This review is part of the Green Books campaign.Today 200 bloggers take a stand to support books printed in an eco-friendly manner by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper. By turning a spotlight on books printed using eco- friendly paper, we hope to raise the awareness of book buyers and encourage everyone to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.
The campaign is organized for the second time by Eco-Libris, a green company working to make reading more sustainable. We invite you to join the discussion on “green” books and support books printed in an eco-friendly manner! A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.
This book is green because it was made with ancient-forest friendly paper.
The year was 1845 and Sir John Franklin and his crews on the Terror and the Erebus set sail on a mission to find the Northwest Passage. Everyone, 129 men ultimately perished on the mission. On the Proper Use of Stars is the fictionalized story of what happened.
Francis Crozier was second in command and kept a journal where he wrote day to day about the mission but also about the woman of his dreams, Sophia. Back in England Lady Jane Franklin and her niece, Sophia kept busy while waiting to hear word from Sir John Franklin. After three years have passed Lady Jane used everything and everyone at her disposal to convince the Admiralty to send out a search party. They refused again and again.
I took me quite awhile to get into the story. I found the beginning quite dull. It wasn’t until things started to happen in the story that the pace picked up for me. This book is translated, so I’m not sure if that could be part of the problem or not. I did find the writing quite poetic and as the story got going it was very visual. Ultimately, I warmed up to the story and enjoyed it.
3.5/5
Thanks to The Green Books Campaign for including me and arranging to have the book sent to me.
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Sorry to hear this one was a bit dull at the beginning. Sheila Fischman is a really well-known translator (she’s been nominated 14 times for the GG for translation!), so I’m presuming the issue is with the original book rather than the translation. Glad it was still enjoyable in the end!
bummer that this was dull in the beginning…I’m not sure the translation was the problem as Avis mentions…must have been the nature of the original book.
Avis and Serena, I think you are correct. I am glad that I stuck with it though.
Thanks for this review! I had been hearing about this book, and am drawn to the subject matter (and the tea on the cover :P). I am sorry to hear that you had trouble getting into it.. I have a couple of friends that loved it.. it may be one of those ‘Late Nights on Air’ books.. some find it too slow, some love it. Will see how I do 😛
Bctegirl, I loved ‘Late Nights On Air.’ I hope you enjoy this one.
I love the title of this book, sorry you found it dull to start with
Crafty, I love the title as well.
I sometimes find that books lose something in the translation. I give you credit for finishing it; if it was that dull, I probably would have abandoned it early on.
Anna, I’m actually glad I stuck with it. There was enough in it to like.