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V. V.'s Eyes
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
- GenresFiction
556 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1913
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About the author
Henry Sydnor Harrison
54 books2 followersHenry Sydnor Harrison was an American novelist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_S...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_S...
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 29, 2024
I decided to read this obscure Edwardian novel after enjoying the author’s previous work Queed, which was one of the best books I read last year. V.V.’s Eyes didn’t live up to its predecessor–I didn’t expect it to. After all, there could only be one Queed–the character, I mean, though the book itself is unparalleled too. But despite all that, I really enjoyed V.V.’s Eyes almost as much as Queed, mostly because of its cast of unique and interesting characters.
The titular character of V.V.’s Eyes was a little idealized and unrealistic, in contrast to Queed. V. Vivian is compared to John the Baptist, gives away his expensive clothes to anyone who asks, and believes in socialism for reasons never deeply explained. But the true main character of the novel is not V.V.–it is Carlisle Heth, entitled daughter of the wealthy owner of a cigar factory. Proud, impulsive Carlisle (what a lovely name) is a complex and intriguing character, a wealthy, ambitious society belle who strives to make an illustrious match but finds herself still stirred by discontent at a time when she should have been most joyful at receiving all she longed for. The many unsought meetings between Carlisle and V.V., a doctor who works in the slums for charity, are a unifying thread throughout the book as they come to regard each other as friends and possibly even more.
The side characters in this novel are almost as delightful as Carlisle and V.V.–I especially loved Hen Cooney, Carlisle’s lively and independent cousin, Mr. Heth, her unexpectedly loving father, and of course Corinne “Kern” Garland, a fanciful, otherworldly factory girl. Harrison’s writing style flows clearly and descriptively in V.V.’s Eyes just as in Queed, the limpid prose accentuating a variety of intriguing characters and captivating circumstances.
The titular character of V.V.’s Eyes was a little idealized and unrealistic, in contrast to Queed. V. Vivian is compared to John the Baptist, gives away his expensive clothes to anyone who asks, and believes in socialism for reasons never deeply explained. But the true main character of the novel is not V.V.–it is Carlisle Heth, entitled daughter of the wealthy owner of a cigar factory. Proud, impulsive Carlisle (what a lovely name) is a complex and intriguing character, a wealthy, ambitious society belle who strives to make an illustrious match but finds herself still stirred by discontent at a time when she should have been most joyful at receiving all she longed for. The many unsought meetings between Carlisle and V.V., a doctor who works in the slums for charity, are a unifying thread throughout the book as they come to regard each other as friends and possibly even more.
The side characters in this novel are almost as delightful as Carlisle and V.V.–I especially loved Hen Cooney, Carlisle’s lively and independent cousin, Mr. Heth, her unexpectedly loving father, and of course Corinne “Kern” Garland, a fanciful, otherworldly factory girl. Harrison’s writing style flows clearly and descriptively in V.V.’s Eyes just as in Queed, the limpid prose accentuating a variety of intriguing characters and captivating circumstances.
January 18, 2019
For the longest time I couldn't figure out what exactly this book was supposed to be about. Even now I tenderly conclude this is a romance with a light touch of social commentary.
V. Vivian (I don't think we ever find out what the first V stands for), when he's not doctoring the poor, rages against the machine by writing strongly worded letters to the editor. Meanwhile, on the better side of town, socialite Carlisle Heth is in hot pursuit of bachelor Hugh Canning. The book spends so much time on their relationship you would expect they were the OTP of the romance, but you would be wrong. V.V. and Carlisle have little interaction with each other. Of their brief encounters, I can only recall two or three I would label as not unpleasant. It isn't until the last few pages when Carlisle finds herself thinking fondly of Vivian.
I don't know why the title is V.V.'s Eyes. If anything we see the story through Carlisle's eyes. She's the one with the character arc. Vivian is actually not very prominent in the story.
V. Vivian (I don't think we ever find out what the first V stands for), when he's not doctoring the poor, rages against the machine by writing strongly worded letters to the editor. Meanwhile, on the better side of town, socialite Carlisle Heth is in hot pursuit of bachelor Hugh Canning. The book spends so much time on their relationship you would expect they were the OTP of the romance, but you would be wrong. V.V. and Carlisle have little interaction with each other. Of their brief encounters, I can only recall two or three I would label as not unpleasant. It isn't until the last few pages when Carlisle finds herself thinking fondly of Vivian.
I don't know why the title is V.V.'s Eyes. If anything we see the story through Carlisle's eyes. She's the one with the character arc. Vivian is actually not very prominent in the story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews