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chrissie57 's review for:
Mr Malcolm's List
by Suzanne Allain
I was really looking forward to this book and I was so disappointed. Some of the reviews mention the book vs the film but I am not interested in the film so can't comment on any of that, although I believe it predates Bridgerton. If you are wondering whether to bother with the film, abookolive gives an excellent comparison which may help you decide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e7SOmn6cm0&t=3s
What I can say that is that the book was bad. The author appears to have about as much knowledge of Regency England as I do of the Antebellum South. She has taken many popular Regency tropes and smothered them to death. I was looking forward to two really unreasonable, offensive list of requirements for a partner but did not get them - the titular list was ridiculous, not to mention perfectly reasonable and perfectly boring. The second promised list (Selina's) simply did not exist. There was no character development, they were barely characters, everyone behaved as the author needed them to regardless of circumstances or logic.
The author seems to have an obsession with water - I guess one brief scene in 1995 P&P has a lot to answer for. The main set piece is both embarrassing and boring; the final effort at some excitement is just plain pointless, although also embarrassing. The characters, such as they were, were bland and uninvolving. From my personal perspective, my sole involvement with the plot was wishing Selina would but then I don't like tall, dark and handsome I prefer blondes. Every character seemed to be portrayed as 'nice' (except Julia) until the plot demands that you just want to kill them. Everybody is horrid to Selina at some point even though they all apparently adore her. I will admit, against the tide of opinion, to a soft spot for Cassie; I think the author hasn't really understood this Regency/Victorian trope, the idiot friend is certainly a thing but he is not usually an actual idiot whereas poor Cassie is hardly fit to allow out in public.
I have given two stars because the book is very light and easy to read and I really can't see it seriously offending anyone. I read it in two days and probably could have finished it it in a single day is I hadn't kept falling asleep (tiredness, not boredom, although I think a more gripping story could have kept me awake).
What I can say that is that the book was bad. The author appears to have about as much knowledge of Regency England as I do of the Antebellum South. She has taken many popular Regency tropes and smothered them to death. I was looking forward to two really unreasonable, offensive list of requirements for a partner but did not get them - the titular list was ridiculous, not to mention perfectly reasonable and perfectly boring. The second promised list (Selina's) simply did not exist. There was no character development, they were barely characters, everyone behaved as the author needed them to regardless of circumstances or logic.
The author seems to have an obsession with water - I guess one brief scene in 1995 P&P has a lot to answer for. The main set piece
Spoiler
in the conservatorySpoiler
the carriage accidentSpoiler
ditch Jeremy and marry the lovely HenryI have given two stars because the book is very light and easy to read and I really can't see it seriously offending anyone. I read it in two days and probably could have finished it it in a single day is I hadn't kept falling asleep (tiredness, not boredom, although I think a more gripping story could have kept me awake).