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The Semi-Detached House
Emily Eden (1797-1869) was a British author. Her works include: Portaits of the People and Princes of India (1844), The Semi-Detached House (1859), The Semi- Attached Couple (1860), 'Up the Country': Letters Written to Her Sister from India (1866) and Letters from India (1872).
172 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1859
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About the author
Emily Eden
50 books27 followersEmily Eden (1797–1869) was an English poet and novelist who gave witty pictures of English life in the early 19th century.
Eden's works include: Portaits of the People and Princes of India (1844), The Semi-Detached House (1859), The Semi- Attached Couple (1860), 'Up the Country': Letters Written to Her Sister from India (1866) and Letters from India (1872).
Eden's works include: Portaits of the People and Princes of India (1844), The Semi-Detached House (1859), The Semi- Attached Couple (1860), 'Up the Country': Letters Written to Her Sister from India (1866) and Letters from India (1872).
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November 22, 2025
Warning!: contains elements of casual and matter-of-fact Victorian antisemitism that was a product of its time but offends the modern reader.
"The only thing more gratifying to find than a good book is a good book which has been neglected." Phyllis Rose, literary biographer
3,75 stars rounded up for this light and entertaining Victorian comedy of manners, published in 1859. It very much reads as if it were the literary child (or at least a cousin once removed) of
Jane Austen and Oscar Wilde.
"Aunt Sarah's good sense stepped in: she thought it better that young married women should have a fixed income, whatever it might be called, pin-money or allowance. They knew then what they ought to spend, and all their little charities, or any presents they wished to give, would be the fruits of their own self-denial, and she even hinted that the most devoted and liberal husbands would, after a certain term of married life, object to milliners' bills, and become possessed with an insane idea that their wives were extravagant and always asking for money. And although Colonel Hilton said it was impossible he could ever be such a brute as that, yet he thought Aunt Sarah's advice sensible."
I tend to agree with Miss Rose, especially as it concerns Emily Eden, who was totally unknown to me until Goodreads was kind enough to recommend it to me, because "I liked Jane Austen's books". So, a big THANK YOU goes to Goodreads.
Emily Eden was born in 1797 when Jane Austen had probably already finished First Impressions. How exciting. :)
Apparently Austen was EE's favourite author and her influence can definitely be discovered in The Semi-Detached House.
Undoubtedly, it is lighter and the social sphere is higher. Its set is the Victorian aristocracy to which Emily Eden belonged -her father was the 1st Baron Auckland-. There are some great portrayals, memorable characters, some -though usually- light and witty social observance, and a potential to even more.
The story tells about the unlikely relations between two families from different social classes.
The lovely, young Lady Chester -recently and happily married- is about to have a baby so she is not allowed to accompany her husband to Berlin on a diplomatic mission.
He leaves her in a semi-detached house whose other half is occupied by a solidly middle-class family, the wife and daughters of a sea captain. The Chesters and Hopkinsons take to each other despite their different backgrounds.
Their foil comes in the person of the ostentatious, nouveau riche, social climbers Baron and Baroness Sampson, who are of Jewish origin. Here, there were also resemblances to The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.
Phyllis Rose calls it ''The Merchant of Venice' in English country dress."
"The only thing more gratifying to find than a good book is a good book which has been neglected." Phyllis Rose, literary biographer
3,75 stars rounded up for this light and entertaining Victorian comedy of manners, published in 1859. It very much reads as if it were the literary child (or at least a cousin once removed) of
Jane Austen and Oscar Wilde.
"Aunt Sarah's good sense stepped in: she thought it better that young married women should have a fixed income, whatever it might be called, pin-money or allowance. They knew then what they ought to spend, and all their little charities, or any presents they wished to give, would be the fruits of their own self-denial, and she even hinted that the most devoted and liberal husbands would, after a certain term of married life, object to milliners' bills, and become possessed with an insane idea that their wives were extravagant and always asking for money. And although Colonel Hilton said it was impossible he could ever be such a brute as that, yet he thought Aunt Sarah's advice sensible."
I tend to agree with Miss Rose, especially as it concerns Emily Eden, who was totally unknown to me until Goodreads was kind enough to recommend it to me, because "I liked Jane Austen's books". So, a big THANK YOU goes to Goodreads.
Emily Eden was born in 1797 when Jane Austen had probably already finished First Impressions. How exciting. :)
Apparently Austen was EE's favourite author and her influence can definitely be discovered in The Semi-Detached House.
Undoubtedly, it is lighter and the social sphere is higher. Its set is the Victorian aristocracy to which Emily Eden belonged -her father was the 1st Baron Auckland-. There are some great portrayals, memorable characters, some -though usually- light and witty social observance, and a potential to even more.
The story tells about the unlikely relations between two families from different social classes.
The lovely, young Lady Chester -recently and happily married- is about to have a baby so she is not allowed to accompany her husband to Berlin on a diplomatic mission.
He leaves her in a semi-detached house whose other half is occupied by a solidly middle-class family, the wife and daughters of a sea captain. The Chesters and Hopkinsons take to each other despite their different backgrounds.
Their foil comes in the person of the ostentatious, nouveau riche, social climbers Baron and Baroness Sampson, who are of Jewish origin. Here, there were also resemblances to The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.
Phyllis Rose calls it ''The Merchant of Venice' in English country dress."
October 15, 2022
Semi-Detached House tells the story of the lives of a group of people who are thrown into each other's company through a semi-detached house. This group is quite an uncommon one, consisting of nobles, commoners, gentry, and clergy, thus creating a vibrant setup. And the story takes a glimpse into the everyday doings, thoughts, and conducts of the characters. There is no "story" in the strictest sense, although I keep so referring. The book is not plot-driven but is worked on character development. And Eden has certainly worked well on her characters that, even though you've not liked them in the beginning, you cannot help parting liking them all. Out of them, I liked Charles Willis, the grumbler, and Lady Chester, the pessimist. :) This liking of the trying characters more than the others was a first for me. It shows Emily Eden's talent in portraying her characters.
The writing is both witty, satirical, and humourous, and the overall tone is light. This combination made the book easy to read and also, entertaining. Though written in the early Victorian era, Emily Eden's style of writing and her themes corresponded more with the preceding Regency era, and we could see some similarity between her and Jane Austen, with whose work hers has been often compared. In my opinion, no one comes near in wit, satire, and humour to Jane Austen, but I do see the justification of making such comparisons.
Overall, it was an entertaining tale. I had a good laugh over it. If you are suffering from low spirits, I could certainly recommend it as a mood booster.
The writing is both witty, satirical, and humourous, and the overall tone is light. This combination made the book easy to read and also, entertaining. Though written in the early Victorian era, Emily Eden's style of writing and her themes corresponded more with the preceding Regency era, and we could see some similarity between her and Jane Austen, with whose work hers has been often compared. In my opinion, no one comes near in wit, satire, and humour to Jane Austen, but I do see the justification of making such comparisons.
Overall, it was an entertaining tale. I had a good laugh over it. If you are suffering from low spirits, I could certainly recommend it as a mood booster.
October 13, 2022
2.5 stars rounded down
It is very sad when you are completely sure you will love one book, but once you finish it, your experience turns out not to be that successful. This is basically what I lived reading The Semi-Detached House, one of the two novels written by the Victorian novelist, Emily Eden.
It was just when I read other reviews here on Goodreads that I realized this situation was probably my fault, since you have to be in the right mood in order to enjoy this type of novel, a novel where 'nothing' happens from beginning to end.
I'm kind of a sucker for plotless novels, and I'm not talking about those experimental novels with stream of consciousness or a lot of crazy stuff—which are also my cup of tea, by the way—but about those stories where literally nothing is happening, a novel about manners, customs, society, gossip and the like, everything but plot or not mainly focused on character development. So, when I picked up this book, I knew beforehand what I was about to read—I'm always curious about my readings and therefore I try to look for any information regarding the author, their style of writing, topics that they usually talk about in their books, etc.—and although The Semi-Detached House is supposed to be a wholesome, charming, beautiful story about some people living together in a semi-detached house and overall about their neighborhood, it turned out to be a really insufferable and extremely boring experience.
