In a writing workshop I attended once, we studied the art of dialogue, an aspect I had never truly considered as being particularly noteworthy in a novel. How wrong I was! Dialogue can provide a much anticipated break from a lengthy narration. It should sparkle and delight. And it absolutely should not become the narration.
So, imagine my puzzlement as Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career was chuck full of dialogue, and not all of it quite necessary. This made the characters a little less realistic to me, as the heroine seemed to have a heart of pure gold, and her family nothing short of ridiculous. I wanted to see more, rather than hear it through the lips of half a dozen minor characters.
Still, I persisted, and almost without my knowing it, I got caught up in the story. Ellen Grimsley wants to conquer the world by making maps, traveling the world, and going to school in Oxford. But in a world where men dominate the paths towards education and enlightenment, this is more easily dreamed of than done. When a certain partner in crime and confidant comes along, however, suddenly Ellen's dreams and determination to make her mark upon the academic world are not so far out of reach.
Before long, I was reading this novel voraciously, eager to find out the end. I truly did enjoy it, though I still felt some aspects were a bit wanting. Some of the characters seemed to be practically different people in the middle than they were at the beginning, and the progression of the plot was a little too drawn out. But it was decent, rewarding, and ended just as it should. So, for what it's worth, a hodgepodge review of Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career. Perhaps you can make better sense of it than I can.
Appropriate for ages 18+
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