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The Type-Writer Girl
Juliet Appleton is an officer’s daughter who is forced to make her own way in the world after her father’s death. Having been trained in typewriting and shorthand, she obtains employment at a law office, only to find that she cannot bear to work with her unpleasant colleagues and employer.
Juliet possesses some of the characteristics of the infamous "New Woman": she has attended Girton College, she smokes cigarettes, and she travels the countryside on her bicycle. After various adventures, Juliet finds a new opportunity as a type-writer girl for a publishing company. She falls in love with her employer, and he with her, but complications inevitably ensue.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the Canadian-born Grant Allen was a prolific professional author of popular science texts on evolution as well as a fiction writer. The Type-Writer Girl (1897) is one of only two novels he wrote under a female pseudonym, possibly to lend credibility to his first-person female narrator. The Type-Writer Girl invokes tensions typical of the fin de siècle concerning evolution, technology, and the role of women.
This Broadview edition provides a reliable text at a very reasonable price. It contains textual notes but no appendices.
Excerpt: ... THE TYPEWRITER .GIRL, Chapter' i: INTRODUCES A LATTER-DAY HEROINE. I Was twenty-two, and without employment. I would not say by this that I was without occupation. In the world in which we live, set with daisies and kingfishers and undeciphered faces of men and women, I doubt I could be at a loss for something to occupy me. A swallow's back, as he turns in the sunshine, is so full of meaning. If you dwell in the country, you need but pin on a hat and slip out into a meadow, and there, in some bight of the hedgerow, you shall see spring buds untwisting, sulphur butterflies coquetting; hear nightingales sing as they sang to Keats, and streamlets make madrigal as they wimpled for Marlowe. Nay, even Lhere m London, where life is rarer, how can I cruise down the Strand without encountering strange barks--mysterious argosies that attract and intrigue me? That living stream is so marvelous! Whence come they, these shadows, and whither do they go?--innumerable, silent, each wrapped in his own thought, yet each real to himself as I to my heart. To me, they are shooting stars, phantoms that flash athwart .the, bribit of my life one second, and .then.vanish.-. But io themselves they are the: ceirCre of *a Wdrld--of the world; and I am but one of the meteors that dart across their horizon. I cannot choose but wonder who each is, and why he is here. For one after another I invent a story. It may not be the true story, but at least it amuses me. Every morning I see them stream in from the Unknown, by the early 1 rains, and disperse like sparks that twinkle on the thin soot of the chimney-back--men with small black bags, bound for mysterious offices. What happens in those offices I have no idea: they may lend money, or buy shares, or...
Juliet possesses some of the characteristics of the infamous "New Woman": she has attended Girton College, she smokes cigarettes, and she travels the countryside on her bicycle. After various adventures, Juliet finds a new opportunity as a type-writer girl for a publishing company. She falls in love with her employer, and he with her, but complications inevitably ensue.
At the end of the nineteenth century, the Canadian-born Grant Allen was a prolific professional author of popular science texts on evolution as well as a fiction writer. The Type-Writer Girl (1897) is one of only two novels he wrote under a female pseudonym, possibly to lend credibility to his first-person female narrator. The Type-Writer Girl invokes tensions typical of the fin de siècle concerning evolution, technology, and the role of women.
This Broadview edition provides a reliable text at a very reasonable price. It contains textual notes but no appendices.
Excerpt: ... THE TYPEWRITER .GIRL, Chapter' i: INTRODUCES A LATTER-DAY HEROINE. I Was twenty-two, and without employment. I would not say by this that I was without occupation. In the world in which we live, set with daisies and kingfishers and undeciphered faces of men and women, I doubt I could be at a loss for something to occupy me. A swallow's back, as he turns in the sunshine, is so full of meaning. If you dwell in the country, you need but pin on a hat and slip out into a meadow, and there, in some bight of the hedgerow, you shall see spring buds untwisting, sulphur butterflies coquetting; hear nightingales sing as they sang to Keats, and streamlets make madrigal as they wimpled for Marlowe. Nay, even Lhere m London, where life is rarer, how can I cruise down the Strand without encountering strange barks--mysterious argosies that attract and intrigue me? That living stream is so marvelous! Whence come they, these shadows, and whither do they go?--innumerable, silent, each wrapped in his own thought, yet each real to himself as I to my heart. To me, they are shooting stars, phantoms that flash athwart .the, bribit of my life one second, and .then.vanish.-. But io themselves they are the: ceirCre of *a Wdrld--of the world; and I am but one of the meteors that dart across their horizon. I cannot choose but wonder who each is, and why he is here. For one after another I invent a story. It may not be the true story, but at least it amuses me. Every morning I see them stream in from the Unknown, by the early 1 rains, and disperse like sparks that twinkle on the thin soot of the chimney-back--men with small black bags, bound for mysterious offices. What happens in those offices I have no idea: they may lend money, or buy shares, or...
