You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.0 AVERAGE
3.0 AVERAGE
Well, it's short. And from a distance it's an interesting text - a forerunner of modern science fiction, a utopia devised by a 17th century woman, and there are odd parts of it that are genuinely entertaining. (The magpie, parrot, and jackdaw men trying to prove via syllogism that politicians are or aren't "knaves" and the totally disgusted reaction of the Empress to their logical tangle made me laugh out loud.) Most of it, however, is pedantic in the extreme and a bit of a bore, and the magpie-like tendencies of the author are on full display, going on and on and bloody on about jewels. Look, I get it, they're shiny and you love them, but move on already! Less jewels and more paragraphs would have improved this immeasurably, but probably not enough to bump it up to three stars if I'm honest.
I've read it. I can honestly say that I've read it. I doubt I'll be reading it again.
I've read it. I can honestly say that I've read it. I doubt I'll be reading it again.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I hardly know how to rate this, it is certainly not an enjoyable read, very boring in parts, and not written very well, but then, it's remarkable in its way, the work of an obviously remarkable woman of the 1660s.
Now hear me out on this. It is very obvious that Cavandish was an immensely intelligent woman with a great imagination and the fact that she got her works published in a time when women's voices were never heard is an amazing feat itself (even though she was a Duchess).
Despite all of this, The Blazing World is the most tedious and agrandising piece of literature I've ever read. I was expecting a bit more than long drawn out metaphysical discussions and many many descriptions of everything being made out of gemstones.
Again, an important work, both as a piece of feminist literature and as a work of proto-Science-Fiction. However, I found the style and tone absolutely unbearable.
Despite all of this, The Blazing World is the most tedious and agrandising piece of literature I've ever read. I was expecting a bit more than long drawn out metaphysical discussions and many many descriptions of everything being made out of gemstones.
Again, an important work, both as a piece of feminist literature and as a work of proto-Science-Fiction. However, I found the style and tone absolutely unbearable.
‰ЫПWhether they did ever square the circle, I cannot exactly tell, nor whether they could make imaginary points and lines; but this I dare say, That their points and lines were so slender, small and thin, that they seem‰ЫЄd next to Imaginary.‰Ыќ
Creative for its time, but pretty boring for a contemporary audience. No plot, just all dialogue used as a pretext to philosophize about the world.
A book that goes in all sorts of directions. My head was spinning after reading it. A must reread.