Review of Hattie Vavaseur
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Jemima Feaviour
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Review of Hattie Vavaseur
[Following is a volunteer review of "Hattie Vavaseur" by M. Rebecca Wildsmith.]
Hattie Vavaseur, a dark and intriguing mystery by M. Rebecca Wildsmith, follows the story of Hattie, a woman who is plagued by lost memories. Finding herself surrounded by the strange and unfamiliar, Hattie must navigate the unknown to uncover the mystery of her circumstances, all whilst in the presence of a slew of unusual, perplexing, and potentially hostile individuals. Who can she trust?
There are many aspects to like about this book. M. Rebecca Wildsmith does a fantastic job of creating a fast-paced novel, which is propelled by the exciting beginning. Within the first chapter, tension and ambiguity are quickly established when it is revealed that not all is right with Hattie’s memory. I particularly enjoyed how author uses evocative descriptions of the landscape and nature, which at times evoke the style of Romanticism and the sublime, to emphasize Hattie’s emotional state. Hattie’s character balances likable traits, such as her cleverness and wit, with traits that are not so likable, such as her snobbishness and her propensity to be prideful to her own detriment. I found myself flicking through a variety of emotions, switching from amusement, to sympathy, to being frustrated with her, as her imperfections rendered her in a manner that felt authentic and engaging. Despite her flaws, Hattie is an enjoyable point of view to follow as a reader. In spite of the extreme stress of her circumstances, Hattie is shrewd, and challenges the individuals around her, establishing herself with the likes of Vamelda, showing her strength of character. The inclusion of letters, whilst aiding the plot, also created a medium through which an intimate view of Hattie and her past could be offered, which I greatly enjoyed.
The use of colloquialisms is one minor criticism I have with the novel. With certain characters, like Teddy, their dialogue is filled with colloquialisms to the point that it feels excessive and distracting. The author could achieve the intended effect with fewer colloquialisms than are used.
I rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars. The prose is well written, creating and sustaining suspense throughout, and is overall edited well, with few grammatical errors. The author’s use of colloquialisms is a minor point of criticism, and does not significantly impact the novel to the extent that it would lower my rating.
Hattie Vavaseur is fantastic for those who enjoy mystery with a twist of the supernatural. This novel explores subject matters pertaining to life and death, questioning how we experience life, and encourages readers to think on these ideas. As this novel is reminiscent of the styles and concepts of the Romantic period, particularly in regards to the elements of the supernatural and ambiguity, it would be an enjoyable experience for those readers who enjoy such writings. This is a novel that I highly recommend to most audiences, teens through to adults.
******
Hattie Vavaseur
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Hattie Vavaseur, a dark and intriguing mystery by M. Rebecca Wildsmith, follows the story of Hattie, a woman who is plagued by lost memories. Finding herself surrounded by the strange and unfamiliar, Hattie must navigate the unknown to uncover the mystery of her circumstances, all whilst in the presence of a slew of unusual, perplexing, and potentially hostile individuals. Who can she trust?
There are many aspects to like about this book. M. Rebecca Wildsmith does a fantastic job of creating a fast-paced novel, which is propelled by the exciting beginning. Within the first chapter, tension and ambiguity are quickly established when it is revealed that not all is right with Hattie’s memory. I particularly enjoyed how author uses evocative descriptions of the landscape and nature, which at times evoke the style of Romanticism and the sublime, to emphasize Hattie’s emotional state. Hattie’s character balances likable traits, such as her cleverness and wit, with traits that are not so likable, such as her snobbishness and her propensity to be prideful to her own detriment. I found myself flicking through a variety of emotions, switching from amusement, to sympathy, to being frustrated with her, as her imperfections rendered her in a manner that felt authentic and engaging. Despite her flaws, Hattie is an enjoyable point of view to follow as a reader. In spite of the extreme stress of her circumstances, Hattie is shrewd, and challenges the individuals around her, establishing herself with the likes of Vamelda, showing her strength of character. The inclusion of letters, whilst aiding the plot, also created a medium through which an intimate view of Hattie and her past could be offered, which I greatly enjoyed.
The use of colloquialisms is one minor criticism I have with the novel. With certain characters, like Teddy, their dialogue is filled with colloquialisms to the point that it feels excessive and distracting. The author could achieve the intended effect with fewer colloquialisms than are used.
I rate this novel 4 out of 4 stars. The prose is well written, creating and sustaining suspense throughout, and is overall edited well, with few grammatical errors. The author’s use of colloquialisms is a minor point of criticism, and does not significantly impact the novel to the extent that it would lower my rating.
Hattie Vavaseur is fantastic for those who enjoy mystery with a twist of the supernatural. This novel explores subject matters pertaining to life and death, questioning how we experience life, and encourages readers to think on these ideas. As this novel is reminiscent of the styles and concepts of the Romantic period, particularly in regards to the elements of the supernatural and ambiguity, it would be an enjoyable experience for those readers who enjoy such writings. This is a novel that I highly recommend to most audiences, teens through to adults.
******
Hattie Vavaseur
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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