Scan barcode
andreafox's review against another edition
3.0
The book's title is a misnomer. The author tries to touch on too many issues at the expense of character development and plot.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
If you want a view of the creepy side of Victorian society, both in England and in expatriate India, this story delivers, especially in regard to the role of women and how they were treated by men during this time period. The two Talbot sisters eventually triumph over adversity, which is very satisfying. The descriptions of the settings and the characters are well done. But my overwhelming reaction is an acute mental shudder at the manifestations of repressed sexuality and misogyny so prevalent at the time. Enjoyed the protagonists and was glad to see them rebel and get out.
gavreads's review against another edition
Out of the three books I’ve been reading about women in different situations in history the only one so far I’ve finished so far, and I might not finish the other two if I’m being completely honest, which says more about me as a reader than the books themselves. Part of it is going to come down to how connected as a reader I can be to a characters situation and how that makes me feel and part of it is that I’m more excited by the extraordinary than the ordinary.
And A Proper Education For Girls is extraordinary but at the same point it makes a serious comment on how women have been seen and how far we’ve come. In other words, I was entertained and educated but didn’t feel like I was being preached to. I really felt that I was in these characters shoes.
All this is making A Proper Eduction into some serious and stiff tome but far from it. Lillian and Alice are the bright twin daughters of the eccentric and rich Mr Talbot, who resides in a massive mansion filled with innovations, armour, botanical specimens and a sprawling collection of curiosities. So the environment is far from ordinary. The women in the girls lives are a collection of Aunts who keep warm and play cards in the tropics of the palatial greenhouse.
This leaves Mr Tablot as the dominating parental influence and at a time where women had a place this doesn’t give either girl with much freedom. But both of them overcomes their situation in the most surprising and fascinating way.
Lillian married and packed off off with a missionary to India where who is expected to be the little wife but having a sickly and weak husband means you either do it yourself or you don’t get vary far in a place like that. And Alice has her rather large hands full with looking after the collection at the house. Both should be occupied enough not to cause Mr Talbot any more trouble.
Thankfully, Mr Talbot has forgotten that he’s given them curiosity and individuality that once out can’t be suppressed. And that’s where the novel takes us on a journey where each woman from there own trying circumstances grow and fight through the disapproval around them.
There is also an exploration of Victorian double standards when it comes to woman by seeing them as both Ladies (in terms of needlework and fashion and other feminine pursuits) and those supplying the more animal needs of Gentlemen.
The whole way through I found myself routing for both to succeed for very different reasons though I got it completely wrong as to what I thought would be the best ending for them. That’s my problem for being a man and a romantic I guess.
Elaine di Rollo has created her own historical world and allowed Lillian and Alice to educate and inform this reader about how people shouldn’t be constrained by what other people think and it’s all done with a fun look at the world and the people that make it up. For it’s moments of needed darkness there are several moments of pure joy especially when both succeed in their own individuals ways.
And A Proper Education For Girls is extraordinary but at the same point it makes a serious comment on how women have been seen and how far we’ve come. In other words, I was entertained and educated but didn’t feel like I was being preached to. I really felt that I was in these characters shoes.
All this is making A Proper Eduction into some serious and stiff tome but far from it. Lillian and Alice are the bright twin daughters of the eccentric and rich Mr Talbot, who resides in a massive mansion filled with innovations, armour, botanical specimens and a sprawling collection of curiosities. So the environment is far from ordinary. The women in the girls lives are a collection of Aunts who keep warm and play cards in the tropics of the palatial greenhouse.
This leaves Mr Tablot as the dominating parental influence and at a time where women had a place this doesn’t give either girl with much freedom. But both of them overcomes their situation in the most surprising and fascinating way.
Lillian married and packed off off with a missionary to India where who is expected to be the little wife but having a sickly and weak husband means you either do it yourself or you don’t get vary far in a place like that. And Alice has her rather large hands full with looking after the collection at the house. Both should be occupied enough not to cause Mr Talbot any more trouble.
Thankfully, Mr Talbot has forgotten that he’s given them curiosity and individuality that once out can’t be suppressed. And that’s where the novel takes us on a journey where each woman from there own trying circumstances grow and fight through the disapproval around them.
There is also an exploration of Victorian double standards when it comes to woman by seeing them as both Ladies (in terms of needlework and fashion and other feminine pursuits) and those supplying the more animal needs of Gentlemen.
The whole way through I found myself routing for both to succeed for very different reasons though I got it completely wrong as to what I thought would be the best ending for them. That’s my problem for being a man and a romantic I guess.
Elaine di Rollo has created her own historical world and allowed Lillian and Alice to educate and inform this reader about how people shouldn’t be constrained by what other people think and it’s all done with a fun look at the world and the people that make it up. For it’s moments of needed darkness there are several moments of pure joy especially when both succeed in their own individuals ways.
broadreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked that there were no swoony heroines in the book. The Talbot sisters are strong-willed and intelligent. I also loved the elderly aunts. A great historical fiction!
elvenavari's review against another edition
2.0
I was intrigued by the title but quickly bored by the story and the characters. Nothing ever truly caught my attention and held it.
carebear102106's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! Couldn't stop reading it, I had to know what happened next. Of course now I need to read more about the history of it.
caseyblue75's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Funny and out there.
chgoange's review against another edition
3.0
A fun Victorian yarn. Boarish and clueless men, silly and chattering women, and thankfully two strong independant,artistic and intellectual heroines (and their kooky Aunts) who get the best of them all.
felicityr's review against another edition
4.0
This book could have been written expressly to delight me.