My Seussical Life for 2005 September 27 (entry 0)

(5) Tue Sep 27 2005 22:20 Engrossed: I've just finished reading Jane Eyre today. All last week I was suffering on the couch with the worst cold, but enjoying immensely Charlotte Bronte's novel. Then Atticus became ill with the same fevered, achy sickness, and it was easy to continue reading. The book was spellbinding. I think that being sick and sleeping poorly contributed to this feeling. I like to think my sleepless condition paralleled Jane Eyre's, though on very different grounds. First, Atticus needed attention in the night because of his cold. He needed Ibuprofen, a cool washcloth on his forehead--even had delirious dreams (he was convinced Samuel had left the house and gone to the neighbors). Then, with that phase of night-wakings over, Samuel had a mishap with his soother that gave us opportunity to get rid of the thing altogether. So Samuel spent a restless night getting over the deprivation of his plastic comforter (this is a blog entry in itself--the process of weaning an almost three-year-old of a pacifier).

Anyway, now that the novel is over for me, I'm a little sad. I feel like I'm cut off from some friend that has become important to me. I feel as if I've spent a good deal of time with Jane Eyre, visiting on the living room couch and over lunch, talking late into the night about Mr. Rochester like friends do (Dave has been away for every evening for the last week and a half, at least). Now I have to find a new friend to keep me company.

Comments:

Posted by Sumana at Wed Sep 28 2005 09:09

It is such an engrossing book! At least neither of your children is Helen.

Have you read any of the Number One Ladies' Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith?

Posted by Rachel at Wed Sep 28 2005 10:59

I loved Jane Eyre. I read it after my junoir year of HS. It was one of those ones I couldn't put donw. Have you read Wicked? (The sequel just came out.) I think you would love it.

Posted by Alyson at Thu Sep 29 2005 06:58

Yes, poor Helen. Sumana, I have not read any of the Alexander McCall Smith books, but I have heard of the series. You reccomend it? One of my friends in my book group wanted to read one this year, but other books were chosen instead. I want something that would be easy to get into. Would this fit the bill?

Rachel, I looked around on Amazon to find Wicked, but I got a lot of hits, and I'm not sure which is the one you mentioned. Who is the author?

Posted by Rachel at Thu Sep 29 2005 10:45

Gregory Maguire. Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060987103/qid=1128015697/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-4519122-2713644?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Posted by Sumana at Thu Sep 29 2005 15:36

I hereby enthusiastically recommend the first No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book, named "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency," as an easy-to-get-into book. It's surprising and soothing and funny and good.