This summer, when I was visiting my sister, I was gushing about something regarding Jane Austen. K asked me why I loved her so much. I admitted I didn't really know. I said I should probably read some literary criticism to tell me why I love her so much. Then I read this book- which is not at all like an Austen novel- but it gave me some clarity.
The
Luxe is a historical young adult novel, which I LOVE. It's great to breeze though a book as an adult reader with all the context, history, vocabulary and period fashion already at my disposal, but also imagine I am a 7
th grader reading a book that would probably be blowing my mind and heart.
The
Luxe is a juicy, soap opera tale of love triangles and mean girls. The author seemed to have done her research about New York society at the turn of the 20
th century with the industrial revolution bringing about the rise of the middle class. That is all very nice, but Henry is delicious. He's no Mr. Darcy, and of course, it's not England and a century earlier.
What is book does is show you a time when social classes were breaking down. Upward mobility was truly possible with hard work and talent (sadly, unlike now) as you didn't have to do as your father or marry as your mother.
That's what I love about Jane Austen. She was saying the same thing- but she was a feminist a century ahead of her time when there were no feminists, no industrial revolution, no middle class. But she still said it. That people should be free to follow their career dreams and and marry for love. Did they? No. Because there was no middle class and social mobility.
This is why some people don't like Austen and what they perceive as her tiresome marriage plots that never extend beyond social class
boundaries (
except in some minor characters like Lucy Steele and
Robert Ferrars). What do you expect from her? Do you want her to write a fantasy? She was writing about the time in which she lived. She was a feminist before it existed.
You can criticize her for always allowing the heroine to get the guy of noble birth. That's because her heroines gentleman's daughters. What I like about her is she still makes it against the odds. Marianne with Col. Brandon, Elinor with Edward, Elizabeth with Darcy, Fanny with Edmond. These were all unlikely pairs. All were from landed nobility but in different stages of wealth (that was the struggle). BUT that conflict is what I love most about her. What is she saying with that conflict? This match will be next to impossible. Not totally impossible- because they are of the same class- but everything else is against them. Love triumphs.
Sure I like the love story part a lot. But it's not why I love her. I love her because she's planting a seed that this social structure is about to crumble. That a love story like the
Luxe will be possible in 90 years. I love that she shows us the idleness of wealth. How the wealthy don't get there on their own; there are
casualties (best example Mansfield Park). And you can say no to all of it- which is what makes Elizabeth
Bennet the most celebrated female character. Not
because she gets Dreamy Darcy, but because she says no to Mr. Collins.
Funny that a fluff YA novel helped me sort all this out. The
Luxe is awesome FYI. There is a series and going to be a movie. Will I watch it as many times as Pride and Prejudice? Impossible.
I am sure there is some literary criticism that says all this. Too bad I never read it in undergrad. I was too busy reading the novels.
Whew, it has been a long time since I updated my blog with Milo not books. Don't get the wrong idea, I haven't just been sitting around reading; we have been on the go! 
We spent a nice, cool summer morning at the farm with my friend and her kids along with her friends and their kids. It was fun to squeeze in another trip there before school started.
Labor Day we headed for the beach. I planned to get there a lot this summer, but the weather didn't cooperate. I can't take Milo alone yet; I need Lyman to help carry, set up and deal with the sand on Milo. This time we even had Jon along for company. The more the merrier at the beach! On the few days that Lyman and I both had the day off, it was often cloudy, cold or raining on the beach. Labor Day was great though- blue skies and no crowds. The water was FREEZING but we still managed to get our toes in.
A few months ago, our friends told us they would be getting married in San Diego, and Donna called to ask when she should come visit. The stars aligned. Donna had never been to San Diego, and we didn't want to take Milo to the wedding party (that's no party for Mommy). It was a glorious weekend- perfect weather,amazing scenery, lovely family, lots of drinking and dancing. Above is Lyman and Donna at Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island.
Whee! Look at Donna soar on the Skyfari at the San Diego Zoo.
We have been lucky enough to spend a good bit of time on San Diego since moving here 11 years ago. But we haven't ever been by the marina that much. Both of our hotel rooms opened right out to the docked boats, we walked the path along the water and the wedding reception was at the San Diego Yacht club right on the water. I love San Diego! 
When we got back from San Diego, it was back to work for Mommy. Lyman, Milo and Donna kept having a lot of fun all week; I am sure he has pictures on his Facebook. For Donna's last weekend, we took her to our zoo and saw The Lion King in the movie theatre. It was a great visit. She's so awesome, and Milo loves being with her and all her spoiling. Now we are dealing with the fallout- spoiling is over, routine food, full time daycare/preschool, cranky Mommy, Milo missing Nonna and Mommy.Mommy missing Milo. Daddy hurt his back, and I am sure he he misses Nonna too. We'll survive, until her next visit.
This summer, when I was visiting my sister, I was gushing about something regarding Jane Austen. K asked me why I loved her so much. I admitted I didn't really know. I said I should probably read some literary criticism to tell me why I love her so much. Then I read this book- which is not at all like an Austen novel- but it gave me some clarity.
On my trip to Chicago, Kelly sent me home with a stack of books. I started with this one, since summer was ending and it was less then 300 pages. It's not a light read though, like most family dramadies. Kelly gives a nice review without any spoilers at NewCityLit. I appreciate a novel that tells a good story, but has a strong theme to leave you thinking.
