A Tale of Two Cities V.S. A Tale of Two Cities

Guys, you will never guess what I did this week!

Guess.

Guess!

If you guess you get a cookie.


Do you give up? Alright, I suppose I will tell you then. This week I undertook the great, bold and slightly daunting quest of reading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickons.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

*CAUTION!  There will be much fangirling and ranting in this post! There will be spoilers!

*It is also pretty long. 

Why did I choose to undertake this task? Well there were lots of reasons. First of all, I have wanted to read ATOTC for quite a few years, but every time I picked it up the first chapter was so hard I couldn't get through it. This drove me nuts because I pride myself on being able to read anything I open, regardless of writing style or feel. But Charles Dickons stumped me and I could NOT get through that first chapter. It was exhausting and boring and it did not grip me in any sort of way. What was the point in reading something that wasn't gripping?

There was no reason. I proceeded to hunt down a different, more enjoyable story to read.

So what was different this time?

My older sister owns the soundtrack for A Tale of Two Cities; The Musical. It is the Original Cast Recording (because we have a thing for *original recordings*) and every now and again she listens to it. I heard it for the first time a few years ago and I fell in love with the music, the story and - you guessed it - Sydney Carton. He was such a sad pitiful person and he quickly rose to the rank of fabulous. He was right next to Raoul as my favorite male character in Musical Theater. We listened to it a couple times over the next three years or so, but since Kat was the only one who owned it (and it wasn't on youtube at the time) I didn't hear it half as much as I wanted to.


Then my sisters hit their musical high, and we listened to all the musicals again - including, for the first time in ages, A Tale of Two Cities. And I found the soundtrack on youtube (the Original Soundtrack!!) and listened to it four times in the same week. I got teeny bit obsessed, and that obsession has not ENDED. It's still going! It's been over a month - As I am sure most of you know :) I can't help it. I love Sydney, and his story hit me even harder this time. He is such a sad mashed potato :( He breaks my heart. When I am not listening to Phantom I listen to ATOTC.* I am starting to memorize a lot of the songs and can now sing along with most of the musical. (I can sing along with ALL the songs that have Sydney in them 8-D )


*Let me just say, musical theater is the bomb-diggety. It is so fabulous. It makes everything better.

Basically, the more I listened to it, the more I wanted more Sydney. I was on such a  high that I decided now would be the perfect time to try ATOTC - The book - one more time.

And I did. I actually picked it up, started the first line and just kept reading.

Just reading...

I read the whole book in two days (give or take a few hours) and when I finished, at I wasn't sure if I had actually enjoyed it or not. I gave it some thought and finally come to a conclusion:

I liked the book. But I LOVED Sydney Carton, and I really read it for him. I would tell myself, "It's okay. Three Chapters and we get some Carton." So much of that book is just descriptive world building and excessive use of adjective and adverbs of every kind, repeated four or five times in a paragraph. That made the story hard to read - you really have to be in the mood and be committed. There were sentences nearly a page LONG in that book. I'm not even kidding! A Page. LONG. I have never seen so many semicolons and commas! It was kind of exhausting to read so much. There were so many words and just so much everything that it got overwhelming. The characters all tended to be too dramatic (especially Lucie) and the whole story was just a bit too emotional. And in this instance, I don't mean like a FEEEEEEEEEEEELZ! emotional. (though there was that kind too) More like "OH EVERYONE IS SO OVERWHELMED, WHATEVER SHALL WE DO???"

What. Even.

Whenever the story revolved around Sydney Carton, it was Brilliant. I loved all of Sydney's scenes. He is the saddest Mashed Potato. Reading his story made his character even more painful because you learn all this other stuff that you don't really see in the musical - at least not as much. Like, he and his boss had gone to school together, and his boss was obviously a huge bully and really used Sydney and made him feel useless and pathetic. Stryver (the boss) was a Slime-Bag and he treated Sydney like dirt. He had no self-esteem and no one in all the world cared about him. He made me so sad!!!!!!

