This book is about the inhabitants of the castle of Otranto, and was written by Earl Horace Wadpole in 1764.
The household consists of Manfred, the owner, who is also called the Prince of Otranto, his wife Hippilota, and his children, Conrad who is 15, and Matilda who is 18. The story starts when Conrad, on the day of his wedding with the princess Isabella, is found dead mysteriously in the courtyard, crushed under a gigantic helmet. Manfred then thinks that this is caused by a curse that had been made years before. He then wishes Isabella to be his bride instead of Hippilota to have a male heir again. Isabella is horrified at the proposal, and manages to escape but Manfred searches for her. Hippilota is deeply religious, so Manfred tells Jerome the priest to encourage her to agree to the divorce, but Jerome secretly abhors the plan. Matilda and Isabella become great friends, but that friendship becomes strained when they both fall in love with a handsome, brave young peasant man named Theodore, who is not who he seems to be.
I liked Hippilota, she was a very sweet character, with a deep religious aspect. I also liked Isabella and Matilda, they were nice girls, respectful to their elders yet firm in their beliefs. Theodore was in every way a medieval knight, chivalrous, gentle, brave, and gallant. I also liked that, although a gothic novel, there was not much of the usual fainting, weakness, terror, etc... that is so common in this genre. The characters were, even though occasionally overcome, strong willed and strong minded.
I disliked Manfred, he was evil minded, selfish, and uncaring, but that was how he was supposed to be portrayed, so his character was very well written.
This book I would recommend to readers who like medieval romances or stories of the supernatural, as in ghosts, curses, visions, and omens. Over all I would give The Castle of Otranto a 7/10.
Monday, 25 January 2016
Book Review: Uneasy Money
Uneasy Money was written by P.G Wodehouse and was published in 1916.
The book is about the young Lord Dawlish, called Bill by his friends. He is one of those unfortunates that had a title but no money. This circumstance was the bane of his fiancé Claire's life, she refused to marry him until he made some money. While she was out of town, Bill decides to go to America to seek his fortune. But just before he leaves, he is told that he has been left 1 million dollars from a man he once helped with his golf game. The man he helped was an eccentric person who in leaving his fortune to Bill, only left 20 dollars to his niece and nephew, who keep a bee farm on Long Island. Bill, being a kind-hearted person, feels guilty that he had unwittingly taken their inheritance. He decides to go to Long Island and see if he cannot give them half. As a precaution, Bill goes under another name, which was good thinking because Elizabeth Boyd, the niece, hates the unknown Lord Dawlish as a treasure hunter. When her brother Nutty, not knowing who he really is, invites him to their home, he becomes great friends with Elizabeth and slowly comes the realization that perhaps Claire is not the girl for him. Meanwhile, Claire also comes to America on a whim to visit a good friend of hers, who also happens to be staying not far from the Boyd farm. There she meets a wealthy car company owner, who falls in love with her immediately.
I liked Bill, he was a nice fellow, generous and good hearted, though a little slow witted. Elizabeth was a lovely girl, she was strong both mentally and physically, and unpredictable in her actions. She had a great passion for her bees, and a motherly regard and worry for her weak brother, who was an alcoholic. Claire's friend Sylvia was a nice girl, friendly, gentle, yet firm minded. I actually liked Claire a little, though her love of money made her the bad guy in this story. The book was written very well, it was humorous, but had the right touch of seriousness.
This is one of my favourite of Wodehouse's works. I would recommend this to readers who like reading about normal people, the characters did nothing out of the ordinary, but is just a simple and realistic view of higher class life in the early 1900's. There is just a touch of romance to satisfy a more romantic reader, there is a lot of decision making as to right and wrong, a little adventure, a little thoughtfulness, and a lot of comedy. Overall I give this book a 10/10.
The book is about the young Lord Dawlish, called Bill by his friends. He is one of those unfortunates that had a title but no money. This circumstance was the bane of his fiancé Claire's life, she refused to marry him until he made some money. While she was out of town, Bill decides to go to America to seek his fortune. But just before he leaves, he is told that he has been left 1 million dollars from a man he once helped with his golf game. The man he helped was an eccentric person who in leaving his fortune to Bill, only left 20 dollars to his niece and nephew, who keep a bee farm on Long Island. Bill, being a kind-hearted person, feels guilty that he had unwittingly taken their inheritance. He decides to go to Long Island and see if he cannot give them half. As a precaution, Bill goes under another name, which was good thinking because Elizabeth Boyd, the niece, hates the unknown Lord Dawlish as a treasure hunter. When her brother Nutty, not knowing who he really is, invites him to their home, he becomes great friends with Elizabeth and slowly comes the realization that perhaps Claire is not the girl for him. Meanwhile, Claire also comes to America on a whim to visit a good friend of hers, who also happens to be staying not far from the Boyd farm. There she meets a wealthy car company owner, who falls in love with her immediately.
I liked Bill, he was a nice fellow, generous and good hearted, though a little slow witted. Elizabeth was a lovely girl, she was strong both mentally and physically, and unpredictable in her actions. She had a great passion for her bees, and a motherly regard and worry for her weak brother, who was an alcoholic. Claire's friend Sylvia was a nice girl, friendly, gentle, yet firm minded. I actually liked Claire a little, though her love of money made her the bad guy in this story. The book was written very well, it was humorous, but had the right touch of seriousness.
This is one of my favourite of Wodehouse's works. I would recommend this to readers who like reading about normal people, the characters did nothing out of the ordinary, but is just a simple and realistic view of higher class life in the early 1900's. There is just a touch of romance to satisfy a more romantic reader, there is a lot of decision making as to right and wrong, a little adventure, a little thoughtfulness, and a lot of comedy. Overall I give this book a 10/10.
