed from London when I was there on August 2009, and now when I visited the city again on April, I bought this one which was published on February of this year.
I really liked the character of Anna in this novel. She is strong and independent, but when the loyalty to her family gets into the questions, she acts in a way she later on regrets. I understand why she acts as she does; her father and god mother can be very persuasive. And when Anna's mother, who has died a couple of years earlier, is brought into the discussion, she thinks that the only thing she can do is to do as her father and godmother say. But even after her decision, she does not stop thinking about Felix.
Felix. A gorgeous, hot, black guy; a guy totally from a different world with Anna. I really liked the fact that Rushton's Wentworth is a black guy. It brings a totally new twist into the story. The character of Felix is almost as gorgeous as Austen's captain Wentworth. You can personally find our why; I don't want to spoil the best parts of the novel. ;)
I really like Rushton's style of writing; she engages the reader and the book is hard to put down. I think the reason why I liked this one the most of the books I've read by Rushton is the fact that I, in a way, was able to identify with Anna. When Felix leaves, she only can think of him and she thinks that she cannot continue her life without him. I also have been in a situation when I have had to left when I was in a relationship with someone; it is two years from that but I still sometimes feel that leaving was the worst decision I've ever made.
'Jane Austen in 21st Century' novels are great for young readers who want to get familiar with Jane Austen, but who do not want to read the original pieces. (You should read them, there is nothing that can be compared to them.) And of course, all the lovers of Jane Austen will love these 21st century remakes with new twists to the old story we love so much.