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k8dkc's review against another edition
3.0
In a Nutshell: A young girl is introduced to society after a sheltered upbringing and wishes to be recognized by her biological father.
Meh. The characters were painfully flat and two-dimensional. Everyone was wholly good or wholly bad. There were definitely interesting portions of the books and dull parts.
Meh. The characters were painfully flat and two-dimensional. Everyone was wholly good or wholly bad. There were definitely interesting portions of the books and dull parts.
eb8333's review against another edition
3.0
Predating Jane Austen in a similar genre, but definitely not witty or as intelligent as Austen. At the same time, it is an interesting portrayal of the era from a women's point of view.
cindy_g's review against another edition
3.0
I'm sure that this story deserves more than three stars, and I admit that I am rating it as a modern reader and not as a classic that deserves considerations for its own merits during its own time period. I'm a fan of Jane Austen and as such was curious to read this precursor to Austen's wonderful fiction.
The difference in presentation is marked. Austen tells a story beautifully while Burney relies on numerous letters to describe scenes of life. I've personally always found the letter writing method of story telling tedious, and in this case felt that more editing could have been done to shorten the content while still getting the story across. However, Ms. Burney has acquitted herself well in providing us with a vision of what life must have been like for a girl in Evalina's social position. It's terrifying actually, and well worth reading and comparing to Jane Austen's more genteel perspective of cultured living.
The difference in presentation is marked. Austen tells a story beautifully while Burney relies on numerous letters to describe scenes of life. I've personally always found the letter writing method of story telling tedious, and in this case felt that more editing could have been done to shorten the content while still getting the story across. However, Ms. Burney has acquitted herself well in providing us with a vision of what life must have been like for a girl in Evalina's social position. It's terrifying actually, and well worth reading and comparing to Jane Austen's more genteel perspective of cultured living.
thevampirelestat's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you took a shot every time a man "cries" something out, You would die, and then your eternal soul would also die. Anyway I kind of love this book. Evelina and Maria are so sapphic to me but I suppose I will tuck that treatise away for another day.
333_lucy_333's review against another edition
1.0
THANK FUCK IT'S OVER
I'm sorry; especially towards the end of this book I was seriously contemplating poking out my eyes so I'd have an excuse for failing to finish it. With characters that are either entirely obnoxious or those that are unbelievably "virtuous", every single interaction in the book becomes such a pain to get through---and oh my god there is so much to get through. Pointless interactions abound, the cast is bloated and universally boring, and the themes of the novel are so 18th-century that I'm going to pull a Porcia and swallow a hot coal.
TLDR: Horrendous. Read the Cliffnotes or something.
1.25/5 stars
I'm sorry; especially towards the end of this book I was seriously contemplating poking out my eyes so I'd have an excuse for failing to finish it. With characters that are either entirely obnoxious or those that are unbelievably "virtuous"
Spoiler
(Evelina being mOvEd tO cOmPaSsIoN for Sir Clement when he wOeFuLlY explains his schemes genuinely made me furious---girl this man essentially threatened to assault you on like three separate occasions jesussss)TLDR: Horrendous. Read the Cliffnotes or something.
1.25/5 stars
janetl69's review against another edition
2.0
DNF's at 18%.
This was a book for book club and I just couldn't push through and get it read. The main character wasn't horrible, but most of the other were and I just could not continue reading it.
This was a book for book club and I just couldn't push through and get it read. The main character wasn't horrible, but most of the other were and I just could not continue reading it.
josierushinxo's review against another edition
2.0
fiction about a young woman. im not sure what i was expecting going in - i was just aware of the era the book is set / was written in and knew that previously i had struggled with this era. i found the book slow and tricky to get through. there were moments where i enjoyed the book and got into it but found it largely dry and unexciting. i will not be reading more from this author nor will i recommend the book.
halpicantread's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Charming comedy of manners that delivers what it promises: a fish out of water protagonist debuting in a society full of artifice and the hilarity that ensues. While a little melodratic and a very contrived ending, it was a fun time, specially if you are an Austen fan, or generally interested in 18th century society.
schunter59's review against another edition
4.0
Really quite engaging and nicely-developed characters.