If I had to pick the book that shaped my childhood, this would be it. Oh God, this was such a childhood favorite of mine.
Political intrigues, tragic If I had to pick the book that shaped my childhood, this would be it. Oh God, this was such a childhood favorite of mine.
Political intrigues, tragic lovers (I bawled so much at the end that it could have been legitimately labeled hysterics), a deliciously tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, and plots-within-plots. Still so very good, after all these years.
Diana, our heroine, is not that interesting, I confess (her best friend Jeanne is about twenty times more exciting and awesome), but the rest - the pragmatic, irreverent Chicot, who genuinely loves his weak King, Henri III (a fascinating character in his own right), the various Guises, the villanous Duke d'Anjou, the irrepresible and crushworthy St Luc and Jeanne, the gluttonous monk friend of Chicot, the sinister Monsoreau, and of course, the hot-tempered, proud, and passionate Bussy, Diana's lover and my ultimate childhood crush (I shudder to think how Dumas influenced my real-life preferences in men).
In fact, I am probably going to go reread it right now!...more
Uneven but a lot of fun overall, this book was apparently a huge sensation when it came out and resulted in asylum reform.
The story's brilliant but hUneven but a lot of fun overall, this book was apparently a huge sensation when it came out and resulted in asylum reform.
The story's brilliant but high-strung Oxonian protagonist, Alfred, is confined in an asylum by his evil father who is afraid his son will reveal his crime to the police. Did I mention this happens on Alfred's wedding day to his one true love, Julia? (Alfred/Julia Forever!!!!) Even though Alfred is perfectly sane, he cannot prove it in any way and nobody is interested. Eventually, after a couple of years of torment, he manages to escape and take his father to court to prove his sanity, with the help of Julia of course. Victorian melodrama, histionics and fun abound. ...more
This is a fairly short but incredibly complete novel about two damaged and shut-off people - a mural painter and a brilliant biology student, who slowThis is a fairly short but incredibly complete novel about two damaged and shut-off people - a mural painter and a brilliant biology student, who slowly navigate falling in love and opening up. It's a brilliant story, even if some of the stuff in it made me viscerally uncomfortable (the male half the the couple, Nakajima, is pretty much permanently and irreparably damaged). ...more
Emily and Valancourt and the eeeevil Montoni, plus family secrets and skeletons and castles and pretty pastoral descriptions. This has held up surprisEmily and Valancourt and the eeeevil Montoni, plus family secrets and skeletons and castles and pretty pastoral descriptions. This has held up surprisingly well over the centuries and it's fun to see where a lot of Gothic tropes came from....more
I love over-the-top romanticism and traaaagedy, plus I like peeking into such a different worldview, so four stars.
Though a word to the wise - I likeI love over-the-top romanticism and traaaagedy, plus I like peeking into such a different worldview, so four stars.
Though a word to the wise - I like this novel as much for being a historical curiousity as its merits as a work of fiction (to modern eyes, it can seem prosy and drawn-out, but to me, the leisurely unfolding is part of its charm). ...more
Very enjoyable (and clearly an inspiration for Austen), though I confess being more interested in the complex, frustrating Lady Delacour than (the admVery enjoyable (and clearly an inspiration for Austen), though I confess being more interested in the complex, frustrating Lady Delacour than (the admittedly charming) Belinda herself....more
This is one of the best known 18th century English novels and was incredibly popular in its own time, but I confess I could never figure out why - EveThis is one of the best known 18th century English novels and was incredibly popular in its own time, but I confess I could never figure out why - Evelina herself is insipid, Lord Orville is so uniformly perfect as to be utterly uninteresting, and the secondary characters are revolting or boring in turns. I'd recommend Burney's Cecilia instead or maybe some of Maria Edgeworth's works....more
I happen to love this book more than the combined works of Jane Austen (blasphemy, I know). While lacking Austen's sparkling style, I find this book hI happen to love this book more than the combined works of Jane Austen (blasphemy, I know). While lacking Austen's sparkling style, I find this book has emotional connection and focus on social issues than I find lacking in Austen's works. It's probably my favorite 18th century novel, in fact.
The story revolves around Cecilia, a young woman who has inherited an enormous fortune but who can keep it only if, upon marriage, her husband agrees to take her name. Unfortunately, Cecilia has fallen for Delville, a dashing young aristocrat whose proud family would never agree to a name change.
I confess that I adore Cecilia and have a crush on Delville. Cecilia is smart, strong and full of common sense. Delville is a dutiful young aristocrat who finally has enough and defies his psycho Mom for the love of Cecilia (in my favorite scene in the book). The book is chockful of funny scenes, passionate declarations of love, misunderstandings, jealousy, elopment, and every other good thing. I never understood why Burney's Evelina, with the really annoying secondary characters, insipid heroine and patterncard of perfection hero, is better known....more
Its archaic style lends it a certain charm, but the main reason I enjoyed it was its flawed yet sympathetic protagonist and the surprisingly feminist Its archaic style lends it a certain charm, but the main reason I enjoyed it was its flawed yet sympathetic protagonist and the surprisingly feminist elements (such as the portrayal of an unhappy marriage). ...more
I am very very fond of Pamela the novel and Pamela the protagonist (the atrocious Mr. B, however, should drown in a vat of gin), mainly because I findI am very very fond of Pamela the novel and Pamela the protagonist (the atrocious Mr. B, however, should drown in a vat of gin), mainly because I find it such an interesting period piece, a sort of time machine to other places and mores and society - read from a historical perspective, it's quite an irresistible gem.
Read for what it is, it is quite entertaining in fact - Pamela outwits the repugnant but dim Mr. B at every turn and the reward for her dedicated virtue is converting her upperclass would-be rapist to probity and matrimony and snagging a life of leisure and riches for herself. Sure, Mr. B is a booby, but that's a pretty good outcome for a servant girl in mid-18th century.
Plus, I would like this book if for no other reason than being the inspiration for Fielding's hilarious Shamela and wonderful Joseph Andrews....more
Loading...
