'Sylvia's Lovers' by Elizabeth Gaskell (1863)
9 out of 10
One day I was very lucky and I found three Elizabeth Gaskell paperbacks in my local Cancer Research charity shop. I love buying my books from charity shops. I love thinking that other people have worked their way through the pages.
So, I have just read Sylvia's Lovers, which sounds very racy. Of couse it isn't, because it is written by a vicar's wife in the 19th century. Aren't we privileged to have this insight into another time, provided by Elizabeth Gaskell and by Charles Dickens? They are both such different, but such excellent authors. And they speak to us across nearly 150 years! And it makes sense! And we understand the people they write about! Wow! Would they understand us, if they could see us? Or, if Mrs Gaskell read an Ian McKewan or an Anita Shreve, how much would she understand and recognise, of human nature?
Back to the point - Sylvia's Lovers - Mrs Gaskell describes it as the saddest story she ever wrote. Should Sylvia opt for Mr Steady and Faithful and possibly Boring, or should she opt for Mr Exciting and Dangerous and possibly Fickle? Which would you go for? Have you had to make that decision?
I learned so much about English social history, and about the history of press gangs and the Royal Navy from this book. It could hardly be faulted.
I have read an Anita Shreve (Body Surfing) also, recently, and she, also is hard to fault.
Now I'm reading Ian McKewan's 'Solar', and it is taking me a long time, because I lack bounce and energy, and maybe the book does, too.
9 out of 10
One day I was very lucky and I found three Elizabeth Gaskell paperbacks in my local Cancer Research charity shop. I love buying my books from charity shops. I love thinking that other people have worked their way through the pages.
So, I have just read Sylvia's Lovers, which sounds very racy. Of couse it isn't, because it is written by a vicar's wife in the 19th century. Aren't we privileged to have this insight into another time, provided by Elizabeth Gaskell and by Charles Dickens? They are both such different, but such excellent authors. And they speak to us across nearly 150 years! And it makes sense! And we understand the people they write about! Wow! Would they understand us, if they could see us? Or, if Mrs Gaskell read an Ian McKewan or an Anita Shreve, how much would she understand and recognise, of human nature?
Back to the point - Sylvia's Lovers - Mrs Gaskell describes it as the saddest story she ever wrote. Should Sylvia opt for Mr Steady and Faithful and possibly Boring, or should she opt for Mr Exciting and Dangerous and possibly Fickle? Which would you go for? Have you had to make that decision?
I learned so much about English social history, and about the history of press gangs and the Royal Navy from this book. It could hardly be faulted.
I have read an Anita Shreve (Body Surfing) also, recently, and she, also is hard to fault.
Now I'm reading Ian McKewan's 'Solar', and it is taking me a long time, because I lack bounce and energy, and maybe the book does, too.
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