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Samantha Ellis: How to Be a Heroine: Or, what I've learned from reading too much (2014, Chatto & Windus) 4 stars

Review of "How to Be a Heroine: Or, what I've learned from reading too much" on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

When I found this book I feel like I meet an old friend who shared same interest, and, yes, she has interesting views that I mostly agreed on. Up until chapter three, I really followed the narratives and not rarely jumped on any remarks that also voiced my own reflection. I can't agree more with Ellis's opinion on Jo March and The Little Woman moral-heavy storytelling as I was also still puzzled on the way Marmee's and Mr.March's upbringing the girls.

From the beginning, even, I always have this troubled feeling toward classic fairy tale. I sometimes discuss it with my sister on how the princesses was so helpless and lay there who knows for how long until their savior comes and gives a true love's kiss (by a stranger? also ever wondering the age gaps between them actually?)

But, I somewhat loss at the next chapter as then coming more heroines I haven't familiar with. But, it's not that I can't follow at all because the short description along the narratives quite gives me a general picture of the character about to talk about.

This book is supposed to be a personal memoir to find self mirroring the heroines with their extraordinary lives, some are inspirations, the other lessons, or even warning. But, this book can really be useful to study personal growth of the fictional heroines. I study quite a lot, and it gives the full list of the books, so you can pick any that haven't been on your reading list and go see by yourself.