Rose in Bloom: A Tribute to Rose and Mac

 

This is one book that appeals to my romantic side most definitely. Although technically the sequel to Eight Cousins, I decided to only review Rose in Bloom since Valentine's day is coming up and this is my entry to a little period Valentine's Day blog party, hosted by Along the Brandywine. What fun!

You may know that sometimes I don't approve of Louisa May Alcott, but that's mainly because I have a prejudice against Little Women for certain reasons. And I can't say I don't like the author, because I absolutely love Rose in Bloom. I like the book much more than its prequel, mainly due to the increased presence of Mac and his and Rose's relationship. Well, I also like it cause it's just more interesting, but we'll get into that in just a second. This is not to say I don't like Eight Cousins, but one of my quandary's with the book is that for it being called 'Eight Cousins' it doesn't have enough of the cousins interacting together for my taste. Rose in Bloom has enough of that and more.
I'll summarize the plot line so I can get to the juicy details, especially details about Mac, one of my all-time favorite characters.

~ After an absence of two years, young Rose Campbell is returning from a trip abroad to her old home and old friends. Having lost her mother and father when she was very young, Rose was adopted by her loving uncle Alec and has lived with him and her dear friend, the orphan Phebe, since she was thirteen. Once home, she is reunited with her seven cousins, all boys, who have grown up immensely since her departure. Throughout the book, Rose must battle her way through the bewildering world of wealthy society, high expectations, and falling in love. Through all her days of happiness and grief, Rose unfailingly tries to be a better person and help all those around her, whilst blooming into a beautiful young woman ~

One little disclaimer before I begin gushing about this book: You may be weirded out by the fact that Rose has romantic relations with her cousins. That's just the way it was back then. If you can get over that, as I did after much discomfort, you will find the book is absolutely delightful.

The cousins of Rose are, in order of age,: Archie, Charlie (aka Prince Charlie), Mac, Steve, Will, Geordie, and Jamie. When Rose returns home from her trip, she is pleased to see most of them, but is rather bothered by Charlie. In Eight Cousins, he was a little frivolous and spent time with bad company, and his bad habits have only worsened in Rose in Bloom. I can see why one could be a little charmed by the Prince, but honest to goodness, he annoys me to high heavens most of the time. He always treats Rose's dreams and ambitions with levity and light-hearted ridicule, and never take her very seriously. To be fair, his father moved to India when Charlie was young since he couldn't stand his wife (understandable) and the poor boy was completely spoiled by his mother, Clara. But what's the worse thing of all, Charlie falls in love with Rose. Rose isn't quite sure how she feels about this, but she fancies that, if cured of his vices (chief among them drinking), she could love poor old Charlie as well. I never approved of this, but here are a couple moments where you can't help but feel bad for the frivolous young man. He really does love Rose. Sighhhh. The other cousins have their times in the spotlight as well. Archie falls in love with Rose's friend Phebe, so he's pretty boring throughout most of the book. I do hate it when characters just stare googly-eyed at one another for chapters on end. Steve, the brother of Mac, falls in love with a girl called Kitty Van. The couple is rather silly and clueless, but they do have an earnest wish to improve themselves, so they turn out to be rather charming. Will, Geordie, and Jamie are not mentioned too much, but they are lovable enough. And then there's Mac. 
I love Mac. He's a spectacled bookworm, a philosopher, and completely uncaring of the ways of society. He is known for his honesty and odd peculiarities. Everyone who knows him teases him for his strangeness, but secretly admire him as well. Even Prince Charlie holds Mac in high esteem, although he would never let anyone know. Here's a passage that describes Charlie and Mac very well. Charlie is trying to abstain from vices for Rose's sake, and he's rather peeved about it.

"...They don't require us to be saints like themselves, which is lucky, but they do expect us to render 'an honest and a perfect man' sometimes, and that is asking rather too much in a fallen world like this," said Charlie, glad to get a little sympathy, though he had no intention of confessing his transgressions.
"No, it isn't," said Mac decidedly.

Lol. Mac is always very firm in the belief that trying to be good, though hard, isn't as impossible as Charlie makes it out to be. 

Now I think I oughta say a bit about Rose. She's a pretty good character. Doesn't mind running a race with her youngest cousin, tries hard not to be obsessed with French designer clothing, and is firm and unyielding when Charlie tries to make her accept him when he hasn't even tried to be a better man. She won't even think about loving him until he shapes up. Okay, maybe she thinks about it a little bit. He is kind of good-lookin'. 
But there is a strong dichotomy between Charlie and Mac. Charlie puts all the pressure on Rose in the relationship. She has everything to give him and he has nothing to give her, other than his heart. Mac doesn't ever believe he has enough to offer Rose. He isn't even in love with her for two thirds of the book (at least that's what he says, but I'm not too sure about that), but he's always trying to do better for her. I have three favorite chapters in this book. 'Polishing Mac', 'At Kitty's Ball', and 'Among the Haycocks.' 'Polishing Mac' is like the makeover montage in romantic comedies, and it's really delightful. Steve, a fashionista (fashionisto?) in his own right, is trying to help Mac to learn to dance, dress fashionably, and carry himself well in society. Mac hates society, but he wants to please Rose, and the latter feeling overwhelms the first. I can only think how fun the dancing scene would be when portrayed in a movie. My favorite moment is after Mac accompanies Rose to a party and promptly forgets her when he enters into a complicated and scientific conversation with an interesting and learned guest at the party. Rose is driven home by an elderly lady, but when Mac realizes at the party that he forgot Rose, he runs three miles to her house to make sure she was okay. It's the cutest thing ever. He did something very similar in Eight Cousins, it should be noted.

