Franny Billingsley

Brilliant! This almost became a book that I filed into my "gave up on it" shelf, but I am so so glad I stuck with it. I picked it up because of its National Book Award Finalist status (and the subsequent flap with _Shine_). One reviewer noted that the narratorial voice is the most peculiar she's ever encountered, and that's a great way to put it. Briony's voice is bitter, seething, sarcastic, cautious, lyrical, resentful, wistful, and penitent all at once. I found it difficult to ground show more myself in her story and what was happening from the first few chapters. The fact that the book flap's synopsis is AWFUL doesn't really help in giving you a reason to stick with it - but you should. The language is beautiful, the characters are surprising, and the story moves. show less

Audiobook Review

To say that Chime is unusual doesn't quite do justice to this unique and enchanting story. Franny Billingsley created a world of witches and mysteries set in a small marsh-side village that is coming into violent contact with the industrial revolution of the early 1900s. There is definitely a theme of old ways versus new industry as the leadership in the village wants to drain the swamp for railroad access. Watching all of this is Briony, who has a vast reserve of self-hatred show more fed by her sister's mental condition and her step-mother's death. Much of Briony's observations revolve around her belief that she is inherently evil, but there is still the feeling that she is trying to convince herself that it's true. One of the very best things about this book is Eldric. There is the opposite of instalove in this story. Eldric is a mystery to Briony and her fascination with his manner and her jealousy of his ability to live such a free life draws her to him. Their romance is very slow and, more often than not, she is pushing him away. Their slowly building relationship was one of the sweetest and most satisfying romances I have read. They are both very flawed, but not without the desire to rescue each other, and rescue each other they do.

As narrator, Susan Duerden is outstanding. So much of the lexicon of British English can be told through accent and it was the accents that made this story. Briony, Eldric, et al are the more educated class, while the locals speak in a rougher cadence. Ms. Duerden captured this perfectly and I am certain that my love of this book is due, in large part, to her narration. To be honest, I am not sure what I would have thought of this book had I read it. However, as an audiobook it is outstanding. So much of the story seemed to reside in the rhythm of the language and the repetitiveness of Briony's tortured inner thoughts. It is a book that lends itself perfectly to audio and if you haven't read it, I give this audiobook my highest recommendation. show less

Briony Larkin is a witch, and she'd prefer to be hanged now, if you please.

She'd rather not relive her crimes in the retelling; just believe that everything is her fault. Yes, Stepmother's injury and the stirrings in the swamp, Mucky Face attacking the parsonage and Rose being...well, Rose.

This is a twisty tale best enjoyed with little warning, so here are some of the players:
Briony Larkin, witch
Rose Larkin, twin sister
Father, the Parson
Stepmother (deceased)
Eldric, boy-man who ruins show more everything

The two things I loved most about this book:
1) Briony's voice
2) Briony and Eldric

The narrative voice is like nothing I've seen before; this fairytale, simple rhyme-style that takes joy in twisting words and imagery around into something far more complex. This is a book I would love to hear aloud, preferably in the evenings during a cold autumn.

Briony shines darkly in her cleverness and self-loathing, and part of the delight of this story is following the twisted paths her mind takes in her observations of herself and others. It's fascinating to see how such a keen observer can be so blind in some areas, and even if you figure things out before Briony you'll want to see how she reacts to it all.

And then there's her relationship with Eldric, which wins for Most Favorite Couple this year. There is banter! There is boxing! There is a Bad Boy's Club (in Latin)! It's beautiful to see how these two interact and by the end of it I defy you not to love them both.

You may have to invest in this one - it could take some time to get into the pace of this strange, beautiful book, but it's worth it.

Jump in! Well, don't jump, actually, because there are the Old Ones in the Swamp and the Dead Hand and you'll probably be swallowed up with or without a Bible ball...

*Like this review? Find more at The Ravenous Bookshelf: http://ravenousbookshelf.blogspot.com/ show less

She is never cold, she always knows exactly what time it is, and her hair grows two inches while she sleeps. Fifteen-year-old Corinna Stonewall — the only Folk Keeper in the city of Rhysbridge — sits hour after hour with the Folk in the dark, chilly cellar, "drawing off their anger as a lightning rod draws off lightning." The Folk are the fierce, wet-mouthed, cave-dwelling gremlins who sour milk, rot cabbage, and make farm animals sick. Still, they are no match for the steely, show more hard-hearted, vengeful orphan Corinna who prides herself in her job of feeding, distracting, and otherwise pacifying these furious, ravenous creatures. The Folk Keeper has power and independence, and that's the way she likes it.
One day, Corinna is summoned by Lord Merton to come to the vast seaside estate Cliffsend as Folk Keeper and family member — for she is the once-abandoned child he has been looking for. It is at Cliffsend that Corinna learns where her unusual powers come from, why she is drawn to the sea, and finally, what it means to be comfortable in her own skin. Written in the form of a journal, The Folk Keeper is a powerful story of a proud, ferociously self-reliant girl who breaks out of her dark, cold, narrow world into one of joy, understanding, and even the magic of romance. show less