Searching for Captain Wentworth, by Jane Odiwe.
Time travel has always presented a logical difficulty for authors: How to make such a romantic notion seem plausible? I have a way of dealing with time travel stories – suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. Jane Odiwe’s new book speaks directly to one of my fantasies – to meet Jane Austen and to get to know her as a friend. Oh, if that were only possible!
I’ll admit that I have a fondness for Ms. Odiwe’s books. In this new endeavor she has outdone herself. After finishing Searching for Captain Wentworth I felt as if I had taken a trip to Bath and Lyme Regis, met Jane Austen, and been treated to a wonderful romance.
Not everything about the book is perfect. While the love affair between Charles and Sophia had me engrossed, the one twixt Josh and Sophie left me somewhat cold. The ending seemed rushed, and although loose ends were tied, much of the details didn’t make sense, as with all time travel stories. But logic is not the point of a time travel book: it is fantasy and wish-fulfillment.
This book has fantasy aplenty, backed up by history and Ms. Odiwe’s intimate knowledge of Jane Austen’s life and the environs of Bath. I had the privilege of visiting Bath and staying in a hotel near Sydney Gardens just off Great Pulteney Street, and the book kept conjuring up memories that I thought I had forgotten. Vividly described is the arduous but ultimately rewarding climb up Beechen Cliff. Ms. Odiwe uses this walk as a marvelous plot device while taking us on a guided tour of that famous J.A. landmark. She takes her characters to Lyme Regis as well, and has a knack for writing an original story while admirably following Persuasion’s plot.
I could write a longer review, but I don’t want to reveal too much of the plot. Well done, Ms. Odiwe. This is one of the few review books that I read from start to finish. I give Searching for Captain Wentworth five out of five regency tea cups with this caution: If you are not a fan of romance novels, Austen sequels, or time travel tales, then you will wonder at my gushes.
This book can be purchased as an eBook as well as in the traditional format.
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Paintbox Publishing (September 7, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 095457222X
ISBN-13: 978-0954572228
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I loved the movie “Lost in Austen” that was a sort of time travel, so I really would love to read this book. Your review made we want to go and meet Jane Austen too.
Thank you for the review of Ms. Odiwe’s latest. I’ve read a few of her sequels and have thoroughly enjoyed them. This appeals to me as Persuasion is my favorite of all the novels. Even more than P&P, if you can believe it!
This looks awesome… Adding to my must read list! Persuasion is my fav Austen novel.
My favourite version of ‘Persuasion’:
Mine too! LOVE this version! Love this Capt. Wentworth!
He certainly is a handsome man is Rupert Penry-Jones, an equally fine actor too. What man is not envious of his dulcet tones and his diction?
‘LOST IN AUSTEN’, produced by BBC:
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Thanks Vic for your insight! I love your blog and now Pinterest. Keep up the great work!
I am a fan of Persuasion (which I do love, but not as much as Sense and Sensibility), Austin novels in general and time travel (mostly movies, of which there have been some good ones). I love the idea of a time travel book which involves meeting Jane Austen herself. I appreciate your review as I love your blog, and am always excited about new and former ideas relating to things Austen.
j’ attendrais avec impatience que ce livre soit traduit en Français
j’ apprecie au plus haut point ce que vous faite
vous faites un énorme travail de recherche
et comme je suis une fane de Jane , je lis tout ce que vous écrivez
merci
à bientôt
Edith ( iris )
Edith, je vous remercie beaucoup pour votre commentaire et pour visiter mon blog!
Wonderful review. I can’t wait to read this book. I’m reading a 2 part Wentworth e-book I found on amazon and now I want to read this one even more. So excited to get it soon!
Please do me a favor: will you phonetically spell Ms Odiwe’s last name? I have forever been curious about the proper pronunciation of it as I don’t want to recommend her books without saying her name correctly. Also, is it a British name because it seems so unusual to me? Thank you!
I will ask Jane. I have never heard it spoken by her and I know I garble it when I say it out loud!
I thought I’d come and answer your question kfield2! It’s really my husband’s name and it’s African. I think the correct pronunciation is Odeeway but I often say Oddiway which English people seem to cope with a bit more. I’m English and loved my husband’s name so much I couldn’t wait to change it when we married!
What a lyrical pronunciation. I totally got it wrong, pronouncing you last name as odeew. Thanks for the explanation, Jane.
[...] modern Samantha and Anthony story line. (I believe I had the same preference with Jane Odiwe’s Searching for Captain Wentworth, in which I liked the time travel to the past more than the contemporary narrative.) Syrie’s [...]