Part of Your World is Delightfully Nostalgic

When I heard Karen Witemeyer was writing a fairytale retelling of Disney's The Little Mermaid, I was thrilled because of my connection to the film. When I was five years old, I got a VHS of The Little Mermaid (1989) for my birthday and promptly played it on repeat till I practically wore out the tape. Ariel's world of adventure and longing completely captured my imagination. (Be honest, aren't you still singing along to the unforgettable soundtrack?)

Fun fact: Jodi Benson who is the iconic voice of Ariel is from my hometown which only made my childhood obsession that much more magical. 

Part of Your World is Karen's clever reimaging of this fairytale. It's evident that this story is close to the author's heart. 

Fairytale retellings can be tricky to pull off. Lean too heavily on the original storyline and readers feel the story is too predictable. Karen manages to have enough nuanced Easter egg references to the Disney classic that are innovative and subtle.

Muriel Quinn feels far more at home beneath the waves than within the rigid expectations of society on land. As the youngest daughter, her father expects her to embrace the duties and decorum of respectable womanhood even if that life feels confining to her adventurous spirit.

Zane Erickson understands that same tension between expectation and passion. Despite coming from a wealthy and respected family, he chooses to pursue architecture instead of following the path laid out for him, creating friction between his ambitions and his family’s wishes.

Together, Muriel and Zane’s struggles reflect the heart of every great fairytale retelling: the desire to pursue the life that calls to you, even when the world expects something else entirely.

One of the strongest elements of the novel is its underlying message of redemption. The theme that God can redeem anyone is woven naturally throughout the story, giving the novel both emotional depth and spiritual encouragement without overwhelming the narrative.

Fans of fairytale retellings, historical romance, and faith-filled fiction will find a great deal to enjoy in this read. Karen Witemeyer once again delivers a story that feels imaginative, heartfelt, and delightfully nostalgic. I'd rate it a solid 4 1/2 out of 5 stars not to be missed. I loved Part of Your World and am looking forward to re-reading it when it's released in June. It's the perfect summer read not to be missed.

**I received an ARC copy of Part of Your World in return for my honest opinion. All views expressed are my own. **

 

Singleness Isn't a Waiting Room Essay

 I wrote this essay for my newsletter subscribers and got such positive responses; I wanted to share it with all of you in hopes that it would encourage you.

If you like this content, you can subscribe to my newsletters through this link (Blonde Classic). 

Singleness Isn't a Waiting Room by Emilee Hill

At 41, I have been “single as a Pringle” for most of my adult life. And yes, now I’m craving Pringles. I’ve had two serious relationships in my life. I ended both of them because of unhealthy issues on their part that they were unwilling to seek help for, and I knew I couldn’t live with that.

 Friends and family often ask if I’m dating, and the current answer is no. Because honestly, how do you meet normal people these days?

 Usually after I say, “No, I’m not dating anyone,” the next question is, “Are you okay with that?” Lately, my answer has been yes. I am at total peace with it.

 That answer made me pause and ask a deeper question. Is it the right kind of peace? Peace is defined as a state of tranquility or quiet. Have I become so comfortable being alone that I now see future relationships as disruptive to my peace? Or am I finally okay on my own and just overthinking it?

 I don’t have a clear answer yet. But I do know this. The right relationship would not take away my peace. It would meet me where I am.

 Over the past six years, I’ve grown accustomed to and often truly enjoy my alone time. As a single person, I have total autonomy and freedom over every area of my life. I can hog the remote control, bake brownies at midnight, or take a two-hour bubble bath with a good book.

 It’s easy to settle into that independent mindset, like Flowers by Miley Cyrus or You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore. Sometimes I find myself leaning into the attitude of “I don’t need anyone.”

 And if I’m honest, there are moments when that independence feels strong and freeing. But there have also been quieter moments. Times when I’ve wondered what it would be like to share life with someone or questioned if I’m missing something. Not constantly, but enough to remind me that I’m still human.

 Society sends mixed messages about singleness. On one hand, independence is celebrated and praised. On the other hand, there’s an underlying pull that suggests if you aren’t paired up, you’re somehow missing out. Between those two extremes lies the truth.

 Singleness isn’t a waiting room where life is on pause until something better comes along. It’s a life that is already happening.

 From a faith perspective, singleness isn’t a consolation prize or something to be fixed. It is a season with its own purpose. In First Epistle to the Corinthians 7:32–34, Paul speaks about the unique freedom unmarried people have to focus on the things of God and give Him undivided attention. This does not make marriage less valuable, but it does affirm that singleness is not lesser.

 If you are in a season of singleness, I want to encourage you. Maybe you’re struggling with loneliness, comparison, or the feeling of being overlooked. Jesus does not promise marriage to all of us. If we are in Him, what more do we truly need?

 That doesn’t mean your feelings don’t matter. They do. Acknowledge them. Be honest about them. But don’t let them define you or keep you stuck there.

 What has helped me most is surrounding myself with godly people, whether that is family, pastors, or friends, who offer wise and loving guidance. People who care enough to speak truth, even when it’s not always what I want to hear.

 Stay open to what God is doing in your life. Be intentional with your relationships and your experiences now, instead of putting your life on hold for what might come next.

 As for me, I’m still learning, still growing, and still working on contentment. But I believe the right kind of peace is this. Being grounded enough that whether love comes or not, my life is already full.

The Moon is Blue is a Sharp Romantic Comedy

 

Otto Preminger directed The Moon is Blue (1953).  Based upon a 1951 play of the same name it is a comedy of manners.  This genre gently satirizes social conventions, romantic expectations, and the unspoken rules governing polite society. 

This film broke some censorship barriers in Hollywood for its casual use of words like "virgin", "mistress", and "seduction" in discourse. It's relatively tame in comparison to today's movie making standards, but in the 1950's it challenged the boundaries and limits of acceptable film content. 

Maggie McNamara plays the role of Patty O'Neill an ingenue...caught between the interest of two aging playboys portrayed by William Holden and David Niven.  What's a girl to do?  (I'd have a hard time deciding between the two.) Each offers a different appeal leaving Patty (and the audience) wondering what choice she'll make. 

Going into watching is film, I was aware that it was controversial, but I found it well written, sharp, and witty. The dialogue is the film's greatest strength. It's quick, playful, full of subtle humor that keeps the viewer engaged and wishing they could have some of the same clever comebacks. 

If you enjoy films from Hollywood's Golden Age, I urge you to check this one out.

Fun Film Trivia:

The Moon is Blue (1953) is Maggie McNamara's film debut. She previously played the role of Patty O'Neill on stage in Chicago. 

Australian American director Otto Preminger also directed a German version of this film called The Girl on the Roof (1953). The young couple that speaks to Holden and McNamara on the observation deck of The Empire State building also make cameo appearances in the German version.