Customer Reviews

Laura (Sunfire)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eventhough it's been many years since I first read this book, it still remains one of my most favorite romance novels. I remember buying it to read on a family vacation and finishing it on the very first day of driving! I couldn't put it down! This story is priceless, informative and very romantic. A sure-fire hit with young ladies (of all ages!). It hits true to the core in regards to how young girls feel "love" when it's really a crush. True love is right under your nose and you don't see it until something finally opens your eyes to the truth. Vivian Schurfranz understands this clearly and I'm certain reached the hearts of many with this timeless tale. I highly recommend! As a matter of fact, I would really like to see the entire Sunfire romance collection return to the bookshelves, even for just a little while, to give a new generation a chance to enjoy all of these wonderful stories of young girls and love!

Laura lives in Washington D.C. during World War 1. She must cope with many things, including the war, her determination to crusade for women's rights, the influenza epidemic, and chosing between the two young men she loves! Another great Sunfire book!

This was a pretty frustrating book, in that the use of the suffragist movement was very inspiring to both the reader and, apparently, to the heroine, yet Laura instead vacillates between two boys like an indecisive, coquettish ditz. She's not really sympathetic at all as she plays the tease with both Joe & Shawn, chooses one over the other one day, then gets all worried/miffed that the other doesn't dance attendance on her whim. Not really a strong character in her actions. All of her "grit" comes from mentions that she wants to be a lawyer or architect, but her actions belie such calls for sacrifice and hard work. Even the late appearance of the Spanish flu epidemic doesn't pan out in terms of sacrifice for our heroine.

The book is also another example of the tendency in Sunfires in general, and Vivian Schurfranz's efforts in particular, to have one suitor be dependable and taken for granted, and the other to be brash and borderline abusive, yet have the heroine constantly questioning which one she really loves. "Joe is so sweet and kind and he respects my opinions! I wish Shawn was like that! But wow, Shawn's so handsome and that makes me forget all his grievous flaws and being dismissive of all I hold dear!" And that's what bugged me most: Shawn insults her ideals and convictions to her face, but then grins and she "forgets" her anger. It's stupid and infuriating, though perhaps Schurfranz wrote it to be a lesson for teenage girls about future dating with asshat jocks. Who knows?

I still liked the book for the details about the suffragists and the Spanish flu epidemic, as well as the question about dissent during wartime and tendency towards jingoism. It's as true during our time as was back in World War I, and the "moderate" call to put a hold to gay rights because "we have more important things to do" was an excuse used against advancing the women's vote back in 1918. Learn from history, folks. Schurfranz does well on the historical aspect of these books, even if her "romances" are usually tales of a girl inexplicably torn between a good man and a shallowly characterized, brash jackass.

This is my favorite sunfire romance. I learned a great deal about the women's right's movement. This series I discovered, is actually very educational and inspiring-great stuff for preteen and teen girls who want to develop confidence. I remember receiving the sunfire "Danielle" in the 6th grade and thinking the cover looked so stupid. My friend assured me it was good, so I finally gave it a try and really enjoyed it. Just another reminder not to judge a book by it's cover! I wish this series would come back in print. If you are a 11- to 14 year old girl, or if you are a parent of one, I recommend you get a copy of amazon or ebay or look at a used book store.