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kbkittyb's review
3.0
*3.5*
I liked it. I dont think there should be any debate on whether this is a satire/comedy of manners as, to me at least, there is no other alternative that would reflect Goldsmiths design appropriately. This is a mockery of contemporary society; portraying its extremes from hypocritical pious morality to temptation of sin at its worst. We only have to do a very brief bit of research into Goldsmith to find out that his personality and humour outside of writing was of the same witty/mocking sort.
Although a comedy (a comedy at that time does not match out current version of comedy, and that's okay!), there is also much wisdom to be found. Many of the tangents regarding politics and law are still very applicable to today's world.
There are many elements of the 'sensationalist' novel that were rising in popularity, hence why it can feel very far-fetched and unrealised to modern readers. However, I think these elements were written to criticise and mock this form of literature, not to emulate it as such.
Naturally I don't agree with some of the popular thinking of the time in relation to misogyny and class-ism, however, I can appreciate that this was just the nature of the beast at the time.
I think you would already need to be acquainted with the style and form of 16th century comedy in order to fully appreciate and enjoy this book (my mum absolutely hated it!), but for those that can appreciate subtle indictments against society, it is a good read.
I genuinely enjoyed it...
I liked it. I dont think there should be any debate on whether this is a satire/comedy of manners as, to me at least, there is no other alternative that would reflect Goldsmiths design appropriately. This is a mockery of contemporary society; portraying its extremes from hypocritical pious morality to temptation of sin at its worst. We only have to do a very brief bit of research into Goldsmith to find out that his personality and humour outside of writing was of the same witty/mocking sort.
Although a comedy (a comedy at that time does not match out current version of comedy, and that's okay!), there is also much wisdom to be found. Many of the tangents regarding politics and law are still very applicable to today's world.
There are many elements of the 'sensationalist' novel that were rising in popularity, hence why it can feel very far-fetched and unrealised to modern readers. However, I think these elements were written to criticise and mock this form of literature, not to emulate it as such.
Naturally I don't agree with some of the popular thinking of the time in relation to misogyny and class-ism, however, I can appreciate that this was just the nature of the beast at the time.
I think you would already need to be acquainted with the style and form of 16th century comedy in order to fully appreciate and enjoy this book (my mum absolutely hated it!), but for those that can appreciate subtle indictments against society, it is a good read.
I genuinely enjoyed it...
ketutar's review
3.0
Hmm... When we were in High School, my classmate read this book and she thought it was hilarious. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She thought [b:Don Quixote|3836|Don Quixote|Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546112331l/3836._SX50_.jpg|121842] was even funnier. She couldn't speak of it without laughing so much that her speech made no sense.
I find the sarcasm in this book, but I don't think it's that funny. There are funny scenes, sure, but all in all, it feels to me as... well... perhaps I would have appreciated it more 250 years ago. Better knowing the circumstances.
It also makes me think of [b:Justine, or the Misfortunes of Virtue|16182384|Justine, or the Misfortunes of Virtue|Marquis de Sade|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364181572l/16182384._SY75_.jpg|13268607], even though in this one the virtues are being rewarded, and in that one, she was punished for being virtuous. To the end. Oh, G-d, how I despise that book!
What I find interesting is that also in [b:War and Peace|656|War and Peace|Leo Tolstoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413215930l/656._SY75_.jpg|4912783] there was a gad luring girls to elope with him, to get married by a sham priest, just to bed the girl and then abandon her.
Also... I thought the marriage between the villain and the rich girl didn't happen, that they were never married, but apparently, I'm wrong. Though... I don't understand how he could ever have received her fortune just by signing the papers. I thought there should have been a marriage for the agreement to be of any weight, but apparently not. It seems scrupulous guys could waltz around tricking rich girls off their heritage just like that.
I find the sarcasm in this book, but I don't think it's that funny. There are funny scenes, sure, but all in all, it feels to me as... well... perhaps I would have appreciated it more 250 years ago. Better knowing the circumstances.
It also makes me think of [b:Justine, or the Misfortunes of Virtue|16182384|Justine, or the Misfortunes of Virtue|Marquis de Sade|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364181572l/16182384._SY75_.jpg|13268607], even though in this one the virtues are being rewarded, and in that one, she was punished for being virtuous. To the end. Oh, G-d, how I despise that book!
What I find interesting is that also in [b:War and Peace|656|War and Peace|Leo Tolstoy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413215930l/656._SY75_.jpg|4912783] there was a gad luring girls to elope with him, to get married by a sham priest, just to bed the girl and then abandon her.
Also... I thought the marriage between the villain and the rich girl didn't happen, that they were never married, but apparently, I'm wrong. Though... I don't understand how he could ever have received her fortune just by signing the papers. I thought there should have been a marriage for the agreement to be of any weight, but apparently not. It seems scrupulous guys could waltz around tricking rich girls off their heritage just like that.
quinnhb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
ithilwen22's review
3.0
The usual 18th century fare-wicked squires, ruined ingenues, increasingly dramatic misfortunes, and a lot of moralizing. The entire plot is kicked off because our protagonist, is too busy arguing over a trivial point of doctrine that isn't even in the Bible, then is wishy-washy and easily fooled over everything of actual importance, and everything goes downhill from there.
It's still relatively entertaining, and it's not near as tedious as Pamela (but it's not too hard to be less tedious than that book).
It's still relatively entertaining, and it's not near as tedious as Pamela (but it's not too hard to be less tedious than that book).
karinlib's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book that has been on my bookshelf for years and I have finally read it. Though it will not be a favorite of mine, I am glad I read it.
vercingoontorix's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fun to read, but not brilliantly structured. Goldsmith wrote this before the idea of the "novel" was really popularised, but that being said I think it's still a great example of storytelling while keeping consistent the themes of optimism and piety through tragedy.
bookmarkhoarder's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
beautifulminutiae's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5