Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle, Henry, Holt & Company, 2008.
ISBN: 978-0805082517
Plot Summary
While Penelope (Pen) is excited for her first London season, Persephone (Percy) could not be dreading it more. Percy is convinced that she will not only stutter and appear dull but that she will continually trip on her dress while dancing and make a complete fool out of herself. Soon, however, her impending social mortification is the least of her worries as the twins’ governess, Miss Allardyce, soon turns up missing under the most nefarious of circumstances. Together the girls must brave the ballrooms and drawing rooms of London as they hope to hear clues as to where they might find their beloved governess. Fortunately, they are not alone in their search as their younger (and all too eager) brother, Charles, promises to help them in every way he can. Soon, however, the girls are drawn into a plot that is bigger and more wicked than they could possibly have imagined. How can they ever hope to find their governess and avert disaster when they must simultaneously deal with unwanted suitors and the social mores of their day?
Critical Evaluation
While Doyle’s Bewitching Season is certainly not fine literature, it is an enjoyable read. Indeed, for those searching for a pleasurable, optimistic novel Bewitching Season would make a fine choice. While Miss Allardyce’s situation is certainly deplorable, Doyle offsets her distressing tale with numerous shopping excursions and descriptions of sumptuous gowns. Despite the frivolity displayed in the many ballroom scenes and in Charles’ studies, Doyle somehow manages to create a perfect tension between the serious and the light. Readers will be equally drawn to shy, bookish Penelope as she searches to discourage the man she is secretly in love with and bold, outspoken Lorrie Allardyce who does all she can to find her missing sister while finding her own place in the world. Readers are also sure to be delighted by the numerous references made to literature throughout the novel including books by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Homer. This truly is an ideal read for those in search of a tender, magical, historical romance.
Reader’s Annotation
With their first London season fast approaching, Penelope (Pen) and Persephone (Percy) desperately search for their missing governess who has disappeared under ominous circumstances. But how will they manage to find her as they must attend a whirlwind of parties, deal with potential suitors’ advances, and hone their own magical skills?
About the Author
Marissa Doyle writes: “I was born and raised in a family of readers (big surprise there) not far from the ocean. Okay, in Massachusetts it’s hard to not be far from the ocean. But on or near the water is where I’m happiest. It took me a long time as a toddler to figure out that I couldn’t breathe water as well as I do air. I did, mostly, and still live in Massachusetts, still spend a lot of time in and on the waters of Cape Cod, and hope to never leave. Living in a place where history is everywhere might also have a lot to do with my love of the past. I majored in history and archaeology in college and still read a lot of non-fiction on those subjects. Doing so has taught me that, quite often, real life is far stranger than any fiction” (Doyle, n.d.).
“My other great love beyond the water and history is making things. I love to sew and do needlepoint, and most particularly, make quilts. Writing fits in there as a creative endeavor, too, but has the added benefit of not leaving threads all over the carpet. In addition to writing, my other full time career is being a wife, mom to my terrific kids, and adoring slave to [my rabbit, Maple]” (Doyle, n.d.). Doyle’s books include Bewitching Season and its sequel Betraying Season. She is currently hard at work on Courtship and Curses which will tentatively hit the shelves in August 2012 (Doyle 2011).
Doyle, M. (n.d.) About me. Retrieved from http://www.marissadoyle.com/bio.php
Doyle, M. (2011, June 5th). News: A title and a date! Retrieved from http://marissadoylebooks.blogspot.com/
Genre
Fantasy of Manners, Historical fiction, Mystery, Romance
Tags
Balls, dresses, Victorian England, turn of the century, coming out, court presentation, fantasy of manners, mystery, magic, governesses, matchmaking, husband hunting
Curriculum Ties
Although this book might be used in conjunction with Jane Austen’s novels or used in a history unit on Victorian England teachers may find it difficult to use a novel of such frivolity in their classrooms.
Booktalk Ideas
--Dress up like Persephone and tell the story from her perspective
--Start the talk by waltzing into the room. Look at the audience with surprise and say, “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t see you there! I’m practicing for the upcoming ball where I hope to see my dear friend Persephone. You wouldn’t believe what happened to her last season…”
Reading Level/Interest Age
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level: 7th-12th grades (12-18 yrs.)
AR BookFinder. (2010). Bewitching season. http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=122197&l=EN&slid=191828778
Challenge Issues
There is magic in this book and brief mentions made to aristocratic figures that are engaged in illicit romances. If challenged, librarians should point out the beneficial aspects of the novel including its emphasis on honesty and good familial relations. It also profiles clean romances, something that is not often found in literature today. Librarians should also discuss the library collection policy with the would-be challenger.
Why Was This Included?
When searching for book towards the end of my blog project I wanted something fanciful, light, and happy; I was growing tired of unhappy endings and books tinged with sadness. I first saw Bewitching Season when I was working in a children’s bookstore and wanted to read it from the moment I saw it. I have a particular fondness for fantasy of manners books and any novel that details millineries and dress shops. Unfortunately, there are too many good books out there and not enough time to read them in so I never picked up Bewitching Season; I felt now was the perfect time to do so.
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