Scan barcode
A review by ksophialydia
A Bachelor Establishment by Jodi Taylor
4.0
It pains me a bit that I can't give this book five stars as I've done with all of Jodi Taylor's other novels and short stories.
A Bachelor Establishment is well-written- secure in its voice, plot, characters, and pacing. Whereas many contemporaries writing Regency period fiction misstep by having an element or two slightly too modern, Taylor has a firm grasp on not only the story elements, but also how Regency period novels were written. Which is to say, this didn't feel like a period novel written by a modern author, so I applaud and hail Taylor's ability.
What makes me give this novel four stars instead of five is that it lacked the sharp with and fast humor that stars prominently in Taylor's other work. There are humorous exchanges in this book, but fewer than I've become accustomed to from the author. But reflecting on how the inclusion of more humor would alter the story, and how it fits as a Regency story, I have no real complaint about it. I wouldn't change a thing about this book. It's not meant to be comedic, it's a whodunit with a dash of romance, and it succeeds marvelously as such.
TL;DR: if you want a Regency novel without the trappings of (possibly) intimidating prose or heavy padding, this book is for you. It reads like it was written in the 19th century, but stripped down a bit for modern time (as in the leisure time one has for reading) sensibilities.
A Bachelor Establishment is well-written- secure in its voice, plot, characters, and pacing. Whereas many contemporaries writing Regency period fiction misstep by having an element or two slightly too modern, Taylor has a firm grasp on not only the story elements, but also how Regency period novels were written. Which is to say, this didn't feel like a period novel written by a modern author, so I applaud and hail Taylor's ability.
What makes me give this novel four stars instead of five is that it lacked the sharp with and fast humor that stars prominently in Taylor's other work. There are humorous exchanges in this book, but fewer than I've become accustomed to from the author. But reflecting on how the inclusion of more humor would alter the story, and how it fits as a Regency story, I have no real complaint about it. I wouldn't change a thing about this book. It's not meant to be comedic, it's a whodunit with a dash of romance, and it succeeds marvelously as such.
TL;DR: if you want a Regency novel without the trappings of (possibly) intimidating prose or heavy padding, this book is for you. It reads like it was written in the 19th century, but stripped down a bit for modern time (as in the leisure time one has for reading) sensibilities.