book_busy 's review for:

Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti

5.0

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I loved this. Although the cautionary tale against being a fallen woman appears at first prejudiced and outdated, I would argue that Rossetti shows nuance in demonstrating the perversion of the goblins, forever denigrating them as more inhuman than her fallen woman figure. Is the image of Eve and the original sin ... Somewhat mixed in message? Yes! But Rossetti transforms this by presenting an image of forced consumption. Quite radical really if I read this correctly. Loved the use of meter anaphora and rhyme here. Felt truly whimsical and childlike. If I was a Victorian child I'd be so Anglican right now 🤒🙌