Ellen Percy: or, the Memoirs of an Actress. vol. 1

by George W.M. Reynolds

The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. 1; Original London : J. Dicks; Publication 1856; Fiction / Anthologies; Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Literary; Literary Criticism / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh; Literary Criticism / Women Authors;

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1856

About the author

George William MacArthur Reynolds was a journalist and, as author of "penny dreadful" serials, one of the most popular authors of Victorian England. He was also a leading proponent of the working-class Chartist movement for expanded suffrage and other populist Parliamentary reforms.

During his lifetime, Reynolds greatly outsold Dickens and Thackery, and on his death, he was described by The Bookseller as 'the most popular writer of our times'.

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I can't believe how long it took me to read this, it was 400 pages, but each of those was very small and double columns so was like a 1200 page book! I can't believe I just finished volume one! I read an eversion in bits and pieces. One of the nice things about being a serialised penny dreadful was that it did a very good job of reminding you who everyone was in case you'd forgotten when a former character showed up again.

I have to say I enjoyed this quite a lot. It was the first of Reynolds non-supernatural works I'd read. While I definitely prefer his supernatural stores the women characters in this were still just as strong and resourceful as in his other books. Ellen frequently had to escape from situations dangerous to her life or her virtue and always showed remarkable abilities in doing so and rarely had to rely on others to escape her peril, indeed often she managed to help others. The later half of the book was totally stolen by the gypsy characters of Zarah and Beda who were both brilliant! If Beda and Ellen don't live together happily ever after I shall be very disappointed!

The only criticism I had of this book was that the men were forced to marry the women who loved them, through blackmail, and this situation was pleasing to the women involved. If you had to force or trick someone into marrying you, and he'd proved to be a devilish rogue, I really don't think this situation would result in your best happiness.

I will read volume two but definitely going to take a bit of a break before I do.