I found I was happy to accept the age difference romance as one of those things that I have totally different opinions about IRL and in fiction That's very reasonable! I think it didn't work for me in part because I find the shape of the resulting romance itself to not quite be my thing, but I can definitely see how someone could like it a lot. And yes, the Tolkien!! The obvious comparison the Lake Walkers draw is the First Nations, of course, which is something I'm really not qualified to comment on, but I came across an essay pointing out the parallels to the Dúnedain, and once you think to look for it they're all over the place. Fawn's is definitely a case of "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door." And just thinking about it now, there's definitely some very interesting contrasts in the way the two series look at progress...
Though what I find intensely aggravating about that book is the 'here is a clue but I'm not telling you what it is' thing Honestly that was very weird, especially since I think it's pretty guessable it's some kind of painting supply. Not that I'm complaining about it being guessable exactly, but in that case why try and keep it a mystery...? Tedious.
I would rate The Nonesuch higher than you did because I like Ancilla as a character Honestly Ancilla is a great character, and just in herself I like her a lot; but I guess the novel didn't quite give her enough scope for me. And Hester and Sir Gareth are great! I do love at the end where he's like, "you are clear that what your brother's saying is completely ridiculous--because I don't want you to think I'm asking you to marry me because of that"!
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I found I was happy to accept the age difference romance as one of those things that I have totally different opinions about IRL and in fiction That's very reasonable! I think it didn't work for me in part because I find the shape of the resulting romance itself to not quite be my thing, but I can definitely see how someone could like it a lot. And yes, the Tolkien!! The obvious comparison the Lake Walkers draw is the First Nations, of course, which is something I'm really not qualified to comment on, but I came across an essay pointing out the parallels to the Dúnedain, and once you think to look for it they're all over the place. Fawn's is definitely a case of "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door." And just thinking about it now, there's definitely some very interesting contrasts in the way the two series look at progress...
Though what I find intensely aggravating about that book is the 'here is a clue but I'm not telling you what it is' thing Honestly that was very weird, especially since I think it's pretty guessable it's some kind of painting supply. Not that I'm complaining about it being guessable exactly, but in that case why try and keep it a mystery...? Tedious.
I would rate The Nonesuch higher than you did because I like Ancilla as a character Honestly Ancilla is a great character, and just in herself I like her a lot; but I guess the novel didn't quite give her enough scope for me. And Hester and Sir Gareth are great! I do love at the end where he's like, "you are clear that what your brother's saying is completely ridiculous--because I don't want you to think I'm asking you to marry me because of that"!