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tien's review against another edition
4.0
Belinda is my perfect heroine. She is not perfect but is my idea of a perfect heroine. Her character in the beginning was questionable – take into consideration, however, her age, [in]experience, and naivety. We then read her experiences in society as she learnt, grew speedily in maturity and gained such strong sensible noble characters then she definitely becomes one you’d wish for in a friend.
The first few chapters were a little shaky for me as I wasn’t sure if I could handle this kind of heroine then it turned to a little bit of a farce (for me) – a sort of gothic tone which I didn’t care for, until the time that Belinda learnt her lessons and became firm in her values. The love triangle, of course, was actually fantastic. Both men had their own appeals and throughout the book, I just never knew which one she would end up with, if any! I kept on moving from one to the other, back and forth right up to the last chapter or two.
Belinda Portman is a niece of a known mercenary matchmaking aunt. She is sent to stay with Lady Delacour to be exposed to the cream of society and catch a wealthy husband. It is in Lady Delacour’s sitting room that she meets Clarence Hervey, an intelligent wealthy young man. A masquerade, a mysteriously locked boudoir, and a few unhealthy rumours later, found her bound for the country.
Lady Anne Percival is a lady of good sense with a very happy family. In her home, Belinda witnesses what a spouse that you respect can mean in a marriage. This is a big contrast to Lord & Lady Delacour’s marriage (if you can call that a ‘marriage’!). Mr Vincent, a former ward of Lord Percival, fell in love with Belinda in this setting. He was hopeful to win her but then she had to leave…
There are about 3 ‘things’ I didn’t particularly like as I found them to be unlikely however I believe they are written as humorous factors in the book except that it didn’t quite work for me. This includes part of how the plot is resolved but this I can forgive as it allows me to enjoy the ending.
Belinda was published approximately 10 years before Sense & Sensibility and 12 years before Pride & Prejudice. I reckon if you love Jane Austen, you will appreciate this book.
Here are some quotes to whet your appetite:
Belinda’s aunt’s advice to her:
Sir Philip, is not, I know, a man of what you call genius. So much the better, my dear – those men of genius are dangerous husbands; they have so many dislikes and eccentricities, there is no managing them, though they are mighty pleasant men in company to enliven conversation.
For you, bookworms:
[Mrs Freke] ‘You read, I see! – I did not know you were a reading girl. So was I once; but I never read now. Books only spoil the originality of genius: very well for those who can’t think for themselves – but when one has made up one’s opinion, there is no use in reading.’
‘But to make them up,’ replied Belinda, ‘may it not be useful?’
‘You, who can think for yourself, should never read.’
‘But I read that I may think for myself.’
‘Only ruin your understanding, trust me. Books are full of trash – nonsense, conversation is worth all the books in the world.’
‘And is there never any nonsense in conversation?’
A discussion still in debate in today’s society!
‘To cut the matter short at once,’ cried Mrs Freke, ‘why, when a woman likes a man, does not she go and tell him so honestly?’
Belinda, surprised by this question from a woman, was too much abashed instantly to answer.
A Moving Moment [I really wanted to include this quote but had to take names out so it’s not too spoiler-ish]:
"X’s love was not of that selfish sort which the moment that it is deprived of hope sinks into indifference, or is converted into hatred. Y could not be his; but, in the midst of the bitterest regret, he was supported by the consciousness of his own honour and generosity: he felt a noble species of delight in the prospect of promoting the happiness of the woman upon whom his fondest affections had been fixed; and he rejoiced to feel that he had sufficient magnanimity to save a rival from ruin."
The first few chapters were a little shaky for me as I wasn’t sure if I could handle this kind of heroine then it turned to a little bit of a farce (for me) – a sort of gothic tone which I didn’t care for, until the time that Belinda learnt her lessons and became firm in her values. The love triangle, of course, was actually fantastic. Both men had their own appeals and throughout the book, I just never knew which one she would end up with, if any! I kept on moving from one to the other, back and forth right up to the last chapter or two.
Belinda Portman is a niece of a known mercenary matchmaking aunt. She is sent to stay with Lady Delacour to be exposed to the cream of society and catch a wealthy husband. It is in Lady Delacour’s sitting room that she meets Clarence Hervey, an intelligent wealthy young man. A masquerade, a mysteriously locked boudoir, and a few unhealthy rumours later, found her bound for the country.
