1. Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uWFBc4J3uBvYekItelyM0v0P4iPbJQni12HAS1eJegpakK2vNwoChEuOhWKZ90H0z9mT0_y9NqU4R3di273BtRgb0Y_kDtt1lk9HEC02a-i0ey7wLITlkwHT-LHzzG3TYXgf3c-NgP_HO6bbs_U-DDWjuqgvEUkE24D30XCVJnOWaILHS1xNHO6A=s0-d)
Sacred Hearts is my second Dunant's novel and it was also my attempt at liking Ms. Dunant's writing. I was sorely disappointed with The Birth of Venus mainly because I relied on all the glorious reviews and expected a masterpiece. As it turned out, I barely managed to finish the book. I took on a different approach as I prepared myself for Sacred Hearts. I avoided reading reviews, especially the 5 or 4 starred ones, and assumed that it would be not so great instead of a read of a lifetime. I am not sure whether it was this strategy of starting at the bottom or if Sacred Hearts was simply better written, but I was this time pleasantly surprised. The story was quite intriguing, it all took place in a convent full of women who probably were put there against their will and taught to accept their fates. The historical background and Ms. Dunant's dedication made me appreciate the whole novel that much more. The book is dedicated to all the women that had been imprisoned in convents and separated from the outside world for no crimes of theirs really. It is a rather slow reading but then again, I don't think it ever were supposed to be a plot and action driven novel. There is an intriguing plot in there but the most interesting part is what an impact one girl can make on all others around her.
I especially liked the character of Suora Zuana, this intelligent and skilled in the art of medicine woman whose only misfortune was that she was born in the time when women weren't granted the freedom to seek out their own professions or expand on their interest and passions. Yet she managed to make something out of her life, even if it's spent in a convent. I say if you appreciate more of a literary historical fiction when more patience needs to be involved, you'll definitely appreciate Sacred Hearts.
2. The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel
by Maureen Lindley
I enjoy Asian fiction and was very excited to read about yet another figure in the history of China and Japan that I previously had had no idea about. The verdict: I could not have been disappointed any more. I thoughts I was going to read about this strong willed woman striving for independence in a society that treated females as a species below males in all aspects. Ms. Lindley wanted to show that despite what history's opinion of Yoshiko was, she was not a thoroughly bad person. I am not sure what measures were taken to make us readers see this princess spy in a forgiving light. All I saw was a corrupted woman who had sex with pretty much everyone that came her way. It was actually quite disgusting, especially Yoshiko's attitude to all the men that used and abused her. She thought all the time she was the one using her femininity for her advantage. Well, she wasn't. I was completely put off by this nymphomaniac person who destroyed everything and everyone in her way just to get what she wanted. She kept saying throughout the novel that her one true love was Japan but I just failed to see it as anything else other than an excuse for a more expensive form of prostitution.
I am no bigot, I am fine with sex scenes but what upset me the most is how Yoshiko's sex addiction is being justified as simply her means to live the life on her terms. I am just not sure that compromising her dignity was worth the false sense of independence, considering what she got in the end.
I couldn't finish Sacred Hearts, just too dull for me, even using as my read while doing cardio book. After wall banging that and Birth of Venus I'm probably done with Dunant.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though we had a very similar reaction to Sacred Hearts. It was slow, but overall it was interersting. I don't think I'll be picking up the Birth of Venus though. Perhaps I should just leave my Dunant reading experience where it is. I don't want to be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI generally like Sarah Dunant's works, and I really liked this one - it was slow, but that was how I felt it should be. I'm really sorry to hear about Eastern Jewel. I'm increasingly regretting that I bothered to buy it even if it was at a charity shop!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would have been ok with it either, perhaps is she had been a "normal" nympfo, but like this after being used. No.
ReplyDeleteKept wondering why they were called Suora which means straight in Finnish :)
I loved your interview on Sacred Hearts and must read it in 2010.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't read the other one--i tried.
Sacred Heart sounds interesting. I'm intrigued by Yoshiko's story but probably will get nonfiction spy book about her. My husband loves those type of books so killing two birds with one stone.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I was just going to say the Sarah Dunant book looked good. I am not so sure if I want to test how patient I am with a book...LOL.... thanks for a really good review.
ReplyDeleteBoth these books sound intriguing to me, though I can understand why Yoshiko's history with men and sexuality was hard to take. Thanks for your thoughtful, honest review.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lilly! Re The Birth of Venus: It's ironic how reading glowing reviews had managed to disappoint your experience with that novel. Sometimes, I find myself not reading reviews altogether (just reading them after I read the book. hehehe). Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI've never read a Dunant. Perhaps I'll start with Sacred Hearts.
Hi
ReplyDeleteTHanks for stopping by and yes I did get a lot of books this week... I am proud of myself too, I did a few reviews this week too.
I love Heyer's mysteries, pure escapism and I love the covers!!!
Both books sound great to me, though to be honest, I've never heard of either! :)
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