joanapaulapestana

I am not enjoying this book as much as I enjoyed The Female Quixote, which was really, really funny, but I'm trying to keep an open mind. Burney, was an 18th century novelist who influenced Jane Austen, and if you read this book, you can see how. However, you can also see, if you read, that Austen was clearly the superior writer. Over 900 pages, the author seems to drag out the plot more than is necessary, but once you get past the melodrama of parts of the book, it is interesting enough that you will want to continue. The heroine of this book is Miss Camilla Tyrold. At an early age, her uncle Sir Hugh chooses her as his favorite and abandons his preference for his other niece, Indiana. Sir High decides that he will make Camilla his heir. However because of an unlucky accident, Sir Hugh becomes the partial cause of Camilla's sister, Eugenia, contracting smallpox. Because of this, and contrary to his wishes, Sir. Hugh must disinherit Indiana and leave all his wealth to her disfigured sister, Eugenia. Because of the counsel of Indiana's frivolous governess, however, Sir Hugh soon becomes convinces that Edgar Mandlebert prefers his pretty niece, Indiana. At first, Edgar admires her beauty but upon closer examination sees that Indiana is selfish and frivolous and lured by Edgar's good advice and pleasing manners, Camilla soon is captured by his charms. Many complications and problems soon occur for Indiana, a beauty without fortune; for Camilla, who loves Edgar but isn't sure that he loves her back; for Eugenia, who has money and good sense but is disfigured and who is in danger of being preyed upon for her wealth. This novel also features a large array of secondary characters including the generous Sir Hugh, the absent-minded Dr. Ockborne who tutors Eugenia in Latin but really cares for nothing as much as his books; Camilla's rowdy brother Lionel who plays practical jokes withour regard for the danger of them and more. Despite the novels flaws, one being its excessive length, it is interesting enough to warrant a read.

2023-02-11 08:01