141 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1897
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 18, 2020
Olive Pratt Rayner was in fact male author Grant Allen. Allen's description of The Type-Writer Girl’s central character would have marked her out for Victorian readers as a ‘new woman.’ Juliet smokes, she’s well-educated, a capable vegetarian cook, she dons ‘rational dress’ (baggy trousers) to ride her bike, and embraces the freedom of cycling despite the perils of ‘bicycle face’ - considered the unfortunate outcome of frequent cycling. When her father dies, Juliet’s left alone with her dog, her bike, a type-writer and a pressing need to earn money. Allen’s story presents Juliet’s account of her adventures in pursuit of financial freedom, after a couple of false starts including a stint working the land in a weirdly rule-bound anarchist commune, she finally settles in at a liberal publishing-house but her life’s unexpectedly complicated by her feelings towards her dashing employer. Juliet has all the outward makings of an outstanding heroine and I found the details of her surroundings fascinating and sometimes very funny but she’s also insufferable, completely convinced of her own superior judgement, she’s Austen’s Emma magnified by a thousand, patronising and with surprisingly conservative views for someone's who's supposed to be so liberated.
Allen appears to be generally ambivalent in his portrayal of Juliet, he often seems to be rooting for her traditionally- feminine foil Michaela, who’s typically blushing, slight and lady-like. The awkward, unbalanced depiction of Juliet is echoed in Allen’s equally unbalanced prose style. He can’t resist inserting paragraph after paragraph of ‘learned’ references and laboured metaphors, which I had to struggle past to get to the more interesting passages. I read this in the Broadview edition which included copious notes and a useful overview, and it’s obvious Allen was cashing in on a publishing trend: women typists moving into work spaces were a bit of an oddity for contemporary readers, they were often considered risqué or fast individuals, and a whole subgenre rapidly grew up around this new, puzzling, social phenomenon. Allen adopting a female persona ‘Olive Pratt Rayner’ here, also created the impression that The Type-Writer Girl might be drawn directly from life, an easy means of increasing its market potential. The Type-Writer Girl has some entertaining elements but Allen’s delivery basically sank what promised to be an enjoyable portrait of an emancipated Victorian woman. I thought this was really one of those books that's better read as essay material than for anything else.
Allen appears to be generally ambivalent in his portrayal of Juliet, he often seems to be rooting for her traditionally- feminine foil Michaela, who’s typically blushing, slight and lady-like. The awkward, unbalanced depiction of Juliet is echoed in Allen’s equally unbalanced prose style. He can’t resist inserting paragraph after paragraph of ‘learned’ references and laboured metaphors, which I had to struggle past to get to the more interesting passages. I read this in the Broadview edition which included copious notes and a useful overview, and it’s obvious Allen was cashing in on a publishing trend: women typists moving into work spaces were a bit of an oddity for contemporary readers, they were often considered risqué or fast individuals, and a whole subgenre rapidly grew up around this new, puzzling, social phenomenon. Allen adopting a female persona ‘Olive Pratt Rayner’ here, also created the impression that The Type-Writer Girl might be drawn directly from life, an easy means of increasing its market potential. The Type-Writer Girl has some entertaining elements but Allen’s delivery basically sank what promised to be an enjoyable portrait of an emancipated Victorian woman. I thought this was really one of those books that's better read as essay material than for anything else.
