Reviews

Pamela by Samuel Richardson

ula_mizhir's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ipanzica's review

1.0

This is the most stomach-churning, horrifying, despicable book that I ever read. If this book wasn't a romance and instead a horror novel showcasing a politically and financially powerful pedophile's obsession with his underage employee, Pamela. Everything that this monster did in this book was so horrifyingly cruel and evil that is hard to not be upset while reading this. Throughout this book, Pamela was assaulted, insulted, controlled, spied on, and gaslighted by not only the "male love interest" but also the people under his employment and influence. This made the last half of the book equally as horrible to read since

Spoiler

Pamela's one ally tries to trick her into marrying him, then she starts suffering mentally, succumbs to Stockholms syndrome, and marries her abuser.

So this is a disturbing read that only gets worse and worse. If the goal of this book was to disgust and disturb the reader, I would have given it three stars, but that is the opposite of this book's goal.

I also hated how many times Pamela got in trouble for attacking the "male love interest's" honor and reputation by telling other people the horrible things happening to her in the nicest ways possible.

rinchapter's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

One of the worst books I've had the displeasure to read. I fear even the most dreadful story will seem appealing after this. It being one of the first novels is not a redeeming quality in any way, and I do not understand how someone might base their rating on that.

susyhendrix's review

challenging reflective slow-paced

3.5

lisajayne_02's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

anke_books's review

challenging 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

3.5

Het is literatuur uit de geschiedenis, daar geef ik geen slechte rating aan. Maar in deze tijd leest het tergend langzaam. Bovendien is de ontwikkeling van de relatie nogal vergezocht.
In de ziek veel pagina's die je doorworstelt, blijft Pamela voet bij stuk houden. In het begin is ze nog wat naïef, maar ze heeft geleerd om haar virtue, onschuld/deugdzaamheid, te bewaren.
Er gebeuren bizarre dingen, die ik ook moeilijk vond om te duiden. Vooral haar banning naar het huis op het platteland en haar relatie met Mrs Jewkes.
Mr. B achtervolgt Pamela continu en probeert haar steeds weer in provocerende omstandigheden te brengen. Hoe meer zij weigert, hoe meer hij haar als trofee probeert te krijgen.
Pamela is uiteraard de onschuld zelve die flauwvalt als Mr. B te dichtbij komt... en zo steeds weer aan een gewisse aanranding/verkrachting ontsnapt.

Uiteindelijk blijkt haar vasthoudendheid - en het inzicht dat ze geeft over wat het hele gebeuren emotioneel met haar heeft gedaan - de reden te zijn dat Mr. B echt voor haar valt en bereid is om beneden zijn stand de liefde te zoeken. En doordat hij haar loslaat, weet zij vrijwillig voor hem te kiezen.

Voor die tijd kan ik me goed voorstellen dat het boek provocerend was. Er is sprake van openlijke fysieke avances van de hogere stand naar de lagere. De bediening werd niet als deugdzaam beschouwt, dus door Pamela zo'n rol te geven, is verrassend. Haar psychische lijden wordt goed uitgemeten. Niet alleen in flauwvallen maar ook in haar depressie en zelfmoordneigingen.

littleyarngoblin's review

1.0

This is absolutely the worst thing I have ever read. The entire book is rape and abuse apologism, particularly domestic violence. Poor Pamela is denied her basic rights.

cassie_smith's review

1.0

I finished it. And I feel that that was a pretty huge accomplishment. Probably the slowest (500 page) book I've ever read.

andersenhannah02's review

1.0

(I didn't actually finish this - our class stopped reading around page 320)

I understand, and can see what Richardson was trying to say about the Power of Words, especially from at a woman this time. And while this may have been a guidebook for being a virtuous woman at the time, in today's context, it only shows the ever growing toxicity of purity culture. And the amount of gaselighting, abuse, and even stockholm syndrome that Pamela experiences is just astronomical. And for what happened (no spoilers) to be Mr. B's redemption... I am utterly disgusted. While Pamela is described to be this beautiful, virtuous, artless creature, I can see the case being made that she might actually be manipulative and cunning in her situation.

bookcaseofdoom's review against another edition

3.0

I feel like I could write a dissertation on this.