Samyann
Audiobook Review. Lavender Morning is the story of a girl who inherits a large home in Maine from her mentor, an elderly woman the main character has spent her life adoring. The story reveals the mentor’s life, WWII fiction, and the main character’s search for explanations. I’ll not provide any spoilers beyond this fundamental information, which you’ll get from simply reading a blurb. The story is a touching memoir to this elderly lady, her unrequited love of WWII. It’s not a good audiobook, in my opinion. There is way too much use of the word ‘said’, distracting … it may not be annoying in print as a reader tends to skim over extraneous words, but in audio format it makes me lower the star rating. Jos said, Luke said, said Jos, said Luke … not every line of dialogue, but it sure seemed like it, and it took away from the story.
Sort of interesting, in the sections that involved WWII action, to envision the characters as young and beautiful people, in love during a violent time. Those sections are part of a story/diary written by the elderly woman. As these stories are read in the form of 3rd and 1st person stand-alone Chapters, I’ve some problem with the point of view sometimes being that of other people and this woman writing about it…confusing imagery. She’s relating feelings and emotions of men and other characters speaking about herself as a young woman. How would she know what they thought or did when she wasn’t present? A bit picky, but I shook my head in wonder at what up and coming writers today would get crucified for…why would an agent or publisher let Devereaux get away with this approach? Well, because she’s Jude Devereaux, no other reason. People will spend money on Jude Devereaux books, which is all the publisher/agent cares about. If you like romance novels and can look beyond that which by some standards is considered “bad writing”, you’ll probably enjoy Lavender Morning. However, I don’t think the Jude Devereaux style is something you should emulate if you’re attempting to get published today and you’re an unknown. You’d be toast.
