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geenween's review against another edition
4.0
*** ENG/ITA ***
Read by Elizabeth Klett, excellent LV narrator, this is a quaint, melancholic novella about a young, intelligent girl coming of age in a man's world.
She is too clever for her cousin, who comes to love her dearly as a sister and tries to help her trough her experience with first love .
I found myself drawn to this portait even with its sometimes melodramatic twists and slow pace.
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Il narratore è un giovane, che dopo ver conosciuto bella e intelligente cugina, Phillis, e esseresi affezionato a lei come a una sorella, assiste con apprensione all'esperienza della ragazza con il suo primo grande amore.
Bellissima novella, passo lento, qualche angolo di melodramma vittoriano, ma melanconica e dolce al tempo stesso.
Audiolibro in inglese letto da E. Klett (bravissima)!
Read by Elizabeth Klett, excellent LV narrator, this is a quaint, melancholic novella about a young, intelligent girl coming of age in a man's world.
She is too clever for her cousin
Spoiler
literally, since he doesn't want to marry her because she too smart!Spoiler
with his friend, who seems to understand and admire her exactly for her learning, rather that despite it. And then, the second he leaves the country, he quickly forgets her for another... Raise your hand if you wanted to strangle himI found myself drawn to this portait even with its sometimes melodramatic twists and slow pace.
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Il narratore è un giovane, che dopo ver conosciuto bella e intelligente cugina, Phillis, e esseresi affezionato a lei come a una sorella
Spoiler
(la ritiene troppo intelligente per sposarla, prendiamolo come un complimento...)Bellissima novella, passo lento, qualche angolo di melodramma vittoriano
Spoiler
perché le fanciulle rifiutate finiscono sempre per rischiare la pelle per esaurimento nervoso?Audiolibro in inglese letto da E. Klett (bravissima)!
petrauusimaa's review against another edition
3.0
Cousin Phillis and Other Tales is a collection of seven short stories by Elizabeth Gaskell. I feel incredibly hard to rate this collection since the stories are a very mixed bag. Some of them I enjoyed very much, some of them left me feel a bit unaffected. They were all interesting and well written but most of them just didn't evoke any feelings in me. My favourites from the collection are definitely The Old Nurse's Story and Lois the Witch which left me breathless. All of the stories are very tragic and sad, so this is not a happy collection, far from it. I feel, however, that I will always like Elizabeth Gaskell's longer works better. Many of these stories just didn't have the spark the novels have; I felt a lot of the characters were very plain and not easy to relate to. Though, I do think The Old Nurse's Story and Lois the Witch are excellent stories and would wholeheartedly recommend to pick them up if you love Elizabeth Gaskell or want to get into her but the longer works feel too frightening.
yanina's review against another edition
4.0
Cuando leí la sinopsis de "La prima Phillis" no sabía qué esperar, a pesar de que confío plenamente en Elizabeth Gaskell, autora inglesa reconocida por "Norte y sur". Encontré una historia preciosa sobre un joven que decide visitar a unos parientes porque el trabajo "lo deja cerca" y descubre que la vida en el campo tiene su encanto. Sin embargo, su prima Phillis se lleva casi toda la atención de la novela.
Gaskell es una autora exquisita. Es así. Balancea las descripciones, las reflexiones, los diálogos y la acción de una forma envidiable. Eso hace que sea imposible (o casi, porque siempre hay alguien) aburrirse o sentir que está deteniendo el libro. El narrador es Paul, el protagonista, y su mirada atenta hacia su prima lo corre a un costado de la acción en algunos momentos.
Prácticamente devoré el libro y la historia que cuenta (como ya imaginarán, algo de amor implica, pero no puedo decir entre quiénes) es muy bonita. Me movió mucho a pensar en las expectativas altas que ponemos en personas cuyo comportamiento predice su próximo paso. Eso es lo que me sucedió con un personaje de este libro: intuí cómo iba a terminar.
Ahora quiero volver a Phillis y su entorno. Ella es una joven que está acostumbrada a las tareas de la granja y cuyo padre, que es pastor, la educa de la mejor forma posible. Lee mucho y no teme manifestar sus dudas o su falta de conocimiento. Ella se me hizo una protagonista muy querible y muy temeraria, que confía y calla demasiado.
El punto de quiebre de la novela se hace esperrar y aseguro que vale la pena esperarlo. Me gustan los finales abiertos pero en este caso me había enganchado tanto con la historia de Phillis que quise unas páginas más. Aún así, me quedo satisfecha con ese cierre.
⠀
Gaskell es una autora exquisita. Es así. Balancea las descripciones, las reflexiones, los diálogos y la acción de una forma envidiable. Eso hace que sea imposible (o casi, porque siempre hay alguien) aburrirse o sentir que está deteniendo el libro. El narrador es Paul, el protagonista, y su mirada atenta hacia su prima lo corre a un costado de la acción en algunos momentos.
Prácticamente devoré el libro y la historia que cuenta (como ya imaginarán, algo de amor implica, pero no puedo decir entre quiénes) es muy bonita. Me movió mucho a pensar en las expectativas altas que ponemos en personas cuyo comportamiento predice su próximo paso. Eso es lo que me sucedió con un personaje de este libro: intuí cómo iba a terminar.
Ahora quiero volver a Phillis y su entorno. Ella es una joven que está acostumbrada a las tareas de la granja y cuyo padre, que es pastor, la educa de la mejor forma posible. Lee mucho y no teme manifestar sus dudas o su falta de conocimiento. Ella se me hizo una protagonista muy querible y muy temeraria, que confía y calla demasiado.
