While not a fan of most of his short stories I thought I should probably try and read Morrison's novel about the slums in East London. It was odd in l...moreWhile not a fan of most of his short stories I thought I should probably try and read Morrison's novel about the slums in East London. It was odd in lots of ways. It seemed to be under the impression that every poor person was a criminal, and that they were criminals because it was easier than working, not because there were no jobs. (Women's work was ignored or discounted). The oddest thing was that a bunch of homes were destroyed and people made homeless in order to build a new church at great expense. But of course this wasn't considered a "bad thing". I think it was good to have read this. Particularly for my new job. But I'm not sure I'd recommend it as it seemed to glorify the worst stereotypes. It was like he was wanting to be Zola, but failing on so many levels! (less)
I came across the works of Morrison while I was doing background reading for my job interview. He wrote "realistic" novels and short stories about poo...moreI came across the works of Morrison while I was doing background reading for my job interview. He wrote "realistic" novels and short stories about poor people in the East End. When I started to read I realised this was "Eastenders" for the late Victorians. One big soap opera about people who had less money and were more criminal and immoral than you were. He be-friended a vicar in the area who believed that the poorest were irredeemable and should be put in single sex concentration camps and be left to die out. Unfortunatly this attitude tends to come through in a lot of the stories. His characters don't seem like real people with real problems, but rather he writes like they were a sub class of human. While there is a lot of poverty and misfortune in the stories it seems like most of the people's problems result from them being gulliable or making stupid descisions and you got the impression that they were slightly to blame for their own poverty. However, there was one story that was pure brilliance. To Bow Bridge is a story about a trip on a 19th century night bus. For anyone whose taken a modern night bus in London it was brilliant to read and see how so little changes! Here were people trying to hurry to the next part of town where the pubs stayed open an hour later so they could keep drinking a bit longer. There were fights, someone throwing up, girls giggling, the people coming home from work, a woman out to late with her kids. It was a beautiful little slice of life that was captured and really rang true. I wish there had been more observational stories like this and less of the poor people are a subclass. Not all the other stories were as that bad, but overall it left you with a feeling that people were poor because they were stupid or bad. There were a few exceptions to this, one was about a woman and her mother who lived together running a school, that had no children and were hated by their neighbours for assuming airs, but eventually starved to death with no one realising they were hurting. To Bow bridge is availble as an etext here (as is the rest of the stories) http://www.artintheblood.com/mh/means... I am still interested in reading other books by Morrison. (less)
Some of the selections here were essays and some were speeches but overall I preferred the direct non-fiction approach to what Morris was wanting to e...moreSome of the selections here were essays and some were speeches but overall I preferred the direct non-fiction approach to what Morris was wanting to explain with his view on socialism. What I found most interesting was how so many of the problems he was describing are the problems we still haven't come any closer to fixing, globalisation, cheap labour, war for economic gains. It is also always refreshing to read Victorian writers complain about the problems of the "Modern" world. While I thought a couple of the essays a little dull, overall I really enjoyed his style and insight. I think I would have been very happy living in his communist society. I liked the (impossibly) idealistic world he created, but I also liked it when he'd let his pessimism show through. I think my favourite paragraph of all was when he was saying how his study of history and art had led him to a hatred of civilisation. I could identify with that so much. All told very interesting and definitely recommended. It made me even more proud of my tattoo, so much more than simply a guy who designed wall paper for posh people...(less)
I'd read Hoffna's the Devil's Elixirs before and liked it so was pleased to discover this in a charity shop. It was a wonderful story of murder set ag...moreI'd read Hoffna's the Devil's Elixirs before and liked it so was pleased to discover this in a charity shop. It was a wonderful story of murder set against the backdrop of the "affair of the poisons" in Paris. The atmosphere was very dark and claustrophobic. Everyone was paranoid and there was much fear of the police. The main character Mme de Scuderi was a great heroine, 73, sharp and compassionate, she was also a force to be reckoned with and even the King listened to her. The plot was interesting, dramatic with lots of twists and turns. Definitely one I'd recommend. I shall have to attempt to find more Hoffman, once again I wish I knew German better so I could read him in the original! :( (less)
I first heard of Zola with an extract from this book, and it was one of the most incredible things I'd ever read. It took me awhile to find a copy of...moreI first heard of Zola with an extract from this book, and it was one of the most incredible things I'd ever read. It took me awhile to find a copy of this in English. I've read other Zola books before this but this was definitely my favourite. I admire what Zola was trying to do, write reality as it happened, but I feel that in a lot of his books he falls short doing that, making the humans more miserable than they need to be, using plot devices to make things go from worse to worse. Here there was none of that. Here it really felt like he was capturing the world as it was. There were some lovely speeches, and some lovely scenes of Paris in the 60s and 70s. I loved that while the author was non-judgemental in having characters living together and having children without being married, the character in the book that represented him, wasn't able to invite the women in the unmarried couples to his house for dinner because that would be "Improper". I throughly enjoyed this. I think it is definitely the best Zola I've read so far, and I think I will have to try and read more. (less)
