MockNomination for A True and Faithful Narrative
(I'll remind you too to check out Monica Edinger's well-drawn thoughts on this one. She's posted several times about it, so just put the title in her search bar to get them all. And feel free to comment on my nomination statements if you disagree...)
In her work of historical fiction Sturtevant presents details of setting and custom seamlessly through the presentation of her narrative, and communicates the perspectives of people in 17th century England through her characters’ differences in opinion. These characters are vivid, and realistic to their time. Even Meg, a “modern” woman in many ways, is understandably closed-minded when it comes to people of other colors and faiths. Sturtevant has also created an engaging coming-of-age novel with elements of romance and adventure. She creates tension through gesture and conversation, creating layers that the readers understand without needing to be told. No other book on our list (with the possible exception of King of Attolia) exhibits such distinguish craft in writing.
In her work of historical fiction Sturtevant presents details of setting and custom seamlessly through the presentation of her narrative, and communicates the perspectives of people in 17th century England through her characters’ differences in opinion. These characters are vivid, and realistic to their time. Even Meg, a “modern” woman in many ways, is understandably closed-minded when it comes to people of other colors and faiths. Sturtevant has also created an engaging coming-of-age novel with elements of romance and adventure. She creates tension through gesture and conversation, creating layers that the readers understand without needing to be told. No other book on our list (with the possible exception of King of Attolia) exhibits such distinguish craft in writing.
posted by Nina Lindsay at 2:45 PM
1 Comments:
Nina said: A Drowned Maiden’s Hair stands out for its complexity within a predictable form, and distinctively engaging narrative.
This is true also, in A True and Faithful Narrative. In the predictable romance it is clear from the beginning who the "right guy" is. This is refreshingly not true in Sturtevant's book.
One thing I enjoyed about True and Faithful is the way the romance between Meg and Will Barlow bloomed and then faltered. Will was portrayed as a very decent young man, not a straw man, not a cliched "wrong guy."
I appreciated the way Meg used her head to examine her options, and the way the hard realities of her world affected her thinking: her dowry shrinking with each new sibling, the unhappy lives of those who married for love, as well as the unhappiness of Anne who had made what seemed to be a wise decision.
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