The Blue Castle

I connected so much with this heroine. I've known a number of people who were just as stiff and narrow as Valancy's relatives, and have watched people near them struggling with similar self-doubt or compulsive submissiveness. I loved how the good doctor's mistake catapulted her into growing a backbone for once and going out to live for a little while.

Barney was delightful! I guessed what his Bluebeard chamber was about five chapters before Valancy found out...somehow the Allan Tierney visit tipped me off. I don't know why! And the Dr Redfern appearance was so tragic yet so humorous all at once!

I liked the idea of the “John Foster” stories she loves so much, but a number of the quotes were not theologically sound. For instance, to blame all the evil of the world on fear is an interesting thought...but neither theologically nor psychologically sound. It gives a good thought; indeed, many people do act wrongly out of fear; but to blame all or even most of evil on fear is not correct in the least.

And the ending was quite good. Any man worth his salt will be willing to come running after his wife to win her heart. :)

I'll definitely be rereading this one.