Official Review: Emerson's Attic, The Blue Velvet

ananya92 · Post by **ananya92** » 02 Apr 2015, 23:47

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Emerson's Attic, The Blue Velvet" by Kathleen Andrews Davis.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Emerson’s Attic: The Blue Velvet by Kathleen Andrews Davis is a book in the young adult fantasy genre but it holds appeal for people of all ages. This is the first book in the Emerson’s Attic series.

The protagonist in this story is a fourteen year old, American teenager Emerson McBride, who lives with her parents and younger brother in their Victorian mansion. Her ordinary life suddenly becomes extraordinary, when she is sent to clean the attic as a punishment for fighting with her brother. She discovers quite a few interesting objects there and one such interesting object is a blue velvet hat. However, this is not just a pretty hat; it throws Emerson more than a century back in time. Now she has to find her way in this new world with only her dreams about her grandfather as her guide.

The story is simple and writing style is pretty easy to follow. It is a short story which is quite imaginative and engaging. The story is not dark or sinister in any way; it just follows the adventures of Emerson as she travels between two time periods. Emerson’s confusion at being pushed back into time, her acceptance of this new world that she finds herself in, her exploration of the many secret passageways in the mansion back in time, are all quite fascinating to read.

What is also fascinating is how the author has broached the issues of class difference and discrimination against a certain group of people. Through this story the author has pointed out the class differences that existed in the nineteenth century and how the difference in social standing was crucial in determining whether two people from different classes could associate or not. There is also some thought given in the book, to social prejudice that existed in nineteenth century against the gypsies. In this manner the author introduces the reader to social inequalities that were quite common a century back, and for that matter still persist in the twenty first century.

The author has effortlessly shifted between the two periods and has connected both the time periods well enough to keep the reader involved in the story. Since, it’s quite a short novel; the reader is engrossed in the book till the end. However, I could not adjust myself to the idea that Emerson would get trapped in a different time period and not be determined enough to find her way back. Emerson did not seem as eager to return to her time as she should have been and she quietly adjusts herself to her new life, which I find hard to believe.

I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars for its simple yet engaging storyline that would interest young readers greatly.

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Emerson's Attic, The Blue Velvet
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