The Joy of Erudition’s Reviews > The Perils of Pauline > Status Update

Unfortunately, it's gotten less comedic and witty over the course of the book. The episodic nature is to be expected from its origin, of course, but I'm also disappointed in the lack of exploration of several interesting plot points from the beginning. It's still possible they'll get back to those by the end, but it's becoming less and less likely.

"His name was of many syllables in the native language, but he was known as Big Smoke."

This book has quite a few jokes in it! I wasn't expecting such lively banter and witty asides in what I thought was just going to be a melodrama. I wasn't expecting an ancient Egyptian princess mummy ghost either.

"The will ought to be wrong, but it wasn't. The meaning was so clear that even a court couldn't misunderstand it."

"All right. Marry me, and I'll show you life. I'll lead you any kind of a life you want."

"No, that won't do. As an old, settled-down, married woman I couldn't really do what I want. I must see life in its great moments. I must have thrills, adventures, see people, do daring things, watch battles. It might be best for me even to see someone killed, if that were possible."