Sorry but I couldn't help but feel I was wasting my time at some point reading this book. Many people say this novel is very Austenish, and I can see why and I'd probably agree on that, however, neither the style of writing nor the descriptions are similar to any Jane Austen novel I have read so far. For instance, Eden's prose was somehow plain and somewhat monotonous, I would say it had no soul, so to speak. Moreover, the characters were basically the same, from cover to cover, and it was even impossible for me to make a distinction between them; in short, they were so shallow with no dimension (perhaps with only one exception).
Again, I can see the resemblance between this story and an Austen novel, and as far as I am concerned, Jane Austen was Eden's favorite author, so it makes sense there are some topics in her novel that reminds you of your favorite Austen story, however, as I said before, if you are not ready for a story of that kind—though you already know there will not be a story, properly speaking—you won't have an enjoyable, remarkable experience.
Finally, I wouldn't like to say this novel was really terrible—even though the author decided to wrap up her story with a telegram, and where a situation is solved just like that, with no further explanation and with only one line at the end of the book—perhaps in other circumstances the experience would have been different; this time, it was a disappointing one nevertheless. That being said, there were two characters who were so likable, Mrs. Hopkinson and Rachel, that I really cared about them throughout the whole book, and if I ended up being interested in the story at some point, it was because of them. The rest of the characters were tolerable yet forgettable, nothing else to say.
I know my review is mainly a negative opinion, but I'm not giving up on this author; I would like to give Eden's first novel—The Semi-Attached Couple—a shot in the distant future (it was her second published book, though she wrote it 30 years before The Semi-Detached House) and to see if that one is my thing despite my first experience. Next time I will make sure that I am in the right mood to read such stories before picking them up.
“Oh dear! how unamiable I am when I am with my uncle and aunt," thought Rachel, "thoroughly detestable I may say, and yet when I am with those girls, or little Charlie, I can be as good as gold, and so tame that that baby can lead me; I do believe evil qualities are more catching than measles.”
It is very sad when you are completely sure you will love one book, but once you finish it, your experience turns out not to be that successful. This is basically what I lived reading The Semi-Detached House, one of the two novels written by the Victorian novelist, Emily Eden.
It was just when I read other reviews here on Goodreads that I realized this situation was probably my fault, since you have to be in the right mood in order to enjoy this type of novel, a novel where 'nothing' happens from beginning to end.
I'm kind of a sucker for plotless novels, and I'm not talking about those experimental novels with stream of consciousness or a lot of crazy stuff—which are also my cup of tea, by the way—but about those stories where literally nothing is happening, a novel about manners, customs, society, gossip and the like, everything but plot or not mainly focused on character development. So, when I picked up this book, I knew beforehand what I was about to read—I'm always curious about my readings and therefore I try to look for any information regarding the author, their style of writing, topics that they usually talk about in their books, etc.—and although The Semi-Detached House is supposed to be a wholesome, charming, beautiful story about some people living together in a semi-detached house and overall about their neighborhood, it turned out to be a really insufferable and extremely boring experience.
Sorry but I couldn't help but feel I was wasting my time at some point reading this book. Many people say this novel is very Austenish, and I can see why and I'd probably agree on that, however, neither the style of writing nor the descriptions are similar to any Jane Austen novel I have read so far. For instance, Eden's prose was somehow plain and somewhat monotonous, I would say it had no soul, so to speak. Moreover, the characters were basically the same, from cover to cover, and it was even impossible for me to make a distinction between them; in short, they were so shallow with no dimension (perhaps with only one exception).
Again, I can see the resemblance between this story and an Austen novel, and as far as I am concerned, Jane Austen was Eden's favorite author, so it makes sense there are some topics in her novel that reminds you of your favorite Austen story, however, as I said before, if you are not ready for a story of that kind—though you already know there will not be a story, properly speaking—you won't have an enjoyable, remarkable experience.
Finally, I wouldn't like to say this novel was really terrible—even though the author decided to wrap up her story with a telegram, and where a situation is solved just like that, with no further explanation and with only one line at the end of the book—perhaps in other circumstances the experience would have been different; this time, it was a disappointing one nevertheless. That being said, there were two characters who were so likable, Mrs. Hopkinson and Rachel, that I really cared about them throughout the whole book, and if I ended up being interested in the story at some point, it was because of them. The rest of the characters were tolerable yet forgettable, nothing else to say.
I know my review is mainly a negative opinion, but I'm not giving up on this author; I would like to give Eden's first novel—The Semi-Attached Couple—a shot in the distant future (it was her second published book, though she wrote it 30 years before The Semi-Detached House) and to see if that one is my thing despite my first experience. Next time I will make sure that I am in the right mood to read such stories before picking them up.
“Oh dear! how unamiable I am when I am with my uncle and aunt," thought Rachel, "thoroughly detestable I may say, and yet when I am with those girls, or little Charlie, I can be as good as gold, and so tame that that baby can lead me; I do believe evil qualities are more catching than measles.”
June 2, 2020
SWEET AND FLUFFY - BUT IT'S NO AUSTEN
I keep hearing this book - this author - compared to Jane Austen and yes, I did see certain similarities in wit, social disdain and happy endings. But the execution was far from Austen-esque. Perhaps that what disappointed me most of all... Still, I was a short, enjoyable read.
👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍
Characters: The characters of this story are perhaps what makes this most like an Austen novel. There is a rich cast of characters that you can like (such as Rachel, Mrs. Hopkinson and Blanche) and others you can enjoy to dislike (such as the Sampsons). They had very distinct personalities and quirks that were funny as well as endearing, like Mr. Willis' propensity for gloom or Mrs. Hopkinson's embarrassment at her girth.
Lightness: This was a short, fluffy read filled with lightness. It was enjoyable and pleasant to read.
👎 WHAT I DISLIKED 👎
Not enough: Again, this was supposed to be an Austen-esque novel, and while I saw glimpses of the wit and sarcasm that I associate with Austen, there just wasn't enough of it to make me truly love this the same way I love Austen's books.
Plot: I liked that this was a light, fluffy read - I disliked that it didn't really have any actual plot, not a whole lot actually happened and all the way through I found myself searching for the direction and the ending.
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I keep hearing this book - this author - compared to Jane Austen and yes, I did see certain similarities in wit, social disdain and happy endings. But the execution was far from Austen-esque. Perhaps that what disappointed me most of all... Still, I was a short, enjoyable read.
"She is always sending for me, because she has nothing the matter with her, and I have not yet succeeded in curing her of her good health."
- Dr. Ayscough
👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍
Characters: The characters of this story are perhaps what makes this most like an Austen novel. There is a rich cast of characters that you can like (such as Rachel, Mrs. Hopkinson and Blanche) and others you can enjoy to dislike (such as the Sampsons). They had very distinct personalities and quirks that were funny as well as endearing, like Mr. Willis' propensity for gloom or Mrs. Hopkinson's embarrassment at her girth.
Lightness: This was a short, fluffy read filled with lightness. It was enjoyable and pleasant to read.
👎 WHAT I DISLIKED 👎
Not enough: Again, this was supposed to be an Austen-esque novel, and while I saw glimpses of the wit and sarcasm that I associate with Austen, there just wasn't enough of it to make me truly love this the same way I love Austen's books.
Plot: I liked that this was a light, fluffy read - I disliked that it didn't really have any actual plot, not a whole lot actually happened and all the way through I found myself searching for the direction and the ending.
Follow me for more book loving content!
Blog ✨ Facebook ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter
Blog Post: 9 'You Are not Alone' Books with Isolated Characters
October 18, 2021
A short, light and very enjoyable Victorian read, with some wonderfully drawn characters.