I may have discovered my new favourite author for the year. This book was truly wonderful. I started to read this one next as it was the first book th...moreI may have discovered my new favourite author for the year. This book was truly wonderful. I started to read this one next as it was the first book that Coreli wrote, however it was just so beautifully written I had to stop reading it online and instead ordered myself a 19th century edition. The edition I bought was gorgeous, leather binding with marbled endpapers and edges. The text was clear and beautiful paper. It took a week to wait and occasionally the anticipation would get too much and I’d read another chapter online, but when I did get the 19th century edition I finished the last third in a day. This really is a book I probably shouldn’t like. It’s main purpose is to point out the problem of atheism and how god and Christianity is very much real and relevant for today. Granted Corelli’s god is an interesting blend of Catholicism and Victorian spiritualism. (Mary being an extra planar creature that was sent down to show women how to live a faultless life the way Jesus was for men, and Jesus not being a sacrifice but rather a good example). But I still loved the book. As Bill says about Augustine, it really made me wish I could believe in this god character they were talking about cause he sounds quite cool. But the book was just so wonderful on so many levels. The main character was a young independent woman, who made her living by being an accomplished piano player and composer. At no point was there any mention of gender norms, or guardians, or husbands for her. She was just living independently as she willed. When the book started she was terribly depressed and the way Corelli wrote about depression was beautiful. Then there was the lovely supernatural element to the book, the mysterious man who was able to heal using the power of electricity (and Christianity). There were also Xena levels of subtext going on as when the main character met the healer’s sister there was a great deal of kissing and declarations of love. At the end of the book there was a truly remarkable scene where the main character completely told off the man who was supposedly in love with Zara for only being in love with her body, but that she could appreciate her properly and loved her body and mind and how Zara could never have been happy just as an ordinary wife for him. The spirituality that was the focus of the book reminded me a fair bit of CS Lewis, in that it came across as a nice fantasy. There were other worlds in habited by other beings and it read like a lovely myth (even though it was supposed to be true). It’s odd that till a few weeks ago I’d never heard of Corelli, especially considering how popular she was said to have been at the end of the 19th century. But I’m really glad I did. I have already got one more lovely 19th century edition of hers to read, and another on order from abebooks. I haven’t enjoyed a new author this much since Mrs. Gaskell. I’m really looking forward to reading more of Corelli’s work. (less)
I'd not read any Sand bfore and I must admit I didn't care for this one at all. I think growing up in the countryside has given me an in-built hatred...moreI'd not read any Sand bfore and I must admit I didn't care for this one at all. I think growing up in the countryside has given me an in-built hatred for anything that pictures "idyllic peasants". If I'm going to read novels about the countryside I want them to be about people filled with hate for their society, not paragon's of virtue. The problem with this book was that everyone was just too happy and perfect. I felt sorry for the main character Marie, even though she was pure good and empty-headed, she was nearly raped and then ended up getting married at 16 to a man who was 28 and already had three children. I just couldn't believe that any 16 year old should be a step mother to three kids! And that was the "happy ending". After the main story ended there were details about the folk wedding rituals. Which I'm afraid I just found a bit dull. The style, even in translation was fine, but I'm afraid the rest just didn't do anything for me.(less)
I have to say I did like this much better than Jane Eyre, Lucy Snowe never lost her independence the way Jane did when she fell in love. But there was...moreI have to say I did like this much better than Jane Eyre, Lucy Snowe never lost her independence the way Jane did when she fell in love. But there was just something a little off about this book. I enjoyed the style, there were some amusing and beautiful turns of phrase but I felt like I never quite connected with the character the way I should. I admired her independent spirit, her forthrightness and the way she totally ingnored convention. But her lack of drive and passion felt odd. She was very good at understanding other people, but not so much herself. The other problem I had with it was that there really wasn't much of a plot. It just seemed to float along with characters appearing and disappearing at will. There wasn't much tension or drama. I realised about 100 pages from the end that it was turning into a romance with the detestable school master. Which I really couldn't stand. I loved that Lucy stood up to him, but any man who says what is "proper" art for a woman to observe, is not my idea of a romantic hero! I think my biggest problem though was that there was no social commentary. The Victorian novels (and indeed novels from any period) I like the most are the ones that have something to say about society and the injustices and hypocrisy therein. Here there really didn't seem to be any of that, despite the societal characters being shallow. That said I didn't dislike the novel. It was quite interesting, though not nearly as nice as her sisters books. I will read Shirley though as that seems to be more political and perhaps more than just a governess and her love. (less)
