kklemaster's review against another edition
2.0
I can't even find the proper words to describe how silly this book is - admittedly clever and thorough, but nonetheless very dependent on bawdy and low humor. I think it is partially because in its parodying of Pamela, this version of the story seems a bit hypocritical rather than simply exaggerated. Part of my distaste for this novel may be derived from its skepticism and warning of being too absorbed in reading, because I love that books have the power to take us out of this world and into another for a brief excursion into escapism. But thankfully this one was shorter, so I can't fault Fielding too much, although the biggest complaint I have against him in this text is that Shamela has so little agency whereas in Pamela she could at least find solace in her writing.
kathykekmrs's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this story. While some of the plot seem contrived it was an enjoyable moral tale.
abfurlich's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty funny send up of Richardson's Pamela. For that alone it gets three stars but what I liked more was how well it demonstrates Fielding's ability to distill the entire book down to its essential plot points before turning them on their head. Early signs of a narrative master.
gilliand's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I haven't read Pamela so i'm sure I missed a lot of nuances, but it was still pretty entertaining and interesting
redcremesoda's review against another edition
4.0
a nice, thorough satire of samuel richardson's pamela, fielding's shamela is a pretty entertaining read. although weighed down by some of the trappings of early fiction (mainly its epistolary form but also it's antiquated language), the novel is legitimately funny at a lot of points. like, i actually laughed reading it, which was surprising. worth reading even if you haven't read shamela (and i decidedly haven't)
more nuanced reading: in truth, it's somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. 3.75 maybe? i'll give it four because I'm feeling generous
more nuanced reading: in truth, it's somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. 3.75 maybe? i'll give it four because I'm feeling generous
elizastudying's review against another edition
2.0
I can see how this must have been very funny and interesting at the time, however I found it somewhat over the top as a parody and did not really enjoy it. It's really short, though, so that made me finish it after all and it is interesting in study-terms: to see what some people found incredible in the original story in that age, so it is has not been worthless as a read.
mii_lena's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't even read Pamela, and I hated it. I mean, I know everything that went down in that book, I felt the anger rise up deep down in my heart of heart.
I needed this little one to make fun of all that is wrong with the "first best-seller", and it was short and to the point. Go for it! And then never turn back.
I needed this little one to make fun of all that is wrong with the "first best-seller", and it was short and to the point. Go for it! And then never turn back.