If anybody prefers audiobook, or can get hold of that more easily, it’s well done. The narrator is Jane Oppenheimer.
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Yay for “The Frozen River!” We’re reading this for my RL Book Club in June, too, so I should be ready to join the discussion here on time.
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OK, I finally finished both books! Neither one really captured me, and I can’t say I liked one over the other. I read almost exclusively on my Kindle, and I have to say that was a good thing for these books, especially “A Civil Contract,” since there were SO many words I didn’t know – almost like reading a foreign language!
I found the cast of characters in “Persuasion” a bit confusing and hard to keep straight. When this happens in other books I can usually just keep reading and things seem to sort themselves out, but with this one I remained confused for a large portion of it. Wait, who is this Captain and where did he come from? And what’s the story with Mr. Elliott again? (Admittedly it didn’t help that I kept putting down the book and walking away.)
Looking at all the characters in both books, there were quite a few I didn’t like – perhaps more than I did like. (I realize this is partly due to my 2025 perspective on the whole class thing.) I liked Jenny and her father; both had spunk. Speaking of Mr. Chawleigh – I did wonder at his losing money while Adam made so much. Mr. Chawleigh is supposed to be a shrewd businessman who amassed a fortune, while Adam has had no experience in that arena. Clearly it fit the storyline, though.
As always, even with books I didn’t necessarily enjoy that much, I can say I’m glad I read both selections. Just don’t expect me to join the fan club for either one! 
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The situation where Mr. Chawleigh lost money and Adam made it wasn’t because of business acumen, but rather military experience. Chawleigh (and much of London) thought defeat by Napoleon was imminent and started selling out of the funds. Adam knew the military troops, leaders, and tactical maneuvers. He thought the rumors were misinterpreting what really was happening over in Belgium and gambled on his instincts.
Per the link upthread that does a thorough analysis,
It is Mr Chawleigh who puts in motion the culminating scenes of the novel by instructing Adam to rush up to London in order to sell his government consols. Mr Chawleigh, by some means known only to the City of London men, has learned – as he thinks – of the British defeat at Waterloo. The news has caused the price of consols to fall and so he is desperate for Adam to sell his stock before he loses too much of his private fortune. However, Adam’s army experience kicks in and instead of selling his stock he buys more and makes a sizeable profit.
I agree both books do have plenty of unlikeable characters, but not so bad compared to Wuthering Heights!
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Off topic but maybe of interest …
For those who read Remarkably Bright Creatures, our April '24 selection, and then tuned in to the viral story about a little boy who got an octopus for a pet … well, here is the NY Times followup on that story. Not a happy ending, but an honest one. (Gift link)
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Clearly, remember the initial confusion with the names in Persuasion, and gave in, watched the 1993 movie version.
I’m glad I read, A Civil Contract, and will use the comments on this thread to select my next Heyer, which will be ebook, to decipher many of her words.
Kudos Cbbblinker, finishing both books.
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@Marilyn Oh yes, I definitely should have said that in comparison to “Wuthering Heights” there are quite a few likeable characters in these 2 books, LOL!
And I should have elaborated more on my view of the whole Adam making/Chawleigh losing money scenario. I understand the storyline, but for some reason found it a bit “too convenient,” if that makes sense. I know authors do this all the time, and it doesn’t bother me. For some reason this one stood out for me. 
Thanks for the link! Very interesting and sad, too – but it’s some consolation that the dad really went above and beyond to care for those hatchlings, even if his attempts were futile in the end.
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Thanks Mary for everything.
What is everyone reading right now? I’m off too England soon. (Lake District, Manchester and York). No, I am not rereading North and South, but I am rereading old Swallows and Amazons books by Arthur Ransome which are about kids camping and sailing a lake that bears a strong resemblance to Lake Conistan which we will visit. I also read one cozy mystery which follows Beatrix Potter’s purchase of her house Hill Top which we will also visit. (It features talking animals and was just too twee for me, so I won’t read the rest of the series.) My SIL says I should read Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. I’ll probably also reread Murder for Her Majesty by Beth Hilgartner an old children’s book about a girl who hides out in a boys choir in York in Elizabethan England. Hope to squeeze in a visit to Bronte country.
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Just read the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter, by Susan Witting Albert. They’re set in the Lake DIstrict and inspired by Potter’s books & characters. They’re fluff, but do describe the area some. Very, very light and fluffy.
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I’m reading A Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich … so I can geek out when we discuss The Frozen River in June.
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I read the page turner - God of the woods ***** five stars
Listened to audible by Maria Schrived - I am Maria ***
Listened to Walter Issacsons - Elon Musk ****
Listened to Martin Short - I must say:My life as a humble comedy Legend *****
Read - Abby Jimenez “ Just for the Summer ***
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Bad news: Still fighting my sinus infection. I got a new antibiotic Tuesday.
Good news: I’ve been binge-reading since I’m sticking around home. I’ve read seven books since April 1 and have another ready to start.
Best of the bunch: the Van Shaw series by Glen Erik Hamilton - first in the series is Past Crimes. and I loved Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
“Goodest” of my news: The Tomb of Dragons has just been published. It’s last in The Cemeteries of Amalo series by Katherine Addison. I love this series and have already ordered the book. (I no longer buy books but exceptions can be made. In other words, I must OWN this one.) If you like steampunk fantasy, look into this trilogy. The Cemeteries of Amalo is set in the world of The Goblin Emperor. You don’t have to read that one first but it’s really good so why not, right.
As usual, thanks to @Mary13. I didn’t participate much but @CBBBlinker summed up my feelings well:
Another thanks to all who posted. The discussion was great.
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@ignatius Sorry to hear about the never-ending sinus infection; hope the new meds do the trick. And 7 books since the start of the month?? Holy smokes, you really are binge reading!
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There’s a lot going on with house stuff, visitors and packing so I’ve hardly contributed here. My only fun thing right now is reading so I have read many books.
I’ve read recently North Woods, You are Here and The Story of Arthur Trulov (Difficult, good, sweet respectively). I read the discussions and found that it helped my understanding of the books.
Thanks to everyone here who contributed to those discussions. I only have A Town Like Alice left to be all caught up with the 2024 books.
I like to read mindless stuff as a way to relax with all that is going on — for me that is British police procedural mysteries which don’t require my mind muscles to flex at all. Will start next on the Inspector Alleyn series by Ngaio Marsh for something a bit more cerebral. This rereading but after more than 2 decades so the mysteries should be fresh.
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