Where this not German literature I would say this book very much falls into the Gothic category. The stories were full of evil catholics, unwed mother...moreWhere this not German literature I would say this book very much falls into the Gothic category. The stories were full of evil catholics, unwed mothers and unspeakable activities by the church. The style (in translation) seems half way between a William Morris style re-creation of medivael stories and the gothic novels of the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the short stories are a little odd in places, the timing seemed strange, stories seemed to end abruptly of go on too long in places. Michael Kohlmas started very strongly, a man's misfortune and his rampage of revenge, but then it dissolves into court cases and politics. There isn't much in the way of characterisation, but the stories make up for that in atmosphere. While in many ways the stories are morality tales there is an awful lot of gray area, and it is frequently the (Catholic) church itself that hands out the misfortune. I found this to be an interesting and different collection of stories. As always whenever I read anything translated from German I wish my German were good enough to read it in the original as they do have some wonderfully gloomy stories. (less)
I feel like I can now quite safely say I do not care at all for Dickens! This was my third (and probably final) attempt at liking one of his novels. I...moreI feel like I can now quite safely say I do not care at all for Dickens! This was my third (and probably final) attempt at liking one of his novels. It was recommended to me by people who also don't normally like him so I thought it'd be my best chance and there were indeed some parts I did like. I liked Paul and Florence as children, there was one description of Paul at school as an old alchemical text which I thought was brilliant. I liked Florence and Edith when they were grown up. Indeed the only way I could make it through the secound half was imagining all sorts of femslash between Edith and Florence - who loved each other so much - and I just really wanted the two of them to run away together. I had two huge problems with the book. One the unbearably cartoonish/caricture charcters. Captain Cuttle, Bagstock, Mr Dombey, Miss Tonks etc. They were just so far removed from actual people they just made the whole thing seem like a farce. It totally removed any of the feeling and depth to the story because it was far too ridiculous to be remotely plausible. The other problem I had was that nothing really happened. While I don't have a problem with that in books that have great characterisation, here it was almost unbearable. People met and had idiotic conversations and left to disapear for a few chapters then come back and something similar would happen. I must admit with only a few exceptional sentences I didn't care at all for Dickens prose. Normally I love the Victorian style of writing, but compared to most of the authors I like he just writes like an exceptional verbose children's book. So no more Dickens for me. At least not for a few years. There are so many Victorian authors I do love and would rather be reading those.(less)
I was really hoping to like this more. I did really enjoy the woman in white but I found this quite disappointing. I was excited about the idea of a m...moreI was really hoping to like this more. I did really enjoy the woman in white but I found this quite disappointing. I was excited about the idea of a morally ambiguous heroine and a witty novel, hoping for another Becky Sharpe, but alas it was not meant to be. The main character was at first at spoilt girl then she decided on “a plan” but her plan was failed immediately and all the scheming came from Mr. Wragge who was rather awful. I felt like him and his wife were straight out of a Dickens novel, with their cartoonish behaviour. His wife’s “condition” just wasn’t written very well. Wragge was just far too clever, conniving, annoying and just generally unpleasant to read. The one interesting and clever woman was the villain. The plot was rather obvious how it was going to play out, so there was just no tension in the different "scenes" very little changed, and even if all the schemeing did eventually get the girls their fortune back, it was mostly through marriage and not through their own ingenuity that they got their rewards. The lesson seemed to be all women try to do to help themselves will fail, they are only rewarded for being beautiful and keeping to their proper place in society. Which needless to say I did not much care for! I felt the writing style was rather bland. Nowhere was the nice first person prose of the woman in white. While it was supposed to be humorous (I think) I just wasn’t finding it so. Half way through I found myself loosing interest and decided to try and finish it as quickly as possible. I must say after reading this I much less interested in reading any more Wilkie Collins. (less)
