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- More than just satire. A statement about the Human Condition
- The beginnings of nihilism
- Should Be Required Reading
- Great book, TERRIBLE translation
- Classic Satire
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Candide: Or Optimism (Penguin Classics)
Voltaire
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ASIN: 0140440046 |
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Political satire doesn't age well, but occasionally a diatribe contains enough art and universal mirth to survive long after its timeliness has passed. Candide is such a book. Penned by that Renaissance man of the Enlightenment, Voltaire, Candide is steeped in the political and philosophical controversies of the 1750s. But for the general reader, the novel's driving principle is clear enough: the idea (endemic in Voltaire's day) that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and apparent folly, misery and strife are actually harbingers of a greater good we cannot perceive, is hogwash.
Telling the tale of the good-natured but star-crossed Candide (think Mr. Magoo armed with deadly force), as he travels the world struggling to be reunited with his love, Lady Cunegonde, the novel smashes such ill-conceived optimism to splinters. Candide's tutor, Dr. Pangloss, is steadfast in his philosophical good cheer, in the face of more and more fantastic misfortune; Candide's other companions always supply good sense in the nick of time. Still, as he demolishes optimism, Voltaire pays tribute to human resilience, and in doing so gives the book a pleasant indomitability common to farce. Says one character, a princess turned one-buttocked hag by unkind Fate: "I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our most melancholy propensities; for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one's very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away?"--Michael Gerber
Book Description
One of the world's best known satires, CANDIDE refutes the optimistic but shallow "All's for the best in this best of all possible worlds." Candide's tutor, the philosophic Dr. Pangloss, embodies this creed, maintaining it in spite of all evidence to the contrary. A standard entry in world literature courses, CANDIDE is as funny and absurd today as when it was written more than 200 years ago.
Customer Reviews:
More than just satire. A statement about the Human Condition.......2007-09-03
To call this book a satire and suggest that it is funny, or well done, or relevant to recent times, may be true but that fails to point out what is obvious. Voltaire was a French Enlightment writer. He used wit to make his points. He made fun of the teachings of the Church but he was pushing for religious freedom. He had strong opinions and the book was a tool to presenting his thoughts. The book is considered to be one of the most significant works of Western Canon due to its portrayal of the human condition.
The story is intended to satirize the idea of optimism. The approach was developed in the events of a trip. The events of the trip allow him to interchange the tragedy and the comedy within the various situations that occurred. This is a unique approach but it allowed him to develop a look at good and evil as well as the role of God and Government in men's lives. The satirical approach allowed him cover to focus his criticism.
A simple story. Young man leaves his home but really he has to leave having been caught kissing the wrong person. Sill optimistic he joins the army. He is flogged. Later almost burned alive. He sets out to see the world but continues to believe, as he was taught early in his life, that he is indeed living in the "best of all possible worlds". It seems as though nothing goes well. One tragedy after another. Funny but sad. Then after what seems to be an endless ordeal he returns and settles for life in a garden. Even so, still optimistic perhaps, he says that "we must cultivate our garden".
His book and his story challenge the idea that "all is for the best" in a world where it is often assumed that things "work out for the best".
The beginnings of nihilism.......2007-06-01
Comedy or tragedy? Which makes for better literature? How about both? In fact, many of the greatest works of literature are both comedies and tragedies. Candide is probably the greatest example of such a work from a French author. Penned under a pseudonym by the great thinker, Voltaire, this work is superficially an adventure novel about the title character traveling the known world to find his love, while accompanied by Pangloss. In reality, the book is a parody of human society, culture, philosophy, and mentality. The result is a short, witty and insightful examination of the human condition. The textual level is appropriate for anyone at the high school level, but is great reading for anyone at any reading level.
All in all, one of the best works in young adult literature.
Should Be Required Reading.......2007-05-10
I have owned this book for quite awhile but put off reading it, fearing that it would be dull and scholarly. I was in for a wonderful surprise. His philosophy makes a lot of sense and he puts it forth in a simple story accessible to almost everyone. Many, many times I laughed out loud. It was fun as well as enlightening. The term "sixes and sevens" was used; what is the etymology of that expression? The violence is expressed in an absurd way, though we know awful things did and do happen.
Great book, TERRIBLE translation.......2007-01-08
Candide is my favorite book, and I've read it multiple times in boh french and english. This is by far the worst english translation I've come across. It makes absolutely no attempt to preserve the grammatical structure of Voltaire's original, and consequently much of the irony and wit is lost. Read Candide, but not this copy.
The Signet edition is not bad.
