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Summary: Imaginative, surprising tale utterly enchants
Review: A 19th century shipping schooner would seem an unlikely charm school and the daughter of one of Boston's 100 families an equally unlikely student, but such is the case in this rollicking story read by Lillian Stanford.Isadora Peabody personifies "plain"-- from her rimless spectacles to her mousy brown hair. She's approaching old-maidhood, shy and ungainly; "the picture of youth drying up like a fig." In short, the Black Sheep of her family. When lovely Lily Raines Calhoun appears on the scene searching for Ryan Calhoun, whom Isadora assumes to be her husband, they find him at The Swan, the schooner owned by shipping scion Able Easterbrook. Turns out the rakish, red-haired, inhumanly handsome Ryan is her son and the Black Sheep of the Calhoun family. When Isadora learns that Lily will sail to Rio with the ship and that Easterbrook desperately needs a Spanish translator (Isadora speaks 6 languages), she persuades Easterbrook to sign her on as translator, against Ryan's strongly expressed wishes. It is on this adventurous voyage that Isadora learns, from the most unexpected sources, how to be a real lady. This imaginative tale mixes The Ugly Duckling with Pygmalion into a Pandora's Box of delight.
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Summary: A delightful "ugly ducking type story"
Review: In this story Isabella (Bella) is the "ugly duckling" spinster of the family. All the rest of her family is gorgeous,blond and outgoing. She on the other hand has glasses, wears dark colors and can go unnoticed in just about any crowd. She longs to do something with her life to get the attention of the one she admires. Through a turn of events she is able to be the interpretor aboard a ship full of rough sailors. The sailors take her on and she wins all of them over, mostly by being so intent on taking in all that she can while on ship. She even starts to win over the captain. This is a charming story of the "ugly duckling turning into the beauitiful swan" and how others react. One you start it you won't want to put it down!
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Summary: This book was so sweet!!! Not sticky sweet, just right!!
Review: Have you ever felt that you were an Ugly Duckling? Wished you were prettier, less clumsy, a better conversationalist? Then you'll love this book. Our heroine is just that, the odd one out in an accomplished, attractive family of overachievers. Her light has been hidden under a barrel for so long she doesn't know that she has one. That is, until she signs on as ship's translator and spends months at sea on a ship full of "rough" men, oone of only 3 women on board. The sailors take it upon themselves without even realizing it to bring out her true beauty. A more unlikely "Charm School" you could hardly imagine. This story is full of warmth and wit, and the romance is so very tender and sweet, you cannot resist it!
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Summary: A Wonderful Story
Review: Susan Wiggs is one of my all time favorite authors. I feel as though I am standing on the ship feeling Isadora's elation of the open sea and the blue skies. Although I am not a big fan of red haired heroes Ryan is very appealing. This is a very heart warming story and it left me feeling better about myself. It is definitely a must read.
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Summary: It's pretty charming
Review: Wigg's makes no bones about the fact that this is an "Ugly Duckling becomes a Swan" story. The good news is that she does theme well. Isadora isn't flourishing in her setting. The theme of the book is that the freedom of a new setting and the love of a good man can make a girl beautiful both inside and out. Wigg's does it in an entertaining way. Isodora liberation in the course of the sea voyage (complete with a charming cast of characters in the crew) and in 1850's Rio (by definition liberating?)makes for a fun read with lots of great images. The romance is also very nicely paced with growing attraction and tension between the two -- leading to some pretty sexy scenes that are guaranteed to make the reader forget everyday life. The critics agree. The book was nominated for both a Reviewer's Choice and Francis awards. It was also selected in a readers' poll as one the ten favorites of the year.
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Summary: This is SOOOO good !!!
Review: I just finished reading THE CHARM SCHOOL and I loved it. I'm really not exaggerating. This tale is like CINDERELLA mixed in with THE UGLY DUCKLING. Isadora Peabody was brain smart but she was really nothing since she's not society smart, as in the social graces. Also she's not really pretty, so with all that added up Isadora becomes the outsider. She's really depressed, which isn't surprising and has even wanted to kill herself! Then she encounters Ryan Calhoun, the captain of the Silver Swan. Ryan needed an interpreter and if he doesn't get one, he'll be in really hot water. Isadora finds out about this and basically forces her way into becoming an interpreter. After all Isadora knows several different languages and wanted to escape from the misery in her life. Ryan deeply resents this and tries to make her life a living Hell on the ship. But it doesn't work because after leaving home, Isadora opens up to the crew. She listens to them, talks to them, helps them out and even enjoys working on the ship. Underneath all this, Isadora blossoms and learns to become a full person, who wasn't always afraid and depressed. With this confidence, she may even learn to trust the love she's feeling for a certain captain... I can't stop mentioning how much I love this book!! I was drawn to this book because I love reading about women that undergo a make-over. Not necessarily clothes, but personality wise like their confidence. And that's why I loved reading THE CHARM SCHOOL because it's a make-over for Isadora in which she becomes more comfortable with herself. ^_^ ~ Izzy
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Summary: Fun and enlightening
Review: I thought this book was a fun and smooth read. It is about a young woman named Isadora who hides her beauty behind big glasses and straggly hair but has a huge heart. She is smart and funny but her confidence lacks so no one really gets the chance to see the real her shine through. Almost forgotten and ignored by her family (she is the "ugly duckling" of the family), and her heart belonging to a young man who does not even know she exists, she sees an opportunity to leave for a little while and she grabs it. She gets on a ship with a man named Ryan and his crew (whom, I might had, really make this book a lot more fun) and off she goes to be the ship's translator. Though, womanizing Ryan is completely against the thought of a woman on his ship, his boss agrees and lets Isadora on as long as she is his "spy" to make sure Ryan stays in line. Slowly, you will find Isadora's confidence grow and the real her is revealed. She is strong and witty and just an altogether neat character. And Ryan is likeable and funny and the two of them together is great. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel-good fun adventure.
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Summary: Fabulous book!
Review: I loved this book! I picked it up on vacation, not knowing what to expect or even who the author was. Within minutes I was hooked. If you have ever felt bad about your self, this is the book for you. for once, the heroine of the book is not "tall and willowy." she's normal. i struggle with my weight every day, and this book made me want to stand up and say, "i'm proud of who i am!" I especially loved the scene where all the sailors help her get ready for the party! all in all, this is a great book, and will be read by me many times, as well as recommeded to friends. read it!
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Summary: From over 400 books in 6 months, this is one of the BEST!!
Review: Susan Wiggs is a welcome new read for me. Due to illness, I have read over 400 romances in the last 6 months, many predictable and forgettable. Susan Wigg's, The Charm School, was a delight. She has a rare talent for depth of character, enthralling story line, as well as, romantic anticipation and resolution. This is a MUST read and a keeper.
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Summary: Charming
Review: This book was adventurous and romantic. I found it very pleasant to read. It shows a woman who is atypical for her time and looked down upon by society blossom into something unexpected of her and desired by those who was repulsed by her.
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