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CHIME

Chime
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Billingsley
Author's First Name: 
Franny
Publisher: 
Dial
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

In boggy Swampsea, a place still closely tied to old magic, Briony is convinced she is a witch and that her magic has harmed people she loves. When leonine Eldric arrives, they become close and Eldric’s presence brings new dangers. It takes some staying power to get into this book, mostly because the narrative style reflects Briony’s own confusion and distress, but the journey is well worth the effort! The strong characterizations, narrative voice, and lush, sensual writing create a story that is distinct and engrossing. Fourteen and up. Martha Baden

 See the annotation under "Audio."

Comments

Meeting Notes for June

by ladamson - 06/20/2011 - 6:27am

Meeting Notes for June 17

Positive Comments:
  •  The character’s voice and her self-deprecating and sarcastic view of the world create a multi-dimensioned character in a well-developed alternate universe.
  •  The realistic setting reveals the character’s personal realism as somewhat magical.
  •  The familiar language, tone, and imagery is sophisticated.

Concerns:
  •  Some readers had difficulty getting into the book, and other readers did not enjoy the last two-thirds.
  •  The writing, although beautiful, seems over-crafted and metaphor-heavy.
  •  Not much happens in the plot.

I found this a somewhat

by jdorfman - 06/08/2011 - 4:48pm
I found this a somewhat tedious read. The world Billingsley created, one with steam trains and where witches are still hung and the boggy man sickens the children, was never believable for me. The narrative style seemed to be purposely confusing, over and above mirroring Briony's confusion. And that father--he found he had married a dangerous supernatural creature, the Dark Muse. Once he frees himself from her clutches he leaves his two young daughters in her charge, even as they become more and more strange. And another one just happens to be hanging around lusting after Briony's young man. --Jane

Meeting Notes May 20

by ladamson - 05/24/2011 - 12:41pm
Meeting Notes May 20
  • Needs more readers.