RSS Add-Me
grerp: the PERSONAL side of AAR Rachel
Author Profiles Series: Carla Kelly
posted Sunday, 3 June 2007
| Author |
Carla Kelly |
| Genre | Romance |
| Recurring Story Elements | War and wartime horrors, military life and hierarchy, grim historical detail, orphans and illegitimate children, well-loved dead spouses, road romance, religious references, morally weak relatives, poverty as virtuosity, marrying without regard for one's social position ("across the tracks"). |
| Heroines are: | Modest, hardworking, kind, compassionate, good with children, a bit passive, frequently barely hanging on but trying to do so with good grace ("tormented"), deep-bosomed, pretty, socially unexalted. |
| Heroes are: | Military, physically imperfect (balding, short, slightly overweight), non-aristocratic, self-deprecating. |
| Kelly's world is: | A harsh place full of war, poverty, pride, and selfishness; people will fail you. Ultimately, however, suffering can be overcome with hard work, selflessness, and a good attitude. |
| Kelly likes: | Military men, homey marital sex, children, co-sleeping, nursing, having one's hair brushed. |
| Kelly dislikes: | Frivolous, superficial (rich) people, waste, especially wasted talent, self-pity, snobbery. |
| Kelly themes: | Failure, cowardice, and violence are unfortunate consequences of the brokenness of the world, but forgiveness, including forgiving oneself, is possible. Most Kelly books contain some sermon-like messages - characters who must learn to forgive, learn to let go of pride, or learn to make lemonade out of lemons. Also: the military is a tough grind, unforgiving with uncertain leadership and everyday ridiculous rules & regs, but if you've got the stuff, it'll make a man out of you. |
| Favorite Carla Kelly book |
"Make a Joyful Noise" short story |
| Number of books read | 16 books, 6 short stories |
| Biggest Glom | 4 books and 3 short stories in October/November 2001 |
| Other grerp mentions | Beau Crusoe review, Here's to the Ladies review, Mrs. McVinnie's London Season review, The Wedding Journey review, Reforming Lord Ragsdale commentary |
The Lady's Companion comments