The young Goethe

Young law student Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is in love with Lotte, but Albert Kestner also laid an eye on her. Note that he was not yet enobled by the time the movie is set...

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It is the year 1772. The young Johann Goethe (Alexander Fehling) studied law in Strasbourg, although he studies a lot less seriously than the other things of life.  So it happens that the young fellow doesn't pass the doctoral exam and his father (Henry Hübchen) sends him to the provincial town of Wetzlar.  Goethe learns, what is really important in life.

Definitely a movie I will watch more than once and will anticipate the DVD release. And now: off to the movie theater!

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Visiting a village in 1813

I always envy you guys in UK and US for your great reenactment events! So I took the opportunity today to visit one right around the corner. In 1813 Napoleon had the charming idea of coming to Saxony to visit Leipzig. Well, I can perfectly understand his sentiments. It's still a wonderful town. As it is common knowledge in 1813 happened some tiny battle of the nations near Leipzig, where our late emperor William II had errected an enormous memorial in 1913. So we are close to the 200, respectively 100 year mark of celebrating first the battle (????) and secondly the memory of it (!!!!!). There is also a historical society here preserving that memory and reenacting battle and daily life etc.
And there we went today: to the village of Liebertwolkwitz near Leipzig. Every year they hold an 1813-event and setting back their village into that year. It was interesting, though I had to smile at some strange costume combinations that were not exactly historical..

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Review: J. Becton - Charlotte Collins

This is a long time promised review of a Pride & Prejudice sequel about the minor character Charlotte Collins.

As I am working a lot these days, it is just now, that I sat down writing this. Sorry Jennifer for delaying it. You deserved a much faster way of praising your book. Though I know many other people already wrote about it and we all are sure, you're going to get that contract! It is also thrilling to read, that it is sold in various independent bookstores. Congratulations.

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I had read the online chapter before I ordered the book and was seriously taken with the writing style and the way I though the plot would develop. When I finally got the book, and it had a quite long way to travel, I immediately started reading it. And I love it! I do not know how many P&P sequels, prequels, spin offs and whatnot I have already read. But they're many, I assure you! When writing myself, I usually get sidetracked with minor characters (something I got infected by a Finnish writer friend!) and also when reading it is only a matter of time that I wonder what all these interesting people are up to and especially when the happily ever after occured.
Charlotte Collins, neé Lucas, was such a character. I understood her everytime I read P&P but at the same time pitied her fot the life she must have led. In many sequels about the Darcys and Bingleys, she is dealt with, but again just in a minor role. I was always unsatisfied with her development, if there was some. Mr. Collins was usually used as the comical figure he is, and Charlotte as the antipode to Elizabeth's happiness and felicity. From nowadays point of view one usually also pities her for the marital life she had to have lead with Mr. Collins. Ah, shiverings down the spine... Poor woman. But in this book, I was happy to see her progress from this reasonable woman to a heroine one loves. I adore her for her mistakes and her faults and can see many a hint to other characters in P&P. The newly introduced ladies and gentlemen are very well outlined and though one is quite set about the outcome who is evil and who is good, the story is positively captivating and I was excited through the whole reading until it unfortunately ended. But 'tis always with good books: they end some time. In that case it is recommended to start afresh, which I did just a couple of days ago, or hope that there's going to be a continuation. (For example with the Heyer book. I am intoxicated now and had to order the Black Moth series straight away.)
In case of Jennifer Bectons first novel, I am convinced it won't be the last and I am looking forward to the next!

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Review: G. Heyer - The Black Moth

I'm not a great review writer. Nevertheless I wanted to write about the first Georgette Heyer Book I have read*. I came across this author via you twitter guys and had to try if I liked her. On various blogs I read that the first experience of a Heyer book will either lead to love her or just not. When I started the Black Moth, which I got as an ebook, I had no idea what to expect. I hardly knew in which time it was set. Only until I reached the end of the first half of the novel I got to know. The hints she dropped then were unmistakably. The Pompadour, Elizabeth Gunning... There! Finally got it. But all the while reading the first half and being kind of in the dark, I dressed the characters in the right fashion. I have to reread it though, as I apparently skipped the prologue. But it might have been the Kindle that switched to the first chapter...
Another extraordinary fact Georgette Heyer's book had upon me, that I really had not the slightest clue where the plot was leading to. I didnt read any reviews or a single synopsis. Being puzzled until the story really started in the second half I wondered about her strange way of writing and plotting. But now, seriously!, I love it and adore her.
My favourite part is in chapter, ah, let me get the Kindle to check...., is in chapter 24: 'Richard plays the Man'. "You shall not leave me! Do you understand? I cannot live without you!" ... ""Oh, please, please forgive me and keep me with you!" - - - They are so wonderful. I quite resented her childish ways in the beginning, then I pitied her enormously, but meanwhile I quite like her. The Belmanoirs are an interesting lot, especially Tracy, of whom I would love to read a sequel. Is there one? I have no idea, because Georgette Heyer wrote so many books. Presently I will write a list and try to get my hands on her work asap.

Update: Just saw, that the story is continued in 'These old Shades'.
1921 - The Black Moth
1926 - These Old Shades
1932 - Devil's Cub
1937 - An Infamous Army

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* It was her first novel. Stunning, did not expect that!

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