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eheslosz's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
fun but surface level reading
ekmsmith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a fun comedy full of strange characters, that somehow manages to make a pretty dark, tragic ending seem amusing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
lectoribenevolo's review against another edition
2.0
A sour lemon of a book. Beerbohm's satire of Edwardian Oxford hits its mark sometimes--it illustrates the tragic consequences of the delayed adolescence brought about by academic pursuits, especially when fueled by wealth. Otherwise it's just depressing. Beerbohm's stance is of someone too worldly-wise to have sympathy for any of his characters. All it does is render the entire novel unsympathetic.
macca23's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The tragedy of comphet. lol
skyealexandra's review against another edition
debated over dnfing this but i had to. i would've really enjoyed this as a novella, it was far too long. i liked the plot, but jesus christ did this book drag.
wmhenrymorris's review against another edition
Oh, my heck. Totally the funniest book about mass suicide ev-er! Zuleika Dobson was, like, such the Paris Hilton of her day -- except a bazillion times hotter.
But seriously, the novel is a slim, arch, stupendously written thing of horror and hilarity that also has one of the oddest narrators in all of literature and some totally bizarre narrative digressions. One of the best satires I've ever read.
But seriously, the novel is a slim, arch, stupendously written thing of horror and hilarity that also has one of the oddest narrators in all of literature and some totally bizarre narrative digressions. One of the best satires I've ever read.
bronwynmb's review against another edition
3.0
Parts of this I really enjoyed, but I think I should read it again sometime...
kgawesome5's review against another edition
4.0
Zuleika Dobson or, An Oxford Love Story killed me in the best way. A satirical and scathing undressing of Oxford society in the early twentieth century, Beerbohm's wit flashes through his characters and prose. Since I am currently studying at Oxford, I especially enjoyed the integration of the features of the city of Oxford with the narrative: "Oxford walls have a way of belittling us." I absolutely had to purchase this book after spotting it at Blackwell's because of its tantalizing preface and the fact that it is not printed in the US. In my opinion, Max Beerbohm's wit in Zuleika Dobson overshadows Oscar Wilde, which is a big statement coming from a Wilde lover! BIG FAN