Having enjoyed "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" so much I decided that I would read Agnes Gray, this was definitely the lesser of the two novels and yet...moreHaving enjoyed "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" so much I decided that I would read Agnes Gray, this was definitely the lesser of the two novels and yet it was still interesting and enjoyable. What I liked most about this book was the extreme frankness with which it was written. Anne didn't attempt to hide her contempt for the people around her. I loved her descriptions of how horrible the first set of children she had to look after were. It seemed like something out of the worst of modern reality television. I also liked how she admitted her own deficiency when dealing with them, loosing her temper, getting angry and physically violent. The second family she stayed with seemed much more reasonable and I have to say it felt like Agnes' own prejudices kept her from enjoying that position as much as she did. Yes the daughters came across as dreadfully shallow, but they did also seem to want to be friends. Even if Agnes didn't feel sorry for her pupil marrying the horrible Lord I did. Agnes as a character was much less outspoken than Helen. She was quiet and awkward. Having read both books I felt like Helen was the ideal and Agnes much more the reality. The only downfall in this book was the religion and the romance. The religion felt a little heavy handed at times, particularly the long scene in the poor woman's cottage that went on at the difference between the bad rector and the good curate. Likewise the romance felt a bit artificial. It was almost as if it was just there for convention as if a book about a young woman had to have a romance and end with marriage. The wistful longings seemed a bit out of place, though I did laugh as I was getting a bit bored, just as the narration apologized for boring the reader! It was a very quick read, like Tenant it has a nice light style. While not brilliant it was definitely worth reading. (less)
I may have a new favourite Bronte! This book was everybit as wonderful as wuthering heights and so much better than Jane Eyre! I loved the writing sty...moreI may have a new favourite Bronte! This book was everybit as wonderful as wuthering heights and so much better than Jane Eyre! I loved the writing style, it was very 19th century but light and easy to read. The plot was a simple (yet complicated and tragic) romance story but the characterisation was superb. They all felt very real. Helen, despite her tendancy towards Christian moralising was one of the greatest women in literature I've come across. Beautiful, intelligent, fiercly independant and always able to speak her mind no matter the circumstances. I loved that she was arguing against enforced gender roles in the begining, when discussing how she should raise her son. That she kept to her own ideas of convention and morality. Even though she was very good I liked the fact that it was a morality she'd decided for herself, and not one that she accepted from society, but would fly in the face of society to do what she thought was right. I don't want to say more without giving too much away but I really loved her. Her speech at the end about the rose brought me to tears. Even her husband was drawn with a great deal of sympathy and humanity. In Mrs Gaskell's biography of Charlotte I learned how their brother was a drunk and opium addict and he was the inspiration for Helen's husband. Even when Helen hated him when his behaviour was at his worst there was still a spark there that reminded you why he was likeable. He was so far from the charicature of a drunk and unfaithful husband that you read in other 19th century literature. The minor characters also felt well fleshed out and believable. The incidents of drunkeness and romance, while not as shocking as they might have been back then, still felt very real and emotional. I loved this book, I think it's one of the best I've read this year and I am looking forward to reading Agnes Grey. (less)
I enjoyed this book a lot. I have to say I much preferred it to the Moonstone. The style was most enjoyable, particularly Hartwright and Marion's part...moreI enjoyed this book a lot. I have to say I much preferred it to the Moonstone. The style was most enjoyable, particularly Hartwright and Marion's parts. The story was gripping and moving the whole way through and despite being very long I felt the pacing was really good. The only weak part I felt was the ending, which after it had been building for so long, the revelation of the "secret" and the fate of the two villains seemed rather poor. I did enjoy the characterisation, the characters seemed vaguely stereotypical but were still likeable, and the villains not too over-the-top, everyone had a sense of realism to them. Marion was easily the best character, a very intelligent woman who was sacrificing everything for the well being of her half sister. I think it said something that the man fell in love with the beautiful dull sister instead of the ugly intelligent one, even though it was clear that he and Marion were a much better match. It was also an odd ending for her that she was supposed to live happily ever after as the "old maid" "companion" to her half-sister. It was almost as if there was some subtext there, except of course they were related! The woman in white herself I liked a lot, and wish she'd had more scenes and we'd heard more about her life. It's hard to write a review of this without giving anything away. But I really enjoyed it and will definitely be reading more books by Willkie Collins. (less)
I started re-reading this for a project I'm working on and was struck again by what a wonderful story this is. I do so enjoy the over-the-top prose, t...moreI started re-reading this for a project I'm working on and was struck again by what a wonderful story this is. I do so enjoy the over-the-top prose, the Victorian innuendo, and the melodramatic story. The ending isn't quite as satisfying as I'd hope, Carmilla's death seems to be over in an instant, and the lack of personal contact at the end kinda ignores the closeness of the relationship that had been building to that point. Laura should have surely shown a little disbelief that her friend was a monster or that she was killed in such a horrid manner. Still quite possibly the best vampire story ever. (less)
I did enjoy this book, though it was terribly melodramatic in parts and did tend to go on a bit. It started very strongly, the main character was a de...moreI did enjoy this book, though it was terribly melodramatic in parts and did tend to go on a bit. It started very strongly, the main character was a delightful young widow who wasn't interested in convention or other people's opinions, she was witty, wealth...y and generous. Then she had the misfortune to fall in love, and the man she fell in love with was a complete idiot and everything went down hill from there. Whenever something happened Leonce always chose the wrong option, leading them both down a path that led to their ultimate destruction. Still when he wasn't around there were some very interesting discussions about the fate and trials of (upper class) women in late 18th century France. It was interesting as so much of the book, was simply conversations between women. When these conversations dealt with philosophy, society and morality they were quite interesting, unfortunately when they were just dealing with the melodramatic romance not quite so much. The minor characters were also well written with a strong degree of difference between them, some I loved, some I hated. It was a very well written book, even in translation I enjoyed the style of the letters. While not as good as Dangerous liaisons I definitely do want to read more by this author.(less)
I have to say this is my least favorite Hardy book I've read to date. The thing I like most about Hardy is the way he gets into his characters, their...moreI have to say this is my least favorite Hardy book I've read to date. The thing I like most about Hardy is the way he gets into his characters, their thoughts their motivations, this just seemed terribly superficial. There were a few passages that were beautifully written, but overall this really didn't do it for me. For one thing it was very much written in dialect when the characters spoke and I didn't much care for that. I think part of the problem was also that the two main characters were called Dick and Fancy, which I kept reading as Dick and Fanny and then giggling like a 12 year old boy! But there just wasn't really much depth to this story. It was a mediocre love story, and the slice of life that it portrayed wasn't that interesting or insightful I thought. Still I have loved many other Thomas Hardy books so I won't hold this one too much against him and will keep reading the rest. (less)
This is a light hearted little book with some interesting ideas. It is written in a funny, though sometimes a little superior way. The main character...moreThis is a light hearted little book with some interesting ideas. It is written in a funny, though sometimes a little superior way. The main character is a shop assistant who goes on a bicycling holiday, falls in love with a young girl he meets and ends up deciding to improve his life. The young girl has run away from her step mothers home with a man because she wants to be a writer and a journalist. The (married) man wanted an affair and the girl is most distraught to discover his true intentions. Him wanting to "awaken her sexual desires" where she's just interested in having her own life and writing. The irony comes from her step mother who wrote a book about a young girl (though 21 not 18) who goes to Paris to live by herself to paint. But the step mother is horrified that her step daughter would take this to heart and actually think of doing something similar. It's an enjoyable, if light, story. There's a lot about learning to ride bicycles, and biking holidays. But even if (like me) you've not ridden a bicycle since you were 13, it's still fun. (less)
So back when I was a teenager I feel in love with the show Beauty and the Beast and in the first episode Vincent reads Great expectations to Cathy, so...moreSo back when I was a teenager I feel in love with the show Beauty and the Beast and in the first episode Vincent reads Great expectations to Cathy, somehow I'd never brought myself to read it. But now I was going to see Linda Hamilton, and had a gorgeous 19th century illustrated version of it. I thought it was time I tried, even though the other Dickens I read I didn't love. I started it and found it very slow going. The problem I have with Dickens is that his writing appears very juvenile. He doesn't have the elaborate Victorian writing style I love. Which makes me think maybe I should have read it when I was younger, but then when I was younger I wouldn't have liked it because there are so many male characters and so few female ones. I really didn't like Pip. I didn't like his snobbery, his aspirations. He had nothing in him that was interesting or yearning for greater intellectual life. The first volume was particularly uninteresting. Of course I knew of Miss Havisham, but she just appeared pathetic. Her rogue of a husband leaving her and her refusing to change. I think if he'd died, I would have been able to appreciate her mourning a bit better. But to waste your life on someone that left, was just stupid. The 2nd volume I enjoyed a bit more, I liked Little Britain, because I was working on the street next door, and it's very fun to be somewhere reading about where you are 150 years earlier. So that I liked. I also liked the lawyers secretary. But there were so many parts, with the family, and the friends that just served no purpose at all, no real plot or character development. The third volume where "all was revealed" wasn't really all that surprising or shocking and felt the way it was played out was rather unsatisfactory. Though I did like the last chapter. I will continue to try and appreciate Dickens, but he's the only Victorian author I've read so far I just don't get on with, yet. (less)
This book falls into the category of "19th century American authors I don't like". I wanted to like it, the story of an "awakening" of a 19th century...moreThis book falls into the category of "19th century American authors I don't like". I wanted to like it, the story of an "awakening" of a 19th century woman stuck in America. But I just didn't. The writing style just put me off. One of the reasons I love Victorian fiction so much is that I love the lyrical style of writers like Hardy and Gaskell, and the insightful way in which they write about people. This novel had none of that. It also seemed that the subject matter, women may fall in love with men other than their husbands and have sexual feelings" was something that wasn't really that new by 1898, and had already been written about much better. I found the main character rather annoying. She didn't seem particularly restrained by the society she was living in, she was able to go out and get her own place, call on her own friends, and develop an intimate friendship with two men that weren't her husband, without being a subject of scandal. Indeed when her husband complained to the doctor about her, the doctor told him such things were common. I guess to me the idea that this kind of nothing romance was her big awakening was kind of disappointing. I wanted her to be doing more and feeling more. So I won't be reading anything else by Chopin. Quite disappointing, especially after loving the Gilman so much. (less)