April 29, 2010
This book, this book, this book. Written by Grant Allen, scientist and 1900's feminist (he has a very interesting bio on Wikipedia, fyi), under a female pseudonym, this book tells the story of Juliet Appleton. Juliet is a well-read young woman who becomes a type-writer girl (read: secretary) when her father passes away. She loves greek lit, big words, anarchists, smoking, her bicycle, and her dog. A Howard Zinn precursor, her motto is: Be audacious! Be audacious! Be audacious! And she is, even though she finds herself in a plot as familiar and as enjoyable as any Jane Austen novel. (If you love Jane Austen, you will love this one, too.) But don't expect a Jane Austen ending. This is romance and morality for older folk.
FYI, you can get both the text and an audio book version online, for free. Search google. I wish I could press this book into the hands of everyone I know - and you will probably also want to read it with someone else, so you can talk about the ending.
It's a shame there's no sequel, but I've got some theories about how things turn out.
FYI, you can get both the text and an audio book version online, for free. Search google. I wish I could press this book into the hands of everyone I know - and you will probably also want to read it with someone else, so you can talk about the ending.
It's a shame there's no sequel, but I've got some theories about how things turn out.
September 28, 2020
Non sono riuscita a entrare in sintonia con la protagonista e voce narrante, mi è risultato indigesto e noioso.
Peccato, perché l'argomento sarebbe stato interessante... purtroppo la signorina di cui sopra ha fatto di tutto per aumentare la mia antipatia nei suoi confronti, pagina dopo pagina.
Lo stile non risente assolutamente dell'età: impeccabile.
Peccato, perché l'argomento sarebbe stato interessante... purtroppo la signorina di cui sopra ha fatto di tutto per aumentare la mia antipatia nei suoi confronti, pagina dopo pagina.
Lo stile non risente assolutamente dell'età: impeccabile.
June 4, 2023
Esordisce così, Juliet Appleton:
“Avevo ventidue anni ed ero disoccupata.
Con questo non voglio dire che non avessi come occupare il tempo. Nel mondo in cui viviamo, ricoperto di margherite, martin pescatori e volti indistinti di uomini e donne, dubito che potrei mai trovarmi a corto di occupazioni. ”.
Juliet, occhi neri e capelli corvini, figlia di un ufficiale che la lascia orfana, ha urgente bisogno di un lavoro.
Intelligente, colta – avrà davvero frequentato il Girton College? Lascia ildubbio al lettore- ironica e tenace, trova l’annuncio che recita “ stenografa e dattilografa (femmina) cercasi, studio legale ‘flor e fingelman’ (…)” e con la sua macchina da scrivere si fionda in quello che diventerà il suo primo luogo di lavoro.
Il primo ma non l'ultimo perché, per una serie di motivi, Juliet si licenzia per unirsi a una comunità di anarchici, da cui scapperà in sella alla sua bicicletta e con il fedele Commissario Lin (un incrocio tra un chow chow e un bull terrier) senza voltarsi indietro e senza rimpianti, portandosi dietro solo la massima del “compagno” Danton:
“(…) siamo tutte delle Cenerentole con una fata madrina. Essa si chiama Aiutati-Che-Dio-Ti-Aiuta. (…) quando la situazione è senza speranze le nostre tre migliori alleate sono l’audacia, l’audacia e ancora l’audacia”
L’audacia procurerà a Juliet un piccolo incidente, una nuova amica, nuove riflessioni. Ma l’amore? Juliet troverà il suo Romeo? Non ve lo dico, leggetelo per saperlo.
Quando sento o leggo “dattilografa” la mente corre subito a tre donne coeve a Juliet o di qualche decennio più giovani: la Signorina Bertero, Anita e Clara create da Alice Basso.
Juliet ha qualcosa che me le ricorda e non solo la macchina da scrivere, ma l’ironia, la voce di chi non segue i percorsi già tracciati, l’essere “sovversiva”, diversa dalle aspettative del ruolo.
Mi ha anche ricordato Vivian de “la città delle ragazze” (E. Gilbert) per la sua necessità di essere indipendente e libera, la "più anarchica degli anarchici", e mi ha fatto sorridere molte volte durante la lettura.
Il suo modo di raccontare è vivace e ironico, il modo in cui analizza le situazioni è lucido e a volte impietoso, ma sempre divertente. E prende il via con una riflessione sull'Odissea, condividendo la tesi di chi pensa che sia stata scritta da una donna (diversamente dall' Iliade) e lei diventa una specie di Ulisse in pantaloni, bicicletta e macchina da scrivere che si ritrova a vivere molte avventure. Arriverà ad Itaca? Di sicuro farà tappa a Venezia.
