Scan barcode
shippers1983's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
indoorswoman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
irenealgi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
I think I may have had too high hopes for this novel, so it was bound to disappoint me. I found the story interesting but dragging, and it doesn't really properly pick up until 60-70% into it, which is a long wait. I found the writing quite odd, it had some great moments of insightful commentary and beautiful phrasing, but more often than not it was dull and strangely confusing. I often wondered if there had been issues with the editing of the book, because some sentences were just wrongly structured and grammatically incorrect. Punctuation was also a bit of a hit or miss.
In terms of the plot and character development, this is where the novel's strength lies, and the main characters (Mary, her father, Mr Herbert and Kathy) are well rounded. Secondary characters such as Dora, Lady Meryton or Lesbia were unfortunately a lot more one-dimensional, but that is a fairly common problem. The story really picks up, in my opinion, when Kathy's misfortune befalls on her, and I found that section of the book the most enthralling by far.
In terms of the plot and character development, this is where the novel's strength lies, and the main characters (Mary, her father, Mr Herbert and Kathy) are well rounded. Secondary characters such as Dora, Lady Meryton or Lesbia were unfortunately a lot more one-dimensional, but that is a fairly common problem. The story really picks up, in my opinion, when Kathy's misfortune befalls on her, and I found that section of the book the most enthralling by far.
amigo_reads's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sofabell's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
sanrodsara's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
rojaed's review against another edition
2.0
I missed lots of this story, which is why I can’t give it a higher rating. It did not hold my interest
_myliteraryobsession's review against another edition
2.0
Overall Rating: 2 STARS **
Read as... Paperback.
Brief Synopsis...
Mary Jocelyn is the dutiful daughter of an austere village rector. In her thirties, Mary is deemed unlikely to receive a proposal of marriage, so she resigns herself to her spinster status and bides her time by writing poetry and caring for her ailing father.
When the charming Rev. Robert Herbert is appointed vicar at the local parish, Mary is surprised to find that she has caught his eye. Quite drawn to one another, Mary anticipates that Robert will soon propose, however, an impromptu trip to Buxton throws him in the path of the glamorous socialite, Kathy. Younger and prettier than Mary, Kathy appears to be the more suitable choice for a wife - hearts are ultimately broken and relationships become strained in this tragic tale of unrequited love.
-------------------------------
My Thoughts...
The Rector's Daughter is often hailed as one of the most underrated novels of the early 1900s. I sought out a copy of this classic in the hopes that it would capture me with its tragic story. I will echo other reviewers in saying that this is indeed a depressing read. Mary is quite a forlorn character, going about her drole life with as much enthusiasm as she can muster. When Rev. Robert Herbert arrives her mood is uplifted and she finds excitement in her future prospects as they form a deep attachment. Unfortunately, their relationship is short-lived and Mary's heart is ultimately broken when Robert announces that he has decided to marry Kathy instead.
Robert is the epitome of a man swayed by a pretty face, that soon realises that beauty isn't everything leading to instant regret. As religion features quite prominently in these character's lives, divorce or an illicit affair is completely out of the question, so Mary and Robert must live out their days dreaming of what could have been.
Mary is tormented by her low self-esteem and her 'unloved' status, and F.M. Mayor encourages her readers to think critically about how unmarried women were viewed and/or treated in the early 1900s. Mayor is quite perceptive when it comes to love and marriage, and this may be due to her own unmarried status, as the only man she ever loved tragically died of typhoid before they could tie the knot.
Whilst I found the plot refreshing and the characters of Mary, Robert and Kathy well-developed and fascinating, I didn't love F.M. Mayor's writing style. The story tended to drag quite a bit and I found myself losing interest early on although I persevered through to the very end. From a social commentary perspective, this was an adequate read, however, the building romance left much to be desired.
Read as... Paperback.
Brief Synopsis...
