Victorian Challenge 2012

I really thought I was done with challenge sign-ups for 2012 (no, I mean really). But apparently I was wrong about that. Just can't resist one more.

The Victorian Challenge, hosted by Laura's Reviews, runs throughout 2012. The object of the challenge is to read (or watch or listen to) 2 to 6 (or more) Victorian items. Anything written during this time period qualifies for the challenge -- also books set during the Victorian age, or books about a Victorian author, history, manners, architecture, Queen Victoria etc. You can find more information and sign up for the challenge here.

I've already got Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre on my list for this year. And I'm thinking that this might be the year I finally read The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. Also, it's just about time for a re-read of Lewis Carroll's Alice books, too. So I've got several books in mind. Whatever I end up reading, watching, etc., I'll be tracking my progress on my challenge blog, here.

Wrapping Up the Victorian Challenge

The Victorian Challenge came to an end on June 30. I actually finished the reading several weeks ago, but I didn't want to write a wrap-up until I had all the reviews written. Now that I've finished that task, I can say finis. I chose Level 2: A Walk in Hyde Park, which meant I read four books for the challenge. Started out with quite a list of possibilities, but as it turns out only two of the books I actually read were on that list. So, the best-laid plans and all that . . . .

Here's what I read, with links to reviews:

1. The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton
2. Angels & Insects, by A.S. Byatt
3. The Master, by Colm Toibin
4. The Valley of Fear, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I'm also noticing that while all my books were set during the Victorian era, none was actually written then – something of a disappointment. Guess I'm just a modern girl at heart.

I enjoyed all the books, although of the four I think The Valley of Fear was one that didn't really live up to my expectations. My favorite was without a doubt The Age of Innocence – it's now on my list of all-time best reads, and it's inspired me to go back and give Wharton's House of Mirth another try, after abandoning it many years ago.

I want to thank Alex for coming up with the idea for the challenge and hosting, and all the other participants for all those great reviews and blog posts. This was a wonderful idea – I only wish I'd had time to read a little Trollope. Well, maybe next time.

The Victorian Challenge

The Victorian Challenge (hosted by Alex) runs from January 1 to June 30, 2009. There are four reading levels to choose from, and you can select books written during the Victorian period, or books set in that period, or even books about that period (including biographies).

I'm going with the second reading level ("a walk in Hyde Park") and choosing four books with the Victorian Era as their setting.

Here's my list:

1. Angels & Insects, by A.S. Byatt
2. The Master, by Colm Toibin
3. Mistress of Mellyn, by Victoria Holt
4. Mortal Love, by Elizabeth Hand

And a few alternate titles, in case I get really ambitious:

1. The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins
2. The Woman In White, by Wilkie Collins
3. Affinity, by Sarah Waters
4. The 19th Wife, by David Ebershoff
5. The Dante Club, by Matthew Pearl
6. The Warden, by Anthony Trollope

You can sign up by visiting the challenge announcement page here here.