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Kalliope's Reviews > Lady Susan
Lady Susan
by
Reading this wonderful novel I felt as if I were holding a multifaceted prism, and with each new epistle, I was twisting it to another of its sides, and looked in wonder into wonder it.
With every slight shift in viewpoint, the light unveiled a different aspect: of the engaging story; of the captivating characters; of the elusive nature of fiction; of the actual art of narration.
Not only was each letter advancing a plot but it also made me wonder if there was an unmediated way of looking, since each side, each letter, had a bearing on the others. And even if one of its sides appeared to have its position as the original source, the constant shifting was gradually producing a greater and greater impression of unreliability.
In particular one of the facets, one of the letters, reminded me of how indiscernible is human intent.
What a smart young writer, this Jane Austen at nineteen was!
by
MULTIFACETED PRISM
Reading this wonderful novel I felt as if I were holding a multifaceted prism, and with each new epistle, I was twisting it to another of its sides, and looked in wonder into wonder it.
With every slight shift in viewpoint, the light unveiled a different aspect: of the engaging story; of the captivating characters; of the elusive nature of fiction; of the actual art of narration.
Not only was each letter advancing a plot but it also made me wonder if there was an unmediated way of looking, since each side, each letter, had a bearing on the others. And even if one of its sides appeared to have its position as the original source, the constant shifting was gradually producing a greater and greater impression of unreliability.
In particular one of the facets, one of the letters, reminded me of how indiscernible is human intent.
What a smart young writer, this Jane Austen at nineteen was!
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Reading Progress
July 22, 2013
– Shelved as:
considering
July 22, 2013
– Shelved
July 22, 2013
– Shelved as:
classics
July 22, 2013
– Shelved as:
britain
July 22, 2013
– Shelved as:
fiction-english
February 26, 2017
–
Started Reading
February 26, 2017
– Shelved as:
2017
February 26, 2017
– Shelved as:
18-century
February 26, 2017
–
13.0%
"Not that I am an advocate for the prevailing fashion of acquiring a perfect knowledge of all languages, arts, and sciences. It is throwing time away to be mistress of French, Italian and German: music, singing, and drawing, etc, will gain a woman some applause, but will not add more lover to her list--grace and manner, after all, are of the greatest importance."
February 26, 2017
–
14.0%
"There is exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolent spirit, in making a person predetermined to dislike acknowledge one's superiority."
February 27, 2017
–
28.0%
"And this circumstance.... may also convince us how little the general report of anyone ought to be credited; since no character, however upright, can escape the malevolence of slander."
February 28, 2017
–
63.0%
"There is something agreeable in feelings so easily worked on; not that I envy hi their possession, nor would, for the world, have such myself; but they are very convenient when one wishes to influence the passions of another."
March 1, 2017
–
64.0%
"Flexibility of mind, a disposition easily biassed by others, is an attribute which you know I am not very desirous of obtaining."
March 1, 2017
–
Finished Reading
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by
Ilse
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rated it 5 stars
May 16, 2018 07:42AM
An unusual smart young writer, entirely worthy of such a matching clever review, Kalliope! With regard to the intensifying impression of unreliability of human intent, I now wonder which was the decisive letter for you to spark that thought (view spoiler)[(I doubted the true intentions of Lady S - and if they were always clear to herself or if she was living rather in self-deception next to deceiving others) (hide spoiler)]
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