Caroline > Recent Status Updates

I'm wowed by Wollstonecraft's literary and historical knowledge. Strong points for the education of women in the 18th century. Gets a bit repetitive a few chapters in and neglects class in some critical points. Mostly seems to be treating the education of "kept" middle and upper class women. How do poor women, who she claims have more rationality and virtue in general, benefit from a new system of education?

Based on this and Adam Bede, Eliot seems to be into build-your-own Christianity forged through the hardships and simplicity of country life. There were chapters at the beginnings of books in each one that defended her characters from criticism of less-than-perfect religiosity. It's kind of interesting to get an inside look into her thematic process, but I could do without the long à Kempis excerpts.

Mixed feelings so far. Eliot is definitely setting up for a story of as wide a scope as Middlemarch, but I am finding it less compelling so far. Also, just encountered a hard to read (and to be frank, not clearly essential) section about the Roma.

In the introduction, Neil Gaiman describes the anthology he was originally intending to write. It sounds much more interesting than what I've seen so far. Unless you're a diehard Gaiman fan, willing to read even his dreck just to get a bit more, I'd say skip this one. Thankfully this is a very easy read, so I'll finish it regardless.