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A review by heresthepencil
Belinda by Maria Edgeworth
4.0
rep: mixed-race Jamaican British li, Jamaican side character
(i unfortunately read the edited version, but am on a mission to rectify that)
belinda is literally an angel walking on earth, and could do no wrong, which sometimes is trying to read, but she just seems like the personification of patience instead of a mary sue.
the way this novel talks about women's right to choose a partner & to be able to learn their true character before making a decision; about breast cancer and how it impacts a person's life, especially when combined with 'doctors' who are just there to make some money; about not listening to gossip and instead trying to find out the truth... so much is going on here, and it's all delicious. and the writing is honestly good and funny a lot of the time.
on the other hand, a lot of things is irritating, tho most of them can be ascribed to the time this was written in. the love interest constantly judges the mc and needs proof of her good character, instead of, you know, just giving her a benefit of a doubt. the author also set out to write a moral tale & not a novel, and it’s very visible; so many instances of lectures, of characters doing what is the best thing to do instead of what they’re likely to do.
and yes, the second half is somewhat chaotic, to say the least. and the whole thing with virginia? “it’s very easy to condemn from our vantage point in history. and so we condemn! wholeheartedly!” like, i understand it was there to talk about rousseau’s philosophy & i’m glad it at least ended the way it did, but it was still a gross plot line. and the sudden reveal of a certain someone's gambling addiction? truly what the fuck!! the ending itself isn't very satisfactory either but alas
(i unfortunately read the edited version, but am on a mission to rectify that)
belinda is literally an angel walking on earth, and could do no wrong, which sometimes is trying to read, but she just seems like the personification of patience instead of a mary sue.
the way this novel talks about women's right to choose a partner & to be able to learn their true character before making a decision; about breast cancer and how it impacts a person's life, especially when combined with 'doctors' who are just there to make some money; about not listening to gossip and instead trying to find out the truth... so much is going on here, and it's all delicious. and the writing is honestly good and funny a lot of the time.
on the other hand, a lot of things is irritating, tho most of them can be ascribed to the time this was written in. the love interest constantly judges the mc and needs proof of her good character, instead of, you know, just giving her a benefit of a doubt. the author also set out to write a moral tale & not a novel, and it’s very visible; so many instances of lectures, of characters doing what is the best thing to do instead of what they’re likely to do.
and yes, the second half is somewhat chaotic, to say the least. and the whole thing with virginia? “it’s very easy to condemn from our vantage point in history. and so we condemn! wholeheartedly!” like, i understand it was there to talk about rousseau’s philosophy & i’m glad it at least ended the way it did, but it was still a gross plot line. and the sudden reveal of a certain someone's gambling addiction? truly what the fuck!! the ending itself isn't very satisfactory either but alas