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A review by dilfpercyshelley
The Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
what a wonderful story!
i am genuinely confused as to why everyone i have spoken to about this novel despises it. are you all taking this read at face value? even then it is an entertaining fantasy tale. are the long sentences off putting? after a stretch of reading any complex or different reading style the brain adapts to ease access. even then, the long sentences add to the fantastical ramblings of this beautiful piece of escapist fantasy.
naturally, with any good piece of literature, there are multiple interpretations. one may consider this a piece of pro-colonial fiction, yet i am confused as to this interpretation. is there not a lack of any racial hierarchies in this utopia? is it not explicitly stated that one race should not try to overthrow another in this peaceful world? naturally, the segregated idea of utopia is one to be criticised in modern interpretations, however, i would argue that this piece is not referencing colonialism at all (although if it was, it would most certainly be anti-colonial) and instead is simply a genius work of escapism from a woman shunned by her own society for her mental illness. nobody will read this, i am sure, but i would like to say fuck you guys in particular who do not take this piece seriously because of Cavendish's mental illnesses. This is a wonderful work from a woman trapped in stigmas of her own society, who yearns for a new lease at life in a world without judgement.
i am genuinely confused as to why everyone i have spoken to about this novel despises it. are you all taking this read at face value? even then it is an entertaining fantasy tale. are the long sentences off putting? after a stretch of reading any complex or different reading style the brain adapts to ease access. even then, the long sentences add to the fantastical ramblings of this beautiful piece of escapist fantasy.
naturally, with any good piece of literature, there are multiple interpretations. one may consider this a piece of pro-colonial fiction, yet i am confused as to this interpretation. is there not a lack of any racial hierarchies in this utopia? is it not explicitly stated that one race should not try to overthrow another in this peaceful world? naturally, the segregated idea of utopia is one to be criticised in modern interpretations, however, i would argue that this piece is not referencing colonialism at all (although if it was, it would most certainly be anti-colonial) and instead is simply a genius work of escapism from a woman shunned by her own society for her mental illness. nobody will read this, i am sure, but i would like to say fuck you guys in particular who do not take this piece seriously because of Cavendish's mental illnesses. This is a wonderful work from a woman trapped in stigmas of her own society, who yearns for a new lease at life in a world without judgement.