SO! Back to the reason I started this post. LOL. I didn't stop at just listening to the musical. I bought a copy of it in CONCERT on DVD.* They were on a stage. And acting. And it was fabulous! Sydney was the saddest of mashed potatoes!!

*I wanted the stage production but there wasn't one. So I settled for the Concert edition. It was an abridged production, and it wasn't as good as it could have been on a real stage, but it was still good.

When I finished that (And then listened to the whole musical again,) I decided that I still like the musical better than the book. But there were elements in the book I liked better.

The musical is more from Sydney's point of view, and I LOVE that. There is more Sydney in the musical. In the book it is usually other people meeting Sydney and/or mentioning him in passing. You rarely get a chapter from his point of view, and when you do it seems too short. I think the whole story would have been ten times better if it had been Sydney's story and not Lucie's and Charles'.

In the book I really liked Charles. I liked him in the musical too, but I liked him more in the book. He had a lot of really sweet moments in the book that I don't believe were in the musical. (But then I haven't seen the full thing yet either.) I don't know why so many people think he is flat and silly ....  Well okay. When he was in love he was kind of a dope. But he was a sweet dope. And and he was nice to Sydney. Even when Sydney was drunk (and insulting!) he was nice to Sydney. He welcomed him into his home after his wedding to Lucy. He let Sydney act as a godfather toward his children. He called him his friend and never judged him too harshly, even though he had seen him at his worst. I really liked Charles for that.

In the musical, I really liked Lucie. She was sweet and cute and she was really good to Sydney. But in the book she drove me In.sane. I know she was nice to Sydney and that was all fine and good, but seriously that women was all over the place. She was constantly Over-flowing With Joy, or Completely Distraught about something or other. and usually it was just sooo overwhelming. 

Lucie! Stop falling to your knees! FOR REAL.

I think the Lucie in the musical was more what Charles Dickons was going for in the book, he just never quite made it. They did a good job of highlighting her kindness without making her too good and they filled her out with all these cute little quirks that made her likable. Unfortunately the book didn't do this.

She was annoying okay? Really annoying.

I liked that in the musical they built more with Sydney and Little Lucie's relationship.* I like that they drew that element out and actually showed Sydney with the little girl - and how gentle and different he was around her then with anyone else. Because that was adorable.

"God bless Mama and Papa and Grandpapa.... And Sydney. I don't think he'll ask You for himself.

*Little Lucie is Lucie's daughter.

This being said, I loved the scene in the book where Sydney talked to Lucie about his feelings for her, and how much she inspired him to do good and that for her, and for any dear to her, he would sacrifice anything; including his life. I love this moment, and sadly I don't know if it was in the stage production (Since I can't freakin' see it.) I think something similar must happen because at the end of the musical Sydney writes a letter to Lucie and it's exactly the same as the one he writes in the book, and it was in regard to that conversation.

I really love the scene in the musical where Carton comes over for Christmas (on Lucie's invitation) and receives a present from Lucie. And he is really touched and because he was not expecting a gift, especially not one from her, and he says thank you with this shy little kiss ... and it's so. freakin. sad. BECAUSE SHE IS IN LOVE WITH CHARLES AND HE WILL NEVER EVER BE HAPPY.

"There is something I would like to give you."

*Spoilers ahead*

So... There were a few elements from the book that I wish they could have kept in the musical. Like the bit near the end where Sydney is walking and praying.... "I am the Life and the Resurrection,.." That whole sequence was heartbreaking and I think it would have been cool to do something with it in the musical.

On the other hand though, I loved the song "Let Her Be A Child," which took the place of that. It was essentially the same thing. Sydney is all alone and he is faced with a frightening decision and he is scared and unsure ... and then it's like he hears Little Lucie saying her night prayers and he remembers why he has to follow through with his plans. And he prays with her for courage to do what he has to in order to keep the ones he loves safe. It is SAD. IT HURTS.

"Now, I lay me down to sleep..."

