A review by petrauusimaa
Belinda by Maria Edgeworth

3.0

Maria Edgeworth was contemporary to Jane Austen and I have to admit that besides from Austen, I haven't read novels before Victorian era before this month. I didn't have a lot of luck with Ann Radcliffe, but Belinda by Maria Edgeworth was definitely a delightful surprise. It is a romantic comedy of its' time, following Belinda who is courted by two rich men. She has been sent to London to stay with Lady Delacour who is definitely one of the best characters in this book. I both love and hate her; she made me at times very angry but I also pitied her many times throughout the novel. However, I would have loved to learn more about our male heroine, Belinda. She seems the typical heroine of romantic comedy; naive and can't decide her mind. I really wish she would have grown by the end but I ended up finding her character a bit meek even in the end. I enjoyed Edgeworth wit and bluntness so much and I can definitely see how she has influenced Jane Austen at her work. This is a perfect summer read filled with little bit of scandal and a lot of drama. Definitely recommend it.