November 4, 2022
This novel formed the second of two novels published in the same book. This was written after ‘The Semi-Attached Couple’ (written circa 1830 and published in 1860) but was published first in 1859. It was quite successful and that is why she pulled out her first book from a drawer (I made that up...I dunno where it was) and got it published. I liked it....it was OK....I liked the ‘The Semi-Attached Couple’ a bit better. The Introduction of the edition I read from, Virago Modern Classic, is written by Valerie Grosvenor Myer in 1979.
There are two families involved in the story that it told with humor and wit, the well-to-do Chesters (Lady Chester, i.e., Blanche, only 18 years old and recently married to Lord Chester, i.e., Arthur, with her sister Aileen) and the Hopkinsons, a genteel but less-well-off family consisting of a husband (The Captain) who is a sailor and is asea during half of the story and his ‘fat wife’ Mrs. Hopkinson (how she was initially characterized by Blanche) and their two daughters Janet and Rose. They had another daughter (Mary) who died shortly after giving birth to a son, Charlie. A morose widower, Charles Willis, who had been Mary’s husband and is sorta well off is also part of the story. And then there are others, but I have already listed too many people...not worth it.
And that is more or less it.
Description of book on back cover that covers both this novel and ‘The Detached Couple’, the first novel in the book:
• Born the daughter of Lord Auckland in 1797, Emily Eden was a witty 19th-century aristocrat whose two delightful novels were first presented to an admiring world 150 years ago. These matching masterpieces satirize the social world Eden knew, loved, and laughed at. Like Jane Austen she is concerned with love and marriage, money and manners. But her voice is distinct. Eden’s charm and humor — both above- and belowstairs — and her sharp social commentary make her work enduringly captivating.
Comment on back cover:
• The kind of English lady whose most distinguished representative is Jane Austen...Clever, sensible, delightful [with] a zestful worldly-wise interest in her fellows —and a sparkling sense of humor. — Lord David Cecil
Something I thought that was funny in the book:
• Charles Willis the morose widower wanted to give a toy to his 3-year old son....’ a nice little model of a tomb, and when a spring was touched at the side, a skeleton jumped out, made a bow, and jumped back in again.’ ...his mother-in-law and sisters-in-law discourage him from giving the morbid present to his little son... and ‘...he did not press his pet skeleton on their acceptance when he found they thought it might frighten Charlie. In fact, he was rather glad to take it home again, for his own diversion.
Reviews
• https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2...
• https://leavesandpages.com/tag/the-se...
There are two families involved in the story that it told with humor and wit, the well-to-do Chesters (Lady Chester, i.e., Blanche, only 18 years old and recently married to Lord Chester, i.e., Arthur, with her sister Aileen) and the Hopkinsons, a genteel but less-well-off family consisting of a husband (The Captain) who is a sailor and is asea during half of the story and his ‘fat wife’ Mrs. Hopkinson (how she was initially characterized by Blanche) and their two daughters Janet and Rose. They had another daughter (Mary) who died shortly after giving birth to a son, Charlie. A morose widower, Charles Willis, who had been Mary’s husband and is sorta well off is also part of the story. And then there are others, but I have already listed too many people...not worth it.
And that is more or less it.
Description of book on back cover that covers both this novel and ‘The Detached Couple’, the first novel in the book:
• Born the daughter of Lord Auckland in 1797, Emily Eden was a witty 19th-century aristocrat whose two delightful novels were first presented to an admiring world 150 years ago. These matching masterpieces satirize the social world Eden knew, loved, and laughed at. Like Jane Austen she is concerned with love and marriage, money and manners. But her voice is distinct. Eden’s charm and humor — both above- and belowstairs — and her sharp social commentary make her work enduringly captivating.
Comment on back cover:
• The kind of English lady whose most distinguished representative is Jane Austen...Clever, sensible, delightful [with] a zestful worldly-wise interest in her fellows —and a sparkling sense of humor. — Lord David Cecil
Something I thought that was funny in the book:
• Charles Willis the morose widower wanted to give a toy to his 3-year old son....’ a nice little model of a tomb, and when a spring was touched at the side, a skeleton jumped out, made a bow, and jumped back in again.’ ...his mother-in-law and sisters-in-law discourage him from giving the morbid present to his little son... and ‘...he did not press his pet skeleton on their acceptance when he found they thought it might frighten Charlie. In fact, he was rather glad to take it home again, for his own diversion.
Reviews
• https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2...
• https://leavesandpages.com/tag/the-se...
June 14, 2021
Over April and May I revisited Emily Eden’s The Semi-detached House with a Goodreads group. This is Eden’s second novel, though published first in 1859. Emily Eden (1797–1869) was born into an aristocratic family (her father William Eden, 1st Baron Auckland was a diplomat and politician (also author of a book on Penal Law) while her brother George Eden was Governor General in India), and was an author and poet. She published only two novels, this and The Semi-attached Couple, while her other writings are travel writings and letters from her time spent in India when she and her sister accompanied George on a two-and-a-half-year-long trip across the northern provinces in the country. While there, she also made many portraits of royalty and commoners in India.
In The Semi-detached House, we meet Lady Blanche Chester who is eighteen and married just a short while, and in the process of looking for a house to live in while her husband Arthur, Lord Chester goes to the continent accompanying a diplomatic mission for some months. Her twin Aileen Grenville is to stay with her. Arthur has identified a semi-detached home, Pleasance which he thinks will suit his wife well but the high-strung and over imaginative Blanche is horrified at the thought and conjures up all sorts of images in her mind of possible neighbours (a fat lady in mittens with daughters who play ‘Partant pour la Syrie’). When told that the neighbours are a family, the Hopkinsons, she exclaims:
I felt certain their name would be either Tomkinson or Hopkinson-I was not sure which-but I thought the chances were in favour of Hop rather than Tom.
Meanwhile the Hopkinsons have heard of a new neighbour and because of malicious gossip (not naming names) in a newspaper, Mrs Hopkinson is led to believe that her new neighbour is to be either Lord Chester’s mistress or an estranged wife. Neither side is as a result keen to make an acquaintance with the other, and in their first encounter in church, their discomfort is not far from the surface.
But things are soon put to rights as Blanche finds the Hopkinsons (even if they do match the image she had of them in her mind) are actually genteel and kind people, while Mrs Hopkinson finds that Lady Blanche is Arthur’s wife. The families begin to get friendly and it is soon discovered that Arthur, before he had come into his title, had served aboard Captain Hopkinson’s ship.
Alongside, we have the morose and morbid Willis, Mrs Hopkinsons’ son-in-law (married to her step-daughter by her first marriage), who introduces them to Baron and Baroness Sampson. Nouveau riche and ostentatious, the Sampsons also seek to move into the neighbourhood, looking for an equally flashy home. They are keen on involving Willis in the Baron’s schemes for investment but Mrs Hopkinson is cautious. The Baroness meanwhile is anxious to better herself socially and throws flamboyant entertainments, lacking in taste, and makes every attempt to get to know Lady Blanche and her titled relatives and friends. We also have the Baroness’ niece, Rachel Monteneros who is living with the Sampsons but has very different sensibilities and tastes.
The book is mostly the story of the interaction between the Chesters and Hopkinsons (misunderstandings turning into friendship) and the Sampsons attempts to climb socially and financially.
Eden’s novel is a charming read with plenty of humour and witty dialogue, a story of misunderstandings and assumptions, families and friendships, with an amusing plot, collection of (somewhat) eccentric characters, and a dash of romance (oh and also some social climbery, if that is a word).
I really enjoyed Eden’s characters—among them we have young Blanche who is not only over-imaginative and high-strung but also a bit of a hypochondriac; but she is often checked by her aunt Sarah, a sensible lady who minces no words
[Blanche:] "All sorts of things, Aunt Sarah. In the first place, I am very ill—Aileen has sent for Dr. Ayscough. Now, just hear my cough."
