January 2, 2006
With its shifts between past and present, and between a British protagonist and an American one, this larger-than-life romantic caper demands a narrator with extreme versatility and a strong handle on dialects. Reading is such a narrator. Since the bulk of the book follows the humorous spy-chasing escapades of a 19th-century couple in England, it's fitting that Reading is a native of the land. But as the consummate performer she is, she moves with ease from the clipped, bright tones of the book's aristocratic protagonists to the colloquial voice of American grad student Eloise Kelly, whose research into historical spy activities in France and Britain during Napoleon's reign provides the story's framework. Reading conveys each personality with elan, from the seductive drawl of a suspected villain, to the jovial, vacuous tones of a clueless aristocrat named Turnip. Indeed, it's such a joy to hear Reading's various interpretations that one can almost overlook the audio's length. At nearly 15 hours, it isn't staggeringly long, but the story, with its extraneous details and unnecessary padding, could have benefited from abridgement.
October 31, 2005
Willig picks up where she left readers breathlessly hanging with 2005's The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
. After discovering the identity of the Pink Carnation, one of England's most successful spies during the Napoleonic wars, modern-day graduate student Eloise Kelly is hot on the trail of the Black Tulip, the Pink Carnation's French counterpart. While researching the archives of dashing-but-grumpy Colin Selwick (a descendant of the Selwick spy family), Eloise learns that spy Purple Gentian (Richard Selwick) safely retired to the countryside; meanwhile, the Pink Carnation continues her mission with the help of Richard's younger sister. Spirited Henrietta Selwick discovers that the Black Tulip has resurfaced after a 10-year silence with the intent of eliminating the Pink Carnation. Miles Dorrington (Richard's best friend) works for the War Office and is directed to unearth the deadly spy. As he and Henrietta investigate, they try to deny their attraction for each other—and avoid becoming the Black Tulip's next victims. Hero and heroine can be quite silly, and there are overlong ballroom shenanigans aplenty; like last time, Eloise and Colin's will-they-won't-they dance isn't nearly as interesting as what takes place in 1803. No matter. Willig knows her audience; Regency purists may gnash their teeth in frustration, but many more will delight in this easy-to-read romp and line up for the next installment.