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andrius's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
suekreads's review
3.0
This book was given to me as gift by one of my dear ham radio friends who has since become a "silent key." (RIP Paul)
The story was written in the gothic Victorian style of the mid-1800s. The background is very descriptive and flowing. At times it became a little difficult to follow and I had to back up to reread a section to better comprehend it.
An entertaining read!!
Rounded up to 3 1/2 stars.
The story was written in the gothic Victorian style of the mid-1800s. The background is very descriptive and flowing. At times it became a little difficult to follow and I had to back up to reread a section to better comprehend it.
An entertaining read!!
Rounded up to 3 1/2 stars.
thejude's review against another edition
3.0
Karen Blixen, or Isak Dinesen, said in a 1956 interview that this book was written as a distraction during the German occupation, and she called it an 'illegitimate child'. I've read her 'Winter's Tales' and liked them, and in the mood for some entertainment, this book looked like it would entertain. It did. I enjoyed the parody aspect of it very much, and allowed myself to relish every thickening of the plot, knowing that all these coincidences and unlikely happenings were written with literary tongue in literary cheek. Oh yes, the main characters were quite sweet and typical... which is what made them exactly the heroines a novel of this type needed. I enjoyed this.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
3.0
While not quite as good as her short stories, Dinesen's only novel is still good. There are many allusions, including one character who must be based on the Duke from Browning's "My Last Duchess".
lissan's review against another edition
4.0
My TBR shelves have hosted this book for about 20 years I think. That is when it was printed and it
makes sense that it was then I bought it. I had already started it, if I judge from the book mark still in it. However, I only had vague remembrance of the book, so I started afresh.
Like with a lot of other books from these shelves, I am wondering why I have kept it there for so long. It is a lovely book, but not a ‘thundering’ read, if you know what I mean. The story evolves slowly, slowly, but somehow there is always a new hint of something to come. The language is beautiful, calm, almost fragile in its prose.
Not to reveal too much here is a summary of the start. Lucan is alone in the world and has got a position as a governess with a wealthy widow. He makes her an offer that she can refuse and she runs away in the middle of the night. She is heading to her school friend Zosine which she has not met since school. Arriving at her mansion on the day of her birthday ball she is welcomed with joy. However, things are not as good as they seem. Zosine’s father is in bankruptcy and has to flee, the creditors are banging the door to the mansion the next day and the two girls have to leave.
Having no funds to live from they travel to London and apply for positions as governesses. Since they don’t want to separate it is difficult to find something. Then one day reverend Pennhallow enters the scene. He and his wife are looking for two girls to take in for charity. He will teach them for a year and they are to live with them in their house in France. Well, that all sounds rather good doesn’t it?
From here on we follow the girls during this year. It is difficult to put the novel in a genre since it touches on so many. I find it gothic, magic, supernatural, romantic and mysterious. Almost like a fairy tale. All in one story. It is magically written, with a calm movement forward of the story, romantic descriptions of the landscape and the daily life in this rural area. It reminds me a little bit of The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe but not that long lingering on descriptions.
It is not a book that overwhelms you with the story, but it stays with you after you have finished the book. Isak Dinesen the pseudonym for Karen Blixen is mostly known for her book The African Farm on which the film Out of Africa was based. I have seen the film but not read the book, although it is on my TBR shelves as well. I think it is time to read that one as well.
makes sense that it was then I bought it. I had already started it, if I judge from the book mark still in it. However, I only had vague remembrance of the book, so I started afresh.
Like with a lot of other books from these shelves, I am wondering why I have kept it there for so long. It is a lovely book, but not a ‘thundering’ read, if you know what I mean. The story evolves slowly, slowly, but somehow there is always a new hint of something to come. The language is beautiful, calm, almost fragile in its prose.
Not to reveal too much here is a summary of the start. Lucan is alone in the world and has got a position as a governess with a wealthy widow. He makes her an offer that she can refuse and she runs away in the middle of the night. She is heading to her school friend Zosine which she has not met since school. Arriving at her mansion on the day of her birthday ball she is welcomed with joy. However, things are not as good as they seem. Zosine’s father is in bankruptcy and has to flee, the creditors are banging the door to the mansion the next day and the two girls have to leave.
Having no funds to live from they travel to London and apply for positions as governesses. Since they don’t want to separate it is difficult to find something. Then one day reverend Pennhallow enters the scene. He and his wife are looking for two girls to take in for charity. He will teach them for a year and they are to live with them in their house in France. Well, that all sounds rather good doesn’t it?
From here on we follow the girls during this year. It is difficult to put the novel in a genre since it touches on so many. I find it gothic, magic, supernatural, romantic and mysterious. Almost like a fairy tale. All in one story. It is magically written, with a calm movement forward of the story, romantic descriptions of the landscape and the daily life in this rural area. It reminds me a little bit of The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe but not that long lingering on descriptions.
It is not a book that overwhelms you with the story, but it stays with you after you have finished the book. Isak Dinesen the pseudonym for Karen Blixen is mostly known for her book The African Farm on which the film Out of Africa was based. I have seen the film but not read the book, although it is on my TBR shelves as well. I think it is time to read that one as well.
rosiebev's review against another edition
Didnt finish it but i had to return it to the library so im just pretending i have
caitasoflate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
2nd time reading.
I'm always shocked to remember how unknown this little book is, its a shouldbeaclassic
I'm always shocked to remember how unknown this little book is, its a shouldbeaclassic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racial slurs
Moderate: Kidnapping, Racism, Sexism, and Trafficking
Minor: Sexual violence and Suicide
augenstern's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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