Over the past five days, I have accomplished nothing except reading these books. I am completely enchanted obsessed with this new series.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion is a series of novellas by author Beth Brower. Set in 1883, we meet 20-year-old Emma as she returns to her family home after a three-year period of absence. The house is the Lapis Lazuli House, located in the St. Crispin’s neighborhood of London. The book is presented as Emma’s personal journal, “as self-incriminating as it may be”. Emma’s hopes for a quiet, studious life are hampered by her complicated family dynamics.
Her family and other characters consist of
1) her eccentric and problematic Cousin Archibald, the most odious character in literature,
2) her formidable Aunt Eugenia, who has many ideas of how Emma should improve her character and conduct her life,
3) her loyal Scottish maid Agnes, and prickly butler Parian, and
4) numerous inhabitants of the neighborhood of St. Crispin’s, who provide loads of quirky and amusing incidents.
This first book in the series is presented entirely in Emma’s own voice: witty, observant, and sometimes painfully honest. It blends comedy, social commentary, and character drama in a cozy Victorian setting with eccentric neighbors, complicated relatives, and Emma’s deep inner world.
Volume One ends not on a dramatic cliffhanger but on the sense that Emma’s life is just beginning to bloom despite obstacles. We see her forming convictions, claiming her voice, and setting the groundwork for deeper conflicts and revelations in future volumes. These future volumes do not disappoint. Keep in mind that this first book is a setup to Emma’s world, and the plot develops over the next books in ways that will have you hooked, as it did me.
Emma writes with wit and self-deprecating amusement: she’s observant, self-reflective, and honest about her awkwardness, her desires for a more intellectual life, and her mistakes. This series has completely astonished and enchanted me. These books are hilarious, heartfelt, wonderfully absurd, full of misadventures and friendships and fierce loyalties—and absolutely overflowing with bookish joy and all the good things. I adore the world of Emma M. Lion and can’t wait for future additions to the series.
And here is the good news: there are supposed to be a total of 24 books in the series!
The first eight volumes are free on Kindle Unlimited, and I breezed through them all in a week. Of course, nothing else got done, as I said. But it was time well spent. Don’t miss these books if your taste in reading is anything like mine.
24 Responses
I checked out the first two – The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion – on Libby.
I have one hour left on the 5th Thursday Murder Club. Then I have to listen to Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women who Mapped the Botany Grand Canyon before Thursday morning book group.
Then I will try The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. I notice the lengths are unusual. The first book is a mere 3 hours and then we jump to 5 and then 7 by the third book. What’s up with that?
Thanks for the suggestion.
The first two are novellas. The following books are full length.
I love these books
The books are novellas. At least the first few. Vol One is only about 113 pages, Vol 2 is 229, etc. The books do get longer as the series progresses. Also, look upon the first book as an introduction to Emma and her life. Kind of like the first episode of a mini series. As the books continue, the story becomes much more complex, the subject matter somewhat deeper (although still humorous a good deal of the time), and Emma’s personality strengthens, grows, and matures.
I started the first one, thanks for the recommendation.
I will add this to my reading list. Thanks for the recommendation.
Nicole—I love these books. I’ve read them several times. So well crafted. For audio book lovers, it’s a great narration, but there’s something about seeing how the journals are written that adds something.
Ah, a kindred spirit. I loved the books so much I bought the audio versions and have started re-listening to the stories. The author is drawing things out a bit though. I want some resolution!
Nicole,
Thank you for the review on this series of books and it sounds like the audible version is worth getting!
The audio narration is very good. I was so engrossed in the story however, that I wanted to absorb it faster. So for me, reading the books was the fastest way to get through the books. However, I did purchase the entire audio series after finishing the physical books. Now I can go through them more slowly and savor everything better. Now I won’t miss a thing!
Wow, what a review! I’ve downloaded vol1. It looks like they don’t sell the set for KU; you have to order each separately.
For now, you do need to order the books individually. I am so glad they are free on Kindle Unlimited, otherwise it would be an expensive proposition to acquire them all! Keep in mind, the series is set to go on for many more books. Only eight are available so far.
That sounds like a great series for winter sewing time listening! How was Dennis’s cataract surgery?
The cararact surgery went splendidly. He is amazed at how bright and clear things are. He may not even need corrective glasses after it’s all healed! He has worn glasses since he was five years old and this would be amazing. The doctor did some additional procedure that corrected his farsightedness and astigmatism.
Oh, boy! These books sound wonderful! Thanks, Nicole!!
I’m making binding today and hope to sew it onto the 2 doll quilts plus pin the baby quilt layers together for machine quilting. Fingers crossed!
Hugs!
Barbara, I think you would adore the Emma M. Lion series!
For those of you that read e books, you can subscribe to the Free Library Of Philadelphia. They have all the Emma Lions books. I usually have something on reserve there, suggested by Nicole.
That is a great suggestion for those who try to avoid Amazon. Thanks Carole!
Oh my goodness, there are 71 “Holds” on 11 copies at my local library! They must be really good!!
I appreciate your recommendations. Especially this one! I am on Volume 2 and love Emma and all the interesting characters – Young Hawkes has me intrigued. Work is getting in the way of my reading time!
After you get through a few more volumes, we have to talk about who you think is the best match for Emma: Pierce, Hawkes, or Islington!
I usually do check out your 4 and 5 star review books. I downloaded the 1st and 2nd and as several said, they were short. Both times I got to the end and thought, “wow”. I’m glad I now know they aren’t all that short. I downloaded the rest of the 8 this week and am making my way through them. I’m a fast reader like you (though you are faster!) so hopefully I’m through them soon. Right now my money is on the Duke as her future husband!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. The plots get more interesting as the books go on. Vol. 8 was especially good.
I am team Islington all the way too!
These books are going to be some of my all time favorites. When I sit down to read them, I feel I am giving myself a gift. Love, love, love them. Thanks so much for the review.
I am so glad to hear you are enjoying them as much as I did. They are an absolute treat.