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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Miles Franklin didn’t have to go so hard but she did. A ballsier Louisa May Alcott.
My first reading of this novel by Miles Franklin (written when she was only 16!). I'm pleased I haven't seen the movie adaptation with breakout stars Judy Davis and Sam Neill at the time, to influence my thoughts. Published in the late 1800's, the themes of this novel felt so contemporary, and the writing is amazing.
I can only admire Miles Franklin for writing such an engaging character at only 16. Sybylla reminds me of Anne of Green Gables, except that Anne disappointingly grows up and chooses the traditional path and loses her imagination. For this reason, I'm glad there wasn't a sequel to "My Brilliant Career". I can remember Sybylla as always frustrating and indecisive but is clear she doesn't want the drudgery and life of a bush wife who works herself to the bone and gets old before her time. Sybylla is feisty and wants a life of adventure and independence.
What is also lovely about this classic, is the sense of Australia - the bush, the heat, the dust, etc. It's beautifully written and I always wondered how they coped when wearing fashions that were suited to the Northern Hemisphere and a cooler climate. I'm really happy I selected this book as part of my "Australian Classics" goals this year and I would recommend it as a timeless YA story
I can only admire Miles Franklin for writing such an engaging character at only 16. Sybylla reminds me of Anne of Green Gables, except that Anne disappointingly grows up and chooses the traditional path and loses her imagination. For this reason, I'm glad there wasn't a sequel to "My Brilliant Career". I can remember Sybylla as always frustrating and indecisive but is clear she doesn't want the drudgery and life of a bush wife who works herself to the bone and gets old before her time. Sybylla is feisty and wants a life of adventure and independence.
What is also lovely about this classic, is the sense of Australia - the bush, the heat, the dust, etc. It's beautifully written and I always wondered how they coped when wearing fashions that were suited to the Northern Hemisphere and a cooler climate. I'm really happy I selected this book as part of my "Australian Classics" goals this year and I would recommend it as a timeless YA story
I loved many of the things that were expressed through out the book, and wanted to underline a few things to quote, but it was a borrowed book... I was disappointed in the ending though! She could have saved herself from her misery!
3and a half stars. I don’t remember reading this at school, if I did it didn’t leave an impression. Sybylla is both a wonderful and an awful character, she’s an overwrought, self obsessed teenager one minute and almost wise the next. I enjoyed reading this book though not for her but for the slice of Australian life in the 1890s that she describes . The hard life of all those on the land whether they be wealthy or poor is shown so well. I’m quite impressed that Miles Franklin didn’t go for the obvious ending. She stays true to her lead character being unique for a woman of her time.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I hadn't read this one since I was at school and while I remembered it fondly I'd forgotten about the antiquated complicated language of the wealthy (or aspiringly wealthy) Australian squatters.
I still have a soft spot for 17 year old Sybilla and all her trials and tribulations of being a young lady of no means in rural Australia at the time.
It was great to listen to it on this audiobook narrated by Megan E Rees and follow along with my 1965 copy that I bought for $3 earlier this year at the bookfair before Covid19 did away with bookfairs. The 1965 edition held it's value and must have been sold after 1966 because it still has the $3 price tag from Angus & Robertson which no longer has physical bookstore and only sells online now.
Anyway the book has held it's value :D
I still have a soft spot for 17 year old Sybilla and all her trials and tribulations of being a young lady of no means in rural Australia at the time.
It was great to listen to it on this audiobook narrated by Megan E Rees and follow along with my 1965 copy that I bought for $3 earlier this year at the bookfair before Covid19 did away with bookfairs. The 1965 edition held it's value and must have been sold after 1966 because it still has the $3 price tag from Angus & Robertson which no longer has physical bookstore and only sells online now.
Anyway the book has held it's value :D
A great read; brilliant vocabulary, and a nice non-existent yet prevalent plot.
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was getting 3 stars until the end.
This book is a series of unfounded and shallow complaints from a self obsessed but self loathing leading lady who does nothing but make me angry
I have a little rant/review which was a little more unkind here:
https://thecoziestcorner.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/i-finished-my-brilliant-career/
This book is a series of unfounded and shallow complaints from a self obsessed but self loathing leading lady who does nothing but make me angry
I have a little rant/review which was a little more unkind here:
https://thecoziestcorner.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/i-finished-my-brilliant-career/
Lovely book, Sybylla is vivid and engaging from the first page, but oh so frustrating at times. If I was her I would have married Harold Beecham, guess that doesn't make me a good feminist...