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A review by sherwoodreads
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher
I read this months ago, and there is a lot to like, in particular the lovely way the author evokes the best aspects of Renaissance Faires. Brought back happy memories of the first Faire, up above Malibu, more than fifty years ago, at which I worked for several years before grad school and jobs ate my life.
This book is, I think, meant for a very young audience. Our heroine lost her mother, and is pretty woeful; a boy encounters her, and persists in a friendly, ever-present way to bring her out of her Slough of Despond and to enjoy life, and the Faire.
On the surface, it's a sweet, slow-burn summer romance. But an old, crabbed reader like me, who looks back on experiences of self and others I know (far too many others) with stalker men who know what's good for you whether you like it or not shadowed the book with creep vibes that I am very sure the author did not intend. But we bring our own experiences to every read. Then there was the implication that it takes relationship with a guy to cure what's ailing' ya. Urk.
In short, I'd say, adults, read it first before handing it off to your young reader. If that reader is reading for the Faire, go for it! Anything else, it might be a great book to springboard talking things through. I'd love to see what else this author writes.
This book is, I think, meant for a very young audience. Our heroine lost her mother, and is pretty woeful; a boy encounters her, and persists in a friendly, ever-present way to bring her out of her Slough of Despond and to enjoy life, and the Faire.
On the surface, it's a sweet, slow-burn summer romance. But an old, crabbed reader like me, who looks back on experiences of self and others I know (far too many others) with stalker men who know what's good for you whether you like it or not shadowed the book with creep vibes that I am very sure the author did not intend. But we bring our own experiences to every read. Then there was the implication that it takes relationship with a guy to cure what's ailing' ya. Urk.
In short, I'd say, adults, read it first before handing it off to your young reader. If that reader is reading for the Faire, go for it! Anything else, it might be a great book to springboard talking things through. I'd love to see what else this author writes.