Scan barcode
A review by camilleisreading24
Angels & Insects: Two Novellas by A.S. Byatt
4.0
This collection contains two excellent novellas. The first, "Morpho Eugenia," is about a naturalist, back from a research expedition in the Amazon and staying for a while with an aristocratic family in England. He falls in love with and marries the eldest daughter, Eugenia, and his scientific inquiries blind him to the secrets held by his new family. The tale was pretty good but all of William's writings about insects and religion grew stale. However, a fairytale/myth written by one of the other characters was quite good. As in 'Possession,' A.S. Byatt shows off her knack of creating fictional masterpieces by her characters.
I enjoyed the second tale more and found it easier to get through. In "The Conjugal Angel" a group of spiritualists -- one of whom is the sister of Alfred Lord Tennyson -- awaken a spirit. Perhaps because I love Poe and Tennyson (both of whom are referenced often and quoted prodigiously), I also loved this story. It was resonant and ended on an uplifting note. The only weakness I discern is the reappearance at the very end of a sailor presumed shipwrecked. I didn't find it believable and his continued disappearance was more moving and haunting than this (somewhat trite) ending.
I enjoyed the second tale more and found it easier to get through. In "The Conjugal Angel" a group of spiritualists -- one of whom is the sister of Alfred Lord Tennyson -- awaken a spirit. Perhaps because I love Poe and Tennyson (both of whom are referenced often and quoted prodigiously), I also loved this story. It was resonant and ended on an uplifting note. The only weakness I discern is the reappearance at the very end of a sailor presumed shipwrecked. I didn't find it believable and his continued disappearance was more moving and haunting than this (somewhat trite) ending.