“Is Rural King Open On 4th Of July” Book Review
The fourth installment of the “Irene monet” series by Anna Pigeon is “Irene’s Raggedy Ann’s Story”. Anna Pigeon has captured the essence of rural living in this novel, and the author has created a very positive character in Ann. This book definitely will not have you reading again to pick it up, but maybe just once for that special moment. Irene is a down-to-earth girl who loves her family, but doesn’t let that define her personality. She knows right from wrong, and when you meet her you can tell she loves her family, but has a strong sense of duty to follow her heart and do what she feels is best for those around her.
Anna Pigeon captures all of the subtle nuances of everyday life in rural areas. Details from local food to local art to current events are carefully integrated into this story. Pigeon has managed to weave an enjoyable story about a young woman who has found herself with an enormous responsibility. Readers will enjoy the humorous details Pigeon includes along the way, especially since many of them were already familiar to most readers.
In keeping with the spirit of the book, there is also a bit of political incorrectness from King George. One scene has George’s wife coming to visit him in the hospital and commenting on the length of his reign. Anna Pigeon includes a humorous account of their conversation where the king comments on her attire while referring to her as “the Queen”. Some of the interactions between George and Queen Elizabeth are funny, but they do not compare to the scenes of savaging mosquitoes that occur near the end of the book.
Anna Pigeon does a good job of introducing us to some of the minor characters in this entertaining fourth book in the “Irene monet” series. The quiet, yet imposing figures of Sheriff Richard Bales and Major Richard Marriott struck me as two very different types of men, even when they were attending the same funeral. I liked the humorous interchange that took place between the two men as they reflected on the death of the previous king.
This brief synopsis does not paint the full picture of the plot, which involves many, varied, and entertaining characters. However, the entire story is action-packed, and there are some very memorable moments. A few of those moments included a horse that was stolen and recovered by George; the king’s drunkenness; and the accidental poisoning of the queen by her husband. Those were the funniest parts of the story for me.
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining book. I liked the humor and enjoyed the story, even though I do not think it will appeal to everyone. It is definitely worth a read if you have not read the first four books in the series. For the most part, this is an entertaining story about a British monarch on a hunting trip through the backwoods of England on the fourth of July.