"Don't take any notice of me, for I don't deserve it. I only came to see that you were safe, Cousin, and then go hang myself, as Steve advised."

There are so many deliciously adorable moments when Mac is being 'polished' up that, I can't share them all. One moment is almost an exact replica of Mac's abruptness mingled with gallantry portrayed in Eight Cousins when Rose sprained her ankle and couldn't walk. In this book, Rose has asked Mac to accompany her to the aforementioned party because she does not wish to be with Charlie, as he is a great flirt and people are beginning to 'talk' and suspect that there is something between the two cousins. Mac asks in an odd voice if there would be no danger of speculation regarding himself and Rose. She laughs and says of course not, as it is 'only Mac'. Mac is rather offended by this comment and lets her know whilst also being hilariously gallant.

But at the door she discovered that she had forgotten her furred overshoes, and bade Mac get them.
"Never mind, it's not wet," he said, pulling his cap over his eyes and plunging into his coat, regardless of "elegancies" that afflicted him.
"But I can't walk on cold stones with thin slippers, can I?" began Rose, showing a little white foot.
"You needn't, for - there you are, my lady," and, unceremoniously picking her up, Mac landed her in the carriage before she could say a word.
"What an escort!" she exclaimed in comic dismay, as she rescued her delicate dress from the rug in which he was about to tuck her up, like a mummy.
"It's 'only Mac,' so don't mind," and he cast himself into an opposite corner, with the air of a man who had nerved himself to the accomplishment of many painful duties and was bound to do them or die.

There are so many great passages in this book, I'd better stop soon, otherwise this post will be altogether too long. 

As time goes on in Rose's life, Mac reveals that he has fallen in love with her, and she is shocked, to say the least. She rather loves him as well, but she won't admit it, telling herself that it is merely infatuation and if she doesn't see Mac or spend much time with him, the love will soon starve to death. But, as the author wittily puts it, the love 'seemed to thrive on air.' Mac and Rose have so much in common, and, as beautifully illustrated in the chapter 'Among the Haycocks,' they really enjoy each other's company and always find many things to talk about. As time goes on, Rose finds her resolve to not fall in love with Mac growing weaker and weaker. He doesn't bother her about it, doesn't nag her, but merely promises he shall win her love, even if it shall take him ten years. Rose's inability to resist Mac's patient wooing is wonderfully portrayed in this interaction:

"...Go and care for someone else. There are plenty of nice girls who will be glad to make you happy," said Rose, intent upon ending her disquiet in some way.
"That is too easy. I enjoy working for my blessings, and the harder I have to work the more I value  them."
"Then if I suddenly grew very kind, would you stop caring about me?" asked Rose, wondering if that treatment would free her from a passion which both touched and tormented her.
"Try and see," but there was a traitorous glimmer in Mac's eyes which plainly showed what a failure it would be.
"No, I'll get something to do, something so absorbing that I shall forget all about you."
"Don't think about me if it troubles you," he said tenderly.
"I can't help it." Rose tried to catch back the words but it was too late.

She liiiiikes him 😍 I mean, it's pretty obvious, but it's still rather funny how she pretends not to.
I think I'll leave you to enjoy the rest of this book. Although a little preachy in the prose sometimes, the story is so delightfully engrossing and full of laughter and fun, and some heartache, that you won't mind being preached at a bit. I've tried not to spoil too much of the story, and I recommend reading Eight Cousins before Rose in Bloom. It will give you a greater understanding of all characters involved. I will leave you with a cryptic passage, laden with meaning, that rather explains the whole darn book.

"... You will write, won't you?"
"Oh, yes! No doubt of that," and Mac laughed low to himself, as he stooped to look at the little Psyche on the mantelpiece.
"What a pretty thing it is!" he added soberly, as he took it up.
"Be careful. Uncle gave it to me last New Year, and I'm very fond of it. She is just lifting her lamp to see what Cupid is like, for she hasn't seem him yet," said Rose, busily putting her work table in order.
"You ought to have a Cupid for her to look at. She has been waiting patiently a whole year, with nothing but a bronze lizard in sight," said Mac, with the half-shy, half-daring look which was so new and puzzling.
"Cupid flew away as soon as she woke him, you know, and she had a bad time of it. She must wait longer till she can find and keep him."

This has been Irene's entry to the Valentine's Day Period Drama Blog Party.. I hope you enjoyed my review and have a wonderful St. Valentine's Day!