Classic Satire.......2006-12-12
For those who saw "Borat" and thought Sacha Baron Cohen was a great satirist, "Candide" will put everything into perspective. In less than one hundred pages, Voltaire manages to skewer religion, politics, bigotry, love, hatred, optimism, cosmopolitanism, agrarian idealization, and everything else he could get his eighteenth-century hands on. The book is not perfect (I could have done without that slight anti-Semitic barb at the very end), but is scathingly brilliant and often laught-out-loud hilarious. A must-read for anyone who wishes to be worthy of the term "cynic".
Book Description
One of Western literature's most glorious and incisive satires—now in a brilliant new translation with a bold new cover by Chris Ware
With its vibrant new translation, perceptive introduction, and witty packaging, this new edition of Voltaire's irreverent, tragicomic masterpiece belongs in the hands of every reader pondering our assumptions about human behavior and our place in the world.
Candide tells of the outrageous adventures of the naïve Candide, who doggedly believes that “all is for the best” even when faced with injustice, suffering, and despair. Controversial and entertaining, Candide is a book that is vitally relevant today in our world pervaded by—as Candide would say— “the mania for insisting that all is well when all is by no means well.”
This new translation of one of Western literature's most glorious satires tells of the outrageous adventures of the naïve Candide, who doggedly believes that “all is for the best” even when faced with injustice, suffering, and despair.
Customer Reviews:
Great Cover.......2007-02-12
It was in perfect condition; no tears, rips, and a hilarious cover to top it all off.
Great edition; better book.......2007-01-01
When I imagined what 18th-century literature would be like, I figured there'd be lots of dated, archaic humor and cultural references I'd never understand. CANDIDE, as it happens, contains anything but the former, and very few of the latter.
In fact, this turned out to be the funniest book I've ever read--and I've read Pynchon, Vonnegut, and plenty of others. The absurdity of the novel and the nonchalance of its delivery are simply hilarious. Voltaire makes no attempt to conform to his time's--or even ours'--standard of decency: expect a slew of satire, an unprecedented (by 1759) dark sense of humor, and a message that the author will stop at nothing to convey. Voltaire will force his thesis down your throat, and you'll feel no desire to resist. Voltaire exposes the imperfection of our world and the fallacies of blind optimism with relentless wit and bluntness.
Penguin's Deluxe Classics edition of this is very handsome, and has laugh-out-loud material plastered all across the cover and inside flaps of the book--though watch out; minor spoilers abound!
This is a quick read, a classic, and a blast that you'll regret ends as soon as it does. Highly recommended.
Take a closer look at the cover!.......2005-11-05
I read Candide years ago; however, while looking through the shelves of the local bookstore I was stopped dead in my tracks by this new presentation. Enlarge the image of the new cover at the top of the page to be treated to a whimsical stick figure rendition of a majority of the story (complements of Chris Ware, some of his graphic novels include : The Acme Novelty Library, Quimby the Mouse and Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth). However, read the book, not just the cover, for one of the smartest satires ever written.
Candide tells of the outrageous adventures of the naïve Candide, who steadfastly believes that "all is for the best" even when faced with the injustice, suffering, and despair of the world. Following his eviction from his home for a tryst with his stepsister, he sets out to find the "best of all possible worlds" that his mentor Dr. Pangloss cannot stop extolling. Althewhile Candide and his friends barely keep from being killed or tourtured at every turn. Controversial for its time (the 18th century) and entertaining still today; Candide is a book that is relevant even now in our society, where "the mania for insisting that all is well when all is by no means well" prevails.
I am an avowed classics hater who could never make it through a single volume of anything in any Literature class. Never in a million years would I have picked up this book if not for a recommendation by Kurt Vonnegut in one of his autobiographical works. He highly recommended Candide, and being my favorite author, I could not help but be intrigued. I found it in the bookstore and it was short enough to read in one sitting.
The sight of this clever new edition brought a wonderful work of literature back into my mind and I just had to read it again. Beware, if you do not have a sense of humor about the human condition or do not understand sarcasm, you may not like this. Everyone else, enjoy!
Book Description
In this splendid new translation of Voltaire’s satiric masterpiece, all the celebrated wit, irony, and trenchant social commentary of one of the great works of the Enlightenment is restored and refreshed.
Voltaire may have cast a jaundiced eye on eighteenth-century Europe–a place that was definitely not the “best of all possible worlds.” But amid its decadent society, despotic rulers, civil and religious wars, and other ills, Voltaire found a mother lode of comic material. And this is why Peter Constantine’s thoughtful translation is such a pleasure, presenting all the book’s subtlety and ribald joys precisely as Voltaire had intended.
The globe-trotting misadventures of the youthful Candide; his tutor, Dr. Pangloss; Martin, and the exceptionally trouble-prone object of Candide’s affections, Cunégonde, as they brave exile, destitution, cannibals, and numerous deprivation, provoke both belly laughs and deep contemplation about the roles of hope and suffering in human life.