Overall, I enjoy listening to the musical rather than reading the book. It is a lot more fun to witness the story on stage then it is on paper - and I think this is the way with a lot of classics. They work better as a play or a movie. I was lucky because I heard the musical (many times) before reading the book and I was already familiar with the story, so it was easier for me to follow along.  But there were still moments where I got confused and had to re-read a few paragraphs. And there was one scene where this character suddenly appeared in the room and I had no idea when he had shown up or why  he was there - but at this point I was getting close to the sad Sydney parts so I decided it didn't matter and kept reading.

SO! What it all comes down to is this; I really liked the the book, I liked it a lot. It was a fantastic story and I would definitely read it again. But it helped that I had heard the musical and already loved the story. Otherwise I don't know if I would have enjoyed it so much. (Because the musical is the greatest thing ever. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!)

#reading the end of the book

I think it is a shame that not many people have read A Tale of Two Cities. And I think it is even a bigger shame that is closed on Broadway so fast. I firmly believe it deserves a second chance. It would be fabulous to see it return to Broadway and I would go see it in a heartbeat. ( But could we also please get James Barbour back as Sydney? Thank you.) .... Maybe I'll start a petition for the release of the Stage Version  on DVD.

Oh. That is a good Idea!

What are your thoughts on A Tale of Two Cities? Have you ever listened to it or read it? Do you know the story? What do you think of it?

With that I leave you with this FABULOUS trailer over which you can drool.....

And then you can watch this trailer (Which is the copy I have) and you will understand why I want to start a petition and get another DVD.

*Say... If I start a Petiton, would you help me??


PEACE OUT Y'ALL!!!!!

*swings around cape and leaps off stage*

Bella

"They Hadn't always been best friends...."

I'm doing a review today. 

This review is on a book that has yet to be published, but it in the process of being edited FOR publishing. The writer very kindly let me read through her first draft with her to help with the editing, and when I asked her if I could review it she said sure, so that is what I'm going to do. I think it deserves a review

Brothers in Arms. 

By Jack Lewis Baillot

It is World War II Germany. Japhet Buchanan and Franz Kampell have been friends since childhood, but now everything they've ever known is coming crashing down around them, and they find themselves being forced to choose their country and each other. 

I am coming right up to the point with this. Brothers in Arms is one of the best books I've read all year. In fact its one of the best book I've read - ever. And that is saying a lot, I'm a picky reader. Because I was helping edit I had a first-draft version, so it was a little rough, but I was genuinely shocked by how good it was for the unpolished product. It was well paced and well balanced and I think, with work it is going to be a brilliant book and a brilliant story. 

There was something very special about this book, something that separates from almost everything else. First off, the style. Unlike some historical fiction it doesn't feel modern. It is very 1940's centered, and I loved feeling like I was apart of that time frame. It was refreshing, especially after the less impressive historical fiction I've been trying to read. It was actually a war book, not.... having a war for the romance. It is a bit darker than I am used to. There is a section near the middle which is bleak and desperate and awful and if it had been handled any differently I don't know if I could have gotten through it. But the way it was written it wasn't completely without hope. I think that was the saving grace. It wasn't depressing. I think there is a fine line between dark and depressing and the Author did a very good job not crossing that line. I'm not sure how many could manage pulling off something like this but she did, and she did it well. I picked it up and I read it straight through in two days. I haven't found a book like that in weeks. Months even. I think I was in the perfect mood for it too, and that was a plus. I got ridiculously fangirly over it and have been on a high with it ever since. And I can tell you the two main reasons: Franz and Japhet. 

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Franz and Japhet have one of the best friendships ever written on paper. I am not even kidding. They were like the Steve and Bucky of the book world. They grew up together. They were as thick as thieves, partly because they were both the only boys in a family of sisters, and it was nice to finally have a boy around to play with. They did everything together, whether it was playing pranks on their sisters or hiking through the meadows or making rope swings. They were incredibly close and they do their best to keep each other safe. I loved them almost immediately and as the book went on I just loved them more and more. They gave me so many feels. Painful, terrible feels but also happy, fuzzy feels that made me squeeze my eyes shut and grin like and idiot because they are just so sweet and protective of each other. 

It felt like nothing could come between them.