El punto de quiebre de la novela se hace esperrar y aseguro que vale la pena esperarlo. Me gustan los finales abiertos pero en este caso me había enganchado tanto con la historia de Phillis que quise unas páginas más. Aún así, me quedo satisfecha con ese cierre.
⠀
cpcabaniss's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this. I didn't know what to expect, really, but I found the writing engaging and the story, though predictable, to be enjoyable.
The writing was actually better here than in North and South, I think. Perhaps I should try that one on audio as well.
The writing was actually better here than in North and South, I think. Perhaps I should try that one on audio as well.
alice_12's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
4.0
I have such mixed feelings about this book. It's a collection of short stories, and every single one is depressing! These are the saddest, most awful stories I have ever read. The real problem is that the writing is so brilliant that it really makes you care about the characters! So when everything goes wrong, it is absolutely heartbreaking.
Also most of the stories finish with a lot of unresolved questions. They end abruptly with someone's death, and we aren't told if the surviving characters go on to get married or live happy lives or buy back the farm or anything. Loose ends dangling everywhere! Agh! Very frustrating.
I couldn't finish reading them, because I was getting too depressed.
Update 2021: I finished reading the last two stories in this collection "Curious if True" and "Cousin Phillis". These stories were a bit happier and more structured, and I enjoyed them!
"Curious if True" is about a benighted traveler who stumbles into a French chalet and is greeted as if he were an expected guest. He gradually begins to realize that the hosts are somehow familiar to him.
"Cousin Phillis" is about a young man who works for a railroad, and he meets his distant cousins and their daughter Phillis, who is a couple of years younger than himself. He becomes close with the whole family, visiting them at their farm, and even bringing his railroad boss to meet them.
This story is more of a novella, and has a well-constructed story line with deep characters. I really loved the family dynamic between all the cousins, and how their peaceful farm life is described with so much charm. I was completely fascinated with the characters and their strong personalities. I was also pleased that this story has a somewhat happy ending, despite there being some tragedy in the middle.
As always, Elizabeth Gaskell's writing style is a complete delight!
Also most of the stories finish with a lot of unresolved questions. They end abruptly with someone's death, and we aren't told if the surviving characters go on to get married or live happy lives or buy back the farm or anything. Loose ends dangling everywhere! Agh! Very frustrating.
I couldn't finish reading them, because I was getting too depressed.
Update 2021: I finished reading the last two stories in this collection "Curious if True" and "Cousin Phillis". These stories were a bit happier and more structured, and I enjoyed them!
"Curious if True" is about a benighted traveler who stumbles into a French chalet and is greeted as if he were an expected guest. He gradually begins to realize that the hosts are somehow familiar to him.
"Cousin Phillis" is about a young man who works for a railroad, and he meets his distant cousins and their daughter Phillis, who is a couple of years younger than himself. He becomes close with the whole family, visiting them at their farm, and even bringing his railroad boss to meet them.
This story is more of a novella, and has a well-constructed story line with deep characters. I really loved the family dynamic between all the cousins, and how their peaceful farm life is described with so much charm. I was completely fascinated with the characters and their strong personalities. I was also pleased that this story has a somewhat happy ending, despite there being some tragedy in the middle.
As always, Elizabeth Gaskell's writing style is a complete delight!
bradleygiselle's review against another edition
3.0
Although I enjoyed the writing the story kind of bummed me out. This book gave me Rebecca and Anne of Green Gables vibes. Which are 2 books I never thought I'd put together in a sentence.
sophiemooch's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ncinsley's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosepoldark's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Fantastic collection of short stories!
Lizzie Leigh: This reminded me a lot of Mary Barton, and shows the hard life in Victorian Manchester. A very touching tale. 4,5 stars.
Morton Hall: A very good story and reminded me a bit of Cranford. I really enjoyed the story of the inhabitants of the house and it was very interesting to read about the part set in the 17th century. But the rest was also fantastic! 4,5/5
My French Master: This was a very sweet but also very serious tale, I liked the setting and everything about it! 5/5
Half a life-time ago: Again fantastic story and it was very interesting to see the depiction of mental illness and how it affects Susan's life. 5/5
The Manchester Marriage: Very shocking tale and very interesting too! 4,5/5
Cousin Phillis: Fantastic tale and a bit sad. I got a bit of a David Copperfield vibe from it, but of course it was not like it in plot. I really liked the characters and find the minister a very interesting person. And of course the setting was so idyllic and marvellous. 5/5
Lizzie Leigh: This reminded me a lot of Mary Barton, and shows the hard life in Victorian Manchester. A very touching tale. 4,5 stars.
Morton Hall: A very good story and reminded me a bit of Cranford. I really enjoyed the story of the inhabitants of the house and it was very interesting to read about the part set in the 17th century. But the rest was also fantastic! 4,5/5
My French Master: This was a very sweet but also very serious tale, I liked the setting and everything about it! 5/5
Half a life-time ago: Again fantastic story and it was very interesting to see the depiction of mental illness and how it affects Susan's life. 5/5
The Manchester Marriage: Very shocking tale and very interesting too! 4,5/5
Cousin Phillis: Fantastic tale and a bit sad. I got a bit of a David Copperfield vibe from it, but of course it was not like it in plot. I really liked the characters and find the minister a very interesting person. And of course the setting was so idyllic and marvellous. 5/5