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sophia_sol) wrote2016-12-02 02:22 pm
sophia_sol) wrote2016-12-02 02:22 pm
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, and The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly
Oh look another historical novel about a tomboy living in rural 19th century USA!
This one though was written in the last few years and is set in Texas in 1899. Calpurnia (often known as Callie Vee) is the middle child of seven children, and all her siblings are boys. But instead of just a general interest in adventure/hijinks, she has an interest in SCIENCE, encouraged by her grandfather. Much to her parents' despair.
There was a lot to love about this book! Some good characterization, especially of Callie and her grandfather.
Again there's not so much a plot, but again that's fine. Again there's an overarching question of Will She Ever Learn To Be A Lady, but interestingly enough this book actually answers no! Callie determinedly ends the book with a desire to see and learn new things, despite a concerted attempt by her mother over the course of the second half of the book to corral Callie into domesticity.
But the course towards her hopes of a university education and being a Scientist when she grows up does not look like it's going to be smooth going, given her gender and her era.
The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly
This book spent a lot less time on the relationship between Callie and her grandfather, which was really too bad because that was one of the best parts of the previous book. This one is more interested in Callie's relationship with her younger brother Travis and his softhearted interest in all the animals ever. Which was a lot less interesting to me because I just don't have a lot of feelings about animals being cute and lovable? I was way more interested in Callie's dissections and veterinary assistance than in how much Travis loves his various unsuitable strays.
There were other through-lines in the book that were of more interest to me though! Such as Callie's increasing interest in thinking about what her future adult life is going to entail, and the clear chasm between her desires and her parents' desires on her behalf. They are totally uninterested in supporting her in her dreams.
And I do just very much like Callie and enjoy spending time with her, and the book is good at creating the setting of turn-of-the-century Texas.
Oh look another historical novel about a tomboy living in rural 19th century USA!
This one though was written in the last few years and is set in Texas in 1899. Calpurnia (often known as Callie Vee) is the middle child of seven children, and all her siblings are boys. But instead of just a general interest in adventure/hijinks, she has an interest in SCIENCE, encouraged by her grandfather. Much to her parents' despair.
There was a lot to love about this book! Some good characterization, especially of Callie and her grandfather.
Again there's not so much a plot, but again that's fine. Again there's an overarching question of Will She Ever Learn To Be A Lady, but interestingly enough this book actually answers no! Callie determinedly ends the book with a desire to see and learn new things, despite a concerted attempt by her mother over the course of the second half of the book to corral Callie into domesticity.
But the course towards her hopes of a university education and being a Scientist when she grows up does not look like it's going to be smooth going, given her gender and her era.
The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate, by Jacqueline Kelly
This book spent a lot less time on the relationship between Callie and her grandfather, which was really too bad because that was one of the best parts of the previous book. This one is more interested in Callie's relationship with her younger brother Travis and his softhearted interest in all the animals ever. Which was a lot less interesting to me because I just don't have a lot of feelings about animals being cute and lovable? I was way more interested in Callie's dissections and veterinary assistance than in how much Travis loves his various unsuitable strays.
There were other through-lines in the book that were of more interest to me though! Such as Callie's increasing interest in thinking about what her future adult life is going to entail, and the clear chasm between her desires and her parents' desires on her behalf. They are totally uninterested in supporting her in her dreams.
And I do just very much like Callie and enjoy spending time with her, and the book is good at creating the setting of turn-of-the-century Texas.