Comments on Raging Bibliomania: Our Hart by Lloyd Lofthouse

Great review Heather. I liked Aayou and I wonder ...

2010-03-02T16:41:30.228-05:00

Great review Heather. I liked Aayou and I wonder if it was because I did read the first book. You really get to know her in that book and maybe understand more of why she is the way she is. lol-I just read Lloyd's comment and see that he has explained virtually what I have. Anyhow, I really enjoyed this book as well and am sad that there won't be more. Robert was a fascinating man and his story a good one.

Better Late than Never. Our Hart finally was post...

2010-02-19T18:37:29.981-05:00

Better Late than Never. Our Hart finally was posted on Amazon today.

http://www.amazon.com/Hart-Elegy-Concubine-Lloyd-Lofthouse/dp/0981955312/ref=cm_cmu_up_thanks_hdr

I am hesitant to read this one because I think the...

2010-02-17T10:58:10.816-05:00

I am hesitant to read this one because I think the main female would really get on my nerves. I am glad the author took the time to comment here and tell us why she behaved the way she did, but... well, I'll try the first in this series first!

The more I delve into historical fiction, the m...

2010-02-16T13:47:07.817-05:00
The more I delve into historical fiction, the more I realize that there are so many people and places that I have no experience with, and I am always surprised to discover that there is so much richness in these seemingly quiet stories.

Yes! That's one of the reasons why I love HF so much. This sounds like something I'd really, really enjoy.

I'm just finishing this up and have to say I l...

2010-02-16T13:15:22.744-05:00
I'm just finishing this up and have to say I love it as much as My Splendid Concubine. I'll be back to read more of your review after I've finished.

Heather, thank you for the kind review for "O...

2010-02-16T08:23:27.994-05:00
Heather, thank you for the kind review for "Our Hart".

Your comments about Ayaou were correct. She was difficult to live with and why was not made clear in the ARC.

When I mailed out the Advanced Review Copies, I sent a few to colleagues and friends for feedback. Dianne Salerni, the author of "We Hear the Dead" (due to release May 2010) wrote a detailed critique for areas she thought needed work. She pointed out that I had not explained Ayaou's reason for behaving so badly. She was right.

"Our Hart" went through revisions before the final copy was sent to the printer.

Thanks to Dianne, a few scenes were added—one that explains why Ayaou acts the way she does. She's suffering from PTSD—caused from the trauma of seeing her younger sister die and almost being murdered herself.

In the first book, "My Splendid Concubine", Shao-mei, Ayaou's younger sister is the concubine who is murdered. Ayaou's behavior has a lot to do with what happened to her sister.

What follows is part of a scene that was added to fill that gap.

Uncle Bark nodded. "I often think of Shao-mei's burial ceremony. Do you remember what I said about the incense I gave you?"
"That I could say anything I wished."
"I left before I could hear your words. What did you say to her?"
He recited the poem he had taught Shao-mei—the one she had memorized. “Like molten gold appears the setting sun. Clouds at evening like jade-blocks pieced into one. Where is the one close and dear to my heart from whom without mental pain, I cannot part?” He felt a twinge of agony but managed to keep it from showing. Why was Uncle Bark dredging up the memoires Robert wanted to forget?
The old man studied him. "You have recovered better than Ayaou. She has been deeply wounded as the land after a typhoon uproots trees and blows houses away. It takes a great effort to rebuild. For Ayaou to heal, you must be the manure and water that her roots need. It is the only way. She fears the future."
"She must know that I still love her," Robert said. "How could she doubt that?"
"When you were working at the consulate, Shao-mei and Ayaou were inseparable. For Ayaou to heal, she must find a balance where she is the yin and you are the yang like a pair of Mandarin love ducks. She will recover knowing you are always there."
"She has doubts?"
"When you left for Canton, she was not ready for the separation. Be patient. When her tongue tests you, remember the good times before Ward murdered Shao-mei. It is the only way that her darkness might be pushed back and her light shines again." Uncle Bark waved a hand. "Go to her. We can sip tea together another time."

I've read Salerni's novel, and you may want to consider reading it when it comes out. "We Hear the Dead" is fascinating and is based on a true story. There's already a listing on Amazon.

The simple language of this book seems to actually...

2010-02-15T22:50:01.213-05:00
The simple language of this book seems to actually enhance the story. Thanks for your wonderful review.

I find historical fiction absolutely fascinating and educational. It's one of my favorite genres.

One of these days, I'm going to plunge into hi...

2010-02-15T19:41:05.239-05:00
One of these days, I'm going to plunge into historical fiction with both feet. I know virtually nothing about Chinese history, and I'm sure I would be completely absorbed with it.

Heather, These 2 books sound wonderful. I was nev...

2010-02-15T17:27:41.530-05:00
Heather,

These 2 books sound wonderful. I was never big on historical fiction until the last year or so. The stories are different and seem to transport me to new and wonderful places, I'll only visit through fiction.

Thanks for the great review.

Both this and My Splendid Concubine sound wonderfu...

2010-02-15T12:50:37.421-05:00
Both this and My Splendid Concubine sound wonderful. Thanks for such a thoughtful review!