REVIEW #6 – Jane and the Prisoner of Wool House
Another entertaining adventure with our heroine. Murder on the high seas! Or was it? This time, we’re in Southampton in March, when the weather is cold and rainy. I spent a lot of time wrapped in a blanket while reading this.
This book provides an interesting look at all things naval – how Southampton revolves around the doings of men in ships, the plight of the women left behind, the politics of moving up in the ranks, the naval set, the ships, the concept of honor. And then thrown in amongst all this is conniving for filthy lucre, the war and espionage.
The Prisoner of the title seems to have very little to do with the whole sordid affair. If it were not for Jane’s sickroom crush, he would not have been involved at all. And she sure seems to have a thing for misunderstood gentlemen and their finely shaped hands.
I continue to be delighted, however, in following Jane. It’s interesting to see the characterizations of the group of women who take a house together out of necessity. Martha is a wonderful addition, Mary quite slappable and Mrs. Austen really needs to get over herself and make an effort. What I find most amazing is that this group of soon to be five women (Cassandra does not make an appearance in this book) manage to live together without killing each other. They’re unfailingly polite and pleasant to each other, extremely tolerant of each others idiosyncrasies and manage to make the best of a mostly manless situation. Fascinating. Modern society could learn a lot about tolerance from this group.
I was disappointed not to encounter Lord Harold in this outing with Jane, but it was nice to spend time with her brother Fly. What a great name!