Thursday, 14 January 2016
Book Review: Cleopatra
The History of Cleopatra was written by Jacob Abbott in 1851. While writing the book, he relied heavily on Roman writings and records on the subject.
Cleopatra came from a long line of Ptolemys, well known for their use of wealth for personal pleasures of the most vulgar nature. They were a ruthless line, selfish and had an utter disregard for the duties of the monarchy. Her father, when he died after a long reign of vice, left it in his will that hi daughter, who was now 18, would marry her 10 year old brother Ptolemy, and they would rule Egypt together when they came of age. He set in place a guardian, Pothinus the eunuch, who would rule until such time as the Pharaoh and Queen could rule themselves. But as the years went on, Cleopatra became stronger and more determined to become ruler, while Pothinus became determined that she should never do so. He then formed a conspiracy with Ptolemy to overthrow his wife. But Ptolemy died late into the war, so that Cleopatra became queen. She was helped by Ceasar, who, seduced by her charms, stayed with her for several years, enjoying her company, leaving his wife back in Rome. Cleopatra bore him three children before he went back to Rome. After his assassination, his successor Antony came to Egypt. She succeeded in making him stay with her also for a number of years. But Rome had had enough. When Octavius prepared to make war against Antony, the whole country sided with him. After a long war, the famous defeat of Cleopatra, and the subsequent deaths of both Antony and herself, is written well with a lot of description.
Abbott's account of the famous and elusive monarch is interesting, giving a side to Cleopatra that is unusual and yet factual. A great, well written biography, with vivid portrayal and historical accuracy. Overall I would give this book 8/10.
Cleopatra came from a long line of Ptolemys, well known for their use of wealth for personal pleasures of the most vulgar nature. They were a ruthless line, selfish and had an utter disregard for the duties of the monarchy. Her father, when he died after a long reign of vice, left it in his will that hi daughter, who was now 18, would marry her 10 year old brother Ptolemy, and they would rule Egypt together when they came of age. He set in place a guardian, Pothinus the eunuch, who would rule until such time as the Pharaoh and Queen could rule themselves. But as the years went on, Cleopatra became stronger and more determined to become ruler, while Pothinus became determined that she should never do so. He then formed a conspiracy with Ptolemy to overthrow his wife. But Ptolemy died late into the war, so that Cleopatra became queen. She was helped by Ceasar, who, seduced by her charms, stayed with her for several years, enjoying her company, leaving his wife back in Rome. Cleopatra bore him three children before he went back to Rome. After his assassination, his successor Antony came to Egypt. She succeeded in making him stay with her also for a number of years. But Rome had had enough. When Octavius prepared to make war against Antony, the whole country sided with him. After a long war, the famous defeat of Cleopatra, and the subsequent deaths of both Antony and herself, is written well with a lot of description.
Abbott's account of the famous and elusive monarch is interesting, giving a side to Cleopatra that is unusual and yet factual. A great, well written biography, with vivid portrayal and historical accuracy. Overall I would give this book 8/10.
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Book Review: A Damsel in Distress
A Damsel in Distress was written in 1919, by P. G. Wodehouse. It was made into a silent movie in 1919, a play in 1928, and later a musical with Fred Astaire in 1937.
The story is about how American composer George Bevan falls in love with a mysterious girl, when she rushes into his cab in London while trying to get away from a man. After saving her, she disappears again. He tracks her down and learns that she is the Lady Maud Marshmoreton, daughter of the Earl of Belpher. He also finds out that she is kept within the grounds at all times by her aunt Caroline, a hard-hearted lady who is angry with her niece because of her summer romance with another man in Wales. In her pursuit of a more suitable match, she is not supported by her brother the Earl, who is a peculiar and rather eccentric gardener. But she is comforted by Percy, Maud's brother, who is of the same mind as his aunt. Meanwhile, Caroline's step-son Reggie, is in love with the Earl's personal assistant, Alice Faraday. Unaware of this, Caroline's dream is for a match between Reggie and Maud. George decides to stay for some weeks at a local cottage in the hopes of spending time with the Earl's daughter. But from there it goes down hill. Mistaken identities, family quarrels, and scheming servants are just some of the humorous twists to this excellent novel.
The book was well-written, with classic Wodehouse wit. The characters were portrayed beautifully, the setting vividly described, and the plot interesting and funny. A book I would certainly read again, I give this a 9/10.
The story is about how American composer George Bevan falls in love with a mysterious girl, when she rushes into his cab in London while trying to get away from a man. After saving her, she disappears again. He tracks her down and learns that she is the Lady Maud Marshmoreton, daughter of the Earl of Belpher. He also finds out that she is kept within the grounds at all times by her aunt Caroline, a hard-hearted lady who is angry with her niece because of her summer romance with another man in Wales. In her pursuit of a more suitable match, she is not supported by her brother the Earl, who is a peculiar and rather eccentric gardener. But she is comforted by Percy, Maud's brother, who is of the same mind as his aunt. Meanwhile, Caroline's step-son Reggie, is in love with the Earl's personal assistant, Alice Faraday. Unaware of this, Caroline's dream is for a match between Reggie and Maud. George decides to stay for some weeks at a local cottage in the hopes of spending time with the Earl's daughter. But from there it goes down hill. Mistaken identities, family quarrels, and scheming servants are just some of the humorous twists to this excellent novel.
The book was well-written, with classic Wodehouse wit. The characters were portrayed beautifully, the setting vividly described, and the plot interesting and funny. A book I would certainly read again, I give this a 9/10.
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