I’m not going to do a review of the two latest Main Street books, as I didn’t bring the books with me and I read them nearly two months ago. I will say that I think the series is on an upward trajectory in terms of quality and these two books focused more on the lives of the townspeople instead of just the four girls, which I enjoyed. I think Ann recognizes that this is a series which those of who read the BSC religiously are also going to pick up, because I think the stories have a wider appeal, age-wise, than the BSC did.
One thing that bothers me about Main Street, though, is that I’m not sure that I would be reading it if it weren’t by Ann. Actually, I’m certain that I would have just never discovered it in the first place, but if I had by chance picked it up, I’m not sure it would held my attention. What I like about Main Street is… the Ann-ness. The Wizard of Oz and I Love Lucy references! Names of people I recognize from BSC, like David Leviathan, BSC editor! The BSC to me has the qualities of a security blanket, and Main Street has some of the same qualities and familiarity that the BSC possesses.
I know that not everyone who is a fan of the BSC likes Main Street. Some find the subject matter–small town! sewing!–not terribly interesting. And some have also criticized Main Street for seeming so PC, like everyone in Camden Falls has some kind of special chapter 2-defining characteristic that the people who were mean to the Ramseys when they first moved to the ‘Brook would have an issue with. In Camden Falls though, everyone gets along!
So, do you read Main Street? If it weren’t written by Ann, would you still read it?
