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greenspe's review against another edition
4.0
Very readable, amusing, charming, and short. What more could you ask for if you're considering trying out some 18th century lit? The narrator is instantly lovable and the footnotes by an "English Editor" allow Edgeworth some playfulness in developing her social satire (and they're all worth reading, however long). Most of the characters are one-dimensional and there isn't a strong central plot, but the themes of class and greed and family remain remarkably applicable.
emgilbertie's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bethanybaggins's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
elizastudying's review against another edition
4.0
This is supposed to be the first Anglo-Irish novel and very comic. I found it rather dry to be honest. It just recounts the different lords of Castle Rackrent with a heavy focus on the last one with a very tragic ending. It is told by the unreliable narrator Thady O'Quirk who was one of the main servants of the Rackrents. It is sometimes funny, but I most of all I had higher expectations of it. We will see what my studying the criticism does to my opinion.
2019: read it again as I am writing a review of a new edition of it, and enjoyed it more than the first time, because I now know more of the book, the author, the period, etc. It’s still not my favourite Edgeworth novel, but I definitely appreciated it much more!
2019: read it again as I am writing a review of a new edition of it, and enjoyed it more than the first time, because I now know more of the book, the author, the period, etc. It’s still not my favourite Edgeworth novel, but I definitely appreciated it much more!
cnyreader's review against another edition
3.0
At just under 100 pages, this book is a little jaunt through the history of an Irish town and it's succession of landlords, as told by one of the servants of the household. Apparently, this novel is significant because of the time of it was published and because it brought attention to the conflict between the classes in Ireland, a different perspective from the religious conflict. Easily readable, this book is more interesting historically than as remarkable literature.
Food: a pint of ale in a cozy pub with a good friend. This story is something you sit down and hear as if from an old-timer who knows how to spin a good yarn.
Food: a pint of ale in a cozy pub with a good friend. This story is something you sit down and hear as if from an old-timer who knows how to spin a good yarn.
madelinemaya's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
lileuw's review against another edition
3.0
True score: 2.5
I don't tend to give half stars on Goodreads, but it didn't feel right to give this 2 stars, but neither did it feel right to give 3. This book was just 'meh'. That's it. Just meh. It wasn't anything special, it wasn't anything bad, and I kept forgetting what it was actually about. I really wanted to enjoy this, but I didn't not enjoy. It's just one of those books that are just MEH. I don't know how to put it in any on other way, haha.
I don't tend to give half stars on Goodreads, but it didn't feel right to give this 2 stars, but neither did it feel right to give 3. This book was just 'meh'. That's it. Just meh. It wasn't anything special, it wasn't anything bad, and I kept forgetting what it was actually about. I really wanted to enjoy this, but I didn't not enjoy. It's just one of those books that are just MEH. I don't know how to put it in any on other way, haha.