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olene_quinn's review
4.0
This book is a little hard to describe. It begins as a marriage of convenience romance. Then, that plot is set aside in favor of it becoming a gothic novel. The gothic novel plot gets tossed out the window in a deeply unsatisfying twist. The romance comes back to center stage and transitions from a prosaic, calm sort of love into a full blown Victorian melodrama. The last page returns to the gothic elements after a space of four years and suddenly sums them up in a paragraph or two. Characters are added and promptly forgotten throughout the narration. I understand that the strange pacing is probably due to the fact that this was originally published as two separate novellas which were later knit together.
And yet, there was something engrossing and charming about this novel. Emily, though frustratingly weak-willed and obtuse at times, was kind and loving enough to make up for it. Lord Walderhurst, a stuffy prig, somehow becomes lovable. Even Lady Maria, who had the audacity to insult a new born baby's appearance gets forgiven.
So, while I feel I should be rating this three stars, I am going to give it four simply because I was thoroughly entertained and truly liked the characters despite myself.
Content warning: This was originally published in 1901 and there is casual racism sprinkled throughout the middle of this book. A few passages are difficult to read.
And yet, there was something engrossing and charming about this novel. Emily, though frustratingly weak-willed and obtuse at times, was kind and loving enough to make up for it. Lord Walderhurst, a stuffy prig, somehow becomes lovable. Even Lady Maria, who had the audacity to insult a new born baby's appearance gets forgiven.
So, while I feel I should be rating this three stars, I am going to give it four simply because I was thoroughly entertained and truly liked the characters despite myself.
Content warning: This was originally published in 1901 and there is casual racism sprinkled throughout the middle of this book. A few passages are difficult to read.
camillalice's review
3.0
I did enjoy the story mostly, it kept my interest to the end, but there are elements that will bother the moder reader. I am not one to be easily offended when I read older literature, because I am aware of the book in its historical context, but sometimes it goes a bit far and it can make the modern reader uncomfortable.
WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD
Here, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on the supposed lesser intellectual capacities of the main character. To me she just seems a bit naive perhaps and sheltered, which is difficult to believe as she worked for a personal shopper and assistant all over London for years.
Not only is she repeatedly described as stupid, she's also physically tall and overweight, as I presume a contrast to the dainty young ladies. And at times the focus is also put on her large soft eyes, like an animal... I mean, what is she modelled on, a friendly placid cow? There's no need to pile on every thing like this.
The second obvious element is the racism against Indians. The Indian ayah is akin to an evil witch and of course the only redeemable Indian character is only half-Indian. Brace yourself for the stereotypes and the "half-breed" comments.
WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD
Here, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on the supposed lesser intellectual capacities of the main character. To me she just seems a bit naive perhaps and sheltered, which is difficult to believe as she worked for a personal shopper and assistant all over London for years.
Not only is she repeatedly described as stupid, she's also physically tall and overweight, as I presume a contrast to the dainty young ladies. And at times the focus is also put on her large soft eyes, like an animal... I mean, what is she modelled on, a friendly placid cow? There's no need to pile on every thing like this.
The second obvious element is the racism against Indians. The Indian ayah is akin to an evil witch and of course the only redeemable Indian character is only half-Indian. Brace yourself for the stereotypes and the "half-breed" comments.
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