To Refine Like Silver by Jeanna
Ellsworth
This latest release by Jeanna Ellsworth, To Refine Like Silver, is in keeping
with her other works. It has a good story, is thought provoking and well-written
as well as entertaining. As to be expected by anyone familiar with her writing,
Ms. Ellsworth does another fabulous job of incorporating metaphors in her story.
I am always fascinated with her ability to bring in the metaphor and tie it
together with her story so that the thread runs seamlessly throughout her book giving it depth
of thought and meaning, as well as conveying a certain relationship or theme. This
one is no exception as suggested by the title.
The novel begins with Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy
meeting in Derbyshire thus sparing them the disastrous first impressions of
pride and prejudice at the Meryton Assembly. The Gardiners have become land
owners in Derbyshire having inherited an estate and are neighbors to Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth is there to help them as she has helped her father run his estate.
This allows for the meeting of Darcy and Elizabeth
on more equal ground and gets them off to a much better start with less
misunderstood feelings.
Elizabeth is a very strong character with much insight.
Darcy is the caring and loving brother that we know him to be. He is a good man
and cares deeply for Elizabeth. The Gardiner’s are lovely characters and good
to Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet is a better father and manager of his estate. Mrs. Bennet is not a nice lady but even the
hardest hearts can be softened. Caroline Bingley does not have any redemptive
qualities (and even stoops to a new low) but Mr. Wickham is allowed a few,
surprisingly.
This book is the most different Pride & Prejudice
retelling or variation that I have ever read. It is religious in tone without
being ‘preachy’ and has much spiritual awakening and development by the main
characters. Georgiana Darcy is in a very dark place, in depression and despair
from her encounter with George Wickham at Ramsgate. She is having a difficult
time coming to grips with the situation and living with it. Elizabeth recognizes
that dark empty stare in Georgiana’s eyes remembering a time from her past when
she had that same blank stare. Because of Elizabeth’s strength and courage, aided by the
patience of her father and Jane, she was eventually able to dig herself out of
the despair and to learn and grow spiritually. That enables her to help
Georgiana where no one else has been able to in the past. Darcy sees the
changes that are taking place and that makes his already strong feelings even
stronger. There is also much spiritual progression for him too.
I enjoyed the relationship between Georgiana, Elizabeth and
Darcy and their growth as individuals. As
I already mentioned, this is a very different book, a very good book and one that
gave me pause for thought and some soul searching. Jeanna Ellsworth did a brilliant job of
bringing home the points that she wanted to make with her story without
overpowering the reader. The subject is
a serious one that deals with depression and healing and is done in a way that gives
the story much meaning, wisdom and hope…hope being the key word. I am glad to
have experienced this novel as I feel it is not one that is just read but is
experienced with the characters. Thank you, Ms. Ellworth for another excellent
book.
As a special treat to along with the review, Jeanna Ellsworth is offering a signed paperback, US only, to one lucky person who leaves a comment below. Please leave your email in the comment so I will be able to contact you, should you be the randomly selected winner. The giveaway will end at midnight January 18, 2015.
I have read a few excerpts from this novel on various blog posts and it does seem intriguing. I always enjoy probing deeper into Darcy and Elizabeth's characters minus the angst caused by the Merryton Assembly and the disastrous Hunsford proposal. I have this on my ever growing list of "must reads."
ReplyDeleteI understand about those ever growing lists of 'must reads'. Just wish I had more time to delve into them. Thanks for stopping by, Regina. I hope you will get a chance to read this one soon. Good luck with the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI have read another book by Jeanna Ellsworth and thoroughly enjoyed her writing. The premise of this P&P variation is quite different, but for me that is what makes reading JAFF literature so rewarding. It will be good to read about the growth of Elizabeth, Darcy, and Georgianna, but what happened to Elizabeth to put her in such a dark place? Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed every book by Jeanna Ellsworth and look forward to more from her. She also tells the story without going into lots of dark disturbing details of what happened and I liked that. This story focuses on hope and growth.
DeleteI won this one earlier and I was/am geeked to read it b/c of the focus on Georgiana and Elizabeth that is a bit of a different type of P&P variation. Glad you thought it was good, Janet!
ReplyDeletePlease do not enter me!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Sophia Rose. Hope you enjoy reading it.
DeleteOh my goodness, I cannot wait to read this book! I was hoping for a good read and I'm satisfied that this is just the ticket!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in your book give away
Thank you
billi.aaron@gmail.com
You are entered Billi. Good luck.
DeleteThis story was outstanding for so many reasons. Trauma was dealt with in a dignified manner and the relationships were very moral and tender. What a good book! Please do not enter me, Janet, as I have this on my shelf to be taken down and reread.
ReplyDelete