A Proper Pursuit

When Violet Hayes ventures to Chicago during the time of the World's Fair, her one goal is to find her mother, who has been missing from her life since she was nine. Naive, impressionable, and highly imaginative (having secretly ingested a diet of romance novels and true crime stories at school), Violet stays in Chicago under the care of her grandmother and her three great aunts. It is here that her perspectives on life are opened as she is exposed to the world about her, from high society to the poor immigrant families; from the suffragette movement to the security of a suitable marriage match. As Violet contemplates what course her life will take, she will discover the missing parts of her family's past, and ultimately, Violet will discover herself.

Lynn Austin’s novel, A Proper Pursuit, tells the story of a young woman’s journey from girlhood to womanhood. Ms. Violet Hayes tricks her father into allowing her to stay with relatives in Chicago under the false guise of wanting to see the World’s Fair. In reality, she wants to find her mother, but upon arriving she discovers that each of her hosts has a different agenda—and suitor—ready for her. What follows is Violet’s struggle to unearth her past, determine her future, and enjoy the present.

Austin tells the tale completely from Violet’s perspective, describing events as they happen. This becomes a little confusing, due to the amount of people and situations the heroine is introduced to, but also adds more depth to Violet’s point of view and is worth it in the end. The characters in the story are varied and interesting, and though they develop and become more complex as the book moves along, the bonds between them do seem rather weak and fragile, usually with nothing but society or family ties holding them together. The few exceptions are the relationships between Violet and Mr. McClure, and Violet and her mother. In fact, the most memorable scene in the book occurs when Violet finally locates her mother, and discovers just how much the world’s cruelty has affected all of their lives.

At the beginning of A Proper Pursuit the plot is rather simple, with Ms. Hayes seeking out her runaway mother in Chicago. But as time and events progress, Violet finds herself with a line of suitors she must choose from before the month’s end, which complicates her life just a little. More than that, she must decide what standards she will live by for the rest of her life: society’s, God’s, her family’s, or her own. In the end, she chooses to live out her own heart instead of her family’s, to change society instead of being controlled by it, and to honor God by being herself.

Although the headstrong Violet begins the book as an incredibly naïve character, she grows and blooms throughout the story in a very realistic way. She is the only truly dynamic person in the book—all of the others are used to represent the different forces that are pulling and pushing on her as she makes her decisions. A good example of this is shown in her four primary suitors: Silas, who symbolizes her own desires; Herman, who is an example of her family’s wishes for her; Louis, who is the church’s will for her life; and Nelson, who is society’s choice.

The only element that bothered me about Austin’s book was the mystery surrounding Silas McClure. In the beginning it fit everything very well, but the average reader will figure out who he is by the middle of the story, and Violet’s inability to see what is obvious until the end becomes rather annoying. But, all in all, I very much enjoyed A Proper Pursuit, and would recommend it to any reader who wants a light and romantic story. -- Kate R. Miller, Christian Book Previews.com

Christy award-winning historical novelist Austin delivers her strongest offering yet, a coming-of-age story set in late-19th-century Illinois. The great strength of this novel comes from the first-person narrator’s charming voice: 20-year-old Violet Hayes is distressed to learn that her father is remarrying—and that her mother, whom Violet believed lay recovering from a mysterious illness in a sanitarium somewhere, had in fact simply abandoned her family and filed for divorce. To escape a stepmother-to-be she can’t stand, Violet heads to Chicago to stay with her grandmother and great-aunts. Although she’s recently graduated from a genteel school for young ladies, it’s in Chicago that Violet’s real education begins. One great-aunt tries to persuade her to join the suffrage movement, while another introduces Violet to elite society and urges her to catch a wealthy husband. Her grandmother, who takes her cues from Jane Addams, introduces Violet to the world of revivalist Christianity and inner-city good works, prompting Violet to re-examine her own faith. Two questions drive the plot: will Violet find her mother, and will she encounter true love? Readers will enjoy accompanying Violet as she discovers the answers, her calling and her adult self. (Sept.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Liana (13) (Australia), December 10, 2009

LOVED THIS BOOK! its one of my all time favourite books i would happily read again. Lynn Austin is my all time fave author, and has not disappointed me after reading 'Until we reach home' and 'Gods and Kings' this could have goneon another 430 pages and it would still be just as interesting. The plot was really good and the autho never fell short of ideas, and not once did i grow bored, yet it was still within reality! Well done Lynn!

Reviewed by Tatyana Ankudovich (Philadelphia, PA), October 21, 2008

I love it, I love it, I love it. Once I started it, could't put it down. Funny and inspirational. I would highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Lizzy Anne (Iowa), September 24, 2008

I love this book! I read it for the first time last night, and even though I needed to get up early, I stayed up until 2AM because I couldn't put it down! I love the charachters they are so vibrant! Violet, Silas, Aunt Matt, Aunt Birdie, Louis, Nelson! What amazing charachters! I love your books Lynn! You are so descriptive and I can just imagine everything perfectly! Way to GO! Love IT!

Reviewed by Norma Jantzen (Madera, CA), September 15, 2008

Bravo for Granny and the Great Aunts and for Violet herself. This was a really cute but meaningful story. Violet drew some very wise conclusions for one so young. Though impetuous, she was able to see the strengths and weaknesses in various areas of her world and remain true to herself. The "gray ladies" at my church are sure to enjoy it when I put it in the church library.

Reviewed by Maura King (Glassboro, NJ), September 03, 2008

A good read and historically very interesting, too. Provides insight into the original women's movement as 8 strong female characters present the different experiences and attitudes of women in the 1890's including their romantic perspective.

Reviewed by Amy K. (Beaver Dam, WI), September 02, 2008

Well written and an enjoyable work of art by the three-time Christy Award winner! I loved how Violet struggles to find herself between her pushy family members on opposite ends of late 19th century society. When she visited the World's Fair, the way it was described, it felt like I was there myself. I had to take off 1/2 star for predictability. However, I truly enjoyed this book and I could not put it down!

Reviewed by Bonnie Shivelhood (Paxinos, PA), April 27, 2008

As always, Lynn Austin gave us another wonderful book. I found it enlightening to the world women had to live in back then.

Reviewed by Kasi Bland (El Dorado Springs), February 15, 2008

Fabulous, fabulous book. I could not believe that it only had a 4 1/2 star! This is one, if not the best, book I have ever read! Full of mystery, romance, and intrigue! Plus, it is full of inspiring Biblical lessons! Everyone needs to read this book! I have read it two times since I got it in December! FABULOUS book!

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