The transformation of Candide’s outlook from panglossian optimism to realism neatly lays out Voltaire’s philosophy–that even in Utopia, life is less about happiness than survival–but not before providing us with one of literature’s great and rare pleasures.
Customer Reviews:
New to Candide, I loved this edition.......2006-06-27
I admit, I was attracted by the pretty blue cover. This book is really packaged beautifully. Peter Constantine is the latest translator of Voltaire's work (I know because the pretty cover announces as much), but having never read any earlier translations, I am not equipped to critique it by comparison.
That said, I really enjoyed the book, despite having no prior exposure to Voltaire or 18th-century literature. Reading the mini-biography, introduction, and footnotes were more than sufficient for me to understand Voltaire's allusions.
The story has all the elements of an epic adventure: love, violence, far-off and strange lands, reuniuns, resurrections. But unlike the longer epics, calamity drives the story more than heroism or mission. Candide and his friends suffer one disfiguring catastrophe after another, yet there is a stubborn air of "logical" optimism. The prose is simple and clear, like a children's story; this underscores an odd pairing of innocence and disaster throughout.
This edition of Candide is a great read, even if you're just pulled into its orbit by the pretty cover.
Best of all possible editions..........2004-07-14
According to many scholars, Voltaire (pen name for Francois Marie Arouet) was the embodiment of the Enlightenment. Born in Paris is 1694, he was well educated by the Jesuits, studying law prior to turning to writing as a profession. His lampoons and satires won him fame and infamy; he was imprisoned and exiled at various times for his writing. He was forced into exile from France to England; later, he was invited to work for Frederick the Great in Berlin (politics and his reputation blew rapidly in the ever-changing winds of Europe). Voltaire wrote 'Candide' shortly after this period, when he had moved to Geneva. In 1778, the year of his death, he returned to Paris, a triumphant celebrity -- many of his ideas served to strengthen the movements that would eventually culminate in the French Revolution.
The story of 'Candide', the primary character in the Voltaire's novel, is the story of the search for answers. It is hard to classify 'Candide' solely as a political satire, or indeed in any other genre where it might find similarities. Voltaire explores religious and theological ideas, social and political situations, personal and intellectual issues, and the general strand of history. How could an omnipotent and benevolent God permit the world to be as it is? How can human beings, supposedly rational beings, treat each other as they do? How can rational beings act, feel and believe so irrationally?
The Enlightenment brought the ideas of Deism forward as important, and began to explore in earnest intellectual and political freedoms for people. The acquisition of knowledge, both pure theory and experiential/applied, was of high value. Candide was a student more than anything else, although in the course of the story, he holds many roles. Others who appear include Pangloss, the know-it-all philosophy teacher; Cunegonde, Candide's on-again, off-again love interest (who has her own set of adventures reported); Martin, another scholar (this one rather hopeless, in more ways than one); various other characters including Jewish merchants, Grand Inquisitors (the Enlightenment equivalent of Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition), and other bit players.
Candide travels all across Europe, from Westphalia through the Latin countries, ending up finally in Constantinople. No stone is unturned to expose the foibles of the locals, the problems of the travelers, and questionable underside of all society as they move from place to place, culture to culture, and crisis to crisis. Ultimately, the plot is not as important as the characters and characterisations -- for a book written in the 1700s, it is remarkably modern, hinting at sexual innuendo (including homosexuality) among royals and clergy, making fun of the military mindset and leadership (the king of the Bulgars is modeled upon Frederick the Great, and the Bulgar army is the Prussian army) and the church (the pope here has an illegitmate daughter, etc.).
The key satire, however, is against Leibniz, philosopher and mathematician, very intelligent but obviously not in directions Voltaire cared for. Leibniz had a directional metaphysics and historical sense -- this was the best of all possible worlds (the most famous phrase from the novel, put in Pangloss' mouth); the amiable but not-swift-on-the-uptake Pangloss is the stand-in for Leibniz.
Norton's Critical Edition includes several essays, in addition to the text of Voltaire's 'Candide' -- the novel itself is a mere 77 pages, translated by Robert Adams of UCLA. There are several background pieces, including a general survey of the intellectual background, philosophical explanations, and a brief biography of Voltaire.
Essays on criticism include discussion of Voltaire's narrative art, the ideas of pessimism and providence (it is worth remember here that Voltaire's purpose in writing 'Candide' was as a critique against optimism, of a sort), and various controversies. This is truly a fascinating collection, with pieces by such heavyweights in literary history as William Blake and Heinrich Heine giving their impressions on Voltaire and the issues addressed in 'Candide'. Gustave Flaubert and Anatole France give reflections on Voltaire's humanity; Victor Hugo discusses his greatness.