I may have a new author to add to my favourites. I'd never heard of Gilman until Bill gave me a copy of The Yellow Wallpaper to read a few years ago a...moreI may have a new author to add to my favourites. I'd never heard of Gilman until Bill gave me a copy of The Yellow Wallpaper to read a few years ago and I thought it was amazing. The story of a woman haunted by the paper in her bedroom being slowly driven mad by it and the supposed cure for her depression. The other stories in this collection are similarly great, some are spooky some are positive, but they all have the message of you should follow your passion. There seems to be a real progression in the stories, at first they are lamenting the boundaries placed on women by society, her inability to be free, be herself. Then they show ways that women can, or could in a magical world, free herself and live a life of equality. Then towards the end are stories, that go beyond gender, and have both men and women giving up the drudgery of normal life and following their dreams. Unfortunately in most cases there is the presence of a large sum of money, or a relative who can help out and allow these events to take place. But they still seem like stories of hope. While reading these stories I couldn't help but wonder if Gilman came across HG Wells in her visits. I couldn't decide if they would have hated each other or got along. But I think her worldview would have been very good for him. The second part of the book was extracts from her autobiography, which was fascinating, not just for the honestly of her breakdown and its aftermath but also for such a non conventional 19th century woman's background. Being raised by a single mother, and then getting divorced herself. I found it all fascinating, even her ideas on how to be a good parent. I will definitely need to hunt down the full version, and have added nearly everything I could find by her to my Amazon wish list. I normally don't care for American 19th century authors at all, not even Poe, but Gilman was lovely! (less)
I was so excited when I discovered this book. I loved Frankenstein so much and this was an apocalyptic story, the last man on earth. The book was writ...moreI was so excited when I discovered this book. I loved Frankenstein so much and this was an apocalyptic story, the last man on earth. The book was written after (Percy) Shelley's death and Byron also died when she was a third of the way through writing it and I think this had a big influence on the book. The introduction is lovely, telling how exploration of the Sybil's cave in Greece led them to finding the real and secret hidden cave, where they found pages of prophecy. The prophecy is the tale of the end of man's time on earth. The book starts very slowly. I think it took me about two weeks to read the first half. It's gorgeous romantic style prose that is hard going but very rewarding. The first half of the novel is set in the 21st century of England. It feels almost like a gothic novel, rather than a futuristic one. The King has abdicated and is living as a Duke. There are fictionalised versions of Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, tragic romances and battles to govern England. About half way through the book, with the death of the Byron character, it all starts to go horribly wrong. Plague starts spreading across the world and everyone starts dying. With the start of the plague this book becomes one of the most impressive things I've ever read. The destruction of humanity is written about so incredibly beautifully and so realistically. All the different stages the country goes through, the years of death and destruction. In one scene during the height of the plague the main character comes across a woman whose husband has been taken to St Bartholomew’s hospital (right next to where I now work). After the horrors of the hospital he wanders down to Dury lane and finds Hamlet being performed. This was such an astounding scene. It really caught the hopelessness and fear you'd imagine in such a situation. One of the most haunting passages I've ever read. I have to say I really really enjoyed this book. It was such a great look at the failure of nature and humanity. I must now find everything this woman wrote. (less)
This was an interesting book, though not quite what I was expecting. Written in 1895 it caused a sensation for it’s frank portrayal of sex and sexual...moreThis was an interesting book, though not quite what I was expecting. Written in 1895 it caused a sensation for it’s frank portrayal of sex and sexual attitudes, and (according to the back cover) was the story of a strong intelligent woman who had to decide whether to give into her emotions or not. I was excited about reading a book by a woman covering these issues that are normally discussed by male authors such as Hardy and Wells. It was however, a very strange little book. The main character didn’t really come across as clever or interesting. Her entire focus was on that of becoming a wife, and when that failed, becoming a mother. What seemed to make Gallia “unique” was her dislike of other women’s company. At times the writing seemed almost misogynistic when discussing how men had “needs” and if a woman were intelligent then it shouldn’t bother her that a lover would be having sex with another woman while engaged (and not having sex) with her. There was also a lot of odd eugenics in the book about how you should either only