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mabelcharlotte's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I picked this book on impulse because my own name is Charlotte; and have been pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the story and thought behind it throughout. It wasn’t what I expected, but what it is is a lovely tale.
I’m not sure I like / agree with all of the plot events that happened but overall they work well to create a lovely read.
I think I expected more pronounced themes of feminism, but what is there is enough. A predominant theme is grief which I found unexpected but is a profound driving force to the story and one I am not used to reading.
Charlotte’s character is well developed, loyal, thoughtful, pragmatic, and likeable. Moffett has done a brilliant job of writing her.
Overall it is a story that is heartwarming, pleasing, easy to read while still maintaining an aspect of maturity. I am thinking of lending it to my 11 year old cousin who enjoys the film of Pride and Prejudice as I think this would be a good way for her to start reading that world.
I picked this book on impulse because my own name is Charlotte; and have been pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the story and thought behind it throughout. It wasn’t what I expected, but what it is is a lovely tale.
I’m not sure I like / agree with all of the plot events that happened but overall they work well to create a lovely read.
I think I expected more pronounced themes of feminism, but what is there is enough. A predominant theme is grief which I found unexpected but is a profound driving force to the story and one I am not used to reading.
Charlotte’s character is well developed, loyal, thoughtful, pragmatic, and likeable. Moffett has done a brilliant job of writing her.
Overall it is a story that is heartwarming, pleasing, easy to read while still maintaining an aspect of maturity. I am thinking of lending it to my 11 year old cousin who enjoys the film of Pride and Prejudice as I think this would be a good way for her to start reading that world.
debsd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
manolitagafotas's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Review of Charlotte
By: Helen Moffett
Charlotte willingly chose to marry Mr. Collins, despite not loving him, but she is actually contented. Unfortunately, the couple’s only son doesn’t live past infancy, but the Collins are not grieving together. After Lizzie Darcy has another miscarriage, she invites Charlotte with her daughters to stay with her for the summer for comfort. While at Pemberley, Charlotte, meets the handsome and intelligent Jacob Rosenstein, the piano repair man, and she experiences a true romantic passion she never thought she could have.
What Janice Hadlow did for Mary Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister, Helen Moffett did for Charlotte. Charlotte is a character that made this desperate choice to marry a man she didn’t love. A man that was best described as odious and a bit of a sycophant. Lizzie cannot imagine her friend being happy or even being contented with Mr. Collins, but she actually is. The novel starts with the child’s death, but we get flashbacks of her life after she is married to Mr. Collins. Like The Other Bennet Sister, “Charlotte” puts Mr. Collins in a new light. Charlotte sees his merits and positive traits like how he is a good husband and father. You find out he missed Charlotte and his daughters while they were away and learns to appreciate them. The character of Anne de Bourgh, Lady Catherine’s daughter, also gets her due in this novel. We see she feels trapped in her life and her only consolation is going abroad. She is a fun and clever character that dresses as a man and finds ways to gain her freedom in the only way she can. She plays the same role that Charlotte played in The Other Bennet Sister for Mary, an advisor, and a friend when she felt alone. Jacob as a character is likable, reader, and has a passion for music. He’s a character you would fall in love with and someone you could see Charlotte falling for. He sees her beauty and what others fail to see. The story also deals with grief in a very real way. The couple doesn’t deal with it in a way they should. They don’t grieve together, but Charlotte has friends and her daughters while Mir. Collins grieves alone. He won’t talk to his wife, which isn’t helping him, and isn’t good for their marriage. If cheating is a deal breaker for you, I warn you, it is in there. We also get a miscarriage and death of a child. This is a great story that looks at a character that makes a choice out necessity only and we see how it turns out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Pregnancy
coppercrane2's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
below_average_baker's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I loved what the author did with Anne de Bourg and she made me sort of like Mr Collins, which is quite a feat
booksofjj's review against another edition
2.0
Not as good as The Other Bennett Sister. Did far too many changes to the characteristics of the characters for my liking.
alex_k99's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I quite enjoyed the language and overall plot of the book, and I find that Moffett imitates Austen's style quite well. But I do have some qualms with how sinti and roma are talked about, most importantly the use of the g-slur on multiple occasions and the reproduction of harmful stereotypes made me very uncomfortable. While this may reflect views the characters and Austen herself might have had, it does not have a place in a novel published in 2020. Especially because this sideplot could have easily been replaced with something less insulting. While I don't really recommend the book itself, I did find the audiobook to be very enjoyable and really like the narrator's voice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Racism, and Terminal illness
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, and Pregnancy