Scan barcode
heresthepencil's review against another edition
4.0
rep: mixed-race Jamaican British li, Jamaican side character
(i unfortunately read the edited version, but am on a mission to rectify that)
belinda is literally an angel walking on earth, and could do no wrong, which sometimes is trying to read, but she just seems like the personification of patience instead of a mary sue.
the way this novel talks about women's right to choose a partner & to be able to learn their true character before making a decision; about breast cancer and how it impacts a person's life, especially when combined with 'doctors' who are just there to make some money; about not listening to gossip and instead trying to find out the truth... so much is going on here, and it's all delicious. and the writing is honestly good and funny a lot of the time.
on the other hand, a lot of things is irritating, tho most of them can be ascribed to the time this was written in. the love interest constantly judges the mc and needs proof of her good character, instead of, you know, just giving her a benefit of a doubt. the author also set out to write a moral tale & not a novel, and it’s very visible; so many instances of lectures, of characters doing what is the best thing to do instead of what they’re likely to do.
and yes, the second half is somewhat chaotic, to say the least. and the whole thing with virginia? “it’s very easy to condemn from our vantage point in history. and so we condemn! wholeheartedly!” like, i understand it was there to talk about rousseau’s philosophy & i’m glad it at least ended the way it did, but it was still a gross plot line. and the sudden reveal of a certain someone's gambling addiction? truly what the fuck!! the ending itself isn't very satisfactory either but alas
(i unfortunately read the edited version, but am on a mission to rectify that)
belinda is literally an angel walking on earth, and could do no wrong, which sometimes is trying to read, but she just seems like the personification of patience instead of a mary sue.
the way this novel talks about women's right to choose a partner & to be able to learn their true character before making a decision; about breast cancer and how it impacts a person's life, especially when combined with 'doctors' who are just there to make some money; about not listening to gossip and instead trying to find out the truth... so much is going on here, and it's all delicious. and the writing is honestly good and funny a lot of the time.
on the other hand, a lot of things is irritating, tho most of them can be ascribed to the time this was written in. the love interest constantly judges the mc and needs proof of her good character, instead of, you know, just giving her a benefit of a doubt. the author also set out to write a moral tale & not a novel, and it’s very visible; so many instances of lectures, of characters doing what is the best thing to do instead of what they’re likely to do.
and yes, the second half is somewhat chaotic, to say the least. and the whole thing with virginia? “it’s very easy to condemn from our vantage point in history. and so we condemn! wholeheartedly!” like, i understand it was there to talk about rousseau’s philosophy & i’m glad it at least ended the way it did, but it was still a gross plot line. and the sudden reveal of a certain someone's gambling addiction? truly what the fuck!! the ending itself isn't very satisfactory either but alas
annamania99's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Edgeworth described this as a moral tale rather than a novel, but it captivates and entertains regardless. The characters are realistic and the dialogue is wonderful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Terminal illness, Classism, and Mental illness
Minor: Antisemitism
anafenix's review against another edition
1.0
Abandonado al 20% esta bien escrito, pero se me está haciendo muy pesado, me costaba mucho, y no me llegaban los personajes, ni la historia, asi que, me planto con el, quizas en otra ocasión.
charlotte_owl's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this 1802 novel by Maria Edgeworth. The print in this book is very small and tight, so it could be straining on the eyes at times, but I ended up becoming very engaged in the plot, and so I overcame my dislike of the font size in order to continue reading.
This novel is more an examination of society than it is a book about romance, although romance (with two different men) is still an important part. The main character Belinda learns about how the happiest people can actually be the saddest behind closed doors, and how it is important to marry for happiness rather than wealth. (Of course, she is lucky that she has people willing to house her for no fee. But I digress). There is a strong moral through the book encouraging domestic happiness and simple manners over artifice and partying. While I think this is a good moral, I think it looses some of its meaning, as the "good" people often seem too good to be true. Lady Anne Percival, who is shown as being the perfect woman with perfect manners and domestic bliss, has no true faults. And alongside this, the main character Belinda also does not seem to be a true person either. There is a lot of talk of how women should behave, and while it is rightfully stated that women should have some level of education and not be ignorant, and that they shouldn't put on "airs," the book also seems to praise women delicateness, sensibility, and good manners. However, no woman can have perfectly good manners all the time, so I think expecting women to is just a different kind of "airs." I think women still suffer from this today. How many women still struggle with saying no? (I, unfortunately, am one of them.)
I found the entire plotline surround Lady Delacour to be very interesting. Her feud with her husband as well as her problems with her health were very engaging to me. As she began to change and become a better person, I really felt her growth and it was very rewarding.
Finally, I won't say much as it goes into spoiler territory, but Virginia was treated most horribly. I felt like the ending with her was just handwaved away. It should have been expressed more clearly that she had been treated wrongly.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I would highly recommend it to people interested in 18th/19th century literature that is focused around women and society. As one note, there was some racism in this book. There was one scene that was mildly insulting to Jews. It last only one page, and the insult was referring to the character only as "Jew" and having them be a moneylender who was charging very high interest. There was also a character of black descent, named Juba. While he was described as being a good person with a kind personality, and he ended up marrying a white girl, there were also times when his ignorance was pointed out, and some characters (who we weren't supposed to like) did not speak well of him. I did think it was good how the mixed marriage was celebrated.
