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How Do I Love Thee?

June 5, 2009 by Lisa

Though I attended Baylor University and nearly daily walked past the beautiful library on campus dedicated to Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, I knew little or nothing of either poet nor of their romance. Oh, I visited the Armstrong Browning library a few times—and it is gorgeous by the way, or it was way back when—and certainly I studied a sampling of their poetry at some point in my educational career, but as for Elizabeth and Robert themselves, I must admit to being ignorant.

So I was excited to discover that Nancy Moser continued her series of novels based on historical women with this next installment, How Do I Love Thee? A Novel of Elizabeth Barrett browning Poetic Romance. I read Just Jane (about, who else, Jane Austen) and loved it. I read Washington’s Lady and liked it (though, admittedly, not quite as well as Jane).

Knowing nothing of Elizabeth, I’m not sure my ignorance helped or hindered my enjoyment of the novel. It turns out Elizabeth Barrett is more or less an invalid and a recluse, partly due to her own frail health and partly due to her father’s tyrannical rule that keeps her and her siblings sequestered and forbids them to marry. Most of the first half of the novel is dedicated to Elizabeth’s confinement to her room, to her weak health and to her blind loyalty to her father’s oppressive demands. Though she did indeed suffer great loss, I have to say I found her to be an unsympathetic character. Her sickness seemed unreasonable; her weakness and lack of assertion was frustrating.

The emerging relationship with Robert Browning made the second half certainly the most interesting and intriguing portion of the novel—who doesn’t love a clandestine, secret romance? As her love for Robert grew, so did Elizabeth’s determination to be well, whole, and alive. In fact, the Elizabeth that falls in love with Robert is in great contrast to the Elizabeth who so frustrated me in the beginning of the book. She finally realizes her father’s unreasonable tyranny for what it was and even went so far to defy him in ways she would never even attempt before.

Though Moser readily admits to this being a work of fiction, her careful research is clear throughout How Do I Love Thee? and at the end of the book she notes what is true and where she employed dramatic license. Included in the novel are actual quotes from portions of Robert and Elizabeth’s many letters, making their true love story all the more compelling.

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….

If you’d like to win this novel from Bethany House, leave a comment here (U.S. and Canadian shipping addresses).

Click on the banner above to enter our other Summer Fun Giveaways. All winners will be announced on June 11.

Filed Under: Fiction, Historical, Lisa

« Eye Like and Incredible books
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Comments

  1. Angela C. says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.

    accoupons at gmail dot com

  2. Marla Taviano says

    June 5, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    One of these days I’m going to win something. Can’t wait! 🙂

  3. Mocha with Linda says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    I was so excited to see she had written this. I’m anxiously awaiting my copy to review. Y’all always get your copies first! Hmmpff! 🙂

  4. Laura says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    It sounds interesting. I need to look at her other books as well.

  5. Just Mom says

    June 5, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    This sounds like a great series – thanks for hosting the giveaway!

  6. Kerry S. says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Sounds interesting!

  7. Linda says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    YES, I’d love to win this book!!! Thank you for the drawing.

  8. Jennifer says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    I read Just Jane and enjoyed it, I’d love to read this one as well!

  9. Anita Yancey says

    June 5, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    This book sounds really good. Would love to win it. Please enter me.

  10. Amy says

    June 5, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    This sounds fantastic! Sign me up!

  11. Lori says

    June 5, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    Sounds great! Thanks!

  12. Brittany says

    June 5, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    I’ve love to win this book!

  13. Rachel says

    June 5, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    I would love to win this novel! I’m addicted to historical novels, especially biographical ones.

  14. karen k says

    June 5, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    I so enjoy your book reviews. Please add my name to this giveaway. Thanks.
    [email protected]

  15. Kipi (In My Own Little Corner) says

    June 5, 2009 at 7:30 pm

    I hadn’t heard of these books, but they sound like ones that I would enjoy!

  16. Barbara H. says

    June 5, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    I’ve heard parts of the Brownings’ story, but I’d love to read this.

  17. Janelle says

    June 6, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Certainly does sound intriguing. I haven’t read this author yet but know I’d probably like her books.

  18. JDSG says

    June 6, 2009 at 8:48 am

    The book sounds great and like something my sister-in-law would love as well.

    JDSG

    visionquest2020(at)msn(dot)com

  19. corinne says

    June 6, 2009 at 10:04 am

    I love this romance! I had “How Do I Love Thee” (th poem) recited at my wedding and it still makes me cry. This is a must-read for me. Thanks for the opportunity.

  20. Cheryl S. says

    June 6, 2009 at 10:54 am

    I love the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning but know very little about her as a person. I would really enjoy this book.

    Please count me in – Thanks!

  21. Martha C says

    June 6, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Sounds like a fun read!

  22. Lindsey says

    June 7, 2009 at 12:51 am

    Sounds wonderful! I’m totally intrigued. 🙂 Elizabeth and Robert Browning… what a great topic!

  23. Carlene says

    June 7, 2009 at 9:09 am

    Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    carlene
    iluvreading(at)verizon.net

  24. Daniel M says

    June 7, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    been getting more into history lately, looks good!

  25. Stacy says

    June 7, 2009 at 6:43 pm

    I’ve enjoyed the historical fiction books I’d read, so I’d love to be entered in the giveaway for this one!

  26. DEBIJOT says

    June 7, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    What a delightful book. Thanks

  27. Gail says

    June 7, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    I’ve read one of Moser’s other books and liked it so would love a chance at another one!

  28. Maria Delgado says

    June 7, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    Yay! Thsi looks like a greart read! Oh pick me pick me!

  29. emily L says

    June 8, 2009 at 4:33 am

    Would love to win this!

  30. Beth says

    June 8, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win! Would love to own this.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  31. Jenny Martin says

    June 8, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    Oh…I love this poetry…I could subtly leave it out for my hubby to read.

  32. Rebecca Cox says

    June 9, 2009 at 8:53 am

    Would love to win this book. These are my two favorite poets and reading their love story would be amazing!
    Rebecca

  33. JDSG says

    June 9, 2009 at 9:25 am

    This sounds like a book worth reading.

    JDSG

    visionquest2020(at)msn(dot)com

  34. Pamela S says

    June 9, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    Oh I would LOVE to win this!!! I love Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Although this is a fictionalized account of her life, it sounds like it’s very much based on true facts about her journey. I’d LOVE to win this. (Yep….I said it again!! LOL)

  35. LaVonne says

    June 9, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    Thanks! This book sounds very interesting!

  36. Marie says

    June 9, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    I would love to read this! Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one of my favorite authors and her life is fascinating!

  37. Michelle says

    June 10, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    Sounds like a lovely book! Thanks!

  38. Sherry says

    June 10, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Sounds like a very good read!

Trackbacks

  1. Summer Fun Giveaway — 2009 says:
    June 5, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    […] How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser (U.S and Canada) […]

  2. Book Giveaway - How Do I Love Three by Nancy Moser - Ends - 06-11-2009 says:
    June 6, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    […] http://books.5minutesformom.com/1352/how-do-i-love-thee/ […]

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