Mary Jocelyn is the dutiful daughter of an austere village rector. In her thirties, Mary is deemed unlikely to receive a proposal of marriage, so she resigns herself to her spinster status and bides her time by writing poetry and caring for her ailing father.
When the charming Rev. Robert Herbert is appointed vicar at the local parish, Mary is surprised to find that she has caught his eye. Quite drawn to one another, Mary anticipates that Robert will soon propose, however, an impromptu trip to Buxton throws him in the path of the glamorous socialite, Kathy. Younger and prettier than Mary, Kathy appears to be the more suitable choice for a wife - hearts are ultimately broken and relationships become strained in this tragic tale of unrequited love.
-------------------------------
My Thoughts...
The Rector's Daughter is often hailed as one of the most underrated novels of the early 1900s. I sought out a copy of this classic in the hopes that it would capture me with its tragic story. I will echo other reviewers in saying that this is indeed a depressing read. Mary is quite a forlorn character, going about her drole life with as much enthusiasm as she can muster. When Rev. Robert Herbert arrives her mood is uplifted and she finds excitement in her future prospects as they form a deep attachment. Unfortunately, their relationship is short-lived and Mary's heart is ultimately broken when Robert announces that he has decided to marry Kathy instead.
Robert is the epitome of a man swayed by a pretty face, that soon realises that beauty isn't everything leading to instant regret. As religion features quite prominently in these character's lives, divorce or an illicit affair is completely out of the question, so Mary and Robert must live out their days dreaming of what could have been.
Mary is tormented by her low self-esteem and her 'unloved' status, and F.M. Mayor encourages her readers to think critically about how unmarried women were viewed and/or treated in the early 1900s. Mayor is quite perceptive when it comes to love and marriage, and this may be due to her own unmarried status, as the only man she ever loved tragically died of typhoid before they could tie the knot.
Whilst I found the plot refreshing and the characters of Mary, Robert and Kathy well-developed and fascinating, I didn't love F.M. Mayor's writing style. The story tended to drag quite a bit and I found myself losing interest early on although I persevered through to the very end. From a social commentary perspective, this was an adequate read, however, the building romance left much to be desired.
aqrio's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
wendoxford's review against another edition
3.0
I have read many books about the "spare" woman's lot following the First World War into which category I put this.
For me it just missed the mark on every level. There was obviously a lively mind within Mary, our protagonist and yet we were presented layer upon layer of ennui and disappointment. A new curate comes to town, matches her intelligence for a while, then she reverses back into the shadows. The novel had limited plot, limited ways of helping the reader invest in small lives and seemed to take a very long time to say very little.
The same generation moments away from "duty" are with the all show and no substance horsey set - the bright young things and their spurious alter egos - Jim-Jam, Cocky, for example. Then a curious entree into something resembling The Bloomsbury Group. Otherwise it is a caring life, intellectually emotionally retarded superior rector father, disabled sister and a host of older women of the parish.
I thought there were echoes of Mr Rochester (Jane Eyre) and Dorothea/Casaubon (Middlemarch) throughout the book but it never reached the brilliant nuances of those classics. Too relentlessly gruelling for me
For me it just missed the mark on every level. There was obviously a lively mind within Mary, our protagonist and yet we were presented layer upon layer of ennui and disappointment. A new curate comes to town, matches her intelligence for a while, then she reverses back into the shadows. The novel had limited plot, limited ways of helping the reader invest in small lives and seemed to take a very long time to say very little.
The same generation moments away from "duty" are with the all show and no substance horsey set - the bright young things and their spurious alter egos - Jim-Jam, Cocky, for example. Then a curious entree into something resembling The Bloomsbury Group. Otherwise it is a caring life, intellectually emotionally retarded superior rector father, disabled sister and a host of older women of the parish.
I thought there were echoes of Mr Rochester (Jane Eyre) and Dorothea/Casaubon (Middlemarch) throughout the book but it never reached the brilliant nuances of those classics. Too relentlessly gruelling for me