As Adams says, it is a surprise to find that 'Candide', a classic, is nonetheless funny. However, that is because it is so readily identifiable -- many heroes in modern stories are re-worked Candides of one sort or another; it is an Enlightenment Everyman, and we live in a period still heavily invested in and self-identified with Enlightenment ideas.
This is obviously the best of all possible Norton Critical Editions of Voltaire's 'Candide' from Adams.
Average customer rating:
- Voltaire at his most sarcastic
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VOLTAIRE CANDIDE OR OPTIMISM
Manufacturer: W W Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H2FWHM |
Customer Reviews:
Voltaire at his most sarcastic.......2006-12-16
This was required reading for a graduate course in the Humanities. A great story and important historical work in literature. Voltaire was a Renaissance Christian humanist who played a role in the development of the Enlightenment.
On the one hand, the structure of his novel Candide is Homeric, it is the journey narrative, the hero with a thousand faces, but it is a satirical restructuring of that classical motif of the hero on a quest. What is the importance of the quest in Candide? What is the quest about in the classical sense? The quest is about learning. In the classical sense the hero leaves, has to acquire some sort of knowledge, learn a set of skills that is going to help him or her enact the quest surmount the obstacles that they encounter at one point or another, and the finally what does the hero have to accomplish? What is out there the "Holy Grail" The prize, the whole quest is about attaining some sort of ultimate end or some sort of ultimate knowledge. Does it end there? No, you got to go back with that knowledge, because the quest is never just about attaining the goal, it's about bringing it home to make everybody better, to restore the community. The individual quest, the heroic quest in the classical sense always has a larger social corrective end. The purpose of the individual, the function of the individual all depends on his ability to return to the collective, whatever it is that he has found that he has acquired that is going to change the way things are. Now how does that compare to the journey or quest narrative in Candide? Contrary to the notion of what prepares us for the world, OK here is the important structure of the journey or the quest, and the critique of knowledge by Voltaire. It is contrary to the idea of the knowledge that we acquire prepares us for the world. That each new bit of knowledge that we acquire, prepares us for the next step, and prepares us for the next stage. Contrary to the idea that life is somehow to be understood or that human history is somehow to be understood as a journey organized around progress, around betterment advancement acquiring new knowledge more knowledge more science more learning, we're getting better again, Candide tells the story that goes in the opposite direction. So, then you acquire knowledge and then you spend the rest of the journey finding out that the knowledge is useless, bit by bit, and every lesson you've acquired has to be cast aside, everything you learn you have to abandon. Instead of gaining and getting better, it is throwing off, letting go, and getting worse. Where does Voltaire want us in the end to think of the notion and narrative of progress?
Of course, you know that Candide is steeped in so many of the political and philosophical controversies of the 1750's. One of his big critiques is of the philosopher Leibnitz who said that `this is the best of all possible worlds," the idea championed by Leibnitz was a simple version of the philosophy espoused by enlightenment philosophers that the existence of any evil in the world was a sign that god was not entirely good or very powerful. The idea of an imperfect god would be nonsensical. So if you are a philosopher who takes for granted that god exists, you would have to conclude logically; and here is where humanities and Christianity really start messing with each other in all kinds of obvious ways, that god is perfect if you logically conclude that god exists. Therefore, his creation, the world, and man must also be perfect. According to many enlightenment philosophers, people perceived imperfections of the world only because they do not get the plan. This is a teleological idea of the world. Now obviously Voltaire does not accept this theory, or that god or any god has to exist. Therefore, he makes fun of the idea that the world is completely good. Much of the novel is a satire addressed to the notion that the optimists who witness countless horrors and unbelievable injustice such as floggings, robberies, and earthquakes will always find a way to write it off. They will say, `oh well there must be part of a plan, even though none of these calamities seem to serve any good at all it must point to human cruelty ignorance and barbarism and points to the indifference of the natural world. Pangloss the philosopher in the book throughout the story is always trying to find some justification for the terrible things that he sees and the arguments that he makes seem increasingly to be absurd, like his quote that "Syphilis needed to be transmitted from the new world to Europe so that Europeans could taste new world delicacies. What other things is Voltaire criticizing here that connects to some of the debates that define the enlightenment period of the 1750's Religion? Religion- He criticizes the whole hypocrisy of religion. In the book, Voltaire has a parade of corrupt hypocritical religious leaders who are like the Pope that has a daughter (should have been celibate). Hard line Catholic inquisitors, a Franciscan monk who should have vow of poverty but is a jewel thief. Here Voltaire provides countless examples of the immorality and hypocrisy of religious leaders, he does not really condemn believers per say, he is really out to attack church leadership and church hierarchy. For example Jacques, who is an Anabaptist is arguably one of the most generous and humane characters.
