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verbava's review against another edition
3.0
перша частина – «морфо євгенія» – тягне навіть на четвірку, є в ній шось дивовижно красиве й водночас цинічне, шо іноді можна знайти в маргарет атвуд, наприклад. тільки повість водночас рефлексивно-вікторіанська, й думається більше про фаулза, але це ненав'язливі такі, хороші думки.
із другою в мене не склалося, може, там просто забагато тенісона й сведенборга; хоча сама задумка альтернативної історії – от майже як повість про емілі дікінсон і волта вітмена в «стімпанку» ді філіппо – дуже симпатична.
(о так, я примудрилася покликатися на трьох інших авторів у трьох реченнях. по-моєму, це хронічне).
із другою в мене не склалося, може, там просто забагато тенісона й сведенборга; хоча сама задумка альтернативної історії – от майже як повість про емілі дікінсон і волта вітмена в «стімпанку» ді філіппо – дуже симпатична.
(о так, я примудрилася покликатися на трьох інших авторів у трьох реченнях. по-моєму, це хронічне).
dayrepresent's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.5
charadreemurrs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
powerfulanne's review against another edition
I love spending time in A.S. Byatt's brain. Her books are learnéd in the extreme and yet still so sympathetic, human, and wry. The audiobook of these two novellas (narrated by the incomparable Wanda McCaddon) was a delight and an excellent way to pass four days bedridden with COVID vaccine side effects (worth it).
kdstutzman's review against another edition
4.0
The book is composed of two novellas: "Morpho Eugenia," about natural selection, insects, blindness both willful and otherwise, and love in various guises; and "The Conjugial Angel," about spiritualism, seances, Alfred Tennyson, and love--of the dead, of the flesh, and of the sort that dare not speak its name. "Morpho Eugenia" is considerably more successful than "The Conjugial Angel," but both novellas are excellently dark and creepy, and rich with meaningful historical detail--the sort of thing that Byatt does best. My appreciation for both of these stories was enriched by reading with alongside Byatt's essay "True Stories and the Facts in Fiction."
athaleid's review against another edition
5.0
I only had time to finish the first story of the book, that which focused on the insects.
Byatt´s writing is beautiful. Her storytelling is mesmerizing.
I am glad I finally took the time to read her books because I am in love with her stories, the way she conveys her worlds, describes the people, their feelings and actions. I really enjoyed the frame narrative of the first story - how the experiments and discoveries in the characters´ real life were interlaced into a wonderful little fairy tail full of mystery and magic and mythology.
I hope to be able to read the second story as well at some point, but even based on just the first one, I would definitely recommend it. It is lovely.
Byatt´s writing is beautiful. Her storytelling is mesmerizing.
I am glad I finally took the time to read her books because I am in love with her stories, the way she conveys her worlds, describes the people, their feelings and actions. I really enjoyed the frame narrative of the first story - how the experiments and discoveries in the characters´ real life were interlaced into a wonderful little fairy tail full of mystery and magic and mythology.
I hope to be able to read the second story as well at some point, but even based on just the first one, I would definitely recommend it. It is lovely.
arteriolesque's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting view of scientific discovery as seen thru a Victorian lens… some of the justifications of the inferiority of women held at the time were squeamish to read. Very gothic entomology.
isobelline's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Simply brilliant. I cannot express how jealous I feel of Byatt's writing style - this is exactly how I want to write! Her prose is so intricate, so expertly crafted that I can't help but be in awe of the author's talent. Bravo!
I'm giving this book 5 stars not because I didn't have any problems with it (I did), but because it enthralled me so much. I felt like I was reading a Victorian scrapbook, arranged by the hands of a perspicacious young lady. Everything is so neatly interwoven here, so splendidly tied together.
As many have pointed out, The Conjugial Angel is much weaker than Morpho Eugenia. It is still incredible, mind you, but I found it much harder to read because I wasn't that familiar with Swedenborgian philosophy and the poetry of Alfred Tennyson. The numerous poetic quotations also wore me out. But the overall message is one I appreciated a lot, and chapter X nearly brought me to tears with its poignant ruminations on love and grief.
There is only one thing I can say - this book is really something special.
I'm giving this book 5 stars not because I didn't have any problems with it (I did), but because it enthralled me so much. I felt like I was reading a Victorian scrapbook, arranged by the hands of a perspicacious young lady. Everything is so neatly interwoven here, so splendidly tied together.
As many have pointed out, The Conjugial Angel is much weaker than Morpho Eugenia. It is still incredible, mind you, but I found it much harder to read because I wasn't that familiar with Swedenborgian philosophy and the poetry of Alfred Tennyson. The numerous poetic quotations also wore me out. But the overall message is one I appreciated a lot, and chapter X nearly brought me to tears with its poignant ruminations on love and grief.
There is only one thing I can say - this book is really something special.
tardigrade_in_retrograde's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first novella was excellent. The second, not so much.