"A failure, I think," said Aunt Sarah, "an attempt at a cough rather than the thing itself."
And when Blanche tries to play matchmaker,
My dear Blanche, I hope you are not going to turn into a match-maker; of all the dangerous manufactories in the world, that is the worst, and the most unsatisfactory."
I do like to help young people in their love affairs," said Blanche in a reflective staid tone, implying that her long life of eighteen years and her twelve months of marriage had given her the experience and benevolence appropriate to a prosperous old age.
Also her doctor, Dr Ayscough who has attended her since her childhood knows well how to calm her down. Then we have Mrs Hopkinsons’ son-in-law Willis who considers himself ever a sufferer, and always the worst hit by any misfortune. When Pleasance has a small fire for instance, for him:
If it had been in Columbia Lodge [Willis’ home], he had no doubt that the house would have been burnt down, but he was used to trials, and should quietly have submitted to that.
He is also rather morbid as seen in his choice of toy for his son:
It was a nice little model of a tomb, and when a spring was touched at the side, a skeleton jumped out, made a bow, and jumped in again. … Willis really was fond of his child, and did not press his pet skeleton on their acceptance when he found they thought it might frighten Charlie. In fact, he was rather glad to take it home again, for his own diversion.
Mrs Hopkinson on the other hand is sensible and though sometimes diffident is able to hold her own and never allows herself to be imposed upon. Like Aunt Sarah, she can speak her mind as well. Her daughters Janet and Rose are kind-hearted and charming, and a couple of the romance threads in the story involve them. Another romance plays out involving Blanche’s twin Aileen but most of these progress subtly and more as side-plots not the main.
Rachel Monteneros is another character who stands out with her penchant for Shakespeare and her sensibilities that are very different from her relations. Rachel has never had anyone who truly cares for her or even is able to love her, but once she meets the Hopkinsons and Willis (who begins to take an interest in her), she does her best to help them not be taken in by the Sampsons. What I liked about her was that she is a strong character who can take control of her own affairs and protect herself when needed; no attempts at flattery or manipulation take her in.
In the plot are misunderstandings aplenty from the initial misunderstanding between the Chesters and Hopkinsons to some in the romance threads and even between Blanche and her father-in-law. But most are easily and pleasantly resolved and none develop into any full blown drama (which was something that kept the tone light and which I appreciated).
The Baroness’ social ambitions lead to many ‘rival’ parties and entertainments being hosted, where it is mostly the Baroness’ who is ‘competing’ with the Chesters or the Duchess of St Maur (on one occasion), though the latter are mosty unaware of the former. The Baroness’ false snobbery also gets into a bit of a soup as she ends up slighting Blanche and Aileen whom she doesn’t recognize and also the Hopkinsons who are not as common as she believes; and she must try to mend things which she effusively attempts.
Alongside we have Baron Sampson with his money-making schemes and cons in which he involves Willis, and then is trying to bring in Captain Hopkinson when he returns wealthier after his most recent voyage. (Others in my Goodreads book group felt he was a lot like Trollope’s Melmotte from The Way We Live Now)
I did feel perhaps the book suffered somewhat because it was so short; as a consequence, some aspects are not as well explored as they should have been. For instance, Baron Sampson’s doings could have been narrated in more detail which would have made his great escape (a nicely done scene) all the better, and added a little more ’meat’ to our tale. Also, some of the relationships between the characters and even some of the characters themselves didn’t come through clearly, like it took me time to work out who exactly it was that Willis had been married to, and Baron Sampson and his son, Baron Moses who one sometimes can’t tell apart.
But as a whole this was a quite delightful read, and I had good fun revisiting it, particularly because of the humour and the characters.
A few more of the lines I liked (I can’t really include all because there were a lot):
I am afraid I was tant soit peu farouche," (Mrs. Hopkinson wondered what that was, but settled that it was French for disagreeable,) "but it is a point with me to keep young people in their proper places."
"Of course," said Mrs. Hopkinson, who was quite bewildered, "improper places are shocking things."
A "Willis-making-the-best-of-it" was quite a new specimen, a rare and interesting animal; and when it further appeared that his black coat had disappeared, and that he was dressed like any other common-place gentleman, in an equally common-place dark coat, the pity of the family knew no bounds.
p.s. There are some observations that are a bit anti-Semitic, which can make one a bit uncomfortable.
In The Semi-detached House, we meet Lady Blanche Chester who is eighteen and married just a short while, and in the process of looking for a house to live in while her husband Arthur, Lord Chester goes to the continent accompanying a diplomatic mission for some months. Her twin Aileen Grenville is to stay with her. Arthur has identified a semi-detached home, Pleasance which he thinks will suit his wife well but the high-strung and over imaginative Blanche is horrified at the thought and conjures up all sorts of images in her mind of possible neighbours (a fat lady in mittens with daughters who play ‘Partant pour la Syrie’). When told that the neighbours are a family, the Hopkinsons, she exclaims:
I felt certain their name would be either Tomkinson or Hopkinson-I was not sure which-but I thought the chances were in favour of Hop rather than Tom.
Meanwhile the Hopkinsons have heard of a new neighbour and because of malicious gossip (not naming names) in a newspaper, Mrs Hopkinson is led to believe that her new neighbour is to be either Lord Chester’s mistress or an estranged wife. Neither side is as a result keen to make an acquaintance with the other, and in their first encounter in church, their discomfort is not far from the surface.
But things are soon put to rights as Blanche finds the Hopkinsons (even if they do match the image she had of them in her mind) are actually genteel and kind people, while Mrs Hopkinson finds that Lady Blanche is Arthur’s wife. The families begin to get friendly and it is soon discovered that Arthur, before he had come into his title, had served aboard Captain Hopkinson’s ship.
Alongside, we have the morose and morbid Willis, Mrs Hopkinsons’ son-in-law (married to her step-daughter by her first marriage), who introduces them to Baron and Baroness Sampson. Nouveau riche and ostentatious, the Sampsons also seek to move into the neighbourhood, looking for an equally flashy home. They are keen on involving Willis in the Baron’s schemes for investment but Mrs Hopkinson is cautious. The Baroness meanwhile is anxious to better herself socially and throws flamboyant entertainments, lacking in taste, and makes every attempt to get to know Lady Blanche and her titled relatives and friends. We also have the Baroness’ niece, Rachel Monteneros who is living with the Sampsons but has very different sensibilities and tastes.
The book is mostly the story of the interaction between the Chesters and Hopkinsons (misunderstandings turning into friendship) and the Sampsons attempts to climb socially and financially.
Eden’s novel is a charming read with plenty of humour and witty dialogue, a story of misunderstandings and assumptions, families and friendships, with an amusing plot, collection of (somewhat) eccentric characters, and a dash of romance (oh and also some social climbery, if that is a word).
I really enjoyed Eden’s characters—among them we have young Blanche who is not only over-imaginative and high-strung but also a bit of a hypochondriac; but she is often checked by her aunt Sarah, a sensible lady who minces no words
[Blanche:] "All sorts of things, Aunt Sarah. In the first place, I am very ill—Aileen has sent for Dr. Ayscough. Now, just hear my cough."
"A failure, I think," said Aunt Sarah, "an attempt at a cough rather than the thing itself."
And when Blanche tries to play matchmaker,
My dear Blanche, I hope you are not going to turn into a match-maker; of all the dangerous manufactories in the world, that is the worst, and the most unsatisfactory."
I do like to help young people in their love affairs," said Blanche in a reflective staid tone, implying that her long life of eighteen years and her twelve months of marriage had given her the experience and benevolence appropriate to a prosperous old age.
