A Northern Light
by Jennifer Donnelly
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Historical
Published: 2003
Paperback: 396 pages
Rating: 5
Inspiration: Operation Retirement Rescue, also wanted to read it because it is a Winner of the Carnegie Medal, the L.A. Times Book Prize, the Borders Original Voices Prize, and a Michael L. Printz Honor
Description from book:
In 1906, sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and fiance, takes a job at a summer inn where she discovers the truth about the death of a guest. Based on a true story.
My thoughts:
In-a-word: Joybodenous (feeling scared of what's to come but eager for it, too - Mattie's made-up word)
Great book! It's like Little House on the Prairie meets mystery novel. The main character, Mattie, wants to be a writer so in her telling of her tale you get glimpses of a writer's mind. Being the reader that I am, it is always interesting to see what writer's see.
The descriptions of the times and the different people of the times are told well. You get snapshots of different lives during the early 1900's from farmer, school teacher, lumberjack, hotel staff, etc. Also, issues of classism, racism and feminism come into play.
I enjoyed the details of daily living during those times. I could relate to Mattie's love of fiddlehead ferns and the beauty of nature.
Definitely, a must-read.
by Jennifer Donnelly
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Historical
Published: 2003
Paperback: 396 pages
Rating: 5
Inspiration: Operation Retirement Rescue, also wanted to read it because it is a Winner of the Carnegie Medal, the L.A. Times Book Prize, the Borders Original Voices Prize, and a Michael L. Printz Honor
Description from book:
In 1906, sixteen-year-old Mattie, determined to attend college and be a writer against the wishes of her father and fiance, takes a job at a summer inn where she discovers the truth about the death of a guest. Based on a true story.
My thoughts:
In-a-word: Joybodenous (feeling scared of what's to come but eager for it, too - Mattie's made-up word)
Great book! It's like Little House on the Prairie meets mystery novel. The main character, Mattie, wants to be a writer so in her telling of her tale you get glimpses of a writer's mind. Being the reader that I am, it is always interesting to see what writer's see.
The descriptions of the times and the different people of the times are told well. You get snapshots of different lives during the early 1900's from farmer, school teacher, lumberjack, hotel staff, etc. Also, issues of classism, racism and feminism come into play.
I enjoyed the details of daily living during those times. I could relate to Mattie's love of fiddlehead ferns and the beauty of nature.
Definitely, a must-read.
Funny part (page 322): Fran grinned. "Never make love in the country, Matt. 'Cuz the potatoes have eyes..." "...and the corn has ears," Ada finished giggling.
FYI: British title is A Gathering Light