What else does Voltaire criticize or satirize? Wealth- money corrupts; Candide seems to have more problems when he has lots of money. Things get worse he gets unhappy. An interesting point, Voltaire was deeply involved in a debate with the many deep thinkers of his time, most notably was Rousseau, who lambasted the aristocracy. Voltaire himself really moved very comfortably among aristocratic circles and interestingly the French enlightenment philosophy really took off among the French aristocracy. Since they had the leisure time to contemplate so many of the new ideas in reason, science and rationalism and his notions of progress and advancement were ideas that were principally championed and discussed by members of the French aristocracy. Therefore, it was among some of the idle members of the French aristocrats that these enlightenment philosophers were able to find their most ardent followers. Despite the fact that the church and the state were not more often that not completely allied with each other, kings could be attracted on occasion to arguments that seemed to undermine the authority of the church. The fact that the aristocrats were very much unaware of the precariousness of their position tended to make them overconfident. Dabbling in some new ideas that were part of the enlightenment movement caused them not to take seriously the kind of jeopardy they were in or what the enlightenment would lead to in the championing of the common man and the overthrow of the French aristocracy. Because they found these ideas somewhat new, interesting, and exciting and they did not really see this as at all leading inexorably to the demise of the aristocratic class. Now of course it was thinkers like Rousseau not at all like Voltaire on this particular point that made his chief adversary. Rousseau distrusted the aristocrats out of a hunger to overthrow the class but because he believed that people of wealth betrayed decent traditional values. Rousseau opposed the theatre, which is Voltaire's lifeblood; he shunned the aristocracy, which Voltaire very much courted. He courted their attention he courted their interests. Rousseau argued for something dangerous like democratic revolution, and Voltaire argued that equality was impossible it would never come about. Rousseau argued that inequality was not only natural but that if it were taken too far it would make any decent government a total impossibility. Voltaire was very charming and witty, which led largely to his success in moving about aristocratic and social circles. Rousseau insisted on his own correctness and was not a charming person to be around; he was very intense and very serious about his ideas. Voltaire endlessly repeated the same handful of core enlightenment notions, where as Rousseau was a deeply original thinker. Who was always challenging his own way of thinking contradicting himself, coming up with ideas on the equality of education, the family, the government, and the arts in a matter that was much more radical than Voltaire was ever willing to go along with. They were both skeptics, and Voltaire is nothing if not a skeptic.
What does Voltaire do with the idea of philosophy in Candide? Philosophy- What is the value of philosophical speculation? It is useless for Voltaire; it is one of Pangloss' biggest flaws. Abstract philosophical argument is not based on any real world evidence. In the chaotic world of this novel, philosophical speculation repeatedly proves to be useless, and at times even dangerous. Time and again it prevents the characters from making any useful assessment of the world around them, it prevents them from bringing about any kind of change, it prevent them from thinking that they might try to bring about some social change. Pangloss is the character most susceptible to this kind of foolishness. Example, while Jacques is drowning, Pangloss stops Candide from saving him by proving that the bay was formed for Jacques to drown in. Therefore, at the end of course at the novels conclusion Candide rejects Pangloss' philosophies. If philosophical speculation is useless, what does Voltaire suggest you put in its place? Hard practical work in general. Therefore, it is somewhat surprising in that sense that this judgment against philosophy that is portrayed in the book becomes very dramatic when we think about Voltaire's own status as a philosopher.
What about the garden at the end of the novel? At the end of the novel Candide defines happiness in raising vegetables. On the one hand it is indicative of the turning away from the following of philosophy, from the abstract speculative nature of philosophy towards something hands on something pragmatic. Does the garden have a symbolic resonance to it? Is it related to the Garden of Eden? For Adam and Eve the garden is the beginning of their troubles, here it is the end of their troubles. It is the end of the narrative the end of their quest, their journey, and the end of their travails. This is where they wind up this is where they retreat. In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve do not have to work to have fruits of the garden; this garden requires work, and constant tending. In that I think the garden here represents much, more in a very different way than the biblical garden represents. An embrace of life, but an embrace of life of what? For all the horror, hardships, and nightmares that these characters experience throughout the entire course of the text, at the end, they embrace life; they take it they say yes.
The status of knowledge in Voltaire, what do we know? The garden is a final retreat from activism, or social engagement in the world. Finally, what Voltaire is saying is look go back to the basics. Do not try to change, analyze the world, or try to speculate about the nature of our existence. Retreat into your own sphere and do not mess with the world around you, because ultimately you are powerless, to do anything in this world. I think Voltaire is commenting on in a sense the Utopian impulse and imagination. Specifically as it influenced enlightenment philosophers of the period with respect to the notion of progress and advancement.
Recommended reading for anyone interested in history, psychology, philosophy, and literature.
Average customer rating:
- Enjoyable and light Regency romance
- Strong Story
- Another winner !
