An Obsession to Devour

Hi. My name is Amber and I am a Klassenaholic and I have a confession to make-- I've been holding out on you. I apologize. I should have brought you into this wonderful world of mine sooner, but it's almost as if I had to feel completely lost without a Julie Klassen book before I could fully bring you into what I now feel-- which is pure angst. She cannot write fast enough for me any more. I saw the release date on her upcoming book and my heart sank as I counted the months I would have to pass reading all books that were not written by her. I even considered re-reading her whole selection. I do have one more that seems to be eternally at home in the library (all the others I purchased for lack of patience). That's right! There are LINES to read almost all of her books at the library! But how can you understand if I don't describe the appeal?

I am a sucker for the time period she writes for and find it even more exciting when she quotes or references Jane Austen. If you are not an Austen fan (and I can barely fathom someone not being a fan of my beloved Jane, but IF you somehow don't like her), keep reading this review (and then some of her books)! The style is reminiscent of the time period as is fitting, but none of her books are strictly romance. In fact, as much as you want to swoon from the very beginning, you're not likely to until the last chapter-ish. Her books contain just as much mystery and intrigue, if not more, than romance. In fact, many times the mystery and personal struggle of the two or three main characters as individuals are highlighted much more than the romance. The books are wracked with tension. They dig into major character development until you feel yourself invested in their lives, then Klassen rips it away from you, but no worries-- something will both tragically and happily work out by the end of the book. I close the cover of each book wishing I hadn't read through it in 2-3 days (when I say binge, we're talking every spare moment I can salvage and perhaps a sleepless night or two).

I can't quite remember the order in which I read her books, but all her books are standalone (i.e. if one is on hold at the library, try another one or do as I do and go to Amazon). The Silent Governess, however was definitely toward the beginning of my binge. It is about a girl believing she had possibly committed a serious crime (I believe she thinks she accidentally killed her mother's attacker) and her mother sends her running as far as she can. She herself is then attacked in a town she is not familiar with and ends up in a very tangled mess at the home of Lord Bradley, who believes she has learned of a dangerous secret and who entraps her in a way to make sure his secret is not revealed. The drama and character development in all her novels speak to her great talent.

Her books are also excellently researched. Her description of the clothes, her details surrounding various customs and her knowledge about the geography and history surrounding each book creates for a tale that cannot distract and that is woven in a masterful tapestry of literary beauty. The last one, The Painter's Daughter was the one I finished just yesterday, and while the reviews trended to it not being a favorite, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit seeing as it is quite a challenge to write a believable story in this time period in which the female lead is pregnant and unmarried and the marriage between characters occurs so early in the book. And yet, the book was painted in such a way that I laughed, cried and felt with the characters. I prayed that the soldiers would not die. I prayed that Napoleon would go back to his exile (knowing full well the history behind it).

There is a lot to be said for an author who doesn't overly raise at least one character to a pedestal or pulpit. Especially among Christian literature, there is a tendency to overdo the "religion" and not to let life testify in its own way. Julie Klassen has mastered this in a big way. Every single character has something in their past that makes them who they are. I believe I am also correct in saying that few if any have a close relationship with God at the beginning of the book. The creative testimony of a book like so many of her books is in taking imperfect pieces and using relationships, which are complicated and messy and uneven, to form a stain glass window or a marvelous composition of harmonies.

I will go as far to say that these should be turned into movies, although I have traded watching many a movie and TV show over the past year to delve into yet another of Julie Klassen's books. If there were a mic drop for books, Julie Klassen does it time and time again. May she live a long life and weave many many many more tales for me to indulge in.