Venetia

by Benjamin Disraeli

"Venetia" was published in 1837, in the year of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne and Disraeli’s first election to Parliament. Disraeli was in desperate financial straits when he wrote "Venetia", in part because "Henrietta Temple", although his most successful novel since "Vivian Grey", did not produce anything like the revenue he required to pay his debts’. "Venetia" traces the eponymous heroine's development from romantic idealist into social pragmatist against a backdrop of British industrialisation.Although "Venetia" did not surpass the success of "Henrietta Temple", it received quite favourable reviews.At first glance, it seems that "Venetia" does not contain any political themes or hidden autobiographical details, except for reverence for Lord Byron, but when one takes a closer look at the plot and the authorial commentary, it appears that Disraeli still writes in a veiled way about himself and his changing political loyalties. "Venetia" is the last of Disraeli’s exalted early novels and marks symbolically his rejection of Byron’s Whiggish radicalism and his sexual ambivalence."Venetia", which occupies a unique place among semi-biographical studies of Byron and Shelley, can be read as Disraeli’s Byronic roman-à-clef and a nostalgic homage to the great Romantic rebel poets. Disraeli presents himself in the novel as a progressive Conservative who still retains his fascination with Byron and Shelley but realises that he must give up his former Romantic radicalism and eccentric behaviour in order to win the support of the Tories before his entry into politics. 

Genres: Classics

571 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1837

About the author

One of the great British politicians of the nineteenth century, Disraeli served twice as Tory Prime Minister (1868 and 1874 - 1880) and was also a prominent figure in opposition. He is most famous today for the bitter hatred between himself and his political rival William Gladstone. He enjoyed the favour of Queen Victoria, who shared his dislike of Gladstone. His most significant political achievements are the 1867 Reform Act, in which he was instrumental, and the creation of the modern Conservative Party, with which he is credited. His literary career was greatly overshadowed by his parliamentary ambitions ('climbing the greasy pole'), but includes both romances and political novels.

Reviews

[L.T. Fawkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benjamin Disraeli, FREE *** A PBS documentary on Queen Victoria mentioned that Benjamin Disraeli wrote novels between stints as Victoria's PM. I grabbed my Kindle (love my Kindle) searched "Disraeli", and up popped the list. Downloaded a few free novels (lmK) and this is the 1st I've read.

I expected something heavy and political. Surprise! Its a romance. Guess ole BD was going for the $$. Oops. I mean the lbs.

Written in 1837, set in the 1760's, it's the tale of a young heiress who, raised in seclusion, is torn between loyalty to a very controlling and manipulative mother and the mysterious and possibly disreputable young man she loves.

It's also supposedly loosely based on Lord Byron and Percy Shelley, but I don't know enough about their lives to comment on that aspect.

Interesting characters and interesting plot, but it seemed looong.

[Helen Fosco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying reading this book

[Marsha Kendall]

Didn't finish book

[Rosalind Hallifax · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. A bit wordy being a Victorian novel but a good story.