Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Hello all, please join in as we read Julie Klassen's The Tutor's Daughter.

The Goodreads summary for this books is as follows:

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems--and secrets--of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.

When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor's daughter figure out which brother to blame... and which brother to trust with her heart?

Reminder this read begins today February 15th and goes until March 14th. As always, be sure to preface any comments that might contain spoilers with a clear ****SPOILER ALERT*** to alert members who may not have finished reading the book yet. So start your reading engines and go! I can't wait to hear your comments.



I'll start with an easy question-
Have you read this book already, and if so, did you like it? If you have not read this one, have you read any other books by Julie Klassen and if so, what was your favorite?

I have read all of Julie's books & have enjoyed each one. I loved this one :) If I had to pick a favorite, I say Lady of Milkweed Manor, followed by Girl in the Gatehouse.

I am reading this one now, like the characters, not very far into it yet but seems like the guys in this family are spoiled rich kids. will ck back to see what others thought of it, I like the author and have read her before.

Just received notice that my request for this book from my local library is in :) I finished The Apothecary's Daughter last night, so it will be fun to follow with this book.

Barb, I think you'll like this one even better! :)

I finished this book last week and enjoyed it very much. I love a Cornwall setting and even though I was reading on my Kindle, that beautiful cover was always in my mind.

I agree Carole, the cover is lovely!

I read this book back in December and thoroughly enjoyed it, although I think I still prefer The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. The cover is beautiful! I've never visited Cornwall but I'm very keen now after reading this book.

I just finished the book and loved it. Fell in love with the daughter and Henry as well.

I finished it today and enjoyed it very much as well. I think the author did a nice job with the setting and , i know after reading the book and the description of Cornwall, that I would love to visit, like Rachel mentioned!

Has anyone ever read gothic romances by authors like Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, etc? The Tutor's Daughter had that same kind of feel to me, which I liked.

It's funny that you mentioned that Carole, we were just talking about the whole "gothic " genre in my bookclub tonight at church and what categorizes something as gothic. The whole idea of that genre back when it orginated (late 1700's) I think was to get the reader to really feel something. So they tended to be a little darker, a little scarier, etc to try to elicit strong feelings from their readers, so for instance Jane Eyre, and Rebecca, are a few from that genre. We definitely saw that in this novel for sure in the whole "things that go bump in the night " parts to this story.

Carole, I love Victoria Holt! My mom & I used to make a fun day of going to the used bookstore to find as many of her books as we could find! Sometimes we found 1, sometimes 10 & sometimes they were in the free bin!

I haven't read Mary Stewart, but I "discovered" her last year & made it a goal for this year to find and read all of her books, haha.

Jane Eyre & Rebecca are two of my favorite books :)

Cheryl, that's interesting about gothics being designed to make you feel something, because they certainly did! I'm not a fan of suspense, yet I loved gothics, maybe because they were more focused on romance. The covers always seemed to feature a castle-like manor or estate at night, a light shining from an upper window, and a woman fleeing or looking back.

Beth, I think Mary Stewart was one of my favorote gothic writers, with Victoria Holt as a close second. Mary Stewart's were a little different in that they took place in exotic locales - like "Madame, Will You Talk?" (French cafe and countryside), "Wildfire at Midnight" (Scotland, I think), etc. "Nine Coaches Waiting" was my favorite and I plan to read it again soon. Mary Stewart also wrote historical fiction set in the King Arthur era, but I never got into those.

Two other gothic writers that I enjoy are Phyllis Whitney and Madeleine Brent. (Brent was actually a man who wrote under a pseudonym.)

Ooo, now i am even more eager to read Stewart's books! :) I have read a Phyllis Whitney...wasn't that one of Victoria Holt's pen names? She also wrote under Jean Plaidy, but those are very different from her other books.

I am super excited about trying out these new authors to me!

Carole another aspect of the gothic romance novel is almost always the location as you mentioned above. It is almost like the place is an actual character in the story because it is described so well and usually mirrors the mood of what is occurring in the story! It was a fun discussion because we had read The thirteenth tale for our bookclub pick this month and so that is why we were discussing this type of book/genre which we hadn't really read before as a group. Very interesting stuff.

