Lady of Milkweed Manor
By Julie Klassen
(2008, Bethany House)
Book Review
by Carrie Pagels
This is a repost of my February review. I am putting this up for Julie Klassen week on OTT! Some changes in my blog - am now trying to include direct links to the audio versions for my readers with vision impairments. Just hover your cursor over the highlighted audio version of the book and left click to go to the website where the book can be purchased as an audiobook.
Lady of Milkweed Manor had excellent characterization and an interesting storyline. Easy listen. This Regency romantic historical was Ms. Klassen's debut book. I enjoyed this very much. I can see where some readers might be put off by some of the topics covered in this book, perhaps those who have never born and nursed a child. Issues of adoption and loss were very touching and very well handled as was the topic of mania (in a minor character). Fresh voice and unafraid to tackle touch topics and embed them in a great historical fiction.
Bibliotherapy points: Unmarried mothers, betrayal, adoption, and mourning. Mania, given that this is a historical fiction, and results of ineffective treatment, or in those days, not real treatment. For those who have loved ones who struggle with bipolar disorder and particularly people who have lost a loved one due to bipolar disorder, Klassen does a sensitive job of portraying what can happen in someone with BPD without meds. Of course, these days it can happen despite the availability of meds that control the disorder for many people. This is not the main focus of the book. It is in a secondary character.
Disability friendly: Book is available in audio (CD), Kindle, and regular print formats on Amazon. Also available on CBD as a paperback, or e-book (CBD has an e-reader you can download for free to use on your computer).
I downloaded this through Audible.com. This is a great site for persons who want to listen to the latest releases. All three of Julie's books are available on Audible. Great narrator for this book.
Giveaway: Leave a comment for a chance to win one of Julie's books in your choice of format!
Carrie, Oh your new blog look is just beautiful! Very restful on the eyes with loads of heart-appeal. As is your review here:) This is the only Klassen book I've read and I enjoyed it very much. I've always been in love with babies and the nursing theme. She does handle touchy subjects with grace. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteCarrie, I'm with Laura...loving your new blog! I read Lady of Milkweed Manor quite awhile back and I liked it pretty well. I have The Girl in the Gatehouse, but haven't read it yet. Julie Klassen is a fine author in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Laura and Diana. I really like it,too. I did not realize it was rather pinkish and I love pink. Thought it was more linen colored at first. Blessings to both of you!
ReplyDeleteThis book is also available through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, though it hasn't been added to their digital collection yet; it is on their special audio cassette tapes that require a specific machine.
ReplyDeleteAs a point in the review, I get a little tired of people thinking that, just because one has not nursed a child, one is turned off by this book because of the nursing issues. Not in the least. I have never had a child to nurse or otherwise, and I think it is an amazingly beautiful bonding between mother and child, whether it is human, canine, or feline. . . The particular circumstances of this book make the nursing particularly poignant.
Although I do know someone at a secular publisher whose 20 something editor told her to take out all her nursing references because it was "icky", my childless friends of all ages are not turned off by this either.
So I guess I'm curious to know if others really know people who would be turned off by a book because of the nursing issue? Seriously?
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. People get hangups about all sorts of things, and this one seems kind of sad to me.
Thanks for letting me know, Laurie Alice, about how this book is available on the special audio cassettes. It seems to me that people have strong opinions about nursing infants despite it being the way they were intended to be fed. It is a modern "issue" in our culture.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an excellent read. I have read "The Apothecary's Daughter" and was impressed by Julie Klassen's style.
ReplyDeleteBeemama, if you come back please leave your email so I can enter you for the giveaway! Thanks so much for stopping by. Julie has a beautiful style, I agree!
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet read The Lady of Milkweed Manor, but would love to! I read The Apothecary's Daughter, and loved that! I have two more books by Julie Klassen in my tbr pile that I look forward to diving into!
ReplyDeleteI'd love a chance to win. Thanks!
~ Katie
agirlslegacy@yahoo(dot)com
Hi, beemama and Katie! I believe TLoMManor was probably my favorite "Julie" book, along with The Silent Governess. Best of luck to you both in the drawing!
ReplyDeletethank you so much for the opportunity to read one of julie's novels...i really enjoy her books and writing.
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
So far this was my fav Julie Klassen book.
ReplyDeleteYour new blog layout is totally bea-u-ti-ful!
ReplyDeleteOut of all Julie's books this one is my favorite :) I am huge fan of the Regency period so this one was a pleasure to read. I'm so glad they have put them on audio. I know how important it is to have that choice!
Thanks again, Carrie for a great blog post.
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
I meant to say that The Silent Governess is my favorite but really...ALL of them are wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to OTT, Karen, Marian, and Anne! I agree with you, Anne, they are all wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThis book is on my top twenty of all time list! Love, love, love it. I'm a big Julie Klassen fan. And since I haven't read Girl in the Gatehouse yet, please enter me
ReplyDeletedina sleiman at gmail dot com
Anne Payne is the WINNER of Julie Klassen week on OTT! Congrats!! Diana and I are so glad you stopped by and comment on our blog! Julie K is an awesome writer and Diana and I LOVE her work!!! Check your email!
ReplyDelete