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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
A thoroughly enjoyable read with one of my favourite things in 19th century literature: a headstrong, conscientious and independent heroine. The action came pretty thick and fast, including a genuinely thrilling scene during the riot. A classic realist novel with decent character portraits, funny at times, although not much romance. Unsatisfactorily, it ended very abruptly.
The spoilers at the beginning of chapters in this Norton edition were unforgivable however the letters, reviews, contextual essays, critiques and the short story (Lizzie Leigh) definitely added to my experience of the novel and introduced several poignant perspectives of which I was previously ignorant. Even so, it was hard work in parts and I wouldn’t like to submit to this degree of analysis for every novel I read.
The spoilers at the beginning of chapters in this Norton edition were unforgivable however the letters, reviews, contextual essays, critiques and the short story (Lizzie Leigh) definitely added to my experience of the novel and introduced several poignant perspectives of which I was previously ignorant. Even so, it was hard work in parts and I wouldn’t like to submit to this degree of analysis for every novel I read.
Reading this for the second time was not as enjoyable as the first because I was able to recall the twists of the plot and the lack of surprise made other, less gratifying features of the novel stand out, such as the rather mawkish characterisations and the moralising inherent in the social mores of the day. The thing that retained its value though was the technical aspect of the narrative’s construction, which contained lots of moving parts that resolve in a satisfying way at its conclusion. The character development was also excellent.
Victorian literature is basically comfort food for me at this point, so I enjoyed this.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Felt dated, slow, predictable
Read for 19th Cent Brit Lit. First book that I really liked in this class. It was a class that I'm glad that I took because 19th century novels are important for so many reasons, but I also discovered that this is not my favorite era.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ik zou dit niet lezen als beginner. Je moet een basiskennis hebben van de cultuur en maatschappij uit die tijd.
Het is een zeer beschrijvend verhaal.
Ook heel vaag in veel momenten, zeker het begin had ik telkens het gevoel alsof ik een heel stuk gemist had. Maw is het aan de ene kant uitgebreid beschreven en aan de andere kant verwarrend vaag.
Onderwerpen als klasse, arbeidsrecht, sociaal recht, arm vs rijk, vrouwenrechten, overlijden en rouw, opofferingen, levenskeuzes, naastenliefde, geloof, trots en vooroordelen.
Het is een zeer beschrijvend verhaal.
Ook heel vaag in veel momenten, zeker het begin had ik telkens het gevoel alsof ik een heel stuk gemist had. Maw is het aan de ene kant uitgebreid beschreven en aan de andere kant verwarrend vaag.
Onderwerpen als klasse, arbeidsrecht, sociaal recht, arm vs rijk, vrouwenrechten, overlijden en rouw, opofferingen, levenskeuzes, naastenliefde, geloof, trots en vooroordelen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, War, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail