The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion is a character-driven series featuring witty and determined Emma M. Lion, a colorful cast of characters, and the quirky community of St. Crispians.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1-8 by Beth Brower
Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Epistolary, Character-driven, England
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My Summary:
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion is an eight-installment series set in England and features the quirky community of St. Crispians, a cast of colorful characters, and the reflective journal entries of Emma M. Lion. With themes of literacy, poetry appreciation, friendship, and a young woman making it on her own, this easy reading and popular series is surprisingly thoughtful and beautifully written. More installments are expected.
My Thoughts:
***May contain spoilers if you have not read through Vol 8.***
My Reading Exprience
I first approached Vol 1 in print format. I wasn’t immediately engaged and set it aside for other books. Meanwhile, I read reviews that highly encouraged the audio format. I started the book again (thank you public library!), and yes, the audio was more engaging. I’m not a huge audio enthusiast, so I kept dozing off or losing focus during the long descriptive passages. I set it aside again. My friend Gail @ The Junia Project tagged me on Facebook and asked if I had read it and mentioned that she loved it. Hummm…. Gail and I often trade recommendations, and I trust her reading taste. So, I restarted the book (third time, if you’re counting). This time, if I dozed off or lost focus, I just kept going. I was DETERMINED to finish it….so I could tell Gail! Well, the audio enhanced my reading experience, and there were some elements of the story I loved, So I secured Vol 2 (audio) from the library. As I became familiar with Emma and the supporting characters, I became more engaged with each installment…some more than others. Because I’m a die-hard series completist, I finished Vol 8 this week. While reading Vol 8, I discovered that the series is not complete and the author plans 20-24 installments! What?! I hope I live that long! This series, once complete, will set the record for the slowest of slow-burn romances!
Which leads me to ask: #TeamPierce #TeamHawkes #TeamIslington ????
You need to know that I was #TeamJess in Gilmore Girls, and look how that turned out. I started out #TeamPierce (a.k.a. #TeamTenant), but I fear that Pierce might have too much baggage from his past, a drinking problem/addiction, and he doesn’t want children (a deal-killer?). Who’s my backup for Pierce? I think I nominate Islington …. hear me out … 1) Rory chose Logan, so Emma might go for the rich guy (?) 2) Emma and Islington have an angsty relationship and this might provide a delicious “friends-to-lovers” trope (?) 3) Islington is protective of her and considerate of her in a sweet way (the room at Stonecrop), (4) there might have been some foreshadowing in Vol 8 when Emma informed her banker when he accused her of eloping with Islington that she would eat her hat (or something like that) if she ever married Islington, and (4) Emma loves Stonecrop. I think Pierce might be a red herring in light of how long this series will be. Also, Pierce said he would walk away from her if he ever hurt her (foreshadowing?). What are your opinions?
Character-driven with a Strong Sense of Place
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion is a quietly written character-driven series with a strong and colorful cast of supporting characters. Don’t miss the entertaining character list at the beginning of each installment! By the time Vol 8 rolls around, we feel like we are a part of the community. Through vivid descriptive details, the author establishes an exceptionally strong sense of place…quirky St. Crispians.
Friendship
One of the delightful themes of the series is the developing friendship between Emma, Hawkes, Islington, and Pierce. They each have a special relationship with Emma and support her in various ways. Hawkes is the Vicar, Islington is a Duke, and Pierce is a broody photographer. Each is a potential love interest. Their solidarity and support for each other is clearly demonstrated in Vol 8.
Emma
I love Emma’s wit, creative mind, independence, and energy. She’s a loyal friend, a reader, and a writer.
Series
Many readers refer to the series as novellas. Only the first two installments are novellas (at 107p and 164p). Volumes 3-8 are all over 200 pages, with Installment #8 being the longest at 339p.
The entire series is epistolary, told in journal entries from Emma’s point of view.
I enjoy the way the author provides more character development with each installment. The main characters we meet in Vol 1 are more well-rounded in Vol 8.
Overall, I rate the series 4 Stars for its memorable main character and the author’s delightful prose. There are dramatic high points, but there are some low points too, as I wondered why the author spent so much time on (seemingly) irrelevant scenes. The series definitely includes a good measure of witty banter, memorable/tender moments, and slapstick comedy. Book talk and the love of poetry round out the reasons to appreciate this series. Not to mention, ALL the TEA and cake!
Vol 1 3 Stars (an introduction really)
Vol 2 4 Stars (the installment that convinced me to keep going)
Vol 3 3 Stars (meh, almost gave up again)
Vol 4 4 Stars (my favorite of the first 4)
Vol 5 3.5 Stars
Vol 6 3 Stars (meh, except for a significant event in the last few pages in the romance department)
Vol 7 4 Stars (interesting installment)
Vol 8 4 Stars (several high points, content warning for past child abuse)
Content Consideration: alcohol (addiction?), child abuse (in the past), grief
Recommending The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion:
Fans of character-driven, epistolary novels will enjoy this well-written series with its colorful characters and spunky and witty Emma M. Lion. I highly recommend the audio format and its delightful English narrator. Despite my initial reservations, I’m happy to have completed the series. Thanks, Gail!
Related: If you enjoy epistolary novels, you might enjoy The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Meet the Author of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (series), Beth Brower
Like many of my siblings, I would sneak out of bed, slip into the hallway, and pull my favorite books from the book closet. I read my way through the bottom shelf, then the next shelf up, and the shelf above that, until I could climb to the very top shelf, stacked two layers deep and two layers high, and read the titles of the classics. My desire to create stories grew as I was learning to read them.
Subsequently, I spent my time scribbling in notebooks rather than listening to math lectures at school.
I graduated with a degree in literary studies, and have spent several years working on the novels that keep pounding on the doors of my mind, as none of my characters are very patient to wait their turn. I currently live in Salt Lake City with my wonderful chemist husband, and books in every room of the house.
QOTD:
Do you love a long series?
If you’ve read The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, what’s your favorite part?
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Well done for persevering.
It was worth it!
I started hearing about this series several years ago, before it was readily available. I haven’t plunged in yet as I continue to hear that the first book is slow, maybe a little boring… But, like you found, many people say it gets better as it goes along. I do love an epistolary book, so just may have to give this series a try. Glad to hear your thoughts, Carol!
Audio saved the day!
I am glad you found a way to enjoy this series! I almost never do fiction on audio but LOVE the audiobooks. However I do not like Pierce for Emma AT ALL so have been unhappy with the current turn of events. I am 100% #TeamHawkes though I would settle for Islington too. However the story turns, I’m glad to be along for the ride!
I toyed with the idea of Hawkes before I landed on Islington. I can’t identify my hesitancy. Maybe because it’s too perfect??
I read the first one on Kindle, and liked it. It was quirky and fun. I could read more. But no library around here has even heard of them, and although I ordered the next one thru Interlibrary Loan, it has not been forthcoming. The prices on Kindle go up and up for each volume (and I’m cheap). So I’m waiting for something to be available. I wonder if the series (up to 8) comes in a boxed set? I think my library should just order one!
I’m fortunate that my library has them on audio! Otherwise the cost would be too much!
Well, I am glad to hear that you liked it! it seems like audio is the way to go, although in my area books are quite popular. As it stands now, I am biased towards Team Islington! thanks for the shout out. 😘
Have you listened to a sample of the audio? It’s delightful!