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tstorer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
rachel45's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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? No
4.0
bookwarm_220's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
God help them, Regency and Victorian women need to take the character of a potential lover in far less than 500 pages. I was enjoying myself until about 300 pages in, then I grew exhausted with Belinda's inability to read a room. I can tolerate only so many misunderstood signals, servants' lies, and letters gone awry before I want to scream at the heroine.
Also I found Viscountess Delacour and Mrs. Stanhope super-manipulative and really tedious characters.
I'm also beginning to grow weary of the morality plays and 19th century virtue signaling. It's really dreary to realize how frantic these people were about female sexuality and the threat of reputation damage. 😳
I was enjoying this for a while; there was humor and some interesting characters. It was simply too long for the plot devices, and the observations about people's character weren't really that penetrating.
What I liked about the book were undercurrents of enlightenment thought: Belinda is a rational being, who eschews prejudice, gossip and myth (though she can be led astray by those whom she trusts to guide her. She prefers fact to fiction, calm to chaos, and seems of a liberal and egalitarian disposition. I further enjoyed the literary references in the book. Amongst all the gossipy blather are sprinkled in the true wisdom of the age (it's all in the annotations.)
Two-thirds through the book I could not have cared less if Belinda got her man or ran off with the circus. I was bored with the plot. I think I have just been in classics for too long of a stretch and I need a dose of nonfiction. Or a dose of laudenum.
Also I found Viscountess Delacour and Mrs. Stanhope super-manipulative and really tedious characters.
I'm also beginning to grow weary of the morality plays and 19th century virtue signaling. It's really dreary to realize how frantic these people were about female sexuality and the threat of reputation damage. 😳
I was enjoying this for a while; there was humor and some interesting characters. It was simply too long for the plot devices, and the observations about people's character weren't really that penetrating.
What I liked about the book were undercurrents of enlightenment thought: Belinda is a rational being, who eschews prejudice, gossip and myth (though she can be led astray by those whom she trusts to guide her. She prefers fact to fiction, calm to chaos, and seems of a liberal and egalitarian disposition. I further enjoyed the literary references in the book. Amongst all the gossipy blather are sprinkled in the true wisdom of the age (it's all in the annotations.)
Two-thirds through the book I could not have cared less if Belinda got her man or ran off with the circus. I was bored with the plot. I think I have just been in classics for too long of a stretch and I need a dose of nonfiction. Or a dose of laudenum.
catherinecuypers's review against another edition
dnf — even if it’s for class I cannot get through this lmao
sarahdenn27's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to pinpoint exactly why I disliked this one because it was similar to Evelina, which I really liked. It just felt like this one had no plot and was just slow and dull.
demuise's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a sucker for Regency-era romances, and when I found out that this book was published when Jane Austen was 25, I couldn't resist. I was eager to see how Edgeworth influenced Austen. I especially see similarities to Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park. Belinda is actually referenced in Northanger Abbey:
"And what are you reading, Miss-?" "Oh! it is only a novel!" replies the young lady; while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. - "It is only Cecelia, or Camilla, or Belinda;" or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.
So, yes, Austen admired this book! I do agree that it feels like it was written for "young lad[ies];" a popular romance loved by young women of the time. I also agree that it was written in "the best chosen language." The language is beautiful, witty, and utterly readable. I couldn't wait to sit down with my knitting and listen to this book.
However, the outdated morals, values, and societal norms portrayed in this book are simply heinous. I feel as though I have just hopped in a time machine and can see and understand exactly where so much of our own society’s patriarchal, racist, misogynistic, transphobic, and classist values stem from. Belinda is essentially a novel about morals, with the titular character being the shining example of virtue for all the hooligans and immoral characters around her. If the characters do not bend to her morals, they are banished from the book or punished. When characters do adhere to her morals, they are victorious and rewarded. Essentially, Belinda is not a real character. She has no faults, and therefore, no personality. She’s simply a moral compass. She makes a few mistakes in the beginning of the novel, but nothing that isn’t rectified within a chapter or two by her goodness.
Rachel is terrified of Clarence. She’s scared she will displease him or seem ungrateful, and she puts her happiness and well-being in danger to ensure that he is happy. The whole thing is absolutely disgusting to me. The governess, Belinda, and Rachel’s father (who eventually returns and thankfully takes her away, but only after Clarence doesn’t want her anymore) all congratulate Clarence on the great job he did of educating Rachel and thank him for his generosity and kindness. In the end, Clarence, our accomplished groomer, is not punished. He gets to marry the girl he truly loves, Belinda, who accepts him without telling him that, perhaps, grooming Rachel was wrong.
Of note, these are some other things that Belinda deems immoral: gambling, crossdressing, dueling, fighting, drinking, swearing, being artful and/or deceitful, being a Jew, and gossiping. Yeah… Belinda the character is a bit dull – certainly not the most interesting or relatable heroine.
Unfortunately, the version I read was the 1810 version without the interracial marriage aspects that were deemed too controversial for the time. It would have been very interesting to see how this book, which is so backward to my 21st-century views, could have portrayed interracial marriage. Maybe one day I’ll read the 1801 version and find out.
"And what are you reading, Miss-?" "Oh! it is only a novel!" replies the young lady; while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. - "It is only Cecelia, or Camilla, or Belinda;" or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.
So, yes, Austen admired this book! I do agree that it feels like it was written for "young lad[ies];" a popular romance loved by young women of the time. I also agree that it was written in "the best chosen language." The language is beautiful, witty, and utterly readable. I couldn't wait to sit down with my knitting and listen to this book.
