Customer Reviews

Ivy

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I realized I was reviewing a YA book, I wasn't sure what to expect. But I soon realized I had no worries. This book is written in the style of the Dicken's like authors of the early 1800s, in London, and records the perils and pitfalls that face Ivy from the time she is five till she is in her twenties. It is perhaps as grim as Dickens, and yet there is a lightness here that I found enjoyable. It is well written, with a solid plot and interesting characters. There are some mistreated doggies which lead to a very satisfying ending. And there is art here - the author mentions her muse in her author notes, and as I often do, I read it before the book. I am glad I did, I think the notes added to my enjoyment of the book.

I enjoyed the way the author played with some of the traits of Dicken's books; for one thing, there are some wonderful names here: Mrs. Hortense Merryfield (who is anything but merry) and Mrs. Christiana Larrington for a start. And then there are the chapter headings: my favorite perhaps was "Chapter 2: In which Mrs. Larrington Suffers in a rather Extremely Confined Space.

Given the cover, and some of the rather sexual aspects in the book, I would suggest parents consider their children's maturity level in regards to this book. That being said - if your child has read Twist, he'll have no trouble here. And if she hasn't, I would suspect that after reading this, she'd have no trouble at all with it!

Oh, and even tho its a YA book, I'd highly recommend it to those not quite so young. Its a fast read and rather enjoyable. The only reason I did not give it a five is that those are reserved that for the top of the top. This was a good read, and a well deserved four star.

Julie Hearn's novel "Ivy" relates the rise and development of a young "stunner" of Victorian England who begrudgingly becomes a model for an untalented artist of the Pre-Raphaelite school. Intended for young adults, the themes and plotline resonates with some newness that at times gets caught in the quagmire of Hearn's ambitious need to conjure up Victorian England from a Dickensesque vantage point. Ah well.

Hearn tries her best to evoke the time period (mid to late 19th century) by immediately setting the tone as Victorian comedy when she employs the same technique that Dickens used for his highly commercialized serialized fiction for her chapter titles. Again borrowing from Dickens, she introduces her story with two rather odd do-gooders who present the reader with the child Ivy, the reluctant beauty, and her family of thieving connivers and haphazardly put the plot line into motion when they benevolently send Ivy off the school as a charity case.

Hearn likes the idea of strangely colorful characters; she peppers her story with an ample dosing of wildly named personages, again ala Dickens: Carroty Kate, Fing Nolan, Muck Snipe, the Crow comprise the ring of "skinners" that make use of Ivy's startling appearance to lure their prey into a specified locale of easy pickings and more equalized opportunity. Ivy's negligent family members reek with the luridness of the resigned and uneducated. Making their livings like most scavengers, they, too reap the benefits of Ivy's appearance--when wannabe artist Oscar Aretino Frosdick (OAF - my, what a name! ) offers to pay for Ivy's services as a model, they as represented by the reprehensible Cousin Jared, greedily milk him for as much as they can get.

In fact this "everyone wants a piece of Ivy" theme runs throughout Hearn's story from almost all directions. The poor girl didn't ask to be beautiful--in fact the character herself initially shows little interest in her self other than to dose her self with the popular Victorian drug of choice, laudanum, to sleep away her boredom. Hearn means Ivy's reliance on drug usage to be part of a cautionary tale for her young readers--like so many drugs used today, laudanum was not only prescribed for relief of menstrual cramps and headaches, but used to achieve the pale complexion particularly prized by females at that time. And here Hearn interjects more subtly and quite masked what I think is her true intention--for what was a female back then, but a thing to be admired and coveted?

Hearn presents her readers with a physically beautiful character. However, Ivy's beauty seems more of a bane than a blessing for her. She does not exhibit any traits associated with vanity. She is merely a product of the time intent on survival. Happiness means little to her. As a natural vegetarian, she has an affinity with nature, particularly animals. It comes as no surprise that her personal salvation comes in this form. Even so, Ivy does not come across as being particularly feisty or someone that I would want my young adult to emulate. Her cockney accent pains the reader's ear. She is merely a product of circumstance. Her beauty could bring her notoriety--it certainly invokes fascination and jealousy (murderous) in many of the characters--one scene comes to mind where Jane Morris, the model for many of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's most timeless works of art winces with anger at Ivy's presence--the message here that beauty alone as ephemeral does not satisfy or fulfill one's soul. Quite by magic, Hearn slips in her true mission statement without the blatant lesson-oriented inundation of the Tyra Banks Show. So listen up, all you preteen and teenage girls out there chasing the pop stars and supermodels of today--pursuing beauty and fame does not make you happy--it just stops you from developing yourself in other more permanent ways. Brava, Ms Hearn.

Hearn's novel could be a good springboard for discussion relating to the nature of beauty. This womanly ideal so cherished that it was sought after by great artists and poets and immortalized for all time although romantic can be as empty as an exquisite jewel box without any content. Ivy's happiness is not derived through her beauty; in fact, her beauty hinders her. She appears as an object rather than a person with a full compliment of needs and desires.

In this sense, the story works. Hearn's message, however, is impaired by her desire to emulate Dickens. For the modern girl, a more straightforward plot approach would have been more effective and appropriate. In as much as Hearn combines the good and bad with regard to the creation of artistic beauty and displays the full spectrum of comedic emotions that beauty can evoke, she creates an interesting oxymoron where the undeveloped guttersnipe can be the inspiration for that great untouchable absolute Beauty. I found myself wishing for full color plates of the art works of the time to supplement my reading.

Bottom line? Julie Hearn's novel "Ivy" would have worked a lot better for me if she had not written this by copying the style popularized by Dickens in his Victorian serials. Otherwise, she works the two major themes of losing oneself through drug usage and beauty as an empty virtue to perfection. "Ivy" set during the time period of the great Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Sisterhood would benefit with an afterward about these pursuers of beauty. Parents or teachers recommending this book should use it to introduce readers to this lovely school of art. Recommended.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"

A good teen-age story of life in the 19th century England. The story begins in almost typical rags-to-riches fashion. Hero-quest story line but it does have a very robust and interesting authenticity to it. What really sets this story apart is the addition of the opiate; laudanum. A popular medicine of the time. The heroine is shown to be quite frail in her addiction. You end up empathizing with this poor girl early on and that never seems to let go even in the end.

The story starts out in a cockney speaking hovel and ends up in an artists studio. The story has a nice twist at the end which leaves the availability for a sequel. While the journey is complete it, at times, seems to be a tad bit rushed.

Overall a very delightful, easy read and perfectly suited to the intended audience.

Ivy always stood out. If it wasn't her red curly hair, it was something else that put her at odds with those around her. At age 5, she lives with a family of con artists who would do anything for a meal of meat, but Ivy has an aversion to eating creatures. When she is rescued from the charity mongerers and offered an education, once again, she is the outcast. Among thieves, her moral conscience interferes with her ability to fit in with those who rescue her. What once started as a remedy for sleeplessness now dulls her spirit. Ivy develops an addiction to laudanum, the popular drug of nineteenth-century. When Ivy grabs the attention of the painter Oscar Aretino Frosdick, a member of the pre-Raphaelite school, the intrigue steps up several levels as the artist's jealous mother seeks to keep power over her son's life.

In a style similar to Charles Dickens, Julie Hearn brings the reader right into the heart of nineteenth century England. Her use of description makes the smells, taste and touch of poverty palpable for readers. At the same time, her characters have a vibrancy and spirit that sparkles off the pages. The beneficent narrator clearly has a fondness for Ivy, and so will readers. Despite the circumstances of her life, her noble heart and inner goodness stand out from the first introduction. The use of dialect in dialogue encourages a reader to hear the voices of the time period. The dialect does not detract from the ease of reading but rather adds punch, humor and social insights. Julie Hearn gives a humorous social critique to the reader's experience of the nineteenth century class system.

Julie Hearn's historical fiction takes the reader into the heart of the historical time period but at the same time, she writes a story relevant to young adults in modern times. IVY will appeal to both young adults and much older adults, like myself. She takes the best of Dickens and yet, her focus on a female protagonist expands on that beauty with her own original insight. IVY takes up a female protagonist with the same richness and depth as the nineteenth century Victorian writers gave to their heroes. Like Dickens, Julie Hearn takes the reader through all the ups and downs of fortune, but always in such a way that the reader loves and cheers for her characters. Julie Hearn's IVY is one of those classic books readers will cherish rereading.

When Ivy is born, into the poorest of poor circumstances in a 19th-century slum in London, her father predicts a life of trouble for the red-haired baby. His predictions come true after he dies and her mother leaves. Ivy must live with her aunt's shiftless, thieving family, in shabby Paradise Row.

When Ivy is five years old, her cousin Jared attempts to swindle money out of Mrs. Merrifield and Mrs. Larrington of the Ragged Children's Welfare Association. The welfare ladies not only give the family money, but they insist on placing Ivy and her cousin Orlando in a school. Ivy's aunt and uncle are quite unimpressed with the notion of an education for the two children --- until they hear there's a lunch involved.