Also her doctor, Dr Ayscough who has attended her since her childhood knows well how to calm her down. Then we have Mrs Hopkinsons’ son-in-law Willis who considers himself ever a sufferer, and always the worst hit by any misfortune. When Pleasance has a small fire for instance, for him:
If it had been in Columbia Lodge [Willis’ home], he had no doubt that the house would have been burnt down, but he was used to trials, and should quietly have submitted to that.
He is also rather morbid as seen in his choice of toy for his son:
It was a nice little model of a tomb, and when a spring was touched at the side, a skeleton jumped out, made a bow, and jumped in again. … Willis really was fond of his child, and did not press his pet skeleton on their acceptance when he found they thought it might frighten Charlie. In fact, he was rather glad to take it home again, for his own diversion.
Mrs Hopkinson on the other hand is sensible and though sometimes diffident is able to hold her own and never allows herself to be imposed upon. Like Aunt Sarah, she can speak her mind as well. Her daughters Janet and Rose are kind-hearted and charming, and a couple of the romance threads in the story involve them. Another romance plays out involving Blanche’s twin Aileen but most of these progress subtly and more as side-plots not the main.
Rachel Monteneros is another character who stands out with her penchant for Shakespeare and her sensibilities that are very different from her relations. Rachel has never had anyone who truly cares for her or even is able to love her, but once she meets the Hopkinsons and Willis (who begins to take an interest in her), she does her best to help them not be taken in by the Sampsons. What I liked about her was that she is a strong character who can take control of her own affairs and protect herself when needed; no attempts at flattery or manipulation take her in.
In the plot are misunderstandings aplenty from the initial misunderstanding between the Chesters and Hopkinsons to some in the romance threads and even between Blanche and her father-in-law. But most are easily and pleasantly resolved and none develop into any full blown drama (which was something that kept the tone light and which I appreciated).
The Baroness’ social ambitions lead to many ‘rival’ parties and entertainments being hosted, where it is mostly the Baroness’ who is ‘competing’ with the Chesters or the Duchess of St Maur (on one occasion), though the latter are mosty unaware of the former. The Baroness’ false snobbery also gets into a bit of a soup as she ends up slighting Blanche and Aileen whom she doesn’t recognize and also the Hopkinsons who are not as common as she believes; and she must try to mend things which she effusively attempts.
Alongside we have Baron Sampson with his money-making schemes and cons in which he involves Willis, and then is trying to bring in Captain Hopkinson when he returns wealthier after his most recent voyage. (Others in my Goodreads book group felt he was a lot like Trollope’s Melmotte from The Way We Live Now)
I did feel perhaps the book suffered somewhat because it was so short; as a consequence, some aspects are not as well explored as they should have been. For instance, Baron Sampson’s doings could have been narrated in more detail which would have made his great escape (a nicely done scene) all the better, and added a little more ’meat’ to our tale. Also, some of the relationships between the characters and even some of the characters themselves didn’t come through clearly, like it took me time to work out who exactly it was that Willis had been married to, and Baron Sampson and his son, Baron Moses who one sometimes can’t tell apart.
But as a whole this was a quite delightful read, and I had good fun revisiting it, particularly because of the humour and the characters.
A few more of the lines I liked (I can’t really include all because there were a lot):
I am afraid I was tant soit peu farouche," (Mrs. Hopkinson wondered what that was, but settled that it was French for disagreeable,) "but it is a point with me to keep young people in their proper places."
"Of course," said Mrs. Hopkinson, who was quite bewildered, "improper places are shocking things."
A "Willis-making-the-best-of-it" was quite a new specimen, a rare and interesting animal; and when it further appeared that his black coat had disappeared, and that he was dressed like any other common-place gentleman, in an equally common-place dark coat, the pity of the family knew no bounds.
p.s. There are some observations that are a bit anti-Semitic, which can make one a bit uncomfortable.
March 19, 2020
This was such a lovely story. It was the perfect time for me to read a story about nice families who become acquainted, enjoy each other's company, and help each other as best they can. There are no villains here and even the unsavory characters are only mildly disagreeable. Emily Eden is not a well known author and she wrote only a few novels, and I recommend this book if one is seeking something for entertainment and not for social commentary.
April 22, 2015
Nobody comes close to writing as well as Jane Austen - except for Emily Eden, who, a couple of generations later, is as razor-witted and delightful an observer of the social scene as the divine Jane. This is one for my read over and over shelf.
May 3, 2021
"'My dear child!' said Lady Sarah, kissing her, 'you are likely to meet with many kindnesses, small and great, in your journey through life, if you keep up that warm interest in the happiness of others which you feel now. Like will to like, and so my Blanche will find warm friends wherever she goes ...'"
Emily Eden wrote The Semi-Detached House in 1859. Sisters Blanche and Aileen, under the watchful eye of their Aunt Sarah, become roofmates with the Hopkinsons and their daughters Janet and Rose. Blanche has been married for six months, but her husband has just left on a prolonged business trip to Berlin. The relationship between the two families gets off to a rocky start even before they meet, when Mrs. Hopkinson comes under the mistaken impression that Blanche has been separated from her husband because he is having an affair. Shocking!!
I learned some new words. Eden refers to what we call knitting as "netting". An advowson is the right of presentation of a candidate to a church office.
In the way of faint praise, I'll say that my favorite parts of the novel are Eden's descriptions of the gorgeous riverside residence along the Thames, parties on the lawn, boats languidly pulling alongside the riverbank, etc. Otherwise, I found it very bland compared to dozens of its compatriot books of that era. Comparing it with Vanity Fair, say, a book written just 11 years earlier, is like comparing a snack with a feast.
Emily Eden wrote The Semi-Detached House in 1859. Sisters Blanche and Aileen, under the watchful eye of their Aunt Sarah, become roofmates with the Hopkinsons and their daughters Janet and Rose. Blanche has been married for six months, but her husband has just left on a prolonged business trip to Berlin. The relationship between the two families gets off to a rocky start even before they meet, when Mrs. Hopkinson comes under the mistaken impression that Blanche has been separated from her husband because he is having an affair. Shocking!!
I learned some new words. Eden refers to what we call knitting as "netting". An advowson is the right of presentation of a candidate to a church office.
In the way of faint praise, I'll say that my favorite parts of the novel are Eden's descriptions of the gorgeous riverside residence along the Thames, parties on the lawn, boats languidly pulling alongside the riverbank, etc. Otherwise, I found it very bland compared to dozens of its compatriot books of that era. Comparing it with Vanity Fair, say, a book written just 11 years earlier, is like comparing a snack with a feast.
August 16, 2024
4.5🌟 Wow! This might be one of my new top 5 favorite Victorian novels of all time!
I had no idea I would enjoy this book by Emily Eden so much. It really blew me away. Not only was the dialogue interesting, fast-paced and extremely well done, but the characters themselves had so much dimension!
The Semi-Detached House reminded me of a lively soap opera plot infused with a rich Jane Austen flavor and a dash of D.E. Stevenson's lively and witty personality. With characters were ones you either loved (or loved to hate), ridiculous situations (that may be duly put to rights in the end) and saucy or clever conversations all over the place, the novel is free of any slumps or boring moments.
Now that I've read this little wonder, I can't wait to read The Semi-Detached Couple! Highly recommended if you adore both Jane Austen and D.E. Stevenson, love books that center around houses or you're simply searching for a new Victorian author (or title) to love. Bravo to Emily Eden!
I had no idea I would enjoy this book by Emily Eden so much. It really blew me away. Not only was the dialogue interesting, fast-paced and extremely well done, but the characters themselves had so much dimension!
The Semi-Detached House reminded me of a lively soap opera plot infused with a rich Jane Austen flavor and a dash of D.E. Stevenson's lively and witty personality. With characters were ones you either loved (or loved to hate), ridiculous situations (that may be duly put to rights in the end) and saucy or clever conversations all over the place, the novel is free of any slumps or boring moments.