Mi hanno conquistato la venerazione a San Nicola - più che a San Giorgio che protegge le fanciulle alla ricerca del principe azzurro- e l'attenzione della protagonista alle coincidenze e ai segni. Non li ho visti come ingenuità, ma come un motivo per non cedere alla tristezza e avere una certezza in più, una conferma di agire in modo giusto (se penso che Juliet ha 22 anni ed è sola, a parte il cane, direi che è un atteggiamento normale).
Anche il fatto di essere scritto in prima persona mi è piaciuto e l'ho trovato perfetto per il tipo di storia raccontata.
Una storia che si legge con piacere e dove pensieri di Juliet sulla società, sul ruolo delle donne, sul lavoro, sulla vita guidano il lettore - a volte più in fretta a volte più piano-, verso un finale un po' surreale, ma aperto.
3,5 stelle è il mio voto per questo libro che prende in giro bonariamente la società del tempo in cui è ambientato.
Ringrazio la mia libraia del cuore per avermelo suggerito!
Buone letture e alla prossima!
“Avevo ventidue anni ed ero disoccupata.
Con questo non voglio dire che non avessi come occupare il tempo. Nel mondo in cui viviamo, ricoperto di margherite, martin pescatori e volti indistinti di uomini e donne, dubito che potrei mai trovarmi a corto di occupazioni. ”.
Juliet, occhi neri e capelli corvini, figlia di un ufficiale che la lascia orfana, ha urgente bisogno di un lavoro.
Intelligente, colta – avrà davvero frequentato il Girton College? Lascia ildubbio al lettore- ironica e tenace, trova l’annuncio che recita “ stenografa e dattilografa (femmina) cercasi, studio legale ‘flor e fingelman’ (…)” e con la sua macchina da scrivere si fionda in quello che diventerà il suo primo luogo di lavoro.
Il primo ma non l'ultimo perché, per una serie di motivi, Juliet si licenzia per unirsi a una comunità di anarchici, da cui scapperà in sella alla sua bicicletta e con il fedele Commissario Lin (un incrocio tra un chow chow e un bull terrier) senza voltarsi indietro e senza rimpianti, portandosi dietro solo la massima del “compagno” Danton:
“(…) siamo tutte delle Cenerentole con una fata madrina. Essa si chiama Aiutati-Che-Dio-Ti-Aiuta. (…) quando la situazione è senza speranze le nostre tre migliori alleate sono l’audacia, l’audacia e ancora l’audacia”
L’audacia procurerà a Juliet un piccolo incidente, una nuova amica, nuove riflessioni. Ma l’amore? Juliet troverà il suo Romeo? Non ve lo dico, leggetelo per saperlo.
Quando sento o leggo “dattilografa” la mente corre subito a tre donne coeve a Juliet o di qualche decennio più giovani: la Signorina Bertero, Anita e Clara create da Alice Basso.
Juliet ha qualcosa che me le ricorda e non solo la macchina da scrivere, ma l’ironia, la voce di chi non segue i percorsi già tracciati, l’essere “sovversiva”, diversa dalle aspettative del ruolo.
Mi ha anche ricordato Vivian de “la città delle ragazze” (E. Gilbert) per la sua necessità di essere indipendente e libera, la "più anarchica degli anarchici", e mi ha fatto sorridere molte volte durante la lettura.
Il suo modo di raccontare è vivace e ironico, il modo in cui analizza le situazioni è lucido e a volte impietoso, ma sempre divertente. E prende il via con una riflessione sull'Odissea, condividendo la tesi di chi pensa che sia stata scritta da una donna (diversamente dall' Iliade) e lei diventa una specie di Ulisse in pantaloni, bicicletta e macchina da scrivere che si ritrova a vivere molte avventure. Arriverà ad Itaca? Di sicuro farà tappa a Venezia.
Mi hanno conquistato la venerazione a San Nicola - più che a San Giorgio che protegge le fanciulle alla ricerca del principe azzurro- e l'attenzione della protagonista alle coincidenze e ai segni. Non li ho visti come ingenuità, ma come un motivo per non cedere alla tristezza e avere una certezza in più, una conferma di agire in modo giusto (se penso che Juliet ha 22 anni ed è sola, a parte il cane, direi che è un atteggiamento normale).
