Category Archives: 18th Century

Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoevsky

Posted on September 30, 2015 by jenny

Before I read Crime and Punishment all that I had heard about Feodor Dostoevsky was that he was a Russian author and, whereas Tolstoy understood legalism, Dostoevsky understood grace. I’ve since found out that he is also considered one of the greatest … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th Century, Classic, Crime fiction, General adult audience, Realism, Russian, Social Novel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas

Posted on July 31, 2015 by jenny

The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas is a tale of two tulip-fanciers – Dutchmen obsessed with growing (or stealing) a 100 000 guilder-winning black tulip. Set against the backdrop of post-Reformation Holland, the story is a mix of historical novel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic, French, General adult audience, Historical Fiction, Melodrama, Romance, Victorian | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Miserable, Not Romantic: The Happy Ever After of Marrying a Scoundrel Explored in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

Posted on February 5, 2015 by jenny

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë is a book about what happens if you actually marry Mr Rochester or Mr Willoughby. Helen marries a careless but charismatic man and finds that her influence quickly wanes after their marriage. … Continue reading →

Posted in British, Classic, Diarial, General adult audience, Novel, Pastoral novel, Realism, Romance, Social Novel, Victorian | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Warden by Anthony Trollope

Posted on July 15, 2014 by jenny

The Warden by Anthony Trollope is the first of the Barchester Novels and is Amusing, Character-Driven and Short. Characters have names like Septimus Harding and Sir Abraham Haphazard! Clergyman, Mr Harding is accused of being Paid Too Much for his … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th Century, Classic, Comedy, General adult audience, Novel, Novel of Manners, Pastoral novel, Serial Novel, Victorian | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome

Posted on April 14, 2014 by jenny

Three Men in a Boat (to Say Nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome is an amusing account of a boating trip up the Thames. Rich in hypochondria, satire and altercations with tents and pineapple tins, it is a … Continue reading →

Posted in British, Comedy, Fiction, General adult audience, Light Fiction, Novel, Travel Fiction, Victorian | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment