erraticmusings's review
2.0
Still a better love story than Twilight.
(To be serious, though, it is very interesting as a historical text in the ways that it represents the society of its time. Reading it, I could see why it would have captivated the hearts of the American people back in the day. That said, the text, though replete with the plot trappings of a classic seduction story which still resonate in works today, seems to me unable to be as resonant with the world of today.)
(To be serious, though, it is very interesting as a historical text in the ways that it represents the society of its time. Reading it, I could see why it would have captivated the hearts of the American people back in the day. That said, the text, though replete with the plot trappings of a classic seduction story which still resonate in works today, seems to me unable to be as resonant with the world of today.)
wildesapphicbooks's review
4.0
Done reading both, and honestly? I enjoyed them more than I thought I would. Overall a 3.5, a 3 for Charlotte Temple and a 4 for Lucy Temple
elysareadsitall's review
4.0
If you want a sassy narrator, read this book. This pair of novellas is packed with intrigue and questions of duty and morality. The character development isn't deep, but I found it appropriate to the length and the books and enjoyable.
The novellas are a direct response to conduct books of the day meant to teach young girls how to act. While the stories do align with those teachings, I did feel the author was poking fun at them as well.
It's a nice, quick read. I think it could spark some lively discussion. I definitely recommend it for anyone who likes classic material.
The novellas are a direct response to conduct books of the day meant to teach young girls how to act. While the stories do align with those teachings, I did feel the author was poking fun at them as well.
It's a nice, quick read. I think it could spark some lively discussion. I definitely recommend it for anyone who likes classic material.
csnow33's review
4.0
I give this book 4 stars because it made me laugh so hard.
Oh, Madame La Rue. You have been added to my list of fictional characters I would love to destroy.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Okay. Let me gather my thoughts.
This is a cautionary tale a-la romance novel style. It often left me scratching my head and laughing at its absurdity. So many mixed feelings.
Spoiler Alert. The review below will be riddled with SPOILERS
Ok, so this was basically the 50 Shades of Grey back in the day. I found it to be scandalous, but not for the reasons the author intended.
Super Summary: In the 1800’s a young girl named Charlotte is kidnapped by a perverted stalker, the stalker's best friend, and Charlotte's school teacher Madame La Rue and taken from her home in England to the Americas. Although it is never specified, Charlotte is essentially raped even though her stalker has no intention of marrying her. The stalker’s best friend manipulates Charlotte and her stalker, leading to Charlotte’s abandonment in a strange foreign country. She finds out she is pregnant, and dies during childbirth, all while being separated from her grieving parents. La Rue ends up marrying a rich man, but he finds out what kind of person she is and she dies penniless on the streets.
And fainting. There was so much fainting. And ALWAYS into the arms of a man. Big surprise.
It was so ridiculous at times that I had to put it down so I could have a good laugh. It’s supposed to be taken seriously. It was meant to be a warning to young women and their mothers to keep an eye out for “lying gentlemen”.
What angers me is that the message is hypocritical. While men in this story all ignore their parents and end up getting exactly what they want, no matter what the women did they ended up miserable and/or horrific instances arose because of it and they were forced to endure. The message I got was that even when men do evil and improper things, they’ll get away with it in the end.
Sick.
Oh, Madame La Rue. You have been added to my list of fictional characters I would love to destroy.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Okay. Let me gather my thoughts.
This is a cautionary tale a-la romance novel style. It often left me scratching my head and laughing at its absurdity. So many mixed feelings.
Spoiler Alert. The review below will be riddled with SPOILERS
Ok, so this was basically the 50 Shades of Grey back in the day. I found it to be scandalous, but not for the reasons the author intended.
Super Summary: In the 1800’s a young girl named Charlotte is kidnapped by a perverted stalker, the stalker's best friend, and Charlotte's school teacher Madame La Rue and taken from her home in England to the Americas. Although it is never specified, Charlotte is essentially raped even though her stalker has no intention of marrying her. The stalker’s best friend manipulates Charlotte and her stalker, leading to Charlotte’s abandonment in a strange foreign country. She finds out she is pregnant, and dies during childbirth, all while being separated from her grieving parents. La Rue ends up marrying a rich man, but he finds out what kind of person she is and she dies penniless on the streets.
And fainting. There was so much fainting. And ALWAYS into the arms of a man. Big surprise.
It was so ridiculous at times that I had to put it down so I could have a good laugh. It’s supposed to be taken seriously. It was meant to be a warning to young women and their mothers to keep an eye out for “lying gentlemen”.
What angers me is that the message is hypocritical. While men in this story all ignore their parents and end up getting exactly what they want, no matter what the women did they ended up miserable and/or horrific instances arose because of it and they were forced to endure. The message I got was that even when men do evil and improper things, they’ll get away with it in the end.
Sick.
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