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A review by eososray
Belinda by Maria Edgeworth
3.0
Now that I've read this book I find that the author was an inspiration to Jane Austen and upon reflection I can see several instances of this in the story. Particularly in regards to Sense and Sensibility.
Belinda is really a very boring girl, she makes no mistakes, she's eminently proper and compassionate, she isn't witty and does nothing of interest to relieve the boredom. She is also smarter and morally superior to everyone she meets, managing to fix years long relationship problems in weeks and be a better judge of character than those who should know better. Maybe if she had taken all this and been an ardent feminist, I would have been able to like her but as it is, she is just the vehicle for the more interesting stories of those characters around her.
Lady Delacour provided much more vivacity to the story, though her constant raillery and non stop talking was perhaps a bit annoying. From a life of dissipation to a life of happy bliss, I actually hope that it is not all such a bed of roses, a life of domestic bliss really doesn't seem to be her style. What a lot of meddling she does and what an idiot in so many respects.
Clarence Hervey is the perfect man, except for a few missteps in regards to women, he seems to be able to do and be better than any other person alive. There is nothing he can't accomplish with ease and generosity, no matter its difficulty. Not my ideal man at all but then maybe a large fortune would win me over.
Mr. Vincent is a man of passion though he does seem to suffer from being a bit immature here and there.
The variety of spiteful society ladies and the antics they get up to is amusing, though often bizarre. Why would anyone want to hang out with them? I can't see the charm of being 'in society' with creatures such as these.
I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, the story is quite long and drawn out until the last 4 chapters when everything comes together exactly as it should, at least according to one busy body character.
Belinda is really a very boring girl, she makes no mistakes, she's eminently proper and compassionate, she isn't witty and does nothing of interest to relieve the boredom. She is also smarter and morally superior to everyone she meets, managing to fix years long relationship problems in weeks and be a better judge of character than those who should know better. Maybe if she had taken all this and been an ardent feminist, I would have been able to like her but as it is, she is just the vehicle for the more interesting stories of those characters around her.
Lady Delacour provided much more vivacity to the story, though her constant raillery and non stop talking was perhaps a bit annoying. From a life of dissipation to a life of happy bliss, I actually hope that it is not all such a bed of roses, a life of domestic bliss really doesn't seem to be her style. What a lot of meddling she does and what an idiot in so many respects.
Clarence Hervey is the perfect man, except for a few missteps in regards to women, he seems to be able to do and be better than any other person alive. There is nothing he can't accomplish with ease and generosity, no matter its difficulty. Not my ideal man at all but then maybe a large fortune would win me over.
Mr. Vincent is a man of passion though he does seem to suffer from being a bit immature here and there.
The variety of spiteful society ladies and the antics they get up to is amusing, though often bizarre. Why would anyone want to hang out with them? I can't see the charm of being 'in society' with creatures such as these.
I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, the story is quite long and drawn out until the last 4 chapters when everything comes together exactly as it should, at least according to one busy body character.