Anche il fatto di essere scritto in prima persona mi è piaciuto e l'ho trovato perfetto per il tipo di storia raccontata.
Una storia che si legge con piacere e dove pensieri di Juliet sulla società, sul ruolo delle donne, sul lavoro, sulla vita guidano il lettore - a volte più in fretta a volte più piano-, verso un finale un po' surreale, ma aperto.
3,5 stelle è il mio voto per questo libro che prende in giro bonariamente la società del tempo in cui è ambientato.
Ringrazio la mia libraia del cuore per avermelo suggerito!
Buone letture e alla prossima!
March 16, 2019
Liked it very much!
October 9, 2022
the first half boring af … second half 😍😍😍😍
June 25, 2021
Purchased on a whim, because my short story reading group had read the author's (Grant Allen/Olive Pratt Rayner) entry in a great anthology we've been reading through (Michael Sims' "Frankenstein Dreams: A Conniseur's Collection of Victorian Science Fiction" - HIGHLY recommended) "The Thames Valley Catastrophe."
Well, this one had nothing to do with science fiction, BUT it turned out to be a great story. A heroine who trusts Saint Nicholas (not the Santa Claus version) and Saint George to guide her through life after being left poor by the death of her father. She tries a job as a type-writer girl, but finds the office environment toxic (to use a 21st century term) and moves on to working in a kind of commune with a group of anarchists. It turns out she does quite fit in there either and then happens upon some good luck through chance encounters and another job at a publishing firm. She begins to think of her boss as "her Romeo" (oh, her character's name is "Juliet" Appleton) and they gradually fall in love. It turns out she is part of a love triangle as he was already engaged (since his youth) to a girl from a 'good family', etc. What follows are delightful twists and turns and brilliant observations by our main character - one of my favorites I've encountered lately in my reading. I will seek out other books by this author and wonder if they will be as great as this.
Full disclosure, I do think the plot and the characters' behavior went a little over the top at times, but I was having such fun with the story that this did not stop me from giving it a five-star rating. I hope others try this one and if you do, let me know how you like it.
Well, this one had nothing to do with science fiction, BUT it turned out to be a great story. A heroine who trusts Saint Nicholas (not the Santa Claus version) and Saint George to guide her through life after being left poor by the death of her father. She tries a job as a type-writer girl, but finds the office environment toxic (to use a 21st century term) and moves on to working in a kind of commune with a group of anarchists. It turns out she does quite fit in there either and then happens upon some good luck through chance encounters and another job at a publishing firm. She begins to think of her boss as "her Romeo" (oh, her character's name is "Juliet" Appleton) and they gradually fall in love. It turns out she is part of a love triangle as he was already engaged (since his youth) to a girl from a 'good family', etc. What follows are delightful twists and turns and brilliant observations by our main character - one of my favorites I've encountered lately in my reading. I will seek out other books by this author and wonder if they will be as great as this.
Full disclosure, I do think the plot and the characters' behavior went a little over the top at times, but I was having such fun with the story that this did not stop me from giving it a five-star rating. I hope others try this one and if you do, let me know how you like it.
May 2, 2022
This book is quite creative, I was surprised by it. The beginning is a bit slow, drawn-out, although interesting. Allen's writing is beautiful, though wordy and difficult to get through at times I'm sure for someone unaccustomed to classics and the philosopher-esque writing style so common among that class. All the literary & religious references in here are truly phenomenal.
The first half & the second half are almost entirely different books. The second half was so engaging, I was AMAZED with how well Allen brought everything together... albeit I'm crying from the tragedy of it all. It was truly executed perfectly. I want this to be the new Romeo & Juliet retelling. Juliet is a truly strong, admirable character. My heart breaks for all parties involved.
Allen's feminist sympathies (& his socialist leanings, religious ideas, etc) are very apparent in this book at times, I found it engaging and fascinating. I might use this for a future academic paper.
The first half & the second half are almost entirely different books. The second half was so engaging, I was AMAZED with how well Allen brought everything together... albeit I'm crying from the tragedy of it all. It was truly executed perfectly. I want this to be the new Romeo & Juliet retelling. Juliet is a truly strong, admirable character. My heart breaks for all parties involved.