Ivy herself does not care to go to school, but she is resigned. However, on the first day of class, the little girl not only has to stand in a corner, she ends up urinating there. But the worst part turns out to be bacon in the cabbage soup. Ivy does not, will not and cannot eat meat. She runs away from school, only to get lost on London's streets.

Ivy knows to look for a "bluebottle" (policeman) to direct her back to Paradise Row. Meanwhile, she is starving and nearly crying as she trots along. Then she notices a very tall lady staring at her. Ivy feels a kinship with the stranger since they both have red hair. When the woman, who introduces herself as Carroty Kate, offers to share her orange, Ivy not only eats the fruit but she lets Kate take the boots that the welfare ladies gave her to wear to school.

As it happens, Kate is a thief, specializing in stealing children's clothing to resell. She has no intention of helping Ivy until a passing woman holding a child's hand smiles upon them in an "I know how it is" manner. Kate realizes that she can use Ivy to scam people. She takes her home to a lodging house that is crammed full of colorful scoundrels but is also strangely cozy. Kate's feller, Fing, adds to the ambience by cooking up humble yet tasty food.

Ivy enjoys living with Kate, for the most part. But she is appalled when Kate takes her out to "earn her keep," which involves tricking a little girl out of her stylish and expensive clothes. She also hates sleeping in the cupboard, which has been painted with a creepy design that gives Ivy nightmares. To quell her night-time screams, Kate begins giving her drops of laudanum, the quite available opium syrup taken by many people for nerves and insomnia...or whatever might ail a person.

By the time Ivy returns to her aunt and uncle, she is addicted. Her laudanum dependency continues into her teen years, rendering her sluggish and sleepy. Yet she is striking, with her red hair, pale skin and hazel eyes. When artist Oscar Frosdick spies her, he persuades her to model for him. Unfortunately, this displaces his former model, his mother --- who takes murderous offense.

Julie Hearn --- author of THE MINISTER'S DAUGHTER and SIGN OF THE RAVEN --- transports readers smack-dab into the gritty world of London's 19th century slums, painting it with vibrant description, eccentric characters and much black humor. Ivy's story gripped me with its fast-paced, unpredictable plot, filled with skullduggery, mayhem and the tantalizingly remote possibility of redemption. In fact, I had a difficult time closing IVY until I reached the satisfying end.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon

I did not realize at the time that I ordered this book, it is a young adult (teen) book (as I am far from my teenage days). In fact, I thought the cover was a bit racy for an adult book, and was even more surprised when I realized it was a young adult book. If Mylie Cyrus caught grief about a similar pose for Vanity Fair, well then Victorian England would have been turned upon her head for this one!

Anyway, the cover does not affect the book quality. The story was well written and carefully calculated. I enjoyed touching on the Pre-Raphaelite movement, as often art history is not a common theme in young adult fiction. I found the cockney (?) language slightly difficult to follow -- I had to read some quotes out loud to understand them. I wonder if that would make this frustrating for younger readers, or perhaps the challenge is a good thing. The characters are well developed and layered; though I never could find a soft spot in my heart for any of them as most were cruel and ruthless. The title character, Ivy, is bristly and distrustful, but that may just be an ingenious way to exemplify her difficult upbringing. Ivy will reach out to young readers for her realism and personal battles with addiction and difficult circumstances. Would like to see more books explore artistic movements from within the social fabric in which they've been created.

At first glance, Julie Hearn's _Ivy_ may bear slight similarities with Dickens' novels (as some reviewers have pointed out), but these similarities are very slight. _Ivy_ sadly lacks memorable characters, a tight plot, and the substance associated with a Dickens novel. The individual elements of the story -- plot, character, setting, etc. -- had so much potential, but in the end they were weakly strung together and poorly developed. As this is my first experience with Hearn, I am left wonder if this is typical of her other novels or if it was published on the merits of her previous works.

Every good novel, even young adult novels, should take the reader on a memorable, believable journey with the main character, but I don't believe the growth Ivy experienced. Furthermore, she had characteristics that made her unique, but in a way she seemed too unique, too separate from the story--and very two-dimensional. The obstacles she encountered on her journey were contrived, and the villain's motivation was tentative and doubtful (and laughable, though I imagine this was not intended to be). In an Author's Note, Hearn indicates that this novel was inspired by a Rossetti painting, but I don't believe she had to stretch things as far as she did to build a plot around the painting and an 1870's London.

Yes, this is a quick, easy read that keeps your attention (for the most part), but I do not recommend it. I will readily admit to high standards, being a reader of Dickens, especially as a teen, but these days I try to keep up with the popular young adult novels -- and this novel just does not measure up.

