themararose's review against another edition
4.0
3.75-4
I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. It made me very very angry, a lot, not because it was bad but because of how women were discussed but that was the point of the book so thats a good thing! I did find it a little slower in the second half. It did open my eyes a lot to the struggles of gender equality and I found that enlightening. One of the few books I've studied at uni that I actually enjoyed!
I really enjoyed many aspects of this book. It made me very very angry, a lot, not because it was bad but because of how women were discussed but that was the point of the book so thats a good thing! I did find it a little slower in the second half. It did open my eyes a lot to the struggles of gender equality and I found that enlightening. One of the few books I've studied at uni that I actually enjoyed!
themodvictorian's review against another edition
2.0
In many ways, a wonderful little book with a lot to offer. It would make for a fantastic group discussion. I found myself highlighting and writing notes often. I thought there was a lot of truth in the sentiments toward the beginning of the novel, but it all sort of fell apart for me about midway.
And I couldn’t help but feel that there was something…missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I almost felt, at times that the events unfolding were being told *at* me rather than me, as a reader, understanding them myself. I felt as the characters, though certainly not wooden, were not quite three-dimensional. Nothing ever truly “came alive” for me, and I found myself a bit puzzled at Wells’ intentions toward the end.
In truth, I quite simply do not agree with Wells’ worldview, and the way in which his odd morals pervaded the story so profusely really turned me off to it. So, in the end, while an extremely interesting work, it doesn’t really end up quite the feminist undertaking it’s advertised to be.
And I couldn’t help but feel that there was something…missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I almost felt, at times that the events unfolding were being told *at* me rather than me, as a reader, understanding them myself. I felt as the characters, though certainly not wooden, were not quite three-dimensional. Nothing ever truly “came alive” for me, and I found myself a bit puzzled at Wells’ intentions toward the end.
In truth, I quite simply do not agree with Wells’ worldview, and the way in which his odd morals pervaded the story so profusely really turned me off to it. So, in the end, while an extremely interesting work, it doesn’t really end up quite the feminist undertaking it’s advertised to be.
chapman's review against another edition
4.0
While some elements of the book may seem a little dated, it was not so long ago that women did not have the vote and ironically, the better off your family, the more dependent and restricted a girl would be.
It's sobering that we can take for granted being able to get a job and live away from home, simple independance that people had to fight so hard for.
It's sobering that we can take for granted being able to get a job and live away from home, simple independance that people had to fight so hard for.
delimeatz's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
what a delightful little book! read for my victorian womens lit class and it’s the only one i seem to have actually enjoyed thoroughly so far (more reviews coming shortly). found myself relating very much to ann veronica unfortunately but i loved it!!!!
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexism
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Pregnancy, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Infidelity
kansass's review against another edition
4.0
Se podría considerar una novela con fuertes tendencias protofeministas, ya que lo que cuenta es la historia de una chica, Ana Verónica, que comienza a rebelarse contra el fuerte patriarcado de principios del s.XX, y en la época en que empezaron a surgir en el Reino Unidos los primeros movimientos sufragistas.
Ana Verónica no está contenta con su vida, no puede estudiar, no puede disfrutar de su libertad, lo único que se pide de ella es que se esté quietecita en casa y se dedique a ejercer de joven modosita. La chica se rebela ante este patriarcado tan injusto y se va de casa a disfrutar de su libertad y poder estudiar; pero una vez sola e independiente se da cuenta que el mundo sigue perteneciendo a los hombres y que todo son trabas. El caso es que es una novela muy interesante, sobre todo viniendo de quién viene, de H.G. Welles, el padre de algunas de las más populares novelas precursoas de la ciencia ficción.
La verdad es que me ha gustado mucho aunque también entiendo que ese final tan ·"politicamente correcto"y que me pareció un poco inconsecuente con el resto de la novela, tuvo que responder a imperativos comerciales, de lo contrario, quizás ni siquiera se la hubieran publicado. Así y todo, Wells lanza muchas reflexiones en torno a la mujer en aquella época, y solo por eso merece la pena.
Ana Verónica no está contenta con su vida, no puede estudiar, no puede disfrutar de su libertad, lo único que se pide de ella es que se esté quietecita en casa y se dedique a ejercer de joven modosita. La chica se rebela ante este patriarcado tan injusto y se va de casa a disfrutar de su libertad y poder estudiar; pero una vez sola e independiente se da cuenta que el mundo sigue perteneciendo a los hombres y que todo son trabas. El caso es que es una novela muy interesante, sobre todo viniendo de quién viene, de H.G. Welles, el padre de algunas de las más populares novelas precursoas de la ciencia ficción.
