Caffeinated Reviewer

Sophia Rose is here with a review of Volume 5 in the Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. Come see what Sophia loves about this serial-style tale narrated by Genevieve Gaunt.

I took Treasure Island to church with me as a talisman.

“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.

“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.

I do not believe the psalmist wrote,

Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.

The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s. Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Sophia Rose’s Review

In the last installment, Emma’s journal covered the time period of the fall and she had to do one of the hardest things in her life- attend the burial of the man she loved.  Now, Beth Brower continues the Emma M Lion epistolary tale with volume five of her journals and the descent from All Hallow’s Eve to the finish of the year.  What misadventures will Emma face in this season?

The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion series is an ongoing serial-style tale that is told in journal entry form of Emma Lion, a young Victorian era miss who has an aptness for mischief, an ability to make eclectic friendships, and a heart for others which gets her into said mischief.  Obviously, the volumes really must be read in order as Emma’s life progresses.

In volume five, Emma is struggling with a dark depression and moroseness because she has buried Maxwell, but can’t seem to get past the overwhelming weight of grief and loss.  She thinks she is hiding this well behind a sunny smile, busy-ness around Lapis Lazuli House and her quirky St. Crispin’s community, even meeting with friends and making a half-hearted effort to find work as her banker suggested.

But it takes an intervention.  Her brooding boarder, her haughty duke, her perky cook-maid, and her enigmatic vicar all step in and hold a figurative mirror up for her to see that she’s barely coping- indeed she’s drowning- as she grows thin, sleepless, and prefers to watch the world go by from her garret room.

What does the trick, pray tell?  I’m keeping mum about that though it might involve a friendship shared, curiosity about said friend’s secrets, a mysterious Roman ghost roaming St. Crispin’s, and a copy of Treasure Island.

Like every other time of the year, the Winter Holiday season in St. Crispin’s neighborhood is celebrated like nowhere else.  Emma now finds herself helping her intrepid friend Mary face the professor she works for with the truth that she’s a woman, doing her last obligatory favor-owed to the larcenous Jack, avoiding her aunt’s country holiday invitation and insistence on meeting Emma’s fictious proper lady’s companion, and of course discovering the perfect gifts for her odd assortment of friends and household.

Volume Five is full of slice of life moments, but it all is woven together in a way that makes the listener/reader care and want to know all the Emma does, says, and thinks.  The witty bantering with the Islington, her uncomfortable soul-searching moments with Pierce and the curious mystical side to Young Hawkes.  Her irritation with her annoying Cousin Archibald who vies with her over control of the house and finances and her care for the two serving staff, Agnes who is trying for a big upper servant’s club membership and Parion who isn’t as useless or quite as she expected. 

It has a feel of very slow-burn romance, but without an actual clear male romantic lead or even contest for male romantic lead as all the men around Emma have remained firmly in the friend category.  An interesting possibility that I look forward to seeing get answered eventually.

Genevieve Gaunt continues to out do herself as the excellent, talented narrator who brings Emma and all the colorful characters to life and puts the heart in the story that is already whimsical, witty and heartwarming.

All in all, this was a table-setter installment, but with all sorts of fascinating tidbits that drew the listener along into wanting it all like a treasure gathering magpie.  A Victorian era historical that I heartily recommend.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Beth Brower

Beth Bower graduated with a degree in literary studies, and is working on the novels that keep pounding on the doors of her mind and none of her characters are very patient to wait their turn. She lives with her wonderful chemist husband and has books in every room of their house.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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