A review by slferg
A Clergyman's Daughter, by George Orwell
3.0
Probably closer to 4 stars. Very interesting characters - especially the main one. Her beliefs and reactions to those around her - she can't help liking some she probably shouldn't, even though she doesn't approve of them.
Dorothy Hare is the clergyman's daughter. Her father is a younger son and became a clergyman because that is what younger sons do. He is not particularly fitted to be a clergyman and manages to alienate most of his congregation by his attitude. He has money that he invests - and loses - but keeps Dorothy short of housekeeping money so bills are quite often not paid, but he is very particular about what he eats (only the most expensive fish and best cuts of meat). She dreads the mail for the dunning bills. He is selfish and has no consideration for others. Dorothy is his unpaid assistant as well as housekeeper, paying calls on the members of the congregation and other residents, looking after them and helping them out when necessary. Her means of getting around is a bicycle which she rides many miles a day. And then she leads the girl guides and the sewing circle and other groups within the church. She also makes all the costumes for the plays the children put on. One night after a long day, she decides she must work on some of the costumes or they will not be finished in time for the play and falls asleep. When she wakes up she does not know where she is, or her name, or what has happened to her. She falls in with some of the lowest classes who are going to work picking hops, still with no idea of her past and giving a false name because she can't remember her real one. And she doesn't tell anyone that she really doesn't know who she is...
So she goes on, not really worrying about who she is because she is so tired. Eventually she remembers, but her situation is not improved and though she writes to her father, he refuses to answer. Before her amnesia she was quite religious, now, not so much.....
Dorothy Hare is the clergyman's daughter. Her father is a younger son and became a clergyman because that is what younger sons do. He is not particularly fitted to be a clergyman and manages to alienate most of his congregation by his attitude. He has money that he invests - and loses - but keeps Dorothy short of housekeeping money so bills are quite often not paid, but he is very particular about what he eats (only the most expensive fish and best cuts of meat). She dreads the mail for the dunning bills. He is selfish and has no consideration for others. Dorothy is his unpaid assistant as well as housekeeper, paying calls on the members of the congregation and other residents, looking after them and helping them out when necessary. Her means of getting around is a bicycle which she rides many miles a day. And then she leads the girl guides and the sewing circle and other groups within the church. She also makes all the costumes for the plays the children put on. One night after a long day, she decides she must work on some of the costumes or they will not be finished in time for the play and falls asleep. When she wakes up she does not know where she is, or her name, or what has happened to her. She falls in with some of the lowest classes who are going to work picking hops, still with no idea of her past and giving a false name because she can't remember her real one. And she doesn't tell anyone that she really doesn't know who she is...
So she goes on, not really worrying about who she is because she is so tired. Eventually she remembers, but her situation is not improved and though she writes to her father, he refuses to answer. Before her amnesia she was quite religious, now, not so much.....