Mini Reviews - XXVI (Joan Smith)

 Winter Wedding

  - Joan Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book had a nice premise. I liked Clara for her spunk and humor, and that even in the situation where she was left dependent on others, she managed to carve out a life of some independence. She visits only those of her friends and relatives who need her help, and never for long - it deprived her from settling roots, but also prevented her from becoming an unwelcome burden to anyone. I liked Ben for his obvious charm and even more for his feeling towards Clara, but his actions regarding his ward Nel left much to be desired. In the times when direct means of communication were not available to them, it was sad to see their drawn out longing for each other, but the efforts made by Ben were heartwarming.

It is a gentle, sweet story but marred by the antics of Nel - she is a truly selfish and spoiled girl. Her recent tragedy is not sufficient excuse for her behavior, particularly the disruption of someone else's wedding as an uninvited guest. Ben's indulgence of her rudeness is even less acceptable (not to mention his blaming others for inconveniencing her rather than reprimanding her). I understand that cast in the role of OW she provides a required tension in the story, but the space devoted to her over-the-top tantrums is too much to be enjoyable and becomes rather jarring.

Valerie

  - Joan Smith
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

It is difficult to believe this is written by the author of 'Imprudent Lady' or 'Talk of the Town'. Although the publication date of Valerie is later than these (and some other ones I really enjoyed), it felt like a very early attempt by the author. There were moments of wit, but they were sparse and few. The writing style was very immature - very short, trivial sentences, that were somehow made worse by first person narrative. The modern terms and sensibilities peeped out time to time, jarring with the time period it is set in.

Of the characters, the hero was quite good, even though something of a cardboard cut out of a RR ideal. The heroine, on the other hand, was quite foolish (She kept on wavering from one suspect to other and back, and spilling the beans to whoever she trusted at the moment. In a real mystery novel, that cuts one's life shorter immediately). I skipped a lot in the second half, just to see it end and confirm my suspicions.