La verdad es que me ha gustado mucho aunque también entiendo que ese final tan ·"politicamente correcto"y que me pareció un poco inconsecuente con el resto de la novela, tuvo que responder a imperativos comerciales, de lo contrario, quizás ni siquiera se la hubieran publicado. Así y todo, Wells lanza muchas reflexiones en torno a la mujer en aquella época, y solo por eso merece la pena.
snackygayle's review against another edition
5.0
I had to wait until after I finished this book until I decided to create a review for it, mostly because I was just really excited and surprised! I rated this at a 4.5, not a 5 star, but I’ll briefly explain.
This is a story about Ann Veronica coming of age and being unaccepting of her prospects and situation in society. Ann is disappointed with the constraints pushed on her- and she rebels.
Biggest Pro:
I really loved how Ann felt like a 3 dimensional character! I was a bit apprehensive, as sometimes women by authors who predominantly write sci-fi don’t treat their womanly characters all too well, but I thought Wells treated Ann with respect, understanding, and fairness. Lots of her ideas were fair about the world, and none of the usual negative tropes of women characters written by men were truly present. I felt like I really knew her.
I have only two cons:
1. Most of the complains by Ann were routinely repeated. I guess I can understand, as almost all of her life was shaped by her constraints, but maybe it would have been nice to see Ann think of anything other than her situation. Although, she does address this. It’s just a bit of a slog to read the same woes for 45 pages of a 300 page book. (15%+ of this book being of the same complaints really is not a too far off estimate).
2. While Ann has her adventure, it’s treated as an a d v e n t u r e, not a new life for her. Ann wanted the people in her life to change their minds and come to a truce, and I wished instead her goal was to go on living a new life as she originally had said. I also didn’t appreciate at all that she was fine obeying and doing all of those rules, if it was to “the right man” (the book describes this, and also describes her loving “blind obedience”). I really did not like that element of her character or of the book at all…and she goes right back to the same people she left. However, I really do appreciate her commitment to family despite having complex relationships, wanting to make them happy despite her differing wishes is a common experience many share. As well as wanting to find a person she really loves. Perhaps this complaint is a result of Ann doing the best she can to wish of an improved lifestyle within the constraints of her social period. She wants more, but isn’t willing to do too much in the final end.
—-
Overall, I’m very surprised. I now love H.G. Wells, there aren’t many authors of his time or before that would treat a female character this well. I just wish since he went this far and that this book was a scandal, that he really went all in and didn’t make Ann Veronica just another woman in the time who finishes as a blind, obedient woman. He went so far with giving Ann freedom, come on just let her ending be that far too. But, I now admire H.G. Wells and I’m very interested in reading more of his works.
This is a story about Ann Veronica coming of age and being unaccepting of her prospects and situation in society. Ann is disappointed with the constraints pushed on her- and she rebels.
Biggest Pro:
I really loved how Ann felt like a 3 dimensional character! I was a bit apprehensive, as sometimes women by authors who predominantly write sci-fi don’t treat their womanly characters all too well, but I thought Wells treated Ann with respect, understanding, and fairness. Lots of her ideas were fair about the world, and none of the usual negative tropes of women characters written by men were truly present. I felt like I really knew her.
I have only two cons:
1. Most of the complains by Ann were routinely repeated. I guess I can understand, as almost all of her life was shaped by her constraints, but maybe it would have been nice to see Ann think of anything other than her situation. Although, she does address this. It’s just a bit of a slog to read the same woes for 45 pages of a 300 page book. (15%+ of this book being of the same complaints really is not a too far off estimate).
2. While Ann has her adventure, it’s treated as an a d v e n t u r e, not a new life for her. Ann wanted the people in her life to change their minds and come to a truce, and I wished instead her goal was to go on living a new life as she originally had said. I also didn’t appreciate at all that she was fine obeying and doing all of those rules, if it was to “the right man” (the book describes this, and also describes her loving “blind obedience”). I really did not like that element of her character or of the book at all…and she goes right back to the same people she left. However, I really do appreciate her commitment to family despite having complex relationships, wanting to make them happy despite her differing wishes is a common experience many share. As well as wanting to find a person she really loves. Perhaps this complaint is a result of Ann doing the best she can to wish of an improved lifestyle within the constraints of her social period. She wants more, but isn’t willing to do too much in the final end.
