I finished the first one of the Wescott Series, Someone to Love by Mary Balogh a few days ago, and was going to post but I had another book on my list that I wanted to finish before posting as I felt they were connected, and oh boy they were.
I felt that Mary Balogh spent a bit of time world building on this first book of the series, that did not make the story any less enjoyable, actually it made me really want to start the second one. The protagonists of this story were very likable characters and their story was somewhat formulaic, until the very end where there was a very nice moment between them that I think contained the most valuable message of this book. Let me elaborate a bit on that:
Now on to Someone to Hold :)
I felt that Mary Balogh spent a bit of time world building on this first book of the series, that did not make the story any less enjoyable, actually it made me really want to start the second one. The protagonists of this story were very likable characters and their story was somewhat formulaic, until the very end where there was a very nice moment between them that I think contained the most valuable message of this book. Let me elaborate a bit on that:
So, Anna Snow is thrown at the Ton overnight as it is discovered that she is the legitimate heir to her late father the earl of Riverdale, who had abandoned her at an orphanage when she was 4, as one would expect she grew up humble but determined to be equal, not better, to everyone and this is what makes her attractive to Avery, her future husband.
I think during the entire story the themes of dreams and honesty are very well explored, but I think Mary Balogh does this in almost all of her stories. But as you would imagine, an orphan growing to marry a Duke and thus becoming a Duchess sounds like a dream come true.
And I think this is the core message of the book, Dreaming. So, be careful what you wish for, as it may come true, but what does that mean? The book, to me, illustrates that dreams coming true, becoming reality that is, aren't 100% blissful and that it's ok, they will come with pain and difficulties and disappointments, but that such a fact is not a reason to stop dreaming.
Rather, I think Balogh invites us to dream in more detailed terms. This is then particularly well explained closer to the end, when Anna is talking to a few of her students and she is explaining to them the value of dreaming and why they ought to hold on to them.
She tells them that, more or less, you need the dreams to push you forward in life, to give you an aim, but that one ought to allow for flexibility as you may not end up becoming exactly what you dream of, but that your dream might manifest in different ways.
And I thought that was brilliant, having an aim, both personal and social perhaps, should not be rigid and fixed. It should move and one should trust and have faith in the universe, so long as one keeps on keeping on, who is to say that our dreams/intent won't come true, just might not be exactly in the way we think. One must keep on paying attention and carry on humbly but determinedly.
Maybe I am taking it a bit far, but it reminded me of when the C's described pure intent married with faith, and how that could create great opportunities. And it also made me think about the belief center. What one aligns oneself with, what one thinks and knows and works towards, being capable of, is sort of brought into ones existence by the universe coming in one's direction, but also by one meeting it halfway. I hope that makes sense.
The other lovely idea, which is what made me wait to post, was the idea of power. I just finished the book The leadership genius of Julius Caesar (and I plan on a separate post for that book), but the author opens his book with the idea of "Lead by power not by force".
Avery, in the novel, felt and certainly was powerless his entire life, until he met a Chinese teacher who taught him martial arts, from there on out, his life changed and he learned how dangerous he was, though he was missing someone to love, which was Anna. And by that, he was missing someone he wasn't afraid of being vulnerable with, someone that was his entire world, break down his walls of protection and create something a lot more powerful.
As he had learned martial arts as a way to protect himself, in response to a fear and a drive to not be bullied any longer. In that sense, despite all he gained and the proficiency for being dangerous, martial arts were still an unconscious choice.
But I digress, at the end of the novel, Avery is telling Anna what he learned about power, when one realizes one's power, one needs not advertise it by aggression, or loathe about it, one does not use force to intimidate and control others, one does not threaten, one acts when adequate.
And I thought this was a lovely concept, the idea of realizing your ability to be harmful and dangerous and turn that from unconscious survival programs into a conscious harmfulness that is at your disposal. But also, it follows the example that was set by Caesar, leading and living by power, that is by self awareness, creates deeper bonds, more sincere friendships, and it works as a way to protect you.
And even if it may seem contradictory, realizing this ability for harm and making it as conscious as possible, can work towards becoming more affectionate, kinder and more able to see the beauty of life.
I think during the entire story the themes of dreams and honesty are very well explored, but I think Mary Balogh does this in almost all of her stories. But as you would imagine, an orphan growing to marry a Duke and thus becoming a Duchess sounds like a dream come true.
And I think this is the core message of the book, Dreaming. So, be careful what you wish for, as it may come true, but what does that mean? The book, to me, illustrates that dreams coming true, becoming reality that is, aren't 100% blissful and that it's ok, they will come with pain and difficulties and disappointments, but that such a fact is not a reason to stop dreaming.
Rather, I think Balogh invites us to dream in more detailed terms. This is then particularly well explained closer to the end, when Anna is talking to a few of her students and she is explaining to them the value of dreaming and why they ought to hold on to them.
She tells them that, more or less, you need the dreams to push you forward in life, to give you an aim, but that one ought to allow for flexibility as you may not end up becoming exactly what you dream of, but that your dream might manifest in different ways.
And I thought that was brilliant, having an aim, both personal and social perhaps, should not be rigid and fixed. It should move and one should trust and have faith in the universe, so long as one keeps on keeping on, who is to say that our dreams/intent won't come true, just might not be exactly in the way we think. One must keep on paying attention and carry on humbly but determinedly.
Maybe I am taking it a bit far, but it reminded me of when the C's described pure intent married with faith, and how that could create great opportunities. And it also made me think about the belief center. What one aligns oneself with, what one thinks and knows and works towards, being capable of, is sort of brought into ones existence by the universe coming in one's direction, but also by one meeting it halfway. I hope that makes sense.
The other lovely idea, which is what made me wait to post, was the idea of power. I just finished the book The leadership genius of Julius Caesar (and I plan on a separate post for that book), but the author opens his book with the idea of "Lead by power not by force".
Avery, in the novel, felt and certainly was powerless his entire life, until he met a Chinese teacher who taught him martial arts, from there on out, his life changed and he learned how dangerous he was, though he was missing someone to love, which was Anna. And by that, he was missing someone he wasn't afraid of being vulnerable with, someone that was his entire world, break down his walls of protection and create something a lot more powerful.
As he had learned martial arts as a way to protect himself, in response to a fear and a drive to not be bullied any longer. In that sense, despite all he gained and the proficiency for being dangerous, martial arts were still an unconscious choice.
But I digress, at the end of the novel, Avery is telling Anna what he learned about power, when one realizes one's power, one needs not advertise it by aggression, or loathe about it, one does not use force to intimidate and control others, one does not threaten, one acts when adequate.
And I thought this was a lovely concept, the idea of realizing your ability to be harmful and dangerous and turn that from unconscious survival programs into a conscious harmfulness that is at your disposal. But also, it follows the example that was set by Caesar, leading and living by power, that is by self awareness, creates deeper bonds, more sincere friendships, and it works as a way to protect you.
And even if it may seem contradictory, realizing this ability for harm and making it as conscious as possible, can work towards becoming more affectionate, kinder and more able to see the beauty of life.
Now on to Someone to Hold :)