PROS
Quick read
Keeps your attention

CONS
Flat characters
Weak, contrived plot
Disjointed story-telling

Ivy is a red-haired girl who never can seem to find her place. We first meet her as a young child, orphaned, and living with relatives who have taken her in, though they can barely afford to - or take the trouble to - care for their own children.

Soon Ivy finds herself living with a band of thieves. It is her job to go out and lure other little girls away so that they can be robbed. With the band she finds a temporary home, and a taste for laudanum.

A few years on, Ivy has come back to her family when she attracts the attentions of a silly young artist. But his jealous mother is more of a threat than the young artist, who is most in love with himself and the idea of being great one day.

In the style of olden novels, the scandalous is hinted at, not put on display. There are trials and travails aplenty before Ivy finds her place, but the book jacket's claim to offer "nineteenth century sex, drugs and rock and roll" is a bit overstated. It would be more accurate to call this the seedy side of Jane Austen.

Ivy was written as a very slightly modern imitation of the mid-nineteenth century novel, from the use of instructive chapter headings ("In which Oscar finds himself a stunner") to the plot patterns to the use of low dialects for the poorer characters and stilted language for the wealthier. Ivy would be well worth looking at for those who like authentic nineteenth century authors from Dickens to Austen to Victor Hugo but who are looking for something a little lighter.

First, the cover depicts a naked teenage girl in a rather seductive pose. But don't be misled--this is a book for "young readers" age 12 and up. There is no sex in the story (despite mentions of unwed teenage pregnancies and cross-dressing), so the cover illustration gives the wrong impression.

I think that this book had a lot of potential--interesting characters, unusual circumstances and events. Unfortunately it didn't live up to what it could've been. The author breaks several "rules" of writing, and the book suffers for it.

The most obvious is her use of lower-class British accents. She spells out the words the way they're pronounced, a classic no-no, which gets quite annoying after awhile. It's far better to suggest the manner of speech in other ways, because who wants to decipher: "Well, 'e can change it right back again, sw'elp me 'e can" or "Wot's 'is excuse and 'ow much 'as 'e sent us"? Also aggravating was that she picked one or two British expressions, and then used them over and over. By the fourth time I'd read "Oo's 'e when 'e's at 'ome?" I was sick to death of it!

As far as plot, I found the story lacking. It follows the life of Ivy, but just when something starts to get interesting for her, it leaves the scene and jumps ahead. As a result I was never fully drawn into the story. Also, the author occasionally interjects her own comments into the narrative, which is very distracting and not recommended for modern writers. She might've pulled it off if she'd done so consistently, but since it only happened two or three times, it stood out in a bad way.

Another flaw is that the author misleads the readers. For example, she writes a scene from Ivy's POV, shows that she thinks and feels a certain way, and as a result, she makes a certain decision. In the next scene, Ivy appears resolved to follow through with this decision, and goes right to the brink of doing so . . . but then, without any hesitation, she does something entirely different instead. Apparently she'd reconsidered and changed her mind, but the author didn't give any hint of this. It left me confused, and then irritated. It would've been far better to suggest that Ivy wasn't quite sure, that she was debating the matter, so that we'd be rooting for her to make the right decision, instead of bewildered at her actions.

Similarly, the description mentions Ivy's unusual incandescent eye color, as though this were important to the plot, yet the only mention I found of her eyes merely stated that they were hazel . . . hardly unusual. It also said that she must "fight for her everlasting soul", a plot detail that's absent from the book.

There are a few details that also struck me as inaccurate, such as one of the Welfare ladies not wearing a corset, and the other wearing no petticoats beneath her hoop. And the fact that a fair-skinned redhead stood out in the sun for hours, posing with only a draped sheet for modesty, yet suffered no sunburn!

Overall, I give the story three stars. I truly liked the main character, and I really did enjoy parts of the book, but at times I had to force myself to keep reading because of the flaws mentioned above. If you're not as picky about the technical aspects of writing, then you'll probably get more out of the book than I did.

It's my fault that I got sidetracked by the lovely redhead on the cover and didn't pay attention to the fact that this was a young adult book. So when it came to reading it, I suspended disbelief and dove right in.

People have mentioned the Dickensian aspect of the book, and I didn't see it that way. There were pretty good descriptions of what life was like in 1800s, but I attributed that to trying to create a mood and explain the atmosphere where Ivy thrived. For other readers who are interested in exploring more adult books in the time, I'd suggest And Only to Deceive as well.

As a male adult, the book was decent and a good read. I'd give the book 3.5 stars. Younger adults might find this book more enthralling than I did, since Ivy makes a really good protagonist for that age group.