The Silent Governess

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen was a recommendation by my friend Jill.  Great read!

I'm going to admit, it was difficult for me to get in to.  Not because it's a dull book, because it's far from dull.  My problem is the sophisticated English vocabulary and language.  Klassen is a big fan of Jane Austen. 

I'm ashamed to say I've never read any of Austen's work.  Major sin in some eyes, I know.  It's just not my type of reading, I guess.  One of my sisters-in-law loves Jane Austen and she tried to get me to watch the 6-hour version of Pride and Prejudice once.  I'll give you a shiny penny if you can guess how long I lasted before falling asleep =0)  Anyway, Klassen is a great writer and once I got the hang of the English lingo I was anxiously awaiting every page.  Most of it was predictable, but much of it was not.  Twists and turns around every corner.  I would say it's a little too-good-to-be-true, but everyone needs a fairytale every once in a while.  Wonderful story.

Just for fun, I'll share a few examples of the expressions and vocabulary I learned from my reading.

"Pray tell me all."  (Please, tell me everything.)

"I own I am not fit for the task."  (I admit, I'm not fit for the task.)

"He was foxed."  (He was drunk.)

And this was my favorite sentence of the entire book:

"He bestowed upon her a smile so tender that her heart ached to see it."  

Very romantic.