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ajay913's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Homophobia
hmatt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm not generally one for slow, introspective fiction, but Donoghue does it well and I was intrigued by the premise of this one. I feel as though the story lulls midway through, though, and I didn't get much from it after that... I'm also not sure that I like the framing of the letters from the future. That didn't work for me, although I suppose I see why the author wrote it that way. I think I would have preferred a bit of a mystery fade-to-black situation after Lister leaves with her broken leg. The end as it is felt a bit tacked-on and really jolted me as a reader out of the atmosphere the rest of the novel created. I do think others will enjoy this more deeply, it just wasn't the right pace and vibe for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Racism, Sexism, and Child death
Minor: Pregnancy, Chronic illness, and Toxic friendship
njh_books's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Having a decent background knowledge of Anne Lister, reading a historical fiction account about a section of her life where a lot of the information is missing, is quite interesting. Also seeing Anne Lister from someone else's eyes is refreshing as most stories about her have been either told from her perspective (her journals) or closely follow her (<i>Gentleman Jack</i>). We often discuss the adult Lister, but it is thought-provoking to think about how she was in her teens--what she would have been like and what she would have been up to.
That being said, this book is slow paced. The first 25 pages were long and the first 100 got slightly better, but were still long. The first really romantic scenes/actions between Lister and Raine occur in the 190s/306 pages. Slow burn of slow burns with a slow pace.
The letters from Eliza from the present back to the Eliza in 1805/1806 didn't work as smoothly for me as I would've liked. Without a lot of the information I already had about Lister and Raine, I think I would've often been left confused.
I think the premise is nice, but the plot almost cuts off as soon as it starts. Just when Raine and Lister finally seem to have some happiness, it's gone from Lister breaking her leg by falling off the school wall. I don't think we know the real reason why Lister left the Manor School, but for who she was, breaking a leg in such a careless way seemed strangely out of character.
The letters from Eliza from the present back to the Eliza in 1805/1806 didn't work as smoothly for me as I would've liked. Without a lot of the information I already had about Lister and Raine, I think I would've often been left confused.
I think the premise is nice, but the plot almost cuts off as soon as it starts. Just when Raine and Lister finally seem to have some happiness, it's gone from Lister breaking her leg by falling off the school wall. I don't think we know the real reason why Lister left the Manor School, but for who she was, breaking a leg in such a careless way seemed strangely out of character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, and Chronic illness
Minor: Suicide, War, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, and Pregnancy
meliemelo's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
For a while, I thought this would earn five-stars. Unfortunately, it wasn't the sweeping romance I hoped for, even though from the first few pages it seemed written like one - although the author can hardly be faulted since, and I hadn't realized it until the last few pages (shame on me!), the whole novel is based on a true story. I'd love to get an exquisitely written, positive historical queer romance, someday.
Because it is beautifully written. I love Emma Donoghue's prose and found it very hard to put the book down most of the time. The ending felt a bit rushed, although it's easy to understand that the story was so contained by design. Reading the note afterwards, it seemed to me like the reader was meant to "fill the gaps" with their own knowledge of Ann Lister's story (or by reading said note), which I'm not sure is great practice in general.
I did love the "slice of life" aspect of a lot of the book, even aside of the romance, and the author's research seems to have been extensive, which I appreciate.
All in all, it's difficult to articulate what I felt about this book. Some parts of it made me slightly uncomfortable (on purpose), while others were magnificent. It's a rare case of loving the parts (so many beautiful lines!) more than the whole.
Because it is beautifully written. I love Emma Donoghue's prose and found it very hard to put the book down most of the time. The ending felt a bit rushed, although it's easy to understand that the story was so contained by design. Reading the note afterwards, it seemed to me like the reader was meant to "fill the gaps" with their own knowledge of Ann Lister's story (or by reading said note), which I'm not sure is great practice in general.
I did love the "slice of life" aspect of a lot of the book, even aside of the romance, and the author's research seems to have been extensive, which I appreciate.
All in all, it's difficult to articulate what I felt about this book. Some parts of it made me slightly uncomfortable (on purpose), while others were magnificent. It's a rare case of loving the parts (so many beautiful lines!) more than the whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Death, Child death, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War
kelly_e's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: Learned By Heart
Author: Emma Donoghue
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: August 29, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Fearless • Tender • Passionate
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In 1805 fourteen-year-old Eliza Raine is a school girl at the Manor School for Young Ladies in York. The daughter of an Indian mother and a British father, Eliza was banished to this unfamiliar country as a little girl. When she first stepped off the King George in Kent, Eliza was accompanied by her older sister, Jane, but now she boards alone at the Manor, with no one left to claim her. She spends her days avoiding the attention of her fellow pupils until, one day, a fearless and charismatic new student arrives at the school. The two girls are immediately thrown together and soon Eliza’s life is turned inside out by this strange and curious young woman.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Learned by Heart was one of my most anticipated 2023 releases (Donoghue is an auto-buy for me), so of course I had to make it my September selection for the personal book of the month project I've been completing this year. I went in completely blind having pre-ordered the book shortly after it was announced.