—-
Overall, I’m very surprised. I now love H.G. Wells, there aren’t many authors of his time or before that would treat a female character this well. I just wish since he went this far and that this book was a scandal, that he really went all in and didn’t make Ann Veronica just another woman in the time who finishes as a blind, obedient woman. He went so far with giving Ann freedom, come on just let her ending be that far too. But, I now admire H.G. Wells and I’m very interested in reading more of his works.
djasson's review against another edition
5.0
H.G. Wells is widely known for his speculative science fiction work, but he also published across a variety of topics, both fiction and nonfiction. I struggled through his expository style in his first novel, The Time Machine (1895). Instead of showing the reader, he told the reader, in long, drawn-out sequences. I liked the ideas he was exploring, but I didn't enjoy the execution.
By 1909, Wells absolutely excelled at storytelling while still keeping a penetrating eye on the larger issues of the day, especially social relationships. In Ann Veronica, he writes about a young woman who is breaking out of old social norms by getting a postsecondary education and trying to live her life her own way. Her father, aunt and a suitor try to keep her "respectable," as they would define that term. To them, a respectable woman should be on a pedestal, kept unawares of the larger world about her and be worshiped until she is married and then she must fade back into the shadows. Bohemians, writers and theater people must be avoided at all costs.
Ann Veronica is strong-willed, intelligent and willing to take a stand. But Wells doesn't idealize or romanticize the situation. Her choices have consequences, both good and bad, throughout the story. She excels, she stumbles, but in the end, she is allowed to make those decisions for herself. She is allowed to become fully human, including having male friends who are not just relatives, suitors or husbands.
To read something like this in 1909 would have pushed so many people's boundaries. Interestingly, and sadly, you could change the 1 to a 2 (i.e. 1909 to 2009) and the story still works. Political and religious conservatives are still trying to push women back into the shadows and to demote them to living property, possessions not partners. Wells's words still ring true:
"She was never able to trace the changes her attitude had undergone, from the time when she believed herself to be the pampered Queen of Fortune, the crown of a good man's love..., to the time when she realized she was in fact just a mannequin for her lover's imagination, and that he cared no more for the realities of her being, for the things she felt and desired, for the passions and dreams that might move her, than a child cares for the sawdust in its doll. She was the actress his whim had chosen to play a passive part..." (p. 298)
I highly recommend this book.
I also enjoyed this book on a physical level. It is my second oldest book, clocking in at almost 96 years old when I read it (printing from September 1917). It's also the first time I read one of my Modern Library books that I've become addicted to and acquired over the last four months.
By 1909, Wells absolutely excelled at storytelling while still keeping a penetrating eye on the larger issues of the day, especially social relationships. In Ann Veronica, he writes about a young woman who is breaking out of old social norms by getting a postsecondary education and trying to live her life her own way. Her father, aunt and a suitor try to keep her "respectable," as they would define that term. To them, a respectable woman should be on a pedestal, kept unawares of the larger world about her and be worshiped until she is married and then she must fade back into the shadows. Bohemians, writers and theater people must be avoided at all costs.
Ann Veronica is strong-willed, intelligent and willing to take a stand. But Wells doesn't idealize or romanticize the situation. Her choices have consequences, both good and bad, throughout the story. She excels, she stumbles, but in the end, she is allowed to make those decisions for herself. She is allowed to become fully human, including having male friends who are not just relatives, suitors or husbands.
To read something like this in 1909 would have pushed so many people's boundaries. Interestingly, and sadly, you could change the 1 to a 2 (i.e. 1909 to 2009) and the story still works. Political and religious conservatives are still trying to push women back into the shadows and to demote them to living property, possessions not partners. Wells's words still ring true:
"She was never able to trace the changes her attitude had undergone, from the time when she believed herself to be the pampered Queen of Fortune, the crown of a good man's love..., to the time when she realized she was in fact just a mannequin for her lover's imagination, and that he cared no more for the realities of her being, for the things she felt and desired, for the passions and dreams that might move her, than a child cares for the sawdust in its doll. She was the actress his whim had chosen to play a passive part..." (p. 298)
I highly recommend this book.
I also enjoyed this book on a physical level. It is my second oldest book, clocking in at almost 96 years old when I read it (printing from September 1917). It's also the first time I read one of my Modern Library books that I've become addicted to and acquired over the last four months.
georgiamaebe's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0