Allen's feminist sympathies (& his socialist leanings, religious ideas, etc) are very apparent in this book at times, I found it engaging and fascinating. I might use this for a future academic paper.
September 20, 2010
This book started out brilliantly -- so funny. It turned into a more romantic piece as the book progressed, but never lost that straight-laced practicality that makes the main character so much fun.
May 29, 2017
Written by the Canadian author Grant Allen in 1897 under a pseudonym he thought more likely to attract readers to this female narrated story, this is a semi-biography of a "New" woman - the new career woman of the turn of the Twentieth Century.
While this may look like a simple "chick lit" story (only late Victorian era style), it's much more than that. The heroine, Juliet Appleton, is an officer’s daughter who must support herself after the death of her father. After looking to relatives and a possible romance, she quickly decides to earn her own money and trains in typewriting and shorthand – something very different from what was a secretary in those days. Although she's looked down on by the male staffers of the legal offices she temps for, this doesn't bother her. She realizes that by not having a family or a home, she has released herself from the restraints of society. No one expects anything from her other than her typing skills and she feels free!
Living completely outside the social expectations for women at that time, Juliet attended college, she works, she smokes and she travels by herself on a bicycle. There's a sly humor in the story as well as various men begin to envy her freedom while others romance her and even more covet her - bicycle. Check out the part where Juliet goes to work at a commune - she's a driving force that threatens to derail socialism for good.
It’s a hard life but by deciding to just “not care” and to see the humor in it all, she makes it work and she respects herself. You'll respect her as well and applaud when she finally finds her life's work and love.
I re-read this after being reminded of the plot by another novel. It's available as a low cost e-book and as a free recorded book through LibriVox.
While this may look like a simple "chick lit" story (only late Victorian era style), it's much more than that. The heroine, Juliet Appleton, is an officer’s daughter who must support herself after the death of her father. After looking to relatives and a possible romance, she quickly decides to earn her own money and trains in typewriting and shorthand – something very different from what was a secretary in those days. Although she's looked down on by the male staffers of the legal offices she temps for, this doesn't bother her. She realizes that by not having a family or a home, she has released herself from the restraints of society. No one expects anything from her other than her typing skills and she feels free!
Living completely outside the social expectations for women at that time, Juliet attended college, she works, she smokes and she travels by herself on a bicycle. There's a sly humor in the story as well as various men begin to envy her freedom while others romance her and even more covet her - bicycle. Check out the part where Juliet goes to work at a commune - she's a driving force that threatens to derail socialism for good.
It’s a hard life but by deciding to just “not care” and to see the humor in it all, she makes it work and she respects herself. You'll respect her as well and applaud when she finally finds her life's work and love.
I re-read this after being reminded of the plot by another novel. It's available as a low cost e-book and as a free recorded book through LibriVox.
April 6, 2023
Allen, Grant - The Type-Writer Girl
Juliet, daughter of an officer, raised to be a lady.
Until her father dies, in circumstances leaving her without a pension; casting Juliet adrift and in economic straits.
She does own a typewriter, however, and knows how to take dictation. In the City, there are openings aplenty.
Exciting, picturesque novel dashes through condescending adventures, demanding situations, and into the gardens of romance. Juliet, as a “woman”, then and now, must navigate the “man’s world”.
Amusing, ofttimes funny, this showcases Juliet as a clear eyed pragmatic. She knows her worth, her value, as well as her situation. Also recognizes that in her Edwardian era, class still weighs heavily.
An engaging adventure, well suited for fans of this period. For bright eyed Janeites, ever yearning for Romance, brace up!
Note: My copy was a Broadview edition. As ever with this press I advise you DO NOT read the Introduction first. Every Intro consists of a spoiler filled synopsis, typically found in a 5th Grade book report. Read their Introduction AFTER concluding the book.
Juliet, daughter of an officer, raised to be a lady.
Until her father dies, in circumstances leaving her without a pension; casting Juliet adrift and in economic straits.
She does own a typewriter, however, and knows how to take dictation. In the City, there are openings aplenty.