Lady Anne Percival is a lady of good sense with a very happy family. In her home, Belinda witnesses what a spouse that you respect can mean in a marriage. This is a big contrast to Lord & Lady Delacour’s marriage (if you can call that a ‘marriage’!). Mr Vincent, a former ward of Lord Percival, fell in love with Belinda in this setting. He was hopeful to win her but then she had to leave…
There are about 3 ‘things’ I didn’t particularly like as I found them to be unlikely however I believe they are written as humorous factors in the book except that it didn’t quite work for me. This includes part of how the plot is resolved but this I can forgive as it allows me to enjoy the ending.
Belinda was published approximately 10 years before Sense & Sensibility and 12 years before Pride & Prejudice. I reckon if you love Jane Austen, you will appreciate this book.
Here are some quotes to whet your appetite:
Belinda’s aunt’s advice to her:
Sir Philip, is not, I know, a man of what you call genius. So much the better, my dear – those men of genius are dangerous husbands; they have so many dislikes and eccentricities, there is no managing them, though they are mighty pleasant men in company to enliven conversation.
For you, bookworms:
[Mrs Freke] ‘You read, I see! – I did not know you were a reading girl. So was I once; but I never read now. Books only spoil the originality of genius: very well for those who can’t think for themselves – but when one has made up one’s opinion, there is no use in reading.’
‘But to make them up,’ replied Belinda, ‘may it not be useful?’
‘You, who can think for yourself, should never read.’
‘But I read that I may think for myself.’
‘Only ruin your understanding, trust me. Books are full of trash – nonsense, conversation is worth all the books in the world.’
‘And is there never any nonsense in conversation?’
A discussion still in debate in today’s society!
‘To cut the matter short at once,’ cried Mrs Freke, ‘why, when a woman likes a man, does not she go and tell him so honestly?’
Belinda, surprised by this question from a woman, was too much abashed instantly to answer.
A Moving Moment [I really wanted to include this quote but had to take names out so it’s not too spoiler-ish]:
"X’s love was not of that selfish sort which the moment that it is deprived of hope sinks into indifference, or is converted into hatred. Y could not be his; but, in the midst of the bitterest regret, he was supported by the consciousness of his own honour and generosity: he felt a noble species of delight in the prospect of promoting the happiness of the woman upon whom his fondest affections had been fixed; and he rejoiced to feel that he had sufficient magnanimity to save a rival from ruin."
wealhtheow's review against another edition
3.0
Belinda is a silly, naive girl who is sent to stay with the glamorous Lady Delacour. Her worldly aunt wants her to find a rich husband, Lady Delacour wants her to be entertaining, and Belinda just wants to fall in love. She is initially dazzled by the high-flying life of the Delacours and the rest of the Ton, but rapidly sees the dark side to the sparkling diamonds and scathing witticisms.
Although the novel was published in 1801, this is a very readable book, with dialog that still scintillates to the modern ear. Alas, Edgeworth lost her nerve half way through this fascinating novel. Abruptly, everything becomes black or white. Belinda becomes a paragon of such utter virtue that she never puts a foot wrong, and thus loses all individuality. The battle between the ideals of Harriet Freke (a proto-feminst character) and the perfect Percivals is never truly joined, because the author explicitly calls one side monstrous and the other virtuous. Edgeworth also doesn't trust the reader to judge rightly which love interest Belinda should marry--she suddenly writes one as though all he does is rescue curates and innocent girls, and the other as an inveterate gambler and liar. The only character who survives this reformation is Lady Delacour, whose courage and satiric mind remain undimmed despite her adoption of a more domestic (and thus, virtuous) lifestyle. Lady Delacour is a character for the ages, as witty as Wilde's and as emotionally complex as Woolf's. For her alone, this book is worth reading.