- Prepare to fall in love!,
- I found myself talking to the book....
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The Dangerous Lord (Lord Trilogy, Book 3)
Sabrina Jeffries
Manufacturer: Avon
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ASIN: 0380809273 |
Book Description
To prevent a dear friend from wedding Ian Lennard, the notorious Viscount St. Clair, Felicity Taylor reveals his shady past in her anonymous London gossip column. But the dauntless miss never imagined St. Clair's rage—for the dangerous rake is now short a bride and desperately needs an heir. Threatened with exposure and ruin, Felicity has no choice but to marry the hot-blooded lord herself. Ian needs a wife merely to secure his fortune, but in Felicity he has met his match in both wit and passion. And no danger is greater than the possibility that he might actually be falling in love with his fiery new bride!To prevent a dear friend from wedding Ian Lennard, the notorious Viscount St. Clair, Felicity Taylor reveals his shady past in her anonymous London gossip column. But the dauntless miss never imagined St. Clair's rage—for the dangerous rake is now short a bride and desperately needs an heir. Threatened with exposure and ruin, Felicity has no choice but to marry the hot-blooded lord herself. Ian needs a wife merely to secure his fortune, but in Felicity he has met his match in both wit and passion. And no danger is greater than the possibility that he might actually be falling in love with his fiery new bride!
Customer Reviews:
Enjoyable and light Regency romance.......2007-03-21
For those who like Regency romances of the ilk that abound on bookshelves, 'The Dangerous Lord' is satisfying. The story of a mysterious viscount with a murky past clashing swords (figuratively, fortunately) with a hard-up young spinster is nothing new. Neither are any of the situations, settings, behaviours or conclusions of the book. Still it's an enjoyable and easy read with two endearing characters, a host of side-characters who are also good (evidently there have been previous novels in this group, although I hadn't read them and that didn't seem to matter) and a few minor mysteries to bring to light.
For those who like serious Regencies with great historicity (such as those by Georgette Heyer, Laura Kinsale and, to some extent, Mary Balogh) this book isn't for you. Like most Regencies published today our characters speak American English, behave far too freely and unguardedly (in this book people are on first-name terms very quickly with people they've just met) and talk about their feelings in a most un-British way. You're really reading a modern love story set in a different time and era which gives it a little more piquancy - and gives the whole concept of honour and ruin more force - but doesn't really feel fully at home in that era.
As in most of these books there's a Big Misunderstanding. It's actually a rather annoying Big Misunderstanding as Felicity, our heroine, seems to disbelieve something Ian the viscount has told her multiple times whereas she believes other things about him when their truth becomes apparent. It's sort-of necessary for the plot but wasn't entirely convincing to me. Then when the really big dark secret comes out - one that I think was actually fairly significant - she's so in love she just brushes it off. Surprising, but there you go.
There's a side theme of a secret society writer commenting on events which was very reminiscent of Julia Quinn's 'Lady Whistledown' in her Bridgerton series. As I mentioned before, there's nothing new in this novel, but for those who don't ask for strong historical accuracy and really deep characters this is a perfectly acceptable read. It's not a keeper for me but I enjoyed it.
Strong Story.......2006-09-26
This is the story of Ian, the Viscount St. Clair and Felicity Taylor, otherwise known as the notorious gossip writer Lord X. Lord X, the unnamed gossip columnist writes an article about the Viscount St. Clair claiming he is keeping a mistress at one of his city town houses. Ian, (St. Clair) is furious, not only is the woman not his mistress, he is trying to woo a bride because he is under the gun to marry or he could lose his inheritence. Ian decides to track down Lord X and get him to print a retraction. Imagine his surprise when he discovers Lord X is a woman, Felicity Taylor. Felicity was left alone to support her four younger brothers (Three of which are identical triplets). Her father barely left them enough money to eat, so she must earn money in this way although she covers and tells everyone they are simply waiting for the estate to settle. When Ian confronts her and demands a retraction, she demands to know who the woman is or she will not print a retraction. Ian will not tell her anything about the woman because it is private and he wants to protect the woman. The woman is some how connected to his cruel uncle who could inherit Ian's estate if he fails to marry and produce an heir. When the young woman Ian is courting elopes with someone else, he blackmails Felicity into marrying him by threatening exposure of Lord X. Felicity is kind of a witch and is not beneath lying to get things to go her way. She feels it is her right to delve into people's personal business and if they don't like it, well too bad. Ian is tormented by something in his past, and believes he is unredeemable. I found Ian to be a likeable character and often he is made to look like the bad guy, when he really hasn't done anything bad. Felicity lies, manipulates and still manages to have everyone treat her like a queen. At times, I just wished Ian wouldn't fall in love with her and would go somewhere else. But, it really was a good story. I just don't think Felicity should have been made to seem so righteous. Finally, in the end when faced with losing Ian, Felicity opens her eyes and starts behaving with a little sense. That kept this from being a 3 star story.
