Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 4 - The Devil's Spit

I took a bit of a break last week from Wolf Hall, so my apologies if you missed my weekly babblings! We are now on Episode 4, so sit back, relax, and enjoy (or watch along, if you'd like of course). If you haven't read my thoughts about the previous episodes, Episode 1 can be seen here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1. Once again, I will be editing everything to avoid large spoilers, and to make things a bit more concise, but it will mostly be my thoughts as I have them.

Wolf Hall, Episode 4 - The Devil's Spit

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           Play by Play

• Anne looks so in love with the baby, it's wonderful...and then she shows her loveliness in full. Let's destroy the lives of other children so that mine can flourish. 
• Well played Anne, you know all about Cromwell's connections

Favourite Five - Jane Austen Characters

I've decided from time to time it would be fun to take a look at five of my favourites from various categories. So, what better way to start this new series than by looking at some of my favourite characters from Jane Austen novels? In no particular order, here are five of the characters I absolutely adore:

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1. Fanny Price

Although not always a popular choice, even among Janeites, I love Mansfield Park's Fanny Price. I may be a bit biased here, as Mansfield Park was my first Austen read, but I love her nonetheless. I admire her morality, her kindness, and her self-sacrifice. No matter what happens, or how people treat her, Fanny sticks to what she believes in - a truly commendable trait. It's a shame that there hasn't been a film version yet to do her justice.

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2. Anne Elliot

Oh, Anne, how I adore thee. Anne is probably the Austen heroine I most relate to. She truly is the black sheep of her family, and although feels very deeply, she rarely shares her feelings with anyone. Her feelings and struggles were ones I instantly connected with. She has a quiet brilliance and confidence that is rarely appreciated. I really like how Anne is portrayed in both the 1995 and 2007 versions.

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 3 - Anna Regina

Continuing my blog-along of Wolf Hall, we are now on Episode 3. If you haven't read my thoughts about Episodes 1 and 2, check them out here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1 and here: Wolf Hall, Episode 2 Once again, I will be editing everything to avoid spoilers, and to make things a bit more concise, but it will mostly be my thoughts as I have them.

Wolf Hall, Episode 3 - Anna Regina

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           Play by Play

• Oh good, starting off with torture is always fun
• Oh, is THAT the situation now Cromwell? Wow. Sharing your bed and everything.

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 2 - Entirely Beloved

Since I had so much fun with my blog-along or Episode 1 of Wolf Hall, I thought I'd continue on with Episode 2. If you haven't read my thoughts about Episode 1 - Three Card Trick, check it out here: Wolf Hall, Episode 1. Once again, I will be editing everything to avoid spoilers and to make things a bit more concise, but it will mostly be my thoughts as I have them.

Wolf Hall, Episode 2 - Entirely Beloved

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           Play by Play

• Gregory, can't say I'm your biggest fan right now. You seem a bit wimpy and unintelligent at the moment, but I guess we'll see.
• Is the housekeeper his sister-in-law? Or were they in the same household? Seems like sister-in-law. Uh...did she just essentially say she's a lesbian? We at least know she isn't into her husband. Well, that was an awkward conversation

Blog-Along: Wolf Hall, Episode 1 - Three Card Trick

Watching Episode 1 of Wolf Hall, I thought it might be fun to blog along my real-time thoughts to the piece. That being said, I will be editing everything to avoid spoilers, and to make things a bit more concise. For example, if I noticed something such as "shaky camera work" multiple times, instead of writing that 5 separate ways in my review here, I will edit it to mention that there were many instances of this occurring. Alright, here we go!

Wolf Hall, Episode 1 - Three Card Trick

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          Play by Play

• Oh Jonathan Pryce, how I love you. Your dry, matter-of-fact attitude always makes me smile
• Did they just make an error with the timeline? I thought they had said at the very beginning that Henry had been married 20 years with no heir, but then they flashed back to eight years earlier and have now said he has been married 18 years with no heir...did I miss something? Shouldn't it be 12 years? I'm sure I must have gotten something wrong

YA in Review: Empire of Storms (Sarah J. Maas)

First of all, this post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however as this book is part of a series, it will contain spoilers from the previous books that are necessary to explain parts of the plot of this installment. Any comments by other users will not necessarily be spoiler free, so read at your own risk. Ready? Here we go!

sarahjmaas.com

Empire of Storms is the fifth novel in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. This is officially the second-last novel in the series (if you don't include the prequel novellas, and the novel in Chaol's perspective).

What it's about:
After the King of Adarlan's death, Dorian is now king - but that doesn't mean the fight is over. In fact, now even more questions have arisen. Grieving his father, and coming to terms with the magnitude of his powers, Dorian isn't fully ready to rule. Aelin, ready to reclaim her throne, sets off to Terrasen. But Aelin hasn't been heard of for years - is her kingdom ready to have her as their queen? And what of Duke Perrington? Or have his forces in Morath grown too strong to be stopped?

Period Dramas: Fingersmith

Based on the Victorian crime novel of the same name by Sarah Waters, Fingersmith was turned into a mini-series in 2005. Filled with twists and turns that you won't see coming, it's a fun new addition to period drama that definitely breaks the mold.

www.bbc.co.uk

What It's About:

Sue Trinder is a Fingersmith - a thief living in the slums of London under the care of Mrs. Sucksby. Mrs. Sucksby, who takes care of unwanted and abandoned babies, is the closest thing that Sue has had to a mother since her own was hanged for murder. When Mrs. Sucksby's friend Gentleman appears one evening, and tells them of a scheme - and how if Sue helps him, he will give her £2000, it almost seems too tempting to resist. Yet Sue has some reservations when Gentleman tells her he plans to swindle an heiress out of her money, until Mrs. Sucksby encourages the plan. So off Sue goes, becoming the maid to the meek and troubled Ms. Maud Lilly, and eventually her friend. But what Sue didn't anticipate, was how deeply her feelings would run - and how could she betray someone she cares about so much?