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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
I read this many years ago, shortly after Modern Library published their list of the 100 greatest novels of the 20th century. I had never heard of it, and I thought it was hilarious. It's set at Oxford, and a beautiful girl enters their midst and all the boys lose their damn minds. At least that's what I remember. Like I said, it's been many years.
“But the loveliest face in all the world will not please you if you see it suddenly, eye to eye, at a distance of half an inch from your own.”
After randomly finding this book in the second hand section of my local book shop, I decided to give it a go. And OH MY am I happy that I did!
This is one of the weirdest and most absurd stories I've heard in a while! It reminded me a bit of Voltaire from Candide, since that one is also reads like a satire.
The entire story basicly plays out in 2-3 days, but it feels like a lifetime (in a good way).
And the way that they break the forth wall? Amazing!
I highly recommend this book to everyone! I would suggest to go into it blindly like I did, that makes it probably more fun!
The only part that I wasn't that big of a fan of was the parts told by the narrator when he tells about his own background&mythology. For some reason that part was written so that it was way more difficult to read.
After randomly finding this book in the second hand section of my local book shop, I decided to give it a go. And OH MY am I happy that I did!
This is one of the weirdest and most absurd stories I've heard in a while! It reminded me a bit of Voltaire from Candide, since that one is also reads like a satire.
The entire story basicly plays out in 2-3 days, but it feels like a lifetime (in a good way).
And the way that they break the forth wall? Amazing!
I highly recommend this book to everyone! I would suggest to go into it blindly like I did, that makes it probably more fun!
The only part that I wasn't that big of a fan of was the parts told by the narrator when he tells about his own background&mythology. For some reason that part was written so that it was way more difficult to read.
A satire featuring a femme fatale who lays waste to the young men of Oxford.
There were moments of the book that are hilarious and then there were bits that just seemed to endlessly drag. I understand the brilliance of the book but I found the story just a little dull at times.
The language is wonderful, the need to use a dictionary was nice as I come across words I had not encountered for before.
Read it and decide for yourself. I found parts of the book a struggle but there are sections that are just clever and entertaining.
There were moments of the book that are hilarious and then there were bits that just seemed to endlessly drag. I understand the brilliance of the book but I found the story just a little dull at times.
The language is wonderful, the need to use a dictionary was nice as I come across words I had not encountered for before.
Read it and decide for yourself. I found parts of the book a struggle but there are sections that are just clever and entertaining.
What an underappreciated gem!
I have always had a fascination with the Edwardian period, perhaps it stems from my childhood Mary Poppins obsession! There is a feeling in the art of the time of breaking free from restrictive Victorian morals but still finding one's feet in a world that is about to be turned upside down.
This book is incredibly Edwardian! It is so funny. I laughed out loud multiple times at the pure farce and the petty shallowness of all of these characters who have the best education in the world but can't socialise like normal human beings. It was all so juicy!
Another thing I loved was the writing style. I always like an omniscient narrator, so much more enjoyable than first person or the dreaded second person! This book utilised the omniscient narrator in a very unique way which I won't spoil.
Step aside Oscar Wilde. Max is the dandy for me!
I have always had a fascination with the Edwardian period, perhaps it stems from my childhood Mary Poppins obsession! There is a feeling in the art of the time of breaking free from restrictive Victorian morals but still finding one's feet in a world that is about to be turned upside down.
This book is incredibly Edwardian! It is so funny. I laughed out loud multiple times at the pure farce and the petty shallowness of all of these characters who have the best education in the world but can't socialise like normal human beings. It was all so juicy!
Another thing I loved was the writing style. I always like an omniscient narrator, so much more enjoyable than first person or the dreaded second person! This book utilised the omniscient narrator in a very unique way which I won't spoil.
Step aside Oscar Wilde. Max is the dandy for me!
funny
lighthearted
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As others have said it's a wonderful cultural artifact but it's not necessarily a fun read. The satire is very much embedded in the culture it is taking jabs at which means that without a thorough understanding of the Edwardian period you miss the point of the novel and most of the jokes. There's no underlying theme of revealing some portion of human nature that would make Zuleika Dobson stand the test of time. I'm not sure how it's ended up on both The Guardian's and Modern Library's best novels list.
It's sort of book that's found on a syllabus for an English or History course and leads to great classroom discussions but one no one would recommend to a friend.
It's sort of book that's found on a syllabus for an English or History course and leads to great classroom discussions but one no one would recommend to a friend.
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No