Book Report?!

Book: A Great and Terrible Beauty
Author: Libba Bray

1. Did this book make you laugh? Cry? Smile? Cheer? Explode? Explain your reaction. A Great and Terrible Beauty definitely made me smile many times. Gemma, the main character, is going through the difficult challenges that young women have to endure in the early 1800's. Not only that, but she has a power that none of the girls at her finishing school possess. Gemma's mistakes are often humorous, which made me smile. She was also very witty and did many courageous things that made me laugh. For example, she and Kartik, a roaming gypsy, had many quarrels that left me smiling because of their odd humor.

2. What was the author saying about life and living in this book? Libba Bray, I believe, was trying to tell young women about how many more options they have now than the women of the past. She tells us that just because women were looked upon to be prim and proper, not everyone followed the chosen path. Gemma did not follow the rules very well, and talked to Kartik, which is forbidden because it is not proper for young ladies to talk with uneducated and filthy “savages”. Gemma was one of the strongest women in the world, with her special power to enter into another realm, but she chose to keep it a secret, fearing the jealousy and corruption that would occur in The Realm. This was a message that women had power in the Victorian times, but it was not typical.

3. Do you believe the title fits the book? Why or why not? I do believe that the title fits the book. Gemma's power to enter The Realm freely was a gift to her. A group called the Order used to rule The Realms, but the power was bound when the group became corrupt. Gemma's mother belonged to the Order, and the magic flowed down to Gemma who was the only person allowed to roam freely in the Realms. Gemma also received frightening visions because of her magic. This was a great thing because she could see the future and prevent bad things to occur, but it was also terrible because sometimes she caused the bad things to happen while trying to prevent it. The magic was a gift when dancing freely in the Realms, but a curse when having to deal with repercussions in the normal world.

4. What do you feel is the most important word, sentence, or passage in the book? The most important event, character, feeling, or decision? Why is it important? “But forgiveness...I'll hold onto that fragile slice of hope and keep it close, remembering that in each of us lie good and bad, light and dark, art and pain, choice and regret, cruelty and sacrifice.” I believe this passage is important because it shows that there is not perfection in any society. Gemma made bad decisions, and sacrificed other peoples' integrities in order to be blameless. This passage tells of how we all have flaws and strengths, and that we must remember to forgive each other for our mistakes. Gemma is learning how to forgive herself, and hoping that others will forgive her as well.

5. Do any of the character remind you of friends, family members, or classmates? Explain.
Felicity Worthington actually reminds me of my friend, Eva. She is described as having light blond hair and cool gray eyes. Not only that, but in some ways they act similarly. Eva and Felicity both just want to have fun. Felicity is very cruel and that is what differs in mind between Eva and Felicity. Ashley Stein and Ann Bradshaw also have similarities. Both are very shy and timid, but are loud when with friends. Ann is much more pathetic than Ashley though, and Ashley would stand up for herself where Ann Bradshaw does not. My brother reminds me of Thomas Doyle, because they both are close with their sisters, but do not share any personal information that they are not comfortable with. Both are very playful and like to tease their sisters.