tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post6256165940311985236..comments2024-03-27T22:25:42.129-05:00Comments on Reading the Past: Theresa Tomlinson's The Tribute Bride, an exciting novel about a 7th-century royal womanSarah Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-41949196741206508442014-07-18T16:47:54.608-05:002014-07-18T16:47:54.608-05:00I think I'd better add that my comment on the ...I think I'd better add that my comment on the style of this novel doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy "Tribute Bride" very much - far from it. Theresa excels in creating a believable, complex "Dark Age" world and developing both depth and warmth in the relationships between her characters, especially as Sarah noted, within her female network.Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367569632016734415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-71237735924763275642014-07-18T08:09:29.331-05:002014-07-18T08:09:29.331-05:00I received a personal note from Theresa Tomlinson,...I received a personal note from Theresa Tomlinson, who was having trouble commenting here so asked if I could post this comment on her behalf:<br /><br />"I’m absolutely delighted with this review from Sarah Johnson. I couldn’t ask for more.<br /><br />"I note that there are comments appearing from some readers suggesting that both the novels that I’ve published recently are more suitable for Young Adults. I would be happy to think that these books might appeal to teenagers as well as adults. I seek for clarity and simplicity in story telling - this is my aim and to me this is good writing, and indeed it is the only way I can write. However, as I get older, I find that I want to explore adult themes, take my time, and enjoy detailed descriptions of place. I'm trying to expand my work to take in an adult readership, but I understand that no style of writing can be to everyone’s taste. This is simply me telling stories from our fascinating past, in the best way that I’m capable of, and my hope is that they will appeal to anyone!"Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-21046909505038278942014-07-17T23:55:41.068-05:002014-07-17T23:55:41.068-05:00Even though "Tribute Bride" isn't de...Even though "Tribute Bride" isn't described as YA, for me it still had the feel of a novel more at the YA/Adult cross-over level than straight adult fiction.Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367569632016734415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-32916756399602567212014-07-17T16:17:30.425-05:002014-07-17T16:17:30.425-05:00This novel doesn't say that it's YA fictio...This novel doesn't say that it's YA fiction because it isn't. :) My blog primarily covers adult-level historical fiction, so you can be sure I'd have mentioned it if the novel was written for a younger audience. That said, as you've seen, the author has written many other works for children which have been critically acclaimed.<br /><br />A year and a half ago I'd <a href="http://readingthepast.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-look-at-theresa-tomlinsons-mystery-of.html" rel="nofollow">reviewed Theresa Tomlinson's first historical novel for adults</a>, the historical mystery <i>A Swarming of Bees</i>. I believe it could be enjoyed by teens equally as well, but <i>The Tribute Bride</i> would be most appropriate for adult readers (and possibly some mature YAs).Sarah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340312953393474963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19307003.post-14496875182615429672014-07-17T15:37:54.492-05:002014-07-17T15:37:54.492-05:00Looking for more information on the author and the...Looking for more information on the author and the book it's stated that she's "a twice Carnegie-nominated author," which means she's a YA writer, which is important to know -- at least for me -- for deciding to read this novel, as YA fiction is so not my cuppa! :)<br /><br />It would help this reader at least to avoid many disappointments if the YA information was included by publishers and authors. I cannot count how often I get a few pages into a novel and then, and only then, do I see it's YA fiction, as there's nothing on the cover to indicate it, and the reviewers don't say it either. (This applies equally to religiously themed fiction!)<br /><br />Love, C.Foxessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06754083123669916994noreply@blogger.com