Tag Archives: Grant Allen

Victorian Challenge: a conclusion

June 30, 2009 By in Challenges Tags: , , , 2 Comments

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The Victorian Challenge has been graciously hosted by Alex on a dedicated blog here. Do take a look – there are some wonderful reviews of an inredible array of books.

I was thrilled as soon as I first saw the words “Victorian” and “Challenge” together, and decided to set about reading a few of the big Victorian novels that I hadn’t got around to.

In the end I settled for a walk in Hyde Park (4 books) rather than the tour of the British Museum (5 books) I had planned.

I loved the books I read and I’m happy that I took my time and enjoyed them rather than rushing to hit a target.

Here they are, linked to reviews:

  • Little Dorrit, by Charles Dickens
  • Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell

    • Miss Cayley’s Adventures by Grant Allen

    June 30, 2009 By in Book Reports Tags: , 6 Comments

    Miss Cayley

    Miss Cayley’s Adventures is definitely a Victorian novel. Like many works of the period it first appeared in serial form – part one was published in The Strand in March 1898.

    But Lois Cayley is definitely not a typical Victorian heroine.

    When her stepfather dies Miss Cayley finds herself alone in the world. The obvious thing to do would be to take her friends advice and find respectable employment as a teacher or in a hat-shop. Does she do that? No. Miss Cayley decides to step out into the world in search of adventure, grabbing whatever chances come her way.

    The adventures come thick and fast, and the storytelling is quite wonderful.

    Miss Cayley travels through Germany, Italy, Egypt and India. And in the course of her travels she becomes a lady’s maid, a bicycle saleswoman, a house-sitter, the proprietor of a secretarial agency and a journalist. She foils a robbery, wins a cycle race and rescues an injured mountaineer.

    Yes, Miss Cayley is bright, articulate, athletic and extremely resourceful. She is also engaging from the first sentence and so very likeable.

    Along the way Miss Cayley makes many friends, a few enemies and she meets her true love.

    It is to save him from imprisonment for a crime that she finally return to London. Does Miss Cayley save the day? Is there a happy ending? Well what do you think?!

    Miss Cayley’s Adventures provide wonderful entertainment from beginning to end!

    Teaser Tuesdays / It’s Tuesday, where are you?

    May 26, 2009 By in Quotations, Poetry & Art Tags: 14 Comments

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    Just quote a couple of spoiler-free sentences the book you’re reading to tempt other readers.

    Here is mine:-

    “What adventure may come, I have not at this moment the faintest conception. The fun lies in the search.”

    Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB

    tuesdaywhereareyou

    I have recently found myself to be alone in the world, with just twopence in my pocket. But I shall not teach, I shall not sell bonnets. I am in London, the greatest and richest city in the world, and so I leave my future in the hands of Providence. I shall stroll out this morning and embrace the first stray enterprise that offers…

    It’s Tuesday, where are you? is hosted by raidergirl3.

    This all comes courtesy of Miss Cayley’s Adventures by Grant Allen

    Victorian Challenge

    December 19, 2008 By in Challenges Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

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    The Victorian Challenge is being hosted by Alex here.

    I was thrilled as soon as I saw the words “Victorian” and “Challenge” together. I have read so many wonderful books from and about the period and there are still lots more out there.

    So I am definitely in!

    Here’s how it works:

    • The challenge runs between 1st January 2009 and 30th June 2009.
    • It is open to everyone who wishes to participate.
    • You can choose one of four reading levels.
    • You can be added to the blog if you want.
    • You can share your reviews or make updates in the blog.

    Books allowed:

    • Books wrote during the Victorian Era
    • Books set during that period
    • Books about that period or biographies

    Reading Levels:

    • A drink at Whitechapel: 3 books
    • A walk in Hyde Park: 4 books
    • A tour of the British Museum: 5 books
    • A visit to Buckingham Palace: 6 books

    I’m opting for a tour of the British museum, and these are my books:

    • Little Dorritt, by Charles Dickens
    • Belinda, by Rhoda Broughton
    • The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
    • Miss Cayley’s Adventures, by Grant Allen
    • Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell

    I plan to turn the titles to links once I have read and reviewed and I’ll track progress in my sidebar.