Exciting, picturesque novel dashes through condescending adventures, demanding situations, and into the gardens of romance. Juliet, as a “woman”, then and now, must navigate the “man’s world”.
Amusing, ofttimes funny, this showcases Juliet as a clear eyed pragmatic. She knows her worth, her value, as well as her situation. Also recognizes that in her Edwardian era, class still weighs heavily.
An engaging adventure, well suited for fans of this period. For bright eyed Janeites, ever yearning for Romance, brace up!
Note: My copy was a Broadview edition. As ever with this press I advise you DO NOT read the Introduction first. Every Intro consists of a spoiler filled synopsis, typically found in a 5th Grade book report. Read their Introduction AFTER concluding the book.
September 4, 2023
Very funny — almost a satire — and pretty progressive on gender until the very annoying ending. A lot of racialized language and imagery that takes away from the story’s flippancy and it’s also hard to get too invested because of that flippancy. Still, interesting, esp given Allen’s female pseudonym. This edition has an excellent introduction as well.
January 31, 2021
Sorprendentemente moderno, brillante, ironico, arguto. Una protagonista intraprendente e anticonformista che non mi sarei mai aspettata, uno stile impeccabile che colpisce per la lievità della narrazione pur trattando temi di non di poco conto...
February 4, 2021
I was expecting something more gritty, but this is a breezy fantasy of an unbelievably risk-taking woman. This edition has no contextual material, but is footnoted.
September 26, 2024
1.5 stars.
October 31, 2023
Absolutely slapped. The Greek myth shit? Chef's kiss. The love triangle? Amazing. By far the best from my 19th century Brit lit class. I love that it's a critique of the modern woman, and I took none of it seriously.
December 29, 2010
I listened to The Typewriter Girl by Grant Allen in one go on Libravox. Allen breaks free of the stereotypical 19th century literary conventions to join Charles Dickens in social criticism, in this book, from the point of view of a 22 year old "typewriter girl" who tries to make it on her own in England. Her youthfully impulsive decisions lead her, not only to positions as a "typewriter girl" but to an amazingly avant-garde anarchist commune and a pawn shop.
I loved his use of the English language and constant allusions to Shakespeare and other great literature.
The book is a delight of the senses for a liberal arts English major and surprisingly modern in the main character's attempt to leave the Victorian era behind so she can survive alone as a woman in England.
The twist ending of the book shows Allen's tremendous story telling capability and makes me want to read other books by him.
I loved his use of the English language and constant allusions to Shakespeare and other great literature.
The book is a delight of the senses for a liberal arts English major and surprisingly modern in the main character's attempt to leave the Victorian era behind so she can survive alone as a woman in England.
The twist ending of the book shows Allen's tremendous story telling capability and makes me want to read other books by him.
July 23, 2013
I loved the premise, a young women determined to live life on her own terms in Victorian England. The author delivered. The story was not captivating but it was thoroughly engaging and I was routing for the MC to finish on top. It was a bit more romantic than I anticipated but I love a good love story so that didn't detract. The one thing I had trouble with was the language which was a little coarse. I am not sure if the author felt it lent itself to showing how independent the MC was but I had a hard time imagining Victorian era people swearing so solidly.
December 14, 2009
This was a read for my 19th-century Victorian lit class, and I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise, and for good reason. The voice of the first-person main character feels too forced, and the pacing is really choppy: lots of random things happen in the first half, and what feels like an entirely different story occurs in the second. Nevertheless, I can still sympathize with Juliet Appleton and even find her adventures romantic, in a way.
December 3, 2022
The things I am forced to read because of my major...
The heroine is insufferable, the writing is convoluted for no apparent reason (a shit ton of references to antiquity that added nothing to the story or character development), and a lot of ideas about how women are/should be that were rarely funny and mostly annoying.
The heroine is insufferable, the writing is convoluted for no apparent reason (a shit ton of references to antiquity that added nothing to the story or character development), and a lot of ideas about how women are/should be that were rarely funny and mostly annoying.
May 5, 2024
The first 2/3 of this is as funny and irreverent as anything I've read from the 1890s. The ending disappoints, for reasons I won't go into, but this one is worth searching out if you have an interest in New Woman(ish) fiction. The extended scene with the anarchists reminded me somewhat of "Cold Comfort Farm."
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