Another winner !.......2006-03-25
Sabrina Jefferies books are always entertaining. In this novel Felicity is writing a gossip column under Lord X and she make Viscount St. Claire (Ian) her current victim. Ian wants to stop the rumors so he can marry and keep his estate. This story has some great twist and fights between the two characters are very rule. Enjoy!
Prepare to fall in love!, .......2005-09-26
This not one of Sabrina Jeffries best books but it still is a dang good book. Felicity is not my favorite heroine. I really became frustrated with her. But grow to love her by the end of the book. I couldn't put this book down. I found myself reading until 3 am and about to pass out before I could put this book down. I'm looking forward to reading the first two in this series. I LOVED the brotherhood series and have a high hopes for this one.
What I did love about this is Ian and finding out what his secrets were. I also loved Felicity's brothers and house keeper. I love a book with lots of drama! The characters are colorful and unforgettable and make you want to yell at them one minute, next give them a shoulder to cry on , Next laugh out loud, and next feel their passion. This book has a wonderful hero, an engaging and spunky heroine, a mystery to be solved, and a large heaping of danger and action. I laughed so hard at the dialogue and wit in between the characters. This book had everything you need to create a good romance: a dashing hero, a beautiful feisty heroine, someone who always seems to interfere with the hero and heroine, and, most of all...PASSION! It was written with an amazing level of intensity and feeling that my heart was pumping furiously with the palatable passion in the story. The relationship between the leads is endearing. I found the characters to be multi-dimensional and the author weaves a mystery into the story without slowing it down or interrupting the romantic flow. The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. A fast paced book with an intricate plot that I cannot help but enjoy. The interaction between the leads was great. This book is sharp and fast-moving. I was sad to have it end, but satisfied at the ending!
I found myself talking to the book...........2005-07-08
Ian, the viscount of St. Clair is a man of secrets. No one knows how he spent his time abroad during the war on the Penisula and no one is privy to is private social life either. He keeps things tightly under wraps...that is until he wants to marry the wrong girl.
Felicity has heard all the rumors about St. Clair and when there is smoke there's fire. She is sure Ian is not suited for her friend and she is determined to prove it with "fact". Getting some dirt on the Viscount, however, will be an easy job for her, she has had a lot of experience researching secrets for her gossip column. She writes all her little on dits under the pen "Lord X" and will prove he is unfit saving her friend from a loveless match.
Ian is aghast to see his life speculated on in "Lord X's" column. The gaunlet is thrown and Ian is determined to find this fellow and put him in his place...only he finds that the he is really a she. An enticing, infuriating she.
The battle of public opinion begins...each thrashing at the other. Speculations fly! They set to ruin each other...that is until he decides that they should marry....
I liked the story, good delivery. It was a good way to spend the afternoon. Why not five stars? There were a few consistency errors (like at one point her hair is reddish, then its like coffee spilling over pillows...which to me suggests black, and at one point her hair was held up by two knitting needles and then later it was two pencils.) I also get bored with silly arguments. They should just do "it" and get over it. I talked to the book a few times in frustration over this...funny it didn't listen.
In addition to this book you should buy The Lady Lies by Samantha Saxon.
Book Description
Optioned by Columbia for a major motion picture, this new who-dunit continues the popular series. It features one of the most perfectly mismatched pairs of sleuths in British mystery fiction: the aristocratic Lord Edward Corinth and left-wing journalist Verity Browne. In a lively new adventure, Verity finds herself, despite her communist sympathies, traveling in a first-class cabin of the elegant, luxuriously appointed RMS Queen Mary. And not Edward Corinth but the handsome and charismatic Sam Forrest, an American labor-union organizer, occupies the quarters next door. However, Corinth is on board—at the behest of the eminent British economist Lord Benyon, who has scheduled a top-secret meeting regarding his country’s rearmament with President Roosevelt in the United States. Only the secret is out, and someone wants Lord Benyon out of the way. But it’s U.S. Senator George Earle Day who turns up dead. An inflammatory right-wing racist, Day has managed to make many enemies among the ship’s passengers, most notably the politically controversial black American singer and actor Warren Fairley, his Hollywood starlet wife, a leading German-Jewish aeronautical engineer, a charming American socialite of dubious pedigree, and an effete English art dealer whose curiosity is outstripped by his deceit.
Customer Reviews:
Mystrey Maven.......2006-03-15
I am hooked on this series by David Roberts. I love the characters and the story lines - there are several - are engaging and challenging. I'd recommend all the Lord Corinth/Verity Browne mysteries to fans of Hercule, Jane and even Morse!
