Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Can be downloaded for free from Project Gutenberg link to free edition
under the title "Tales and Novels — Volume 03 by Maria Edgeworth"
Update 10/12/2017
Not a full 4 stars (3.75), but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Belinda, the heroine, is a big step forward compared to the heroines of Fanny Burney (complete ingenues, always the helpless victims of circumstance, waiting for events to miraculously sort themselves out). While still bordering on the perfect, she has a lot of common sense and prudence and is not afraid to use them.
I think Jane Austen's Elinor did like this novel, while Marianne probably was partly disgusted with it, as neither Belinda nor her lover were senselessly passionate about each other and also secondary characters featured, who dared to be happy in a second attachment. :)
A more detailed review to come after some due consideration.
Update 31/Oct/2017
Re-reading to see if it stands the test of time.
I have vague memories of it being OK, but not coming anywhere close to my beloved Jane Austen.
We shall see.
under the title "Tales and Novels — Volume 03 by Maria Edgeworth"
Update 10/12/2017
Not a full 4 stars (3.75), but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Belinda, the heroine, is a big step forward compared to the heroines of Fanny Burney (complete ingenues, always the helpless victims of circumstance, waiting for events to miraculously sort themselves out). While still bordering on the perfect, she has a lot of common sense and prudence and is not afraid to use them.
I think Jane Austen's Elinor did like this novel, while Marianne probably was partly disgusted with it, as neither Belinda nor her lover were senselessly passionate about each other and also secondary characters featured, who dared to be happy in a second attachment. :)
A more detailed review to come after some due consideration.
Update 31/Oct/2017
Re-reading to see if it stands the test of time.
I have vague memories of it being OK, but not coming anywhere close to my beloved Jane Austen.
We shall see.
Finally finished! After months of it sitting on my night table occasionally reading a few pages, once I put my mind to it, I finished it in a few days. Finally! Full thoughts to come soon.
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
This was so fun. It's Austen un-hinged. It's way too long, there's murder & duelling (by women!), some other ridiculous pursuits by some of the "good" characters that would show up in an Austen novel only in the actions of her villains. Edgeworth is also much more explicitly concerned with the slave trade & issues of race, which is great to see.
Part of the fun of reading this is to see what Austen did with her influences -- Edgeworth's weaknesses highlight Austen's strengths.
Part of the fun of reading this is to see what Austen did with her influences -- Edgeworth's weaknesses highlight Austen's strengths.
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
2022- What say I, about such a story? Enchanting elements -few. Riotous and Vibrant personalities -abundant.
I really enjoyed Helena and the family atmosphere that she was able to thrive in with Percival's family.
I wish the book dwelled more on that!
In all seriousness, I think the dwelling on what's bad in the world was the turn off. Here is dedicated chapters and details of Lady D-'s past misdeeds, (oh, just flirtations and dissipation, yet am i shocked by this being published in 1801? A little... The maligning of Clarence with a mistress? A lot shocked) and spend more time than I'm comfortable with, with the brash Mrs. Freke. Is that a purposeful play on words, on the character described as a 'man-woman'? I'd rather not know, so my journey in Belinda's contrasting morality and prudence and kindness (such a contrast highlights the moral of the story quite elegantly...) Has ended about %48 in.
Do I delight in knowing who she ends up with? Quite indifferently, hence, a last peep at the last page which shows what happens with Lady D- suffices enough.
Edgeworth really seemed to delight in long speeches and chaotic commentary, just to highlight how good of a female Belinda was. Flawed. And yet, Belinda wasn't annoying, I liked her for her quiet courage.
I really enjoyed Helena and the family atmosphere that she was able to thrive in with Percival's family.
I wish the book dwelled more on that!
In all seriousness, I think the dwelling on what's bad in the world was the turn off. Here is dedicated chapters and details of Lady D-'s past misdeeds, (oh, just flirtations and dissipation, yet am i shocked by this being published in 1801? A little... The maligning of Clarence with a mistress? A lot shocked) and spend more time than I'm comfortable with, with the brash Mrs. Freke. Is that a purposeful play on words, on the character described as a 'man-woman'? I'd rather not know, so my journey in Belinda's contrasting morality and prudence and kindness (such a contrast highlights the moral of the story quite elegantly...) Has ended about %48 in.
Do I delight in knowing who she ends up with? Quite indifferently, hence, a last peep at the last page which shows what happens with Lady D- suffices enough.
Edgeworth really seemed to delight in long speeches and chaotic commentary, just to highlight how good of a female Belinda was. Flawed. And yet, Belinda wasn't annoying, I liked her for her quiet courage.