Although the novel was published in 1801, this is a very readable book, with dialog that still scintillates to the modern ear. Alas, Edgeworth lost her nerve half way through this fascinating novel. Abruptly, everything becomes black or white. Belinda becomes a paragon of such utter virtue that she never puts a foot wrong, and thus loses all individuality. The battle between the ideals of Harriet Freke (a proto-feminst character) and the perfect Percivals is never truly joined, because the author explicitly calls one side monstrous and the other virtuous. Edgeworth also doesn't trust the reader to judge rightly which love interest Belinda should marry--she suddenly writes one as though all he does is rescue curates and innocent girls, and the other as an inveterate gambler and liar. The only character who survives this reformation is Lady Delacour, whose courage and satiric mind remain undimmed despite her adoption of a more domestic (and thus, virtuous) lifestyle. Lady Delacour is a character for the ages, as witty as Wilde's and as emotionally complex as Woolf's. For her alone, this book is worth reading.
macfiar's review
2.0
I didn't think it was interesting enough to hold my attention. Just a bit too irrelevant. My tastes have changed to more current and realistic reads. The three chapters on Lady Delacour's history were mostly her talking about how great she is. I got really bored and DNF'd. I have now tried twice to read this. I give up.
blankgarden's review
4.0
My review: https://theblankgarden.com/2019/03/14/review-belinda-maria-edgeworth/
insearchof_wonder_'s review
3.0
Wow I finally finished slogging through this one. It was slow going!
A few thoughts:
1. Most modern critics suggest that the moral of this tale is the appropriately delicate femininity of the age in which it wAs written. I disagree. I believe that the moral is to "think before you leap" when it comes to love and marriage... and I am so confident in this (it's so obvious, people. I don't think Edgeworth was trying to be obtuse.) that I defy anyone to contradict me! Ok, so I could be wrong, because I often am, but to me it's pretty cut and dried.
2. I could definitely see the influence of this book on Austen, more so than I could find in Evelina by Burney. The awkward proposal by Baddeley reminded me of Collins' awful proposal in P&P, and the discussions on "first loves" and "second loves" was explored in S&S. Then there was the managing Lady Delacour who seems like she's related to Emma.
3. Seriously, the hero was grooming his own bride?! Um, sorry, I just can't get past that. Ick.
A few thoughts:
1. Most modern critics suggest that the moral of this tale is the appropriately delicate femininity of the age in which it wAs written. I disagree. I believe that the moral is to "think before you leap" when it comes to love and marriage... and I am so confident in this (it's so obvious, people. I don't think Edgeworth was trying to be obtuse.) that I defy anyone to contradict me! Ok, so I could be wrong, because I often am, but to me it's pretty cut and dried.
2. I could definitely see the influence of this book on Austen, more so than I could find in Evelina by Burney. The awkward proposal by Baddeley reminded me of Collins' awful proposal in P&P, and the discussions on "first loves" and "second loves" was explored in S&S. Then there was the managing Lady Delacour who seems like she's related to Emma.
3. Seriously, the hero was grooming his own bride?! Um, sorry, I just can't get past that. Ick.
jessioats's review
4.0
This book made me feel different ways about it at different times. I do not like the marriage for Belinda. He was a creep grooming Rachel/Virginia to be his "dumb" wife. I am glad he came to his senses, but it does not change the fact that had he not met Belinda, he may never have changed his intentions.
I quite enjoyed the end of the book where they discussed how to end the novel.
I quite enjoyed the end of the book where they discussed how to end the novel.
lawrenceevalyn's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man. This was SO GOOD. So good!!! I can't believe I'd been putting it off for so long because I thought it was going to be a slog -- I should have trusted Jane Austen. I really enjoyed all the characters here, and the delicate balance of narrative suspense and realism. Belinda won my heart in a very similar way to Evelina, but without the distracting subplot. I wish I had friends to gossip about the ending with!
EDIT: I've just discovered that the librivox recording is based off of the 1810 edition of the text, in which Edgeworth edited out an interracial marriage. Now I need to read the 1801 to compare!
EDIT: I've just discovered that the librivox recording is based off of the 1810 edition of the text, in which Edgeworth edited out an interracial marriage. Now I need to read the 1801 to compare!
blankgarden's review against another edition
4.0
My review: https://theblankgarden.com/2019/03/14/review-belinda-maria-edgeworth/
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
5.0
A VERY funny book about a young woman coming of age in (ridiculous) London society.