Justine Larbalestier

reading, writing, eating, drinking, sport

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Two More Good Books

The Misadventures of Maude March by Audrey Couloumbis is the best western I’ve read in years. I’d tell you stuff about the plot, but it’ll be a lot more fun if you just read it and don’t peek at the cover flaps. I will tell you that it involves (not always successful) cross dressing and bankrobbing, and that it made me giggle quite a lot, and I cried at the end. I should point out, however, that I cry easily. So my crying at the end of a book indicates that

a) the book had a sad ending, or

b) the book had a happy ending, and/or

c) the book was really, really good and I was bummed that it ended.

The Misadventures of Maude March was really, really, really good.

Following on from your excellent book recommendations I picked up the one rec’d book that was handy: A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb. Thank you, Little Willow, for the suggestion. ACSL is one of the best ghost love stories ever—better even than The Ghost and Mrs Muir which I bonded with at a very early age and have never stopped adoring. This book also made me cry. It’s so beautiful and touching.

Also religious. The protag believes deeply in God and with reason: She’s dead and knows for a fact that heaven and hell and limbo exist. I love the worldbuilding in this book. I love the way Whitcomb makes it all work. Often ghost stories leave me wondering what the ghosts can and can’t do and why. Not this one. Beautiful, believable and, well, haunting. I loved it.

Posted: NYC 11:16PM, 19 March

Posted by Justine at 15:14, 20 March 2006 under Reading, Young Adult literature | 4 Comments »

Comments

  1. Hannah Wolf Bowen Says:

    In case anyone else is trying to Amazon the Couloumbis book–apparently it’s “Maude March,” at least on there. Found it now!

    I was looking at ACSOL at the bookstore yesterday and couldn’t remember where I’d heard about it. Looked nifty…good to hear that it is!

    March 21st, 2006 at 2:36 AM

  2. Jennifer aka Literaticat Says:

    YAY FOR MAUDE MARCH!

    I loved that book. And I was thoroughly skeptical, too, as I am so not a fan of horses, the old west, &c. But I was won over immediately. it has been hugely popular with the kids i’ve given it to, as well, which makes me even happier.

    March 21st, 2006 at 2:41 AM

  3. 3. Justine Says:

    Literaticat: That’s good to hear. I did wonder if it would work for people who aren’t loco for the westerns as I am. I mean, I love even bad westerns . . .

    Hannah: Ooops, my bad. Sorry! Head still fuzzy and snot filled. That’s my excuse anyway.

    A Certain Slant of Light is just gorgeous. Lemme know what you think of them when you read ‘em.

    March 21st, 2006 at 2:47 AM

  4. Little Willow Says:

    I am so happy to hear you took up my recommendation. Glad that it was handy – apparently, you were meant to read it!

    I love the film version of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir so very much. I own the soundtrack also. I finally tracked down a copy of the original story at the library last year and enjoyed it as well. I haven’t seen any of the TV episodes, sadly, as they aired before my time and aren’t rerunning on accessible channels.

    My favorite films are all from before my time, with very, very few exceptions.

    If you want any more recommendations, *cough* everything ever written by Christopher Golden *cough* try The Boys are Back in Town *cough* just ask!

    March 21st, 2006 at 5:18 AM

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