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absolutive's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
William-An Englishman has some wonderfully rendered, indelible moments. There's the naive, idealistic couple who mistake the first guns of World War I for thunder and lightning on their honeymoon; the inexorable, uncontained flow of life and death and trains for civilian refugees caught up in the probabilities of war; the two neighbouring towns, one prospering from being British headquarters and its increased trade, the other destroyed. The novel is full of these moments, and yet they are its best parts. The narration, the characters and above all the mocking of ideals of pacifism, socialism, gender equality and international cooperation were less successful. Cicely Hamilton makes it clear that these convictions and those who act on them are somehow just like militarism and those who engage in war. The war for justice at home is somehow provincial and small-minded in her novel, compared to the realities and duties of the war abroad. I found this message troubling and not at all compelling.
In the end, William and England represent an ideal and a lost world. The novel is an elegy for them written in 1919, and it's a powerful elegy in a world that doesn't care about the Vote and "The Woman Question," represented by (Patient) Griselda, who is little more than a type in this novel, Socialism and Empire. I think the book would have been more powerful as a story with less commentary and more character development, and more well-rounded characters.
In the end, William and England represent an ideal and a lost world. The novel is an elegy for them written in 1919, and it's a powerful elegy in a world that doesn't care about the Vote and "The Woman Question," represented by (Patient) Griselda, who is little more than a type in this novel, Socialism and Empire. I think the book would have been more powerful as a story with less commentary and more character development, and more well-rounded characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Murder
Minor: Violence
cpruskee's review
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
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