My friend, I have been remiss! I never sent you an ask for the Conversation Hearts Exchange all those months ago, after I got behind. But I fully intended to do it, no matter how late. I wanted to tell you that I read The Romance of a Shop by Amy Levy, and I loved it! It definitely has similar vibes to Little Women. I loved the 1880s setting, in times that were changing but still tied to tradition. Since The Romance of a Shop is short as classics go, and since the writing style is accessible, direct, and smooth, I found it very readable. The book was interesting and truly profound, entertaining in a light and humorous and cheerful way, and fascinating in its portrayal of difficult events and realistic characters that made for a gripping read. The book kept me up late many nights while I became more and more invested in the story that was unfolding. I predicted most of the plot points before they happened, but it didn't feel predictable at all, especially since the events occurred in such an exciting way. The characters were very good and nicely varied. I liked that the sisters each had different personalities, and so did their friends. They seemed like real people. I really felt for the main sister in her struggles and her loneliness and her fight to keep her family afloat. I was very moved by her despair near the end when she believed she would never be happy. I'm so glad the book ended for her the way it did, even after tragedy. I really enjoy reading period books that were actually written IN the period, to see what it was actually like back then and what the real mindsets of the people were. I've read a few from various periods, but not this one, and this fit the bill nicely. (It shed some light on the parts of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion that were accurate and other parts that were anachronistic.) I regret that I never told you how much I loved this book, because I truly did love it! It blew me away and became one of my favorite books I've read this year (and among my favorites from recent years as well). I recommended it to several friends while I read it, and I never breathed a word to you, because I wanted to surprise you with a Conversation Hearts ask. And so...here I am months later, finally telling you my tale. Thank you for such an excellent recommendation! You always have such good taste. I'm so glad I got to read this book.
I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed it! I wish that I had more to add to this, but you've covered so much of what I enjoy about it, and I don't have the brainpower for more commentary. But it always makes me happy when someone loves a book that I loved and recommended, and I'm glad that you found so much to enjoy.