When the war came everything changed. Everything they had ever known became uncertain from day to day. Japhet found himself the outcast and saw hate wherever he went, because even though he was a baptized Christian he was also a Jew, and Jews had no place in Germany. Japhet was hated for what he was and Franz was hated because he was friends with him.

When tragedy strikes the boys right at their home, they decide they have to do what they should have done in the first place. They have to leave Germany. Franz and Japhet go under cover in Berlin and try to pick up as much information as possible in order to their families out of the country safely. But its hard, being in the center of so much hate, and as the war screams on it gets harder for them to keep up their spirits, and they begin to drift apart.  

And then Japhet finds out his best friend in the whole world has joined the Nazis, and from that point on their stories go in two very separate directions. Japhet joins the Resistance and Franz is left on his own with the Nazis and you don't see how anything could ever be alright again. Its all gone wrong, everything, and their is too much pain and hurt and nothing can ever make this better, ever. Then the story reaches its peak and its so dark and so painful and everything is this whirlwind and you wish the boys would just freakin find each other and TALK to each other and figure things out because they need each other, and they can't make it on their own. And Franz, who only joined the Nazis to get information and help his family, begins to lose himself and he is so broken and awful and Japhet is miles away, dying inside and so lonely and tired and.....

I JUST HAD A LOT OF FEELINGS.

Okay this is where I vent. I fell in LOVE with these boys. They were both so different yet so alike and they both were trying to do that right thing and be brave and they just got lost and it felt like the whole world was against them, telling them a German and a Jew couldn't be friends, telling them they couldn't make it out, not together. And it was so painful to watch them fall to pieces and all I wanted to do was slam doors and shout STEIN! Because he was an incredibly AWFUL Nazi who needed to die! 

The whole ending though, it was absolutely stunning. At first it just hurts because something happens, and it is so awful and terrible that it feels like nothing is ever going to be okay again. But then the friendship story climaxes at the same time as the plot and it was just.....

FEEEEELINGS

I would highly recommend being stalkers and lurking about until you find out its been published, then buy it and dive into it and let your emotions be destroyed and put back together by a Nazi and a Jew and one of the best friendships EVER!

Tomorrow or the next day I'm posting about a fuzzy bug robot. Stay tuned!

*Slides off car*

Bella

The False Prince Review

For the past few months I've been in writers rut. Except for a very few books, nothing I read stuck with me and everything fit the same mold. I've always considered myself a major book worm and I was having Reader-Withdrawal depression. WHY DON'T I LIKE READING ANYMORE?? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??? *cries in the corner.* But then.... THEN!! My amazing friend recommended a book to me. A book she promised me it was brilliant and new. So I figured, what the heck, and checked it out from the library.


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Oh my gosh!!! It was so good! I finished it in two days. With much nervous tension and finger biting and wondering how it was all going to play out.

The basic plot is pretty straight forward:

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

Like I said, pretty straight forward. It sounded like it would fit in with a few other books I had tried to read recently, especially the bit about long-lost princes and such. But I was desperate for a good read and I trust this friend immensely, so I dove into it and started reading. I wasn't disappointed.

First off, the main character, Sage. Sage is so freakin EPIC!!!! I loved him from the beginning. He actually had character! *jumps up and down* For me, liking him right off was a big step because lately main characters have either been bland, too perfect or all out bratty and obnoxious. Not that Sage isn't a brat - he is. But he is the best kind of brat, and I love him. He's very defiant and stubborn. He doesn't let himself get pushed around easily. He has a lot of fight in him and he isn't afraid to prove it. And he is brave. A bit reckless maybe, but brave all the same.

Then we had the two main side characters. Tobias and Roden. To be honest, I thought I'd like Roden more. Tobias seemed really hard to get along with and just.... No. No. Why wouldn't he shut up, dang it?? But by the end of the book I was TOTALLY a Tobias girl. First off he was like a Medieval nerd. Secondly, he had a lot of spunk too and he was fighting for his life the same as Sage. He was just trying to go about it differently. And third, he isn't such a bad kid once you get to know him. He's actually pretty brilliant. Roden on the other hand.....