This novel is more an examination of society than it is a book about romance, although romance (with two different men) is still an important part. The main character Belinda learns about how the happiest people can actually be the saddest behind closed doors, and how it is important to marry for happiness rather than wealth. (Of course, she is lucky that she has people willing to house her for no fee. But I digress). There is a strong moral through the book encouraging domestic happiness and simple manners over artifice and partying. While I think this is a good moral, I think it looses some of its meaning, as the "good" people often seem too good to be true. Lady Anne Percival, who is shown as being the perfect woman with perfect manners and domestic bliss, has no true faults. And alongside this, the main character Belinda also does not seem to be a true person either. There is a lot of talk of how women should behave, and while it is rightfully stated that women should have some level of education and not be ignorant, and that they shouldn't put on "airs," the book also seems to praise women delicateness, sensibility, and good manners. However, no woman can have perfectly good manners all the time, so I think expecting women to is just a different kind of "airs." I think women still suffer from this today. How many women still struggle with saying no? (I, unfortunately, am one of them.)
I found the entire plotline surround Lady Delacour to be very interesting. Her feud with her husband as well as her problems with her health were very engaging to me. As she began to change and become a better person, I really felt her growth and it was very rewarding.
Finally, I won't say much as it goes into spoiler territory, but Virginia was treated most horribly. I felt like the ending with her was just handwaved away. It should have been expressed more clearly that she had been treated wrongly.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I would highly recommend it to people interested in 18th/19th century literature that is focused around women and society. As one note, there was some racism in this book. There was one scene that was mildly insulting to Jews. It last only one page, and the insult was referring to the character only as "Jew" and having them be a moneylender who was charging very high interest. There was also a character of black descent, named Juba. While he was described as being a good person with a kind personality, and he ended up marrying a white girl, there were also times when his ignorance was pointed out, and some characters (who we weren't supposed to like) did not speak well of him. I did think it was good how the mixed marriage was celebrated.
lexarobinson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
I had no idea what to expect - I have rarely read Victorian novels before, sans Sense and Sensibility - but I really enjoyed this charming story. Belinda would be a Mary-Sue, and she does do no wrong, but she is humble enough that she comes across as likeable, not insufferable. It is definitely straight out of the Austen vein in construction, but definitely an enjoyable read - and one of my favourites I've read for a long time.
nanvdand's review against another edition
3.0
Have you read and reread all of your Austen books? Gone through all the Brontes? And you still haven't gotten enough of the independently minded Georgian/Victorian era heroines? Then try Belinda. While not quite as well written as Austen, there is enough here to provide a diversion such as the education of women, cross dressing, gender and race issues, and opium addiction. And of course a bit of romance.
The story revolves mostly around Lady Delacour and Belinda. The former "was governed by pride, by sentiment, by whim, by enthusiasm, by passion - by anything but reason" and the latter is the complete opposite. There is a scene at a ball that is very much reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice where Belinda overhears a rude comment by the main love interest in the story. Perhaps this is where Ms. Austen got the idea?
Giving 3 stars simply because when compared to other similar era books, the writing is not as smooth. Many of the conversations seem odd and disjointed and many of the scenes don't flow together well.
The story revolves mostly around Lady Delacour and Belinda. The former "was governed by pride, by sentiment, by whim, by enthusiasm, by passion - by anything but reason" and the latter is the complete opposite. There is a scene at a ball that is very much reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice where Belinda overhears a rude comment by the main love interest in the story. Perhaps this is where Ms. Austen got the idea?
Giving 3 stars simply because when compared to other similar era books, the writing is not as smooth. Many of the conversations seem odd and disjointed and many of the scenes don't flow together well.
melindamoor's review against another edition
4.0
Can be downloaded for free from Project Gutenberg link to free edition
under the title "Tales and Novels — Volume 03 by Maria Edgeworth"
Update 10/12/2017
Not a full 4 stars (3.75), but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Belinda, the heroine, is a big step forward compared to the heroines of Fanny Burney (complete ingenues, always the helpless victims of circumstance, waiting for events to miraculously sort themselves out). While still bordering on the perfect, she has a lot of common sense and prudence and is not afraid to use them.
I think Jane Austen's Elinor did like this novel, while Marianne probably was partly disgusted with it, as neither Belinda nor her lover were senselessly passionate about each other and also secondary characters featured, who dared to be happy in a second attachment. :)
A more detailed review to come after some due consideration.
Update 31/Oct/2017
Re-reading to see if it stands the test of time.
I have vague memories of it being OK, but not coming anywhere close to my beloved Jane Austen.
We shall see.
under the title "Tales and Novels — Volume 03 by Maria Edgeworth"
Update 10/12/2017
Not a full 4 stars (3.75), but I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Belinda, the heroine, is a big step forward compared to the heroines of Fanny Burney (complete ingenues, always the helpless victims of circumstance, waiting for events to miraculously sort themselves out). While still bordering on the perfect, she has a lot of common sense and prudence and is not afraid to use them.
I think Jane Austen's Elinor did like this novel, while Marianne probably was partly disgusted with it, as neither Belinda nor her lover were senselessly passionate about each other and also secondary characters featured, who dared to be happy in a second attachment. :)
A more detailed review to come after some due consideration.
Update 31/Oct/2017
Re-reading to see if it stands the test of time.
I have vague memories of it being OK, but not coming anywhere close to my beloved Jane Austen.
We shall see.
alba_marie's review against another edition
3.0
Finally finished! After months of it sitting on my night table occasionally reading a few pages, once I put my mind to it, I finished it in a few days. Finally! Full thoughts to come soon.