I had forgotten about the pen names, Beth, but you're right. Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt, and Philippa Carr were the same writer. My mother loved to read and got me started on some of these authors as a teenager. I read a few of Philippa Carr's books, and they were very good, but I favored the gothic romances.

Peter O'Donnell's publisher wanted him to write gothic romances under the name of Madeleine Brent, thinking romances written by a man wouldn't sell. Brent's books were popular and O'Donnell's identity wasn't revealed until his last gothic romance was published. I loved Brent's books, especially "Tregaron's Daughter."

One more author that I really liked is Laura Black (also a man). Black's books are probably more historical romance than gothic, but written during that same time period. I've only read her first book, Glendraco, but it was great. Libraries would probably have Black's books.

Cheryl, you said it well...In most cases, the location does feel like an actual character in the story.

I remember really liking Mary Stewart's "Madame, Will You Talk?" as a teenager, so I read it again last year. I still loved it, but had forgotten that the whole story took place over three days. I'm not sure how realistic the romance was, but it still made for great reading!

Ok- easy peasy question to get the ball rolling-
For those of you that have finished the book and even those of you that haven't- did you like the book ?(or are you enjoying it?) And, why?

Yes I finished The Tudor's Daughter and loved it. She does a good job in depicting the era and developing her characters. She added a tad of the mystical but it was not all that hard to figure out it was a person but who? And I loved Henry the trouble maker as a youth that wanted to have her attention and did not know how when a youth in school. But when grown up he turned into a nice man thoughtful and to watch them in their struggles was fun to read. I LOVED the locked down church scene. I could just picture them both on that baptismal. Hope I am not giving anything away. But it was an enjoyable book. I am going to finish Klassen's The Apothecary Daughter tonight. Only 30ish pages left. It is good but not quite as good as the Tutor's Daughter.

I finally finished the tutors daughter by Julie Klassen and have to say I thought it slow, some chapters had me on my toes and others didn't. I always finish a book and this took longer then usual but did like the ending and the characters seem to have more to say by the end of the story...

Upon ending my books from the library, I will add this one. One of the members here sent me the PDF file so I can read it. Yes!!! I am forever grateful.

**** SPOILERS IN COMMENT****





I enjoyed this book a lot... I liked how the story had a little bit of mystery to it. I can say that I didn't expect the outcome of all the weird things going on in the house. I am glad that she was able to get a happy ending.

Cheryl wrote: "Ok- easy peasy question to get the ball rolling-
For those of you that have finished the book and even those of you that haven't- did you like the book ?(or are you enjoying it?) And, why?"

I did like this book! I really liked the mystery & the atmospheric nature of the setting. It was very real to me.

I have read it and I enjoyed it. The storyline is new and the setting is beautiful. It's not my all time favorite but the mystery and romance were fun to read.

I enjoyed it and loved the characters. Esp Henry from such a needy boy to a mature man. Emma was a sweetheart and so good to her daddy in all the ways she helped him. It was fun to read a suspense or mystery novel for a change with a Gothic twist. But it was kind of predictable yet it did not turn out to be exactly who I thought. And Henry was such a prince there. I loved the end and how it took place. And how her Aunt played a part in it. It was a good read.

Just finished the book and loved it! I thought it was kind of funny because I was talking to my husband about the book and said that it reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre and Jane Austen - and that I loved them and the whole era -- plus reminded him about my obsession with Downton Abbey. When I was putting up the book I saw the back comments which talked about all three of those! I guess great minds think alike. {wink}

I really loved the portrayal of Adam and Henry. The side romance for her Aunt Jane was really sweet too.

Just got a notice that it is finally on the hold shelf for me. Can't wait to read it!

I will be a few days behind on this, but surprisingly I am liking it. first book by this author. I usually do not care for historical romance.

