The Book that Changed Me

[butterflydreaming]

From buhrger :
can also be used for flims, CDs, etc, etc. feel free to propogate and mutate as you see fit:


1. Title
A College of Magics

2. Author
Caroline Stevermer

3. When did you first read it
I was working for Barnes & Noble in Ventura, CA, living in Oxnard, and in a moribund engagement. My copy is a stripped book, salvaged from the stack that was going out to the dumpster. They would put the recently stripped onto to the break room table in piles, for a few days, in case anyone wanted something to read during lunch.

4. Why did it strike you so much
The physical book, itself, was unwanted. The indicator of value, the cover, had been removed. I literally could not judge the book by its cover. Thankfully. (It's even worse, now.)

I didn't love the book on my first read through. It wasn't bad, but there was something awkward about it. Stevermer (I have read more by her) is not a sterling writer. Nevertheless, in spite of being surrounded by books, I was impelled to read CoM again, almost immediately after finishing it.

5. Have you reread it? If so, how many times?
I have reread it at least three times. The last time was over a year ago. I'm not sure where I stashed my copy, and now it is packed up, where ever it is, so I guess I'll have to finally buy a legit copy. Rereading books was not something I did as a kid; oddly, it didn't occur to me to do. Much like watching movies multiple times (early childhood is pre-home video). Now, I have a long to-read list. Only unusual books get reread.

6. Does it feel the same as when you first read it?
I get more from it every time I read it again. On the second read, what struck me was the phrase glove to my hand, refering to the MC's feelings about the one she loved, and the scene with her big loss/sacrifice, which takes thinking about to understand. Since then, I have delighted in the exploding hat, in the complexity of the evil uncle, in the AU in general.

7. Do you recommend it, or is it a private passion?
It's not Austen. I would recommend it to specific individuals, rather than giving it a blanket recommendation. The writing and theme have a YA feel, but the depths would be out of the understanding of someone who had never had to do something out of duty and responsibility. The nuance that makes it an enjoyable read for me requires some life experience, preferably including the reading of pre-20th century English novels. Then again, many things are improved when one has read Three Men in a Boat.

Comments

[secant.livejournal.com]

I didn't know anybody else had read this! I definitely enjoyed it a lot, though I haven't had time to reread it or find the sequels yet. It's one of those where the writing is technically far from sterling, as you say, but it really doesn't matter. Almost all of the themes touched on were well-worn, but Stevermer has a wit to her writing that made them live again. I even liked the magic school, and I was beginning to think there were no interesting portrayals of magic schools left. It's a fun universe.

[shadow-and-veil.livejournal.com]

The sequel about Jane visiting Glasscastle is a light read, but has its moments.