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d_iris's review against another edition
1.0
There's a lot I don't like about this book because, let's be honest: there's a lot wrong with it.
First of all: the grammar is atrocious. He comma splices and slaps semi colons everywhere unnecessarily, and then he'll let a sentence just go on, and on, and on forever. Did he have an editor? And, okay, I get it-- the rules of English change and vary and grow. But jeez; it had none of the finesse or eloquence of hundreds of novels that came before it.
I also hated his tone. Could he have been more sexist? Doubtless he thought he was just being candid, and honest, and insightful; all the words they use to substitute for rude, cruel, and douchebaggy. Don't even get me started on his short sighted, narrow minded racism.
There was just this superior air that his sentences took on; as if he were implying that we should be in awe of them when really he's lucky that I'm giving him my time. And oh! What about K.F. herself? Poor, pretty, perfect Kitty Foyle who messes up in the most devastating manner. Except she didn't. Not really. Sure, she had no real personality outside of her relationship with Wyn. And sure, she mopes about for the entirety of the novel because a life without a boyfriend is a terrible fate, but... so what? She's educated and working; and independent, and self sufficient. She's sure of herself--moreso than Wyn ever was. I just couldn't really get behind the "heartache" that was supposed to weave this pitifully un-profound story together. Yes, kudos for writing a book on such a controversial topic--both then and now-- but how about giving it a little life? A little flavor? How about writing a woman who is actually a woman as opposed to this sordid male fantasy of what HE thinks a woman SHOULD be. Kitty was so obviously the gold standard of matronly martyrdom in the author's eyes. "A truly worthy woman,": one who would sacrifice her happiness for the success of a man. Oh barf.
I can't see that this book was ever beloved, unless of course the people who read it were immature, ignorant sensationalists ... oh wait...
The book speaks for itself when you wonder why it's out of print. It doesn't hold up, hell, it doesn't hold itself up. Christopher Morley did nothing more than jump on a craze way back when, and the writers who write stories for money or fame are often the most unworthy of them. 1.3/5
First of all: the grammar is atrocious. He comma splices and slaps semi colons everywhere unnecessarily, and then he'll let a sentence just go on, and on, and on forever. Did he have an editor? And, okay, I get it-- the rules of English change and vary and grow. But jeez; it had none of the finesse or eloquence of hundreds of novels that came before it.
I also hated his tone. Could he have been more sexist? Doubtless he thought he was just being candid, and honest, and insightful; all the words they use to substitute for rude, cruel, and douchebaggy. Don't even get me started on his short sighted, narrow minded racism.
There was just this superior air that his sentences took on; as if he were implying that we should be in awe of them when really he's lucky that I'm giving him my time. And oh! What about K.F. herself? Poor, pretty, perfect Kitty Foyle who messes up in the most devastating manner. Except she didn't. Not really. Sure, she had no real personality outside of her relationship with Wyn. And sure, she mopes about for the entirety of the novel because a life without a boyfriend is a terrible fate, but... so what? She's educated and working; and independent, and self sufficient. She's sure of herself--moreso than Wyn ever was. I just couldn't really get behind the "heartache" that was supposed to weave this pitifully un-profound story together. Yes, kudos for writing a book on such a controversial topic--both then and now-- but how about giving it a little life? A little flavor? How about writing a woman who is actually a woman as opposed to this sordid male fantasy of what HE thinks a woman SHOULD be. Kitty was so obviously the gold standard of matronly martyrdom in the author's eyes. "A truly worthy woman,": one who would sacrifice her happiness for the success of a man. Oh barf.
I can't see that this book was ever beloved, unless of course the people who read it were immature, ignorant sensationalists ... oh wait...
The book speaks for itself when you wonder why it's out of print. It doesn't hold up, hell, it doesn't hold itself up. Christopher Morley did nothing more than jump on a craze way back when, and the writers who write stories for money or fame are often the most unworthy of them. 1.3/5
eliaharr's review against another edition
2.0
Gonna be super honest - I read this because I found out it was my grandmother’s favorite book when she was in high school. Definitely wasn’t my cup of tea, but cool to see what she was into!
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