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A review by diana_eveline
Pamela by Samuel Richardson
2.0
"O how can wicked men seem so steady and untouched with such black hearts, while poor innocents stand like malefactors before them!”
Pamela, a maid-servant of a respectable lady, finds herself without a master upon the passing of her lady. The son of her lady, Mr. B., kindly offers her a position in his household. Little does she know he has his mind set on entirely different things. For weeks on end he tries to bully her into letting him have her virtue. She begs him to let her go home to her parents. He pretends to let her go but meanwhile sends her off to a different house of his, far away from her parents. She is to be kept there until she has a change of heart. Here she discovers, after many struggles and challenges, that she loved him all along.
I have to admit that I have never been so happy to have finished a book. I would have quit it a while ago, had it not been a mandatory read for a course I am following. It was absolutely dreadful. Not only was it far too lengthy and repetitive but the moral is revolting! Yes, it is good to be virtuous and the happy ending is pleasant but Mr. B. represents this idea that if you want something (or someone) enough and you bully to no extend, you will get what you want.
When Pamela had a sudden change of heart, I was astonished and even disgusted when I found out she was only 16. She dotes on his love and says she has never experienced any form of dedication quite like his. Well, I should think not, being only 16! I suppose people married a lot younger back then but surely someone could have told the girl that there would be others who would love her and pay attention to her? Perhaps someone who isn't so set on having his way...
The final notes in the book gave a slightly different perspective on the story than I had but still praised the book for showing that "love" can concur even social class. I can see how this book would have been a grand success in 1740, since parts of it are beautiful and very passionate. I just found the whole thing rather vulgar and unbelievable. The only thing that prevented me from giving this book one star was the moments of tension when Pamela managed to outwit Mr. B and his sister, Mrs. Davers, on several occasions. Those parts made for a few short-lived pageturning moments. Sadly, I cannot say that for the rest of the book.
Pamela, a maid-servant of a respectable lady, finds herself without a master upon the passing of her lady. The son of her lady, Mr. B., kindly offers her a position in his household. Little does she know he has his mind set on entirely different things. For weeks on end he tries to bully her into letting him have her virtue. She begs him to let her go home to her parents. He pretends to let her go but meanwhile sends her off to a different house of his, far away from her parents. She is to be kept there until she has a change of heart. Here she discovers, after many struggles and challenges, that she loved him all along.
I have to admit that I have never been so happy to have finished a book. I would have quit it a while ago, had it not been a mandatory read for a course I am following. It was absolutely dreadful. Not only was it far too lengthy and repetitive but the moral is revolting! Yes, it is good to be virtuous and the happy ending is pleasant but Mr. B. represents this idea that if you want something (or someone) enough and you bully to no extend, you will get what you want.
When Pamela had a sudden change of heart, I was astonished and even disgusted when I found out she was only 16. She dotes on his love and says she has never experienced any form of dedication quite like his. Well, I should think not, being only 16! I suppose people married a lot younger back then but surely someone could have told the girl that there would be others who would love her and pay attention to her? Perhaps someone who isn't so set on having his way...
The final notes in the book gave a slightly different perspective on the story than I had but still praised the book for showing that "love" can concur even social class. I can see how this book would have been a grand success in 1740, since parts of it are beautiful and very passionate. I just found the whole thing rather vulgar and unbelievable. The only thing that prevented me from giving this book one star was the moments of tension when Pamela managed to outwit Mr. B and his sister, Mrs. Davers, on several occasions. Those parts made for a few short-lived pageturning moments. Sadly, I cannot say that for the rest of the book.