Ok- here's another question for you-
Do you have anything in common with the main character Emma Smallwood? ( ie- Do you make lists? Have a place for everything and everything in its place? Like to be in control and are reticent to ask for help?)
How would you say Emma changes during the course of the novel

I would have to say I have the tendencies of Emma to have everything in its place but no longer have the energy to do so to the extent I would like. And I live with someone that NEVER returns an item he uses to its place So.....to keep up with me and him I gave up years ago. And to have control I would love to be a control freak but again no energy for it nor the desire as I hate to be controlled and know all too well what it feels like so I do not do that to others. And reticent to ask for help is me all over. I hate to and on the rare occasions that I have I found no one cares to do for me so again....no desire to ask and be let down. But the older I get the more help I need. Fortunately I have a hubby that is a great help. I can ask him and he will eventually get to the things I no longer can do.
As for Emma and her changes she made I will wait for someone else to respond to it as I have had only one cup of Java and my brain cells are still groggy. I can't think of a thing to say on it except one word. "necessity" just like for all of us we have to make a change before we really will.

Cheryl wrote: "Ok- here's another question for you-
Do you have anything in common with the main character Emma Smallwood? ( ie- Do you make lists? Have a place for everything and everything in its place? Like to..."

I have a tendency to make lists, however I'm not making them about people. It is more like tasks or things I wish to get done, or things to make, or places to go. I have never made the lists of people's personalities or what I like or don't about a person. Although I do have a diary of sorts, and do keep some thoughts of other people in it. I am not sure how I would feel if someone got a hold of my diary even one page. It might be just as embarrassing as it was for Emma.

Great responses everyone! How about this question-

What role does Emma's teacup from Venice play in the novel? Why is it significant?

A gift from her mother on a trip to Italy that Emma wanted to visit as well. It was so special it was not used like her Aunt did not use her special tea set but used her chipped and miss matched ones.

I am about half way through the book and really enjoying it so far. Love the Jane Austin/Daphne DuMaurier feel of it. I am definitely a list maker like Emma. My husband teases me about my lists but guess that is part of being an A personality!

Are there any other novels or authors that this novel reminds you of?





****SPOILER COMMENT FOLLOWING******



I sort of thought the book reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre with The hidden away person and the forbidden wing of the house, as well as Pride and Prejudice a little as Henry wasn't so likable at first but then grows on you:) to even a little bit of Sabrina as Emma seemed to fancy herself in love with Philip at first, the younger brother but then once she truly gets to know Henry , then falls for him :). Do you all have any comparisons that you observed?

Wow, Cheryl!! You got all those from this book??!! That's brilliant! They're all really good movies too :) I REALLY enjoyed this book beyond what I even anticipated.

***SPOILER COMMENT***
I was really stunned when Lizzy confessed that Emma's life was expendable to the household because of her status and her so called intrusion. I was amazed that things had gotten so out of hand and these teen kids could be so devious. But on the other hand, it pushed Henry and Emma closer in solving everything and united them in powerful ways so I was pleased with the results. I had it in my heart that Henry would live happily ever after with Emma and Adam. I love how Julie Klassen mixes faith in Jane Austen style stories.
The only comparison I could think of was Austen's Emma in that the main character wanted to match her father with more students instead of love matches.
I was also deeply touched that Emma wanted her Aunt to have her happily ever after as well and Klassen gave her one :)

***Potential Spoilers***

Talking of Austen comparisons, I was actually reminded a bit of Northanger Abbey, in that Emma thought something sinister was going on in the house when the true secret (Adam) was far from sinister. I can't remember the name of the heroine in Northanger Abbey, but I recall that she was always thinking the worst was happening because she was too wrapped up in the worlds of her novels to notice was what as really going on--maybe similar to Emma? I also know that the heroine in Northanger Abbey had two love interests, and the one she eventually ended up with was Henry ;) It's been several years since I've read that book, but I was definitely reminded of it while reading this novel.

I haven't finished so am not reading the spoiler alert comments but so far this novel has definitely reminded of several of Jane Austen's books. I am reminded too of Daphne DuMaurier's writing especially Rebecca with the wild seaswept cliffs and the lurking danger around them as well as the secrets and the strange happenings.

Ooh, good point about Rebecca! I haven't read the book but I watched an old film version of it over Christmas. It was rather melodramatic, to be completely honest, but the strange happenings in a big old house by the sea is definitely a similarity to The Tutor's Daughter.

Rachel wrote: "Ooh, good point about Rebecca! I haven't read the book but I watched an old film version of it over Christmas. It was rather melodramatic, to be completely honest, but the strange happenings in a b..."

The book is great Rachel.

I felt similarities to Rebecca too with the creepy happenings!