Now that I've read this little wonder, I can't wait to read The Semi-Detached Couple! Highly recommended if you adore both Jane Austen and D.E. Stevenson, love books that center around houses or you're simply searching for a new Victorian author (or title) to love. Bravo to Emily Eden!
August 18, 2019
"The semi-detached House" (Una casa quasi perfetta) è piacevolmente frizzante e sorprendentemente nostalgico. Dell'alto romanzo noto avevo scritto: Emily Eden stava abbastanza bene economicamente da non aver bisogno di scrivere per vivere, scrisse resoconti del suo soggiorno in India e due romanzi di buon successo, uno di questi è "Una coppia quasi perfetta", del 1860.
Ed ecco qui il secondo, recentemente pubblicato in italiano da Elliot editore, brillante e che con deliziosa consuetudine ancora ricorda alcuni lavori di Jane Austen e Georgette Heyer, alle quali l'autrice è spesso associata.
Ed ecco qui il secondo, recentemente pubblicato in italiano da Elliot editore, brillante e che con deliziosa consuetudine ancora ricorda alcuni lavori di Jane Austen e Georgette Heyer, alle quali l'autrice è spesso associata.
September 14, 2017
This edition had the Semi-Detached House had a more modern feel maybe owing to the humor which was sprinkled throughout. Also a female character quite unlike the times the book was written, 1859. Emily Eden was a Jane Austin fan and some of her characters have a flippant spirit to them which makes this story a fun read. A married woman sets up house next to a seafaring captain's family and the fun begins. This edition also includes The Semi-Attached couple but even though I kept my kindle notes here, I will review under that title. One thing which was a little annoying was that the second story had not been navigable to see each chapters as the first story but my favorite of the two stories
December 15, 2021
While this is pretty light on story, it's charming, funny and filled with lovable characters. Reading this, you're pretty much just watching some neighbors overcoming their predjudice against each over and growing very dear to one another. The characters are all very distinct and memorable, they're a bit like Dickens characters but in a Jane Austen inspired novel. Also, some of the lines delighted me way more than they probably should.
May 18, 2021
This was so heartwarming 💗
February 28, 2016
On the basis of this book, I really don't understand why Emily Eden is supposed to be a great wit, on a par with Jane Austen. This story is only mildly amusing, and seems to function mostly as a cover for a rant against the Jews. Here is a typical passage: "An enemy, supposing it possible that the Baroness Sampson could have an enemy, might have said that the assemblage at Marble Hall looked like the recovery of one of the lost tribes of Israel; but there were some fine sounding names among them: foreign Counts and Marquises, several members of Parliament, radical in politics, and unpolished in manner, and who had manfully voted for the removal of Jewish disabilities. Whether they knew what the disabilities were, or what would be the effect of their removal, is doubtful; but they somehow had an idea that they were voting against gentlemen and Bishops, and Church and State, and they felt proud of themselves. Then there were their wives and daughters, decidedly not ornamental. There were a few ladies of high sounding titles, who had either risen through the ranks, or fallen into them, but the chief part of the society was decidedly second-rate." The people throwing this party, Baron and Baroness Sampson, are unmitigated scoundrels who end up fleeing the country after being unmasked as the frauds and embezzlers they are. Their son Moses is of the same ilk. The only good Jewish person in the whole book is their niece and ward Rachel, who ends up marrying a Gentile. All the non-Jewish characters are virtuous and if not entirely perfect, quick to reform. There is no plot except for a series of betrothals - and the bankruptcy of Baron Sampson. Quite frankly, this doesn't even deserve to be kept in print, except so that people get a sense of what Benjamin Disraeli had to put up with.
December 26, 2022
Definitivamente, Emily Eden no es para mí. Las dos veces que la he leído, me da una sensación de cosa antigua y de enaguas con demasiado almidón. Este libro es mejor que Una Pareja Casi Perfecta, porque los hombres, son algo mejor, pero sigue siendo 'el camarote de los hermanos Marx' y casi necesito hacerme un esquema para no perderme con tanto personaje y sus cuitas intrascendentes y hasta ñoñas. La salvo por la aparición de Rachel (el único personaje femenino que no es un ángel del hogar y con inteligencia), y por el ridículo de Willis y su giro de 180 grados. Para fans del cotilleo victoriano.
June 30, 2015
Lighthearted read with some prejudicial language common for its time. Like today's sitcom, the timing and situations come together for laughs too perfectly. Too sugary for me.
December 13, 2016
It is a charming book. I like more The Semi-Attached Couple ( here my review) but The Semi-detached House was only a little less enjoyable for me. Maybe because love stories in the first book were taking place during the whole book, and in the second novel mostly at the end (at least the best parts of those stories).
Nonetheless, Emily Eden showed also here her clever and observant eye. Her world is funny (almost satirical), zestful, delightful. She made a few very wise observations about human nature, marriage, love and manners in her times. The characters of: Rachel, Willis, the Baroness, Mrs. Hopkinson made this novel something more than a witty comedy or a sweet love story.
Nonetheless, Emily Eden showed also here her clever and observant eye. Her world is funny (almost satirical), zestful, delightful. She made a few very wise observations about human nature, marriage, love and manners in her times. The characters of: Rachel, Willis, the Baroness, Mrs. Hopkinson made this novel something more than a witty comedy or a sweet love story.
March 11, 2017
A Victorian comic novel, quite light but not obnoxiously so. Eden wrote in a much plainer writing style than many of her contemporaries, which makes the text feel less obviously "old" than most nineteenth century novels. There are long stretches when you could mistake it for being 80 years younger than it actually is.
July 6, 2023
Questo romanzo, letto dopo Una coppia quasi perfetta, già pubblicato dalla Elliot, parte lento, la storia sembra avere all’inizio meno mordente.
Mentre Lord Chester deve recarsi in Europa per incarichi governativi, Lady Blanche Chester, fresca sposa, in stato interessante, si trasferirà in campagna insieme alla zia Lady Sarah e a sua sorella. Contrariamente ai suoi timori, i nuovi vicini della casa semi-indipendente che il marito ha affittato per lei, sono gradevoli e di buon cuore, mentre non altrettanto si può dire degli altolocati baroni che sebbene appartenenti alla stessa classe sociale, si dimostrano volgari e millantatori.
Tre sono quindi nuclei familiari che devono entrare in scena e di cui dobbiamo fare la conoscenza prima di cominciare a interessarci a loro.
In ciò siamo aiutati dalla caratterizzazione, a volte caricaturale, che di essi viene fatta all’atto di esserci presentati: il vedovo inconsolabile Mr Willis strappa più di un sorriso e la tronfia baronessa diverse smorfie di antipatia.
Con il proseguire della lettura, veniamo attirati dal carosello divertente di situazioni concatenate che esauriscono tutto l’intreccio e con naturale fluidità si combinano in modo perfetto e con soddisfazione di tutti.
Emily Eden (1797-1869) scrive qualche anno più tardi rispetto a Jane Austen (o meglio, vive più a lungo), e non è solo per questa coincidenza che viene spontaneo accostarle. Anche lei riunisce tre o quattro famiglie in un villaggio di campagna e insieme alle gioie coniugali, signorine in età da marito, scapoli bendisposti a dichiararsi al momento opportuno, e dipinge così un idilliaco quadretto che compone latenti conflitti di classe, mostrando di condividere la stessa tecnica narrativa della scrittrice di Chawton. Perciò l’esclamazione incipitaria di Lady Chester:
“L’unico difetto della villa è che è bifamiliare”,
è l’unico fatto a subire un ribaltamento in quel luogo ameno e placido che è Pleasante.A differenza di Jane Austen, la Eden appare più buonista e desiderosa di pervenire a un lieto fine che metta d’accordo tutti e la sua ironia rimane circoscritta a quelle annotazioni simpatiche che ci fanno apprezzare i suoi protagonisti. Persino ai loro difetti ci affezioniamo: agli attacchi isterici dell’apprensiva mogliettina, Lady Chester (con un debole per combinare i matrimoni che ci ricorda una certa Emma), ricondotti a ragione dai saggi consigli della zia Sarah, e al disfattismo pessimista di Mr Willis curato a cucchiaiate di buonsenso dal suocero, il capitano Hopkinson.
