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sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
2.0
An Australian Becky Sharpe - I just didn't find Syb appealing
duncanaj's review against another edition
slow-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
2.0
yzobelah's review against another edition
5.0
I was gifted this book when I was fifteen, and it has had a long-lasting impact.
enoughhope's review against another edition
3.0
I had to read this early 20th century Australian novel by [a:Miles Franklin|68990|Miles Franklin|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1336859876p2/68990.jpg] for my Literature class and despite not overly gaining much from the novel, nor liking it particularly, it did manage to revive me from my five month reading slump! (Shameful, I know).
The story concerns a period in sixteen-year-old Sybylla Melvyn's life and her experiences going from poverty, to a lavish lifestyle and back to poverty once again in the 1890's in Australia. I found that the book had an exceptionally dry beginning and does not grab you're attention immediately. However, once the story began to gain momentum, and became less focussed around Sybylla's pessimistic inner-monologue, it became quite enjoyable as her headstrong nature became something to be admired. In saying this, the further along you read the more frustrated the novel becomes, though in retrospect this is what keeps you coming back for more.
Despite the book being rather enjoyable, it did have a slow beginning and disappointing ending, thus I give this book 3 stars.
The story concerns a period in sixteen-year-old Sybylla Melvyn's life and her experiences going from poverty, to a lavish lifestyle and back to poverty once again in the 1890's in Australia. I found that the book had an exceptionally dry beginning and does not grab you're attention immediately. However, once the story began to gain momentum, and became less focussed around Sybylla's pessimistic inner-monologue, it became quite enjoyable as her headstrong nature became something to be admired. In saying this, the further along you read the more frustrated the novel becomes, though in retrospect this is what keeps you coming back for more.
Despite the book being rather enjoyable, it did have a slow beginning and disappointing ending, thus I give this book 3 stars.
nedge's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chlosophis's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the pacing and tone of the writing - and I became very attached to the narrator/protagonist. She made me laugh, cry, sigh and reflect on my perceptions of womanhood. Sybylla is perfectly imperfect.
I can understand why readers would become frustrated with Sybylla and her advancing/fleeing/toying/yearning/hating/admiring of Harold Beecham. I personally found this frustrating myself (thus the 4 stars). However, I understand why it has to be so.
My Brilliant Career is essentially about two things: Most people focus on the dominant theme; the stunted expectations of working class women in 19 Century Australia. It was either marry and slave for your husband, or become a spinster and slave for your parents. Syb makes it very clear from the beginning of the novel that she has no desire to marry, nor does she wish to marry for money - she has this pride complex you see. Unfortunately, she has no desire to stay a farm-maid for her parents either - what she wants (knowledge, art, literature, to-be-a-writer) is unattainable for women.
The second thing this book is about: Low self-esteem and pride. Syb has the lowest regard for her looks, and the lowest regard for men - believing they are only interested in looks. She sincerely believes she is not good enough for Harold (sigh). See? Perfectly imperfect.
I can't wait to discuss this one at book club.
I can understand why readers would become frustrated with Sybylla and her advancing/fleeing/toying/yearning/hating/admiring of Harold Beecham. I personally found this frustrating myself (thus the 4 stars). However, I understand why it has to be so.
My Brilliant Career is essentially about two things: Most people focus on the dominant theme; the stunted expectations of working class women in 19 Century Australia. It was either marry and slave for your husband, or become a spinster and slave for your parents. Syb makes it very clear from the beginning of the novel that she has no desire to marry, nor does she wish to marry for money - she has this pride complex you see. Unfortunately, she has no desire to stay a farm-maid for her parents either - what she wants (knowledge, art, literature, to-be-a-writer) is unattainable for women.
The second thing this book is about: Low self-esteem and pride. Syb has the lowest regard for her looks, and the lowest regard for men - believing they are only interested in looks. She sincerely believes she is not good enough for Harold (sigh). See? Perfectly imperfect.
I can't wait to discuss this one at book club.
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/03/11/review-1628-my-brilliant-career/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/03/11/review-1628-my-brilliant-career/
kaitlynl_247's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
krrolf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
This book was so funny to me at times because the narrator perfectly communicates the soul-splitting agony of being 17, and a girl, and very special. Her mom is her mortal enemy one minute and the next she’s the impossible standard of perfection Sybella can never reach. Sybella’s mood swings from a triumphant self-absorbed intellectual to a self-deprecating melodramatic whiner. And I acted the same way at 17 over 100 years after this book was written, so it felt relatable.
The plot sometimes felt disjointed, but overall I loved this book because it felt like an accurate teenage stream-of-consciousness, while demonstrating the impossible position of a young feminist at the end of the 19th century.
The plot sometimes felt disjointed, but overall I loved this book because it felt like an accurate teenage stream-of-consciousness, while demonstrating the impossible position of a young feminist at the end of the 19th century.