However, the outdated morals, values, and societal norms portrayed in this book are simply heinous. I feel as though I have just hopped in a time machine and can see and understand exactly where so much of our own society’s patriarchal, racist, misogynistic, transphobic, and classist values stem from. Belinda is essentially a novel about morals, with the titular character being the shining example of virtue for all the hooligans and immoral characters around her. If the characters do not bend to her morals, they are banished from the book or punished. When characters do adhere to her morals, they are victorious and rewarded. Essentially, Belinda is not a real character. She has no faults, and therefore, no personality. She’s simply a moral compass. She makes a few mistakes in the beginning of the novel, but nothing that isn’t rectified within a chapter or two by her goodness.
Spoiler
One of the most egregious parts of this book is when our hero, Clarence Hervey, decides that society women are too far gone in their own ways, ideas, and knowledge to tempt him. He wants to educate a girl from scratch so she can be a proper wife to him. He stumbles upon a young girl named Rachel – a child of 15 or 16, I think – in the forest. She has lived her whole life secluded from society with her paranoid grandmother who hasn’t let her even look at a man before. Oh, and she’s angelically beautiful – perfect for Clarence! When her grandmother dies, Clarence takes her in and “cares for her.” He changes her name from Rachel to Virginia because he doesn’t like the name Rachel. He enlists a governess and tells her to hurry up and educate Rachel/Virginia so she can be his wife. All the while, he keeps Rachel locked up in a house away from the polluting influence of other human beings. She belongs to him.Rachel is terrified of Clarence. She’s scared she will displease him or seem ungrateful, and she puts her happiness and well-being in danger to ensure that he is happy. The whole thing is absolutely disgusting to me. The governess, Belinda, and Rachel’s father (who eventually returns and thankfully takes her away, but only after Clarence doesn’t want her anymore) all congratulate Clarence on the great job he did of educating Rachel and thank him for his generosity and kindness. In the end, Clarence, our accomplished groomer, is not punished. He gets to marry the girl he truly loves, Belinda, who accepts him without telling him that, perhaps, grooming Rachel was wrong.
Of note, these are some other things that Belinda deems immoral: gambling, crossdressing, dueling, fighting, drinking, swearing, being artful and/or deceitful, being a Jew, and gossiping. Yeah… Belinda the character is a bit dull – certainly not the most interesting or relatable heroine.
Unfortunately, the version I read was the 1810 version without the interracial marriage aspects that were deemed too controversial for the time. It would have been very interesting to see how this book, which is so backward to my 21st-century views, could have portrayed interracial marriage. Maybe one day I’ll read the 1801 version and find out.
eososray's review
3.0
Now that I've read this book I find that the author was an inspiration to Jane Austen and upon reflection I can see several instances of this in the story. Particularly in regards to Sense and Sensibility.
Belinda is really a very boring girl, she makes no mistakes, she's eminently proper and compassionate, she isn't witty and does nothing of interest to relieve the boredom. She is also smarter and morally superior to everyone she meets, managing to fix years long relationship problems in weeks and be a better judge of character than those who should know better. Maybe if she had taken all this and been an ardent feminist, I would have been able to like her but as it is, she is just the vehicle for the more interesting stories of those characters around her.
Lady Delacour provided much more vivacity to the story, though her constant raillery and non stop talking was perhaps a bit annoying. From a life of dissipation to a life of happy bliss, I actually hope that it is not all such a bed of roses, a life of domestic bliss really doesn't seem to be her style. What a lot of meddling she does and what an idiot in so many respects.
Clarence Hervey is the perfect man, except for a few missteps in regards to women, he seems to be able to do and be better than any other person alive. There is nothing he can't accomplish with ease and generosity, no matter its difficulty. Not my ideal man at all but then maybe a large fortune would win me over.
Mr. Vincent is a man of passion though he does seem to suffer from being a bit immature here and there.
The variety of spiteful society ladies and the antics they get up to is amusing, though often bizarre. Why would anyone want to hang out with them? I can't see the charm of being 'in society' with creatures such as these.
I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, the story is quite long and drawn out until the last 4 chapters when everything comes together exactly as it should, at least according to one busy body character.
Belinda is really a very boring girl, she makes no mistakes, she's eminently proper and compassionate, she isn't witty and does nothing of interest to relieve the boredom. She is also smarter and morally superior to everyone she meets, managing to fix years long relationship problems in weeks and be a better judge of character than those who should know better. Maybe if she had taken all this and been an ardent feminist, I would have been able to like her but as it is, she is just the vehicle for the more interesting stories of those characters around her.
Lady Delacour provided much more vivacity to the story, though her constant raillery and non stop talking was perhaps a bit annoying. From a life of dissipation to a life of happy bliss, I actually hope that it is not all such a bed of roses, a life of domestic bliss really doesn't seem to be her style. What a lot of meddling she does and what an idiot in so many respects.
Clarence Hervey is the perfect man, except for a few missteps in regards to women, he seems to be able to do and be better than any other person alive. There is nothing he can't accomplish with ease and generosity, no matter its difficulty. Not my ideal man at all but then maybe a large fortune would win me over.
Mr. Vincent is a man of passion though he does seem to suffer from being a bit immature here and there.
The variety of spiteful society ladies and the antics they get up to is amusing, though often bizarre. Why would anyone want to hang out with them? I can't see the charm of being 'in society' with creatures such as these.
I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, the story is quite long and drawn out until the last 4 chapters when everything comes together exactly as it should, at least according to one busy body character.
heathssm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
katewutz's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0