I don't like Roden much.

There is a touch of romance in this book but it was so natural and sweet I didn't really care. Its more like they are very dear friends and, given time, they could be in love. Almost like, they might both be in love but they don't know it yet. I loved it. Imogene was cute and sweet. And she was a girl character I could actually LIKE. I really like how she and Sage were. Sage was so gentle and defensive of her. And she admired him. and it was just CUTE!!! But while there is a touch of romance, it isn't THE thing. which is nice. I like Romance better when its more in the back round and it sneaks up and you and makes you love it. I hate forced romance.

But Imogen and Sage just make me happy. And I wouldn't mind a bit more them. I ship It *grin* 

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But back to Tobias and Sage. I am going to try and keep this pretty spoiler free, but in case I slip up, just try to be careful: Remember my thing with friendship stories? You show me a friendship story and I fall to pieces. They are my favorite. Well, I've been really in the mood for a good friendship story. Not that I haven't found a few already - Merlin & Arthur, Sam & Dean, Elliot & Hardison.... But I wanted more!! I am always looking for more friendship stories. Now, in this book there isn't so much of that - at least not in a BIG way. But its very much hinted at, ESPECIALLY near the end. The last chapter has this one amazing moment where I threw up my hands and squealed "FRIENDSHIP STORY!!!" You can see epicness being planted for the future with that one line. And that is also the line that completely sold me on Tobias. Tobias and Sage keep having these conversations where Sage says that he is going to win the competition. He will become the long-lost prince. He will be the new King. And at one point Tobias says this one thing...... And there is a spoiler here, but oh well. I love this line. Skip it if you don't want to know anything.

*SQUEAL!!* TOBIAS BELIEVES IN HIM AND HE LIKES HIM AND HE WANTS TO FOLLOW HIM...... AND OH MY GOSH WHY DIDN'T I KNOW I WANTED THIS SOONER??!!



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I had a lot of Tobias and Sage feels. I was on a Tobias and Sage high. I jumped up and rushed to find fan art. Any fan art. (well except the creepy stuff)

But there was none! *Gasp* It seems I have found another brilliant book which has no fandom. Just a tiny little village. In the middle of nowhere. And because it is so tiny it is very hard to find so no one comes there.

And apparently none of us villagers know how to draw.

And those that do aren't as good as my sister, so she has to come to the village and draw for me.

I  need fanart, sister of mine! MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

*breath*

The friendship story aside, the book overall was brilliant. The antagonist AKA Conner, was definitely the kind of guy you could hate and feel fine about it. Cause he was not a nice man. And he did many terrible things. And I want him dead I think. Unless he miraculously changes. And then there are other characters whom you don't think you'll like and then you do. And the plot was solid and well paced. It reeled you in. It kept you enthralled. And it manipulates you into thinking you know everything then flipped the tables and suddenly you feel very dumb. There was one part especially that was a very whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?  moment.

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Then you flip the pages back to make sure you read those words right.......

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And then you just sort of sit there. And you're like. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!! OMGOSH!!

MINDBLOWN!

At least that was what I did.

Then I felt really stupid.

I finished the book pretty quickly after that, and when I read the last page I wanted to run around in long dresses and capes. And sneak out windows. And discover secret passageways to clamber through. And learn how to sword fight.

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No one else had read it except for my friend. I was alone in my house with my feels. So I emailed her and yelled. And squealed. And fangirled. and She fangirled back because she loves it too.

And I rushed to put book two and three on hold cause I was on a Sage high and needed more.

They still haven't' come in.

Its been over two weeks.

*headdesk*  

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I feel like I need to start stalking the library in a hood with my hands buried in my pockets, watching the people who enter the door with a keen eye to see if any of them have it. And then if I caught sight of the target, I'd rip it right out of his hands and run away laughing.


I might actually do that now.

I NEED more Sage!!!!!! 

So in conclusion, if any of you need something new, something amazing and are in the mood for fantasy, then this book is a great choice. I highly recommend it. Just check out the whole trilogy at once so that you wont have my problem and get eaten up with anxiety while waiting for book two and three to come in.

