This was a book club read that I probably wouldn’t have read on my own, if only because it’s part of a series with 8 books in it, and that is too large a commitment for me. However, it was charming and witty, and I’m glad I read it.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion is written in the form of fictional diary entries by the titular characters. Set in London at some time in the 19th century, it tells the story of twenty-year-old Emma, a spirited, opinionated young woman returning to her childhood home after a long absence. Emma is technically the owner of Lapis Lazuli house, but her distant cousin Archibald has been the caretaker of the house (and Emma’s money) for years. Getting the house and her inheritance back from Cousin Archibald will take all the grit and cunning Emma can muster.
I really enjoyed the style of this book. Emma was a very likable narrator, full of wry observations about her world. The setting is an alternate London that feels mostly historical, except for the fact that there are ghosts and that Emma’s neighborhood has some kind of magic quirk that causes people’s belongings to disappear and reappear in other people’s houses. I enjoyed the whimsy of the magical setting, but wished it was leaned into more. As far as plot goes…well, there isn’t much of one. Emma feuds with her cousin Archibald, introduces us to several minor characters, and shares some of her backstory, and that’s basically the whole book. It feels more like table setting for the rest of the series than an actual stand-alone book, but it’s very lovely table setting that has me interested enough to read the next volume.