marry a healthy male, and if he wasn’t then perhaps you should get someone else to father your children (or get pregnant if the woman was weak). It was all very bizarre. The plot was also mostly a romance, despite having a main character that went to Oxford, she seemed to have no desire or drive to do anything with her life (besides become a mother brought about by the guilt over her own mother’s death). She was terribly in love, and despite her would-be-lover loving her back she decided not to marry him as he wasn’t good enough. The writing style was quite inconsistent. Parts were beautiful and hilarious. Other parts it was confusing as to which characters were talking. It was a very quick easy read for a late Victorian novel. It was interesting and I’m glad I read it but I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to read anything else by this author. I have a feeling that we just wouldn’t have gotten on. (less)
I decided that after the Gypsy Rose Lee I needed to read something literary. This collection of stories was definitely literary, and while I can appre...moreI decided that after the Gypsy Rose Lee I needed to read something literary. This collection of stories was definitely literary, and while I can appreciate the way Tolstoy writes I just didn't care all that much for them. The first story "Family Happiness" was written in the first person by a young girl of 18. I just couldn't stop picturing Tolstoy pretending he was a young girl and as such I couldn't really believe the story. It just felt like a pure male fantasy. The Older man who had the beautiful young girl fall hopelessly in love with him (as she'd never been out in society). Then after their marriage she discovers society which makes him grumpy and her happy, and eventually they go home and live a quiet "happy" family life. I just couldn't believe any of it. The woman was far too accepting and desire less. Her life ended up sad and lonely. I think the worst part was that the years that were described as "totally separate" and without love, were the ones where the children were conceived. The death of Ivan Ilych was a little better. The end with the undiagnosed disease bringing death was quite dramatic. But the fact that he was rather a dull and boring man, realising his life had been rather dull and boring was also rather uninspiring. The Kreutzer sonata was the story of a man who killed his wife. The first half of which was bizarre ramblings/rantings about the status of women and the relationship between the sexes. While it was refreshing to see someone openly discuss sexual relations in a 19th century novel the ideas were so bizarre. Women's madness was caused by having sex during pregnancy and breast feeding and they should go 2 years without sex, or they'll go mad! As well as the idea that women who employ birth control are equal to prostitutes! It was very very odd indeed. Once he'd gotten over his ravings and got on with the story it was quite interesting and dramatic. I felt very sorry for the wife that was murdered. The last story, master and man, was actually my favourite. The story was a nice simple one of a peasant and his master caught in a snow storm again and again by the master's greed. It was a great atmospheric little tale that I enjoyed a great deal. After reading these though, I don't think I'm going to go out and read war and peace anytime soon! (less)
I admit to being a little disappointed by these stories. They reminded me a little of Zola crossed with Mrs. Gaskell. The short stories were nearly al...moreI admit to being a little disappointed by these stories. They reminded me a little of Zola crossed with Mrs. Gaskell. The short stories were nearly all character sketches. The shortest sketches I think I liked the most. There were a few truly beautiful ones, some nice tragedies and a few just kinda silly. The longer stories seemed to mock the people in them just a little too much (including the narrator). I'm wondering if perhaps things were lost a little in the translation. It was interesting to read and learn more about 19th century Prague though. There were a lot of discussions of the use of German vs. Czech which made for very nice social commentary. It was fun picturing all the different places in my mind and learning the different reputations different parts of the town had. It was quite good and I'm glad I read it. But I'm afraid I didn't love it as much as the other books I bought in Prague and I won't be rushing out to find more by this author.(less)
Intellectually I realised I probably shouldn't like this book as much as I did but I really enjoyed it. While the main character was a little silly I...moreIntellectually I realised I probably shouldn't like this book as much as I did but I really enjoyed it. While the main character was a little silly I thought his idea of the beloved was interesting. I liked it on a spooky level, the idea that women were being possessed by the one he loved who kept moving. It had a touch of a ghost story. The fact that he was in love with something so ephemeral, and yet in reality became so obsessed with one woman he rejected that he became so infatuated with her daughter and her granddaughter was delightfully ironic. Of all the three "Avice's" I think I liked the 2nd one best. She was not the best educated, but when she came out of her mother's shadow she seemed to have by far the most spirit. Answering back, doing what she wanted, and of course chasing her own beloved. I thought it telling that the narrator didn't use her real name but also referred to her as Avice. I also liked the brief portraits of the minor characters that came in from time to time. Of course the fact that one man tried to get it on with mother daughter and grand-daughter is terribly creepy when you think about it. The fact that he failed every time made it amusing rather than sinister. I've been thinking a lot about growing up and growing old lately and I think this book did a wonderful job of examining this theme, almost more than it did looking at love, infatuation and obsession. I also found that Hardy's style was by far the most beautiful of any of his books I've read so far. It was stunningly visual and personal. Definitely recommended. (less)