God Bless!! And Happy Eastertide to you all!!!

~Ben the Robot~



The House of Hades Book Review

Here I am with a book review! I'll make this as spoiler-free as possible, so read away it should be pretty safe. *Deep Breath* this isn't going to be easy....

! Review Time !

I hate to say it, but I was a bit disappointed with the House of Hades. I was definitely expecting more from the newest book in The Heroes of Olympus series and what I got? Well, lets just say it wasn't what I was expecting.

Alright.

I have found yet another author I am unable to trust. I'm really upset too, because until this book I could recommend Rick Riordan in a heartbeat and feel completely confident that he would not let me down. Now I'm not sure anymore. Worst of all, what he did was unnecessary and uncalled for. And it all happened because of one hateful character, Nico Di Angelo.

I've never liked Nico, he's always creeped me out, I didn't trust him and I didn't want him around. But I could tolerate him. Now I can't even do that, because Rick Riordan did something unexpected and horrible. He made Nico queer. He likes another boy. Really, really likes him. That immediately turned me off and made me furious. It wasn't needed, it was just a throw-in plot twist with absolutely no link to the rest of the story and no reason to be there. We just needed somewhere to be queer, so Nico was made queer. It wasn't even realistic because Nico is from another time, the 1940's to be exact, and he wouldn't have been like that. Ever. Luckily, his feelings are one-sided but the fact that he has those feelings at all makes me sick and angry. It also drags down the book which otherwise would have been one of his better works. The rest of the characters are quite brilliant, and Percy is still one of my favorite fictional book characters. The plot-twists and interweaving of the different stories, the adventure and stakes, its all handled very well and has you biting your nails and holding your breath. He portrays friendship and family well, and his love stories are some of the best I've read. Well.... when someone doesn't go Queer on you. *scowl* I'm just.... I'm really upset the story took that turn. I mean, I read it and felt.... terrible.

The Eleventh Doctor

Even without the 'Nico' thing, the story was rather weak. It felt kind of like The Mark of Athena. A lot happened but nothing got done. We had a lot of running and planning but it never seemed to go anywhere. We were introduced to some new characters but our immediate problem wasn't really solved. The Tartarus angle was very good and I actually had to close the book at one point and take a break because Percy and Annabeth's story was making me so nervous. The 'side-characters' (haha) stories also drew you in and made you want to read more, especially Leo's, who is my favorite character besides Percy. Leo is so.... Leo! he makes me incredibly happy and you always love to read about him. He's nerdy. He's awkward and doesn't quite fit in. He always feels like the odd-one-out and never sees how much he is needed by the rest of the team. He's just the mechanic, he does his job, that's it. he's nothing special. Or at least that what he thinks. He's something much more than a mere mechanic, there's a lot of strength in Leo. I have had the most fun reading Percy's and Leo's character ark, they've been the best. The thing is, I now have an idea of how Leo is going to end. And it makes me want to cry and scream and pelt Rick Riordan with shoes. I already want to hit him with shoes for Nico, but if he does anything to Leo....

Rory Williams

 

All in all The House of Hades was not the best book I've read all winter - it isn't even the best book I've read all year. It has some brilliant moments and a few great chapters but when I finished it I felt a bit unsatisfying and let down. I think I was expecting too much out of it and therefore I didn't like it as much as I might have. For those of you who know what's coming, you may like it more. It is a good story and I did enjoy it - I did. Just be prepared for a weaker book and try not to dwell on the fact that Nico is Queer. That is the big reason I was so upset, Nico was a real shock and he kind of tainted the rest of my reading.

So that's that. I'll be back as soon as possible with a nicer

 post, but until then, I bid all of you a fond farewell.

 

*KEVINLIVES!*

 

God Bless!

~Bella

A Book Review!!

Lately I've had the crazy, emotional week with a lot of frightening plot twists and some strange rock walls and I guess I've been a little.... harassed when it comes to blogging. but recently I finished a wonderful book, The Miracle of Miss Willie. It is perhaps the best book I've read all summer, the most heartwarming, and it really made me stop and think, to look at the world and think "Well, ya' know, its not so bad...."

