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The Passions
1171 pages, Hardcover
104 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Dacre
36 books47 followersMost commonly known as Charlotte Dacre, she was born Charlotte King in either 1771 or 1772. She published fiction, poetry, and lyrics, alternately using the names Charlotte King, Rosa Matilda, and Charlotte Dacre.
She married Nicholas Byrne, editor of the Morning Post, and her obituary in 1825 referred to her as Charlotte Byrne.
Today, she is known for her contributions to Gothic fiction, most notably with Zofloya.
She married Nicholas Byrne, editor of the Morning Post, and her obituary in 1825 referred to her as Charlotte Byrne.
Today, she is known for her contributions to Gothic fiction, most notably with Zofloya.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 27, 2018
Dacre is a contemporary of Jane Austen, but her vicious, lusty heroines are the exact opposite of (or antidote to) Austen's. It's strange to me that Austen fandom is so strong today while Dacre has been forgotten. I think Dacre's work would actually would be more popular with modern audiences. She's mean and funny and spoofs the goody-goody cliche heroine mercilessly.
The Passions is written as a serial (4 volumes) and unfortunately, like a lot of television serials today, it goes on for too long in places, as if they were just trying to stretch it out as much as possible. The first volume is the strongest, but some of the middle parts seem unnecessary or less tightly constructed. Still, why hasn't this been reprinted? Why hasn't it been made into a movie? Dacre is really overdue for a revival.
So what's it about? A close (and weirdly philosophical) examination of romantic relationships, sex, and social conventions. It's like a soap opera featuring 18th-century philosophy. It's also hilarious.
You need to read this ASAP---as soon as you find a copy of this rare, obscure, out-of-print book that probably no one you know has ever heard of.
The Passions is written as a serial (4 volumes) and unfortunately, like a lot of television serials today, it goes on for too long in places, as if they were just trying to stretch it out as much as possible. The first volume is the strongest, but some of the middle parts seem unnecessary or less tightly constructed. Still, why hasn't this been reprinted? Why hasn't it been made into a movie? Dacre is really overdue for a revival.
So what's it about? A close (and weirdly philosophical) examination of romantic relationships, sex, and social conventions. It's like a soap opera featuring 18th-century philosophy. It's also hilarious.
You need to read this ASAP---as soon as you find a copy of this rare, obscure, out-of-print book that probably no one you know has ever heard of.
May 15, 2024
Very very good!
January 3, 2025
so dramatic, like live-action gossip, unlike anything else from the 19th century I have read thus far. I love!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews