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laurblanes's review
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bmont0044's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars - probably missed some of the points the book made.
alicejwhite17's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
joelshults's review against another edition
4.0
Rasselas: How can I be happy?
Every Single Person: Don't be like us!
The End.
Every Single Person: Don't be like us!
The End.
barbarabarbara's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
kayleightayla's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
misskeesa's review against another edition
2.0
The title of the last chapter, "The Conclusion, in Which Nothing is Concluded" might just as well be the title of the book. Good grief. I can't remember the last time I've been so frustrated with main characters as with Rasselas and the Princess, who will insist on mooning around trying to find the perfect situation in life to make them happy for the rest of their lives, and who keep rejecting first one, then the other, on the pretext that there's always something to make one miserable. I kept thinking of Paul's words in Phillippians; "I have learned, whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content"; I should have loved to shove that quote in Rasselas' face.
And yet for all that the book was rather boring and very frustrating, I can't quite bring myself to give it one star, because it certainly does show the truth and value of the apostle's words, if only by way of contrast with the opposite. Always striving for elusive perfect happiness is a surefire way of being constantly cross and discontent; accepting your lot in life with cheerful equanimity and making the best of bad situations is a much better way to find true peace and happiness.
And yet for all that the book was rather boring and very frustrating, I can't quite bring myself to give it one star, because it certainly does show the truth and value of the apostle's words, if only by way of contrast with the opposite. Always striving for elusive perfect happiness is a surefire way of being constantly cross and discontent; accepting your lot in life with cheerful equanimity and making the best of bad situations is a much better way to find true peace and happiness.