In Catherine Lowell’s smart and original debut novel—“an enjoyable academic romp that successfully combines romance and intrigue” (Publishers Weekly)—the only remaining descendant of the Brontë family embarks on a modern-day literary treasure hunt to find the family’s long-rumored secret estate, using only the clues her father left behind and the Brontës’ own novels.

This book was a disappointment for me. It was nothing what I thought it would be..
First of all - it was not a light-hearted comedy. It was not amusing, it was not funny. I thought Samantha to be the most infantile person I ever read about. This girl never answered a question straight away. And what she did answer.. oh my.. as her tutor I would have snapped at her ever so often.
And I really hate it when people don't TALK to each other!

And then these long parts where they discuss literature. Either I am too dumb or it was too sophisticated for me.. I found it mostly boring..
So - all in all - not my book!

This can go on travels now!

1. Bookworm-lady (Spain)
2. penelopewanders (CH)
3. Sparkish (UK)

off into the big wide world

Off to Spain now!

Sorry that I did not journal earlier; the book must have arrived just when I was packing to travel abroad, and it just slipped my mind.
Thanks for sharing, and for the beautiful photo-postcard; I will read it soon, as it seems quite intriguing. :)

Currently reading it: the initial premise of the only descendant of the Brontës seems very appealing... let's see how it goes. :)

I have mixed feelings about this book...
The initial idea is great; I love everything associated with the Brontë sisters, and have even been to the vicarage in Haworth twice.
Having said this, Ms Lowell doesn't seem to make up her mind if this is chick-lit (the relationship between the two main characters), or an interesting probe into the lives of these extraordinary female writers.
Her points of view about some of the Brontë novels are quite... shall I say "disrespectful"?... for someone who obviously has a great knowledge of her subject matter.
I don't know, I admit I could not put it down... but on the other hand, I felt some sense of overall disappointment.
Thanks for sharing, kiki66... it will soon continue on its way towards Switzerland... :)

Sent today to Penelopewanders, who is next in the bookray.
Enjoy! :)

This was here waiting for me when I returned from my holiday -with a few other books waiting and more than a little work to catch up with waiting too! I'll try to get to it soon - but will certainly get to it as soon as I can. Thanks for sending.

This is here as a ring. It's a rather strange book, as madness seems to be a very real character constantly popping onto the page. Samantha, the main character is wildly quirky and relatively endearing. I really loved some of the metaphors and imagery used - for example, on page 195: "It was as though I were actually handing him my kidney: it wasn't particularly pretty, and I didn't quite understand what it did, but it was personal and it was mine." I can't say this has me rushing out to re-read (and read) all the Brontes, but I might slide toward there slowly. An intriguing read, once again one I probably would not have come across if not for bookcrossing rings and ray. Thanks!
I will try to send it on soon.

Once again I was able to take advantage of someone's trip to France - this went from Switzerland to France by car and now the ring travels on to the UK. Thanks so much for making this available, and for sending. Enjoy!

This was received safe and sound with me today. Thank you for sharing.