A chi si ostina a considerarle rivali, bisognerebbe opporre che Emily Eden considerava Jane Austen la sua scrittrice preferita e non facciamo fatica a crederlo a giudicare quante volte la cita, o meglio cita i suoi personaggi (Lydia Bennet, Mr Collins) indirettamente e con disinvolta familiarità nelle sue lettere. Come Jane Austen, anche Emily Eden era molto ironica (che aveva ereditato dalla propria madre) e non si sposò mai (potrebbe esserci un collegamento tra queste due circostanze?) e invece di mettere nei romanzi i racconti dei fratelli arruolati in Marina e delle loro spedizioni nelle Indie Occidentali, Emily viaggiò in prima persona e con sua sorella Fanny si recò in India dove il fratello era stato nominato governatore guadagnandosi l’appellativo di “Jane Austen post-coloniale”.
Mentre Lord Chester deve recarsi in Europa per incarichi governativi, Lady Blanche Chester, fresca sposa, in stato interessante, si trasferirà in campagna insieme alla zia Lady Sarah e a sua sorella. Contrariamente ai suoi timori, i nuovi vicini della casa semi-indipendente che il marito ha affittato per lei, sono gradevoli e di buon cuore, mentre non altrettanto si può dire degli altolocati baroni che sebbene appartenenti alla stessa classe sociale, si dimostrano volgari e millantatori.
Tre sono quindi nuclei familiari che devono entrare in scena e di cui dobbiamo fare la conoscenza prima di cominciare a interessarci a loro.
In ciò siamo aiutati dalla caratterizzazione, a volte caricaturale, che di essi viene fatta all’atto di esserci presentati: il vedovo inconsolabile Mr Willis strappa più di un sorriso e la tronfia baronessa diverse smorfie di antipatia.
Con il proseguire della lettura, veniamo attirati dal carosello divertente di situazioni concatenate che esauriscono tutto l’intreccio e con naturale fluidità si combinano in modo perfetto e con soddisfazione di tutti.
Emily Eden (1797-1869) scrive qualche anno più tardi rispetto a Jane Austen (o meglio, vive più a lungo), e non è solo per questa coincidenza che viene spontaneo accostarle. Anche lei riunisce tre o quattro famiglie in un villaggio di campagna e insieme alle gioie coniugali, signorine in età da marito, scapoli bendisposti a dichiararsi al momento opportuno, e dipinge così un idilliaco quadretto che compone latenti conflitti di classe, mostrando di condividere la stessa tecnica narrativa della scrittrice di Chawton. Perciò l’esclamazione incipitaria di Lady Chester:
“L’unico difetto della villa è che è bifamiliare”,
è l’unico fatto a subire un ribaltamento in quel luogo ameno e placido che è Pleasante.A differenza di Jane Austen, la Eden appare più buonista e desiderosa di pervenire a un lieto fine che metta d’accordo tutti e la sua ironia rimane circoscritta a quelle annotazioni simpatiche che ci fanno apprezzare i suoi protagonisti. Persino ai loro difetti ci affezioniamo: agli attacchi isterici dell’apprensiva mogliettina, Lady Chester (con un debole per combinare i matrimoni che ci ricorda una certa Emma), ricondotti a ragione dai saggi consigli della zia Sarah, e al disfattismo pessimista di Mr Willis curato a cucchiaiate di buonsenso dal suocero, il capitano Hopkinson.
A chi si ostina a considerarle rivali, bisognerebbe opporre che Emily Eden considerava Jane Austen la sua scrittrice preferita e non facciamo fatica a crederlo a giudicare quante volte la cita, o meglio cita i suoi personaggi (Lydia Bennet, Mr Collins) indirettamente e con disinvolta familiarità nelle sue lettere. Come Jane Austen, anche Emily Eden era molto ironica (che aveva ereditato dalla propria madre) e non si sposò mai (potrebbe esserci un collegamento tra queste due circostanze?) e invece di mettere nei romanzi i racconti dei fratelli arruolati in Marina e delle loro spedizioni nelle Indie Occidentali, Emily viaggiò in prima persona e con sua sorella Fanny si recò in India dove il fratello era stato nominato governatore guadagnandosi l’appellativo di “Jane Austen post-coloniale”.
August 13, 2024
This is a light, amusing story about two happy families who are thrown together and made even happier by the acquaintance. It's not a romance, even though there are a few couples which pair off. The setting is Victorian, and if you like Regency novels you'd probably like this.
The characterizations are a lot of fun. There are a couple of comically unpleasant people, and one truly sad young woman, who serve to throw the loving families into relief. I liked that one of the main characters is a fat, middle-aged mother who is adored and respected by everyone, even if she cannot read the Times>.
The characterizations are a lot of fun. There are a couple of comically unpleasant people, and one truly sad young woman, who serve to throw the loving families into relief. I liked that one of the main characters is a fat, middle-aged mother who is adored and respected by everyone, even if she cannot read the Times>.
February 29, 2020
I enjoyed this comedy of manners story as the author invested in witty discourse and 1850's drollery, and, had Rachael, the orphaned niece, quoting Shakespeare. I'm hoping the next book The Semi-attached Couple is just as good.
I was ready for a palate cleanser, this book was certainly that and I found the story charming - as a huge bonus, Emily Eden created a very satisfying ending♥
The Semi-Detached House reads rather like a Wilkie Collin's take on an Austenesque setting.
I was ready for a palate cleanser, this book was certainly that and I found the story charming - as a huge bonus, Emily Eden created a very satisfying ending♥
The Semi-Detached House reads rather like a Wilkie Collin's take on an Austenesque setting.
October 1, 2022
En cuanto terminé de leer «Una pareja perfecta» comencé a investigar sobre la vida de Emily Eden y sobre su bibliografía y, para mi decepción, no había más libros suyos traducidos. Unos años más tarde, tenemos otra de sus joyas en castellano.
Lo primero de todo aclarar que se trata de una novela clásica (la autora falleció en 1869), no está de más recordarlo para quienes estén buscando historias tipo Bridgerton, esto no tiene nada que ver. Es una novela clean romance o blanca (no hay escenas explícitas) y, aunque hay romance, digamos que toma un plano secundario porque lo que más abunda en las novelas de Emily Eden es la ironía y crítica social. Son novelas costumbristas, es decir, retrata o recrea la vida y costumbres de esa época, situada en la Inglaterra victoriana.
El estilo de la autora logra atrapar desde la primera página, con historias sencillas llenas de sarcasmo y humor, consigue trasladar al lector hasta su época. Mostrando los conflictos y preocupaciones sociales desde dentro, a través de sus personajes. No crea tramas complejas ni hay una lista interminable de personajes, así que desde el primer momento consigues captar la esencia del libro. Así que si no dudáis entre comprarlo o no, os animo a leer los primeros capítulos.
La historia empieza con el traslado de Blanche a una casa adosada en Dulham, junto a su hermana Aileen. Antes de la mudanza, la muchacha empieza a elucubrar cómo serán sus vecinos, algo de gran relevancia dado que estarán pared con pared. Con una desbordante imaginación, se sitúa en todos los escenarios posibles, todos muy negativos para ella. Blanche, o lady Chester, también es un poco hipocondriaca así que entre una cosa y la otra tendremos escenas la mar de surrealistas, porque la joven no suele pensar en cosas positivas.