This is, without a doubt a MUST READ! It is completely charming, the kind of book you want to curl up with like a blanket. I finished it alone in my bedroom and had a good cry. Not in a terrible way. Just because.... It was so good! :') The story is centered around three highschool boys, BB, DJ, and Jefferson who live in a small town in Arizona. They are trouble makers, playing all sorts of pranks on people they know. They aren't 'bad' boys, in the regular sense, they just can't stay out of trouble and they create havoc wherever they go.When we meet the boys at the beginning, everyone thinks they're a lost cause, the type of thing only a miracle could change. That miracle comes in the form of Miss Willie, the new English Teacher.

The Boys
DJ
We are told the story from DJ's point of view. He has lost his mother and his father works continually, leaving him alone at home most of the time, with only an older sister who isn't mentioned much. He is a really kind boy with a lot of potential hidden beneath his rambunctious ways, and I like him a lot. His character was a lot of fun to walk with, especially near the end. He was funny and mischievous, with some whoppers for plans, but underneath it all he was a nice enough boy :)

~....."There was an enigmatic fulfillment, a pervasive tranquility. we felt older, Not just in time, but in Maturity...." ~

Jefferson
Jefferson is my favorite of the boys. He had a strong spirit just waiting to break out and his character ark from the first to last page had the most effect on me. By the end I had completely fallen for him, and could see myself going out with a boy like that.

~"I want to prove.... I want to prove that I'll work for something that I think is right, even though its hard.....~

BB
BB is.... BB is BB. That is basically the only way to describe him. He is the most wild of the boys and has the least scruples when it comes to pranks and jokes. Though he can be a bit slow at times his heart is in the right place, he just needs a helping hand.

"She's got more faith in us than we have in ourselves. Maybe she's wrong, but I'm not going to let her down. I'm going to try...."

Miss Willie befriends the three boys and they in turn, fall head-over-heals for her. Soon Miss Willie is teaching the boys English, the meaning of true gentlemen, what girls like, why Shakespeare has a soul and what makes dancing fun. She sees in them what no one else did; the goodness and the potential to be so much more than they are. Her faith in the boys causes them to do the unthinkable, such as squirming into suit jackets for dance class and scoring above 70 in their school studies. No matter what the challenge, Miss Willie will not be swayed and she will not be stopped. She is a force of nature and her overall charm and attitude takes it gradual effect on the boys, transforming them into true gentlemen. The lessons they learn from her are invaluable and the last thing she teaches them will change their life forever.

~"I believe in you," She said with a whisper, "I've believed in you since the very first day...."~

There was a lot I adored about this story. The way Miss Willie was able to keep her cheerful attitude even when it was hard, even when it was exhausting, was amazing and the way she faced her trials was remarkable. Accepting the boys like she did and rising to the challenge of reforming them was brilliant, in fact everything about Miss Willie was brilliant. I think she's my role model now. She is the most amazing women in the world and her faith in God is something to be envied. I loved how the story interwove comedy with the undertone of seriousness and how there was always something in the chapters that made you laugh. Even at the end, when you find yourself rather weepy, you still feel a fuzzy warmness; You want to run and dance and cry or listen to soft music and draw or write with a cup of tea. That kind of book. It had me in absolute TEARS, I think I re-read the last three pages ten times and still I was shaky. The boys were charming, hilarious and remarkable, Miss Willie steals your heart before you have a chance to protest and the crescendo on the last page is just what you need to finish the story. Go find it right now if you have yet to read it. It is well worth your time and you will never regret reading it. I know I wont *sniffle*
(You can get it for a penny on amazon. A PENNY! WHY DON'T YOU OWN THE BOOK YET??!)

Drawn by Treskie

Rather Soon I shall have a fun post with craftiness and bubbly, energetic me-ness, but until then I must bid fair well.


♪♫....If I could/ Then I would/ I'd go wherever you will go/ Way up high/ Or down low/ I'd go wherever you will go.....♪♪