Anyone familiar with Emma Donoghue's writing will know she delivers deeply researched and distinctive historical fiction - this one was no exception. Impeccably researched and based on the true story of Anne Lister and Eliza Raine, it delivers on a topic I knew absolutely nothing about. The author's interest and knowledge of Anne Lister's story was evident, and the author's note offered even more insight into the matter.
Written in elegant prose and capturing the essence of the time period flawlessly, this novel explores what is at first an all-consuming friendship, eventually leading to first love. The pacing is quite slow, yet the character growth shines brightly. I really didn't have that much interest in the story itself, so there was a lack of investment on my part. I suspect having prior knowledge of the characters would have improved the overall reading experience. Additionally, for me, the letters really broke up the pacing detracting from my attention, even though they played an important role in the narrative.
On the whole, Emma Donoghue's writing shines in what is one of the more forgettable novels I have read from her. Similar to Haven the character depth is what truly stands out, especially as the plot takes a back seat, so this one will definitely not be for everyone. Unrelated to the novel itself, Learned by Heart delivers another stunning cover, something I've come to expect from her novels.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Emma Donoghue devotees
• historians with an interest in Anne Lister
• fans of historical fiction based on fact
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Love comes not when it's contracted for but when it will."
Author: Emma Donoghue
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: August 29, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Fearless • Tender • Passionate
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In 1805 fourteen-year-old Eliza Raine is a school girl at the Manor School for Young Ladies in York. The daughter of an Indian mother and a British father, Eliza was banished to this unfamiliar country as a little girl. When she first stepped off the King George in Kent, Eliza was accompanied by her older sister, Jane, but now she boards alone at the Manor, with no one left to claim her. She spends her days avoiding the attention of her fellow pupils until, one day, a fearless and charismatic new student arrives at the school. The two girls are immediately thrown together and soon Eliza’s life is turned inside out by this strange and curious young woman.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Learned by Heart was one of my most anticipated 2023 releases (Donoghue is an auto-buy for me), so of course I had to make it my September selection for the personal book of the month project I've been completing this year. I went in completely blind having pre-ordered the book shortly after it was announced.
Anyone familiar with Emma Donoghue's writing will know she delivers deeply researched and distinctive historical fiction - this one was no exception. Impeccably researched and based on the true story of Anne Lister and Eliza Raine, it delivers on a topic I knew absolutely nothing about. The author's interest and knowledge of Anne Lister's story was evident, and the author's note offered even more insight into the matter.
Written in elegant prose and capturing the essence of the time period flawlessly, this novel explores what is at first an all-consuming friendship, eventually leading to first love. The pacing is quite slow, yet the character growth shines brightly. I really didn't have that much interest in the story itself, so there was a lack of investment on my part. I suspect having prior knowledge of the characters would have improved the overall reading experience. Additionally, for me, the letters really broke up the pacing detracting from my attention, even though they played an important role in the narrative.
On the whole, Emma Donoghue's writing shines in what is one of the more forgettable novels I have read from her. Similar to Haven the character depth is what truly stands out, especially as the plot takes a back seat, so this one will definitely not be for everyone. Unrelated to the novel itself, Learned by Heart delivers another stunning cover, something I've come to expect from her novels.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Emma Donoghue devotees
• historians with an interest in Anne Lister
• fans of historical fiction based on fact
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Love comes not when it's contracted for but when it will."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Medical content, Suicide, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Miscarriage
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Learned by Heart is set in a girls’ boarding school in the early nineteenth century and centres on the relationship that develops between 24 year olds Eliza Raine, a part Indian orphaned heiress, and Anne Lister, who is clearly gifted, definitely non-conformist and sometimes snobbish and self-centred, a very dominant personality. Issues of class, race legitimacy, family, mental health, and belonging all come into play. The intensity and passion of their relationship was particularly well captured as was the intense, slightly claustrophobic atmosphere of the small boarding school. The minute details of school life, the lessons and the rules, provided some interesting colour, detail and context, but soon got tedious - and not just to the schoolgirls! Both Anne Lister and Eliza Raine were real people and this book is based on known facts filled in with inspired and informed imagination. While it didn’t wow me it was a solid read, and Ieaves me keen to explore more of Donoghue’s backlist titles.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Racism
Minor: Death
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