La primera toma de contacto que tendremos con Blanche no nos entrará por buen ojo, parece una muchacha caprichosa y pedante, pero poco a poco conoceremos la verdadera lady Chester, que no tiene nada que ver a cómo se presenta. También irá perdiendo los perjuicios con los que comenzó su mudanza y verá que tanto la señora Hopkinson (su vecina) como ella tienen más en común de lo que creen, sobretodo en cuanto relaciones se refiere. Lord Chester tuvo que dejar a Blanche sola en el adosado para acudir a una misión en Berlín mientras que la señora Hopkinson, está más que acostumbrada a las idas y venidas de su marido, el capitán Hopkinson. Y gracias a esto irán encontrando más cosas en común (demasiadas).
La familia Hopkinson no pertenece a la aristocracia, así que el tema de la diferencia social estará presente en la historia. Otro punto clave será la relación entre Blanche y su marido, llevan muy poco tiempo casados y es la primera vez que se separan. Lady Chester tiene miedo de que su matrimonio haga aguas con el trabajo de su marido, no le gusta estar separados y la comunicación por carta lleva a más enredos que a un acercamiento. Los malos entendidos están a la hora del día y la joven se apoyará en su vecina, quien ya cuenta con unos años de experiencia en esto del matrimonio.
A pesar de la extensión del libro, la autora consigue meter de lleno al lector en la época, muestra una evolución de la protagonista abismal y hace que empaticemos con ella: sus inseguridades y deseos. Reitero que no es una novela romántica como tal.
Sin duda la recomiendo. Puede ser que alguna persona relacione el concepto "clásico" con "denso" o "lento", en concreto esta autora tiene un estilo ligero y muy rápido de leer, no abusa de descripciones y se apoya en la interacción de los personajes a través de diálogos, suelen ser historias cortas y muestra la realidad social a través de ironía y situaciones incluso cómicas. Estás aprendiendo de la época sin tan siquiera darte cuenta.
September 11, 2025
Buddy read.
April 29, 2021
Definita la degna erede di Jane Austen, a questo romanzo di Emily Eden manca l'introspezione nell'animo umano che caratterizza le opere della "zia" di Chawton.
Tuttavia, ho molto apprezzato il tono leggero ma allo stesso tempo di denuncia delle contraddizioni della "bella società" inglese di metà Ottocento. Lo stile alterna momenti frivoli ad altri decisamente "witty", che fanno (sor)ridere.
Il modo in cui alcuni personaggi vengono ridotti quasi a macchiette, a onor del vero, ricorda molto Jane Austen. Quì, però, risulta evidente la vittoriana necessità di fare della morale sulle "buone e cattive azioni" dei personaggi.
Tuttavia, ho molto apprezzato il tono leggero ma allo stesso tempo di denuncia delle contraddizioni della "bella società" inglese di metà Ottocento. Lo stile alterna momenti frivoli ad altri decisamente "witty", che fanno (sor)ridere.
Il modo in cui alcuni personaggi vengono ridotti quasi a macchiette, a onor del vero, ricorda molto Jane Austen. Quì, però, risulta evidente la vittoriana necessità di fare della morale sulle "buone e cattive azioni" dei personaggi.
January 25, 2016
Sweet.
Of course I'm always intrigued to find an author said to be "just like Jane Austen."
I'd never heard of Emily Eden before. I don't even know how I came across this book. Of course she's not exactly like Jane Austen (who is?). Bought this and the "Semi-attached couple" for cheap-o on kindle.
Charming. Fluffy. Everyone is so good-natured and sweet and ends up so happy and life is so perfect for every single person (see, not exactly like Jane truly).
Despite this picture of absolute unreality (it's asserted in herein that a good-natured person can't help but be happy and be surrounded by happiness always on that account alone) it was a sweet little bit of entertainment I'm not sorry to have spent some Sunday time with.
I did really like the character of Willis. He was funny.
On a side-note, authors of this age (Victorian) were quite interested in charlatans who duped people out of their money by sheer bravado. Did that happen a lot? I'm not really tempted currently to do the research necessary to know. Reminds me somewhat of "The Way We Live Now" and "Little Dorrit" but not nearly as involved in the reality of the thing.
Of course I'm always intrigued to find an author said to be "just like Jane Austen."
I'd never heard of Emily Eden before. I don't even know how I came across this book. Of course she's not exactly like Jane Austen (who is?). Bought this and the "Semi-attached couple" for cheap-o on kindle.
Charming. Fluffy. Everyone is so good-natured and sweet and ends up so happy and life is so perfect for every single person (see, not exactly like Jane truly).
Despite this picture of absolute unreality (it's asserted in herein that a good-natured person can't help but be happy and be surrounded by happiness always on that account alone) it was a sweet little bit of entertainment I'm not sorry to have spent some Sunday time with.
I did really like the character of Willis. He was funny.
On a side-note, authors of this age (Victorian) were quite interested in charlatans who duped people out of their money by sheer bravado. Did that happen a lot? I'm not really tempted currently to do the research necessary to know. Reminds me somewhat of "The Way We Live Now" and "Little Dorrit" but not nearly as involved in the reality of the thing.
January 20, 2023
Me ha encantado leer esta novela de Emily Eden, lástima que solo nos dejara dos porque tiene un sentido del humor que me ha encantado y he disfrutado mucho de su lectura.
🏡
Lady Chester, embarazada y delicada de salud, alquila una casa en las afueras de Londres, mientras su marido se ausenta un tiempo por motivos de trabajo. La casa que alquila es un adosado y sus vecinos son de clase social más baja. Es entonces cuando los prejuicios afloran y harán que condicionen sus relaciones pero...
🏡
Y hasta ahí puedo leer. Emily Eden hace una radiografía de la sociedad de la época donde tendremos a los interesados, a los hipocondriacos, a los pesimistas y eternos dolientes, etc. Veremos que nunca hay que tener prejuicios y que encontrarás amigos donde menos te lo esperas.
Sigue leyendo en:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjZ-EM5jc...
https://martaentrelibros.com/2022/10/...
🏡
Lady Chester, embarazada y delicada de salud, alquila una casa en las afueras de Londres, mientras su marido se ausenta un tiempo por motivos de trabajo. La casa que alquila es un adosado y sus vecinos son de clase social más baja. Es entonces cuando los prejuicios afloran y harán que condicionen sus relaciones pero...
🏡
Y hasta ahí puedo leer. Emily Eden hace una radiografía de la sociedad de la época donde tendremos a los interesados, a los hipocondriacos, a los pesimistas y eternos dolientes, etc. Veremos que nunca hay que tener prejuicios y que encontrarás amigos donde menos te lo esperas.
Sigue leyendo en:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjZ-EM5jc...
https://martaentrelibros.com/2022/10/...
June 12, 2020
Aquí en mi afán completista, después de Una pareja casi perfecta me leí el siguiente libro de Emily Eden. Este está escrito unos 30 años después y se nota porque ya no son todos lores y ladies, solo el 70%.
La estructura es muy parecida a la del libro anterior: pareja de hermanas ricas y pareja de hermanas pobres que quieren formalizar un contrato... esto... buscar marido para casarse. Y si eres muy sumisa y muy dispuesta y no te das aires de nada es muy probable que formalices un buen contrato. Como en el libro anterior, algunos de estos señores son para darles de comer aparte.
El libro es entretenido y se lee muy rápido, pero no es una cosa del otro mundo.
La estructura es muy parecida a la del libro anterior: pareja de hermanas ricas y pareja de hermanas pobres que quieren formalizar un contrato... esto... buscar marido para casarse. Y si eres muy sumisa y muy dispuesta y no te das aires de nada es muy probable que formalices un buen contrato. Como en el libro anterior, algunos de estos señores son para darles de comer aparte.
El libro es entretenido y se lee muy rápido, pero no es una cosa del otro mundo.
June 24, 2023
I really liked this book - it had a chatty, comfortable, nice atmosphere and relatable characters. I also adored the audiobook: that was a great experience. What I did not like (hence the star reduction) was the antisemitism. I know that this can happen in a Victorian book, but I do not enjoy it when I encounter it.
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