I read a lovely old 1887 version of this book which I found on ebay for about £8. The "cheaper" illustrated green cloth, and black and gold gilt versi...moreI read a lovely old 1887 version of this book which I found on ebay for about £8. The "cheaper" illustrated green cloth, and black and gold gilt versions which are always easy to find for Thackeray, but this was the first one I saw for Mrs. Gaskell. The book had 5 stories Ruth, The Gray Woman, Morton Hall, Mr. Harrison's Confessions, and Hand and Heart. Ruth was very enjoyable. A story that was quite controversial at the time, apparently burned by a member of her husband's congregation. It is interesting to go back and look at the morals and hypocrisy of the time. Gaskell spoke out that a woman who'd "fallen" did not have to be branded for life, and that they could, even after such a "disastrous" start turn into loving Christian women. In the contemporary responses to the book, the biggest criticism seemed to be that the Dissenting preacher came up with the "lie" that Ruth was in fact a widow and let her live that way. While she spent a great deal of time talking about how good Ruth was, and how much she later conformed to the virtuous woman stereotype, Gaskell did also mention that Ruth herself felt no different from when she was younger. To me my favourite time was just before and during her fall when Ruth felt like she was doing no wrong. Just when she decided to give up her virginity to Mr. Bellingham was never addressed, they went from walking after church on a Sunday, to "living in sin" in a hotel in Wales with no explanation, or even any details that they were involved sexually till later when it turned out that Ruth was pregnant. Despite being overtly moral in tone this book was lots of fun. The main characters all had their own strengths and weaknesses and were highly amusing at times, above all they seemed very human. The Gray Woman This story I did not quite like as well as I should have. It was a lovely plot about a young girl married to a murderous aristocrat who had to escape with her maid. While it was quite tense in places, particularly when the girl was hidden under the table next to the corpse, the rest of the tension didn't seem to play out quite so well. Morton Hall This story was brilliant. A short story about the woes and lives of the county squire and his family through several generations. It was hilarious, creepy and tragic. All the things Mrs. Gaskell does best in a short 40 page story. Hand and Heart This seemed to be a children's Sunday school lesson. It was about a little boy who by helping others was able to make the family better and happier. It reminded me of the sort of stories they'd tell us at Bible Camp about how if we were good Christians we'd offer/want to help with the washing up. I never wanted to help with the washing up and therefore thought I wasn't a very good Christian. Needless to say I didn't enjoy this story very much. It was far too over the top. I guess even Mrs. Gaskell can eventually get too religious for me.(less)
This is a moving tale about the Goths fighting off a Roman invasion. There was prophecy and doomed romance and heroic acts of self sacrifice. The char...moreThis is a moving tale about the Goths fighting off a Roman invasion. There was prophecy and doomed romance and heroic acts of self sacrifice. The characterisation was a little light, but I still felt for everyone at the end. There were strong women characters who were full of wisdom and spirit who took an active role in defending their homes even though it was just the men who went to battle. There were hints of fantasy with dwarfs who hated mankind and people who were not quite human. It was a sweet tragedy even though in the end the good guys (the Goths not the Romans) won. I found this book very difficult to read. Not because I wasn't interested in it but because the language and the way it was written was so very different you really had to pay very close attention or it is very easy to get lost. The fact that large sections of the dialogue and speeches were in verse made it even harder for me. But I still managed to enjoy it. The edition I read was a lovely 19th century edition, not the one for Tolkien fans. I think it's important to read Morris in nice old editions as you feel like you are reading a mysterious old epic and having the old paper and the smell of old books really adds to the telling of the story.(less)
The Beetle was released the same year as Dracula and is a supernatural thriller set in London. It is quite unlike most Victorian fiction that I've rea...moreThe Beetle was released the same year as Dracula and is a supernatural thriller set in London. It is quite unlike most Victorian fiction that I've read. The characters are a very interesting bunch, the homeless ex-clerk on the verge of starvation, trying to get into the workhouse and being rejected, the up and coming star of British Politics and an inventor who is currently working on ways of killing whole armies with a single gas attack, and likes to practice showing off how lethal his invention is by killing cats. There is also a young woman, who is rather useless, and ends up getting herself kidnapped. They are quite an interesting and odd bunch and the story telling is done in a mysterious way. It is quite good. Unfortunately the plot of the book involves an Evil Cult of Isis that just wants to sacrifice young women, in particular young English women (it does actually specify!). The evil servant of Isis being a transsexual with the head of a hideous man and the body of a woman. It just seems a bit too much of a stretch of the imagination. There is also a ring of imperialism/racism to the whole thing as the main characters are all being punished for choosing to go into the "native" part of town and sitting down and listening to women singing in a café. It's definitely not on a level with Jewel of the Seven Stars, but was at least quite fun.(less)
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