How dumb.......2004-06-13
The book is set in 1936 and paints a great picture of life on board the Queen Mary. Everything was fine until the last few pages when the ship arrives in NY and sails under the Verrazano Bridge. Say what? The bridge opened in 1965. You have to wonder how much of the "facts" of Queen Mary and shipboard life were made up. I find it horrible that the author made such a blunder with the real facts. Completely ruined the book for me
It's all about the ship.......2004-05-25
The action in this mystery novel takes place on the maiden voyage of the liner Queen Mary, and the most interesting aspect of the book is the information that the writer provides about the ship. This is lucky because he frequently interrupts the action to take the reader on a tour of the kitchens or some other part of the naval architecture.
Otherwise I found this book boring. There's lots of action, mind you, and at stake is nothing less that the future of the western world prior to World War Two. There are characters from the highest ranks of Britain (the detective is a Lord) and Hollywood. There's lots of action, with a violent storm at sea (get the symbolism? huh?) and dead bodies all over.
I won't reveal the plot because I've forgotten it already, but as you may have guessed the western world was saved by the strength and sagacity of Milord. We are truly fortunate that the British aristocracy has produced so many fine detectives.
Sleuths, a Boat Load of Suspects and a Killer. All Aboard!.......2003-11-29
It's 1937, spring and the Queen Mary is crossing the atlantic, bound for the United States. Aboard is British economist Lord Benyon whose on a mission from his government to convince President Roosevelt to give Great Britain money and arms in preparation for a possible war with Germany.
Lord Edward Corinth, younger brother of the Duke of Mersham, has been asked to keep a discrete eye on Benyon, in other words to act as his unofficial body guard, as Special Branch has learned that there are forces that want to prevent Benyon from completing his mission and that they'll stop at nothing. Of course Corinth has Verity Browne on board with him, his detective sidekick from Robert's past three novels (SWEET POISON, HOLLOW CROWN and BONES OF THE BURIED) and she is the real star of the show in my opinion.
The first body is found hanging in the cold storage, very naked. The second is a rabid anti-communist, raciest American senator from South Carolina. And now we have a mystery with a boat load of first class suspects, one of whom is most definitely a killer, and is Lord Benyon still in danger? What do you think?
DANGEROUS SEA had me guessing and re-guessing as I eagerly read through the pages. Lord Benyon was sufficiently quirky with his Shakespearian and Biblical quotes, among others and Verity Browne is the kind of character that gets better with each book and this wonderful mystery gets five stars from me.
Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Product Description
Ian Lennard, the notorious Viscount St. Clair, need a wife and heir in order to keep his inheritance. So when a gossip column about his shady past destroys his engagement, Ian angrily confronts the anonymous Lord X-only to find that "he" is beautiful Felicity Taylor! Since the dangerous rake is now short a bride, he decides that Felicity will do.
Customer Reviews:
Enjoyable and light Regency romance.......2007-03-21
For those who like Regency romances of the ilk that abound on bookshelves, 'The Dangerous Lord' is satisfying. The story of a mysterious viscount with a murky past clashing swords (figuratively, fortunately) with a hard-up young spinster is nothing new. Neither are any of the situations, settings, behaviours or conclusions of the book. Still it's an enjoyable and easy read with two endearing characters, a host of side-characters who are also good (evidently there have been previous novels in this group, although I hadn't read them and that didn't seem to matter) and a few minor mysteries to bring to light.
For those who like serious Regencies with great historicity (such as those by Georgette Heyer, Laura Kinsale and, to some extent, Mary Balogh) this book isn't for you. Like most Regencies published today our characters speak American English, behave far too freely and unguardedly (in this book people are on first-name terms very quickly with people they've just met) and talk about their feelings in a most un-British way. You're really reading a modern love story set in a different time and era which gives it a little more piquancy - and gives the whole concept of honour and ruin more force - but doesn't really feel fully at home in that era.
As in most of these books there's a Big Misunderstanding. It's actually a rather annoying Big Misunderstanding as Felicity, our heroine, seems to disbelieve something Ian the viscount has told her multiple times whereas she believes other things about him when their truth becomes apparent. It's sort-of necessary for the plot but wasn't entirely convincing to me. Then when the really big dark secret comes out - one that I think was actually fairly significant - she's so in love she just brushes it off. Surprising, but there you go.
There's a side theme of a secret society writer commenting on events which was very reminiscent of Julia Quinn's 'Lady Whistledown' in her Bridgerton series. As I mentioned before, there's nothing new in this novel, but for those who don't ask for strong historical accuracy and really deep characters this is a perfectly acceptable read. It's not a keeper for me but I enjoyed it.
Average customer rating:
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The Lord: A Dangerous Mirage
Richard Rohr
Manufacturer: Credence Cassettes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
General
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ASIN: 9994527959 |
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