jerihurd's review
2.0
So, if you start with "the best" and it's ghastly, you don't have to read the rest, right? I'm not a huge fan of much Victorian literature, mostly due to the insipid nature of its women, condemned to be
spineless caricatures of virtue and the "angel in the home."
Plus, just a tip, it's never wise to pay an author by the word.
Foolishly, after reading reviews saying Oliphant was the "missing link" between Jane Austen and George Eliot, I had high hopes I'd discovered a somehow un-appreciated master in whom I could revel through many a volume. Alas, it was not to be. If Elizabeth Gaskell is the poor man's Jane Austen, Mrs. Oliphant is some several degrees lower still. This novel is rife with every domestic strife there is. In fact, now that I think of it, it's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, without any actual writing talent (or that book's sense of humor. And I know, right? Who'd have thought a Bronte had a sense of humor!?)
Oliphant attempts to make her female protagonist spunky and flawed, giving lip-service to a "bad temper." It's almost never on display, however, and I'm sorry, you can't claim you have an independent-minded heroine, then have her martyr her every dream and desire in sublimation to an alcoholic brother-in-law, a solipsistic sister and their three incorrigible brats. Plus, if she had called her heroine "elvin" or "fairly-like" one more time, I was going to burn the book.
Thus, if you're a sucker for Silas Marner, you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, give it a miss.
spineless caricatures of virtue and the "angel in the home."
Plus, just a tip, it's never wise to pay an author by the word.
Foolishly, after reading reviews saying Oliphant was the "missing link" between Jane Austen and George Eliot, I had high hopes I'd discovered a somehow un-appreciated master in whom I could revel through many a volume. Alas, it was not to be. If Elizabeth Gaskell is the poor man's Jane Austen, Mrs. Oliphant is some several degrees lower still. This novel is rife with every domestic strife there is. In fact, now that I think of it, it's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, without any actual writing talent (or that book's sense of humor. And I know, right? Who'd have thought a Bronte had a sense of humor!?)
Oliphant attempts to make her female protagonist spunky and flawed, giving lip-service to a "bad temper." It's almost never on display, however, and I'm sorry, you can't claim you have an independent-minded heroine, then have her martyr her every dream and desire in sublimation to an alcoholic brother-in-law, a solipsistic sister and their three incorrigible brats. Plus, if she had called her heroine "elvin" or "fairly-like" one more time, I was going to burn the book.
Thus, if you're a sucker for Silas Marner, you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, give it a miss.
melindamoor's review against another edition
Another curious and disappointing reading experience. I just leave the book without rating.
It was almost a punishment to finish. While the characterisation was succinct, the book contains only in traces the Margaret Oliphant of "Miss Marjoribanks".
The 2 main characters were almost insufferable: Doctor Rider a capital, helpless, clueless ass and Nettie the champion of gratingly foolish self-sacrifice. And the constant circles Mrs Oliphant made me run around them again and again and again made the story almost suffocating and a relief when it finally came to an end.
It was almost a punishment to finish. While the characterisation was succinct, the book contains only in traces the Margaret Oliphant of "Miss Marjoribanks".
The 2 main characters were almost insufferable: Doctor Rider a capital, helpless, clueless ass and Nettie the champion of gratingly foolish self-sacrifice. And the constant circles Mrs Oliphant made me run around them again and again and again made the story almost suffocating and a relief when it finally came to an end.
majkia's review
3.0
Okay, I have to admit I was greatly annoyed with Nettie. And didn't feel much love for the doctor either. I suspect they deserve one another.
vesper1931's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Dr Edward Rider thought his life was bad enough housing his idle brother Fred, but then Fred's wife Susan, their three children, and Susan's sister Nettie arrive from Australia. People that Edward did not known existed. How will his life be altered by their arrival.
An entertaining Victorian story, a re-read.
An entertaining Victorian story, a re-read.
jersy's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting stories pairing some things I expect from Victorian novels with topics that seem more unique. The village of Carlingford already feels alive after these few pages and I liked the perspectives from which the events are portrayed.
The two shorter stories have intruiging concepts but quite dissapointing endings that seem a bit disconnected from the core conflict, however the title novella follows through all the way, maybe getting a bit sentimental near the ending, but beeing very effective anyhow. Having the topic of caring for an addicted relative presented so frankly and as the focus of the story felt fresh for a Victorian novel and while I think Oliphant's writing style might not work for me in a very long book, in this short work it was both charming and evocative.
The two shorter stories have intruiging concepts but quite dissapointing endings that seem a bit disconnected from the core conflict, however the title novella follows through all the way, maybe getting a bit sentimental near the ending, but beeing very effective anyhow. Having the topic of caring for an addicted relative presented so frankly and as the focus of the story felt fresh for a Victorian novel and while I think Oliphant's writing style might not work for me in a very long book, in this short work it was both charming and evocative.
More...