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The Benefactress
Elizabeth von Arnim (1866-1941), born Mary Annette Beauchamp, was an Australian born British novelist. By marriage she became Gräfin (Countess) von Arnim- Schlagenthin, and by a second marriage, Countess Russell. Although known in her early life as May, "after the publication of her first book, she was known to her readers, eventually to her friends, and finally even to her family as Elizabeth. " and she is now invariably referred to as Elizabeth von Arnim. She also wrote under the pen name Alice Cholmondeley. Arnim would later refer to her domineering husband as the "Man of Wrath". Writing was her refuge from what turned out to be an incompatible marriage. Arnim's husband had increasing debts and was eventually sent to prison for fraud. This was when she created her pen name "Elizabeth" and launched her career as a writer by anonymously publishing her semi-autobiographical, brooding yet satirical Elizabeth and Her German Garden (1898). Her other titles dealing with feminist protest and witty observations of life in provincial Germany to follow The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight (1905) and Fraulein Schmidt and Mr. Anstruther (1907).
346 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1901
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540 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth von Arnim
228 books672 followersElizabeth von Arnim, born Mary Annette Beauchamp, was an English novelist. Born in Australia, she married a German aristocrat, and her earliest works are set in Germany. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. After her first husband's death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H.G. Wells, then later married Earl Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winner and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Though known in early life as May, her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to friends and finally to family. Her writings are ascribed to Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pseudonym Alice Cholmondeley for only one novel, Christine, published in 1917.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 13, 2020
I was racing through this novel not knowing exactly how it was going to end but I knew I had just one page to go and it seemed like a lot of loose ends had to be tied up and I didn’t see how that was possible to do in one more page and I turned to what I thought was the last page and the ending was uncertain and I had already been through 441 pages and I said to myself “Arghh…that’s it? Why did you do that Elizabeth? Oh well, I’ll give it 3 stars because it was so good” and then I turned the page and there were three more pages.
😊
I think this was Elizabeth’s first foray into this type of novel…one with a full-blown plot and a cast of characters, including dislikable no-good characters. Her previous works were Elizabeth and Her German Garden (and that is her pen name in this novel….”author of Elizabeth and Her German Garden”) (1899); The Solitary Summer (1899); and The April’s Baby Book of Tunes (1900).
This novel’s main protagonist is 25-year old Anna, who has a brother that she is not close to and that is it for immediate family—her mother and father are dead. She lives in England and has a sister-in-law who wants her out of her hair and house… luckily a distant rich uncle from Germany who has died has willed her a house he had in northern Germany. She is tired of the life of genteel and privileged upper-class women (reminds me of the rich women of Downton Abbey) and is glad to forsake all of that and to go to her new dwelling in Germany and seek true happiness. Her goal: “…instead of going to see poor people and giving them money in the ordinary way, it would be so much better to let women of the better classes, who have no money, and who are dependent and miserable, and come and live with me and share mine, and have everything that I have—exactly the same, and no difference of any sort. There is room for twelve at least, and wouldn’t it be beautiful to make twelve people, who had lost all hope and all courage, happy for the rest of their days?” Anna is convinced that by being a Good Samaritan to twelve women of the same class as her but who have fallen on hard times, she will achieve happiness. Righttttttttt 🙄
Well money may not make one happy but seeking happiness by making other people happy, and especially the type of people she has picked, is a tall order. But with this author, anything is possible. As I was reading, I was thinking, regarding the plot, that this novel might be a precursor and similar to The Enchanted April (wrong-o) or Princess Priscilla’s Fortnight (wrong-o). It’s different. It certainly has a cast of characters, but they are easy to keep track of. I think if I say anything more, I’ll ruin the surprise that is in store for those who decide to read this novel. Because I went into this novel with no knowledge of the plot. Usually in newer books there’s a dustjacket or, if softcover, a synopsis of some sort on the back cover. Not on a hardcover published in 1901. It’s 444 pages, so the more one gives away then the less fun in trying to figure out everything that unfolds in this book—let Elizabeth tell you in her own way. Although some of the reviews below reveal more about the book…
It’s too bad that so many of her books are out of print. I think she’s really really good…
Here are what reviewers back in 1901 thought:
• “It is clever and humorous, from first page to last, founded upon a clever plot, and reveals again her knowledge of the people among whom she has gone to dwell… ‘The Benefactress’ is capital reading; bright, humorous, full of life and action, and with many a shrewd observation on life and man scattered through its pages” — Mail and Express
• “Delightfully fresh and crisp, and as delightfully easy, polished, perspicacious…a piece of genuine literature.” — New York Tribune
• “Clever, ingenious, and thoroughly entertaining, and above all, it is written in Elizabeth’s inimitable style.” — Book Buyer
Notes:
• An underlying theme of the book is that Anna is striving for independence — she dislikes the notion that her very identity has to be tied to that of a man that she marries. For example:
• Anna smiled. “That is the German idea of female bliss—always to be led round by the nose by some husband.”
• ”And besides,” said Anna, “why does a woman everlastingly want to be led and propped? Why can’t she go about the business of life on her own feet? Why must she always lean on someone?”
• Rugen (The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rugen [1904]) is mentioned when Anna and her sister-in-law are on their way to Anna’s new home which is in Stralsund. Stralsund is located south west of Rügen (which is also Germany's largest island).
• I was shocked at the rabid anti-Semitism of the parish parson…apparently anti-Semitism was on the rise in Germany after the mid-18th century. Anna made comment in another part of the book that one of her friends was a Jew, so she harbored no ill will. But there’s another character late in the book who is Jewish, and he is portrayed in a negative light.
• The edition of the book I read was from MacMillan (London [published by Norwood Press in Massachusetts]), reprinted twice after the first edition, 1901, 444 pp. with two pages of advertisements of Elizabeth’s previously published works.
• I have been tempted to say that the author Elizabeth von Arnim reminds me of the English author, Elizabeth Taylor, and wouldn’t you know it, but someone has written a book about them (I learned this from the review below with a double- asterisk): Comedy and the Feminine Middlebrow Novel: Elizabeth von Arnim and Elizabeth Taylor (Routledge, 2016…wow, it’s expensive..60 dollars and up! ☹)
More recent reviews:
(from a blog site…a good review, but gives some stuff away): https://thecaptivereader.com/2012/07/...
**(extremely interesting review from a blogger): https://reading19001950.wordpress.com...
http://scribbleprint.com/a-brief-revi...
wow…this is a link in which there is an audio recording of the whole book (chapter by chapter): https://librivox.org/the-benefactress...
😊
I think this was Elizabeth’s first foray into this type of novel…one with a full-blown plot and a cast of characters, including dislikable no-good characters. Her previous works were Elizabeth and Her German Garden (and that is her pen name in this novel….”author of Elizabeth and Her German Garden”) (1899); The Solitary Summer (1899); and The April’s Baby Book of Tunes (1900).
This novel’s main protagonist is 25-year old Anna, who has a brother that she is not close to and that is it for immediate family—her mother and father are dead. She lives in England and has a sister-in-law who wants her out of her hair and house… luckily a distant rich uncle from Germany who has died has willed her a house he had in northern Germany. She is tired of the life of genteel and privileged upper-class women (reminds me of the rich women of Downton Abbey) and is glad to forsake all of that and to go to her new dwelling in Germany and seek true happiness. Her goal: “…instead of going to see poor people and giving them money in the ordinary way, it would be so much better to let women of the better classes, who have no money, and who are dependent and miserable, and come and live with me and share mine, and have everything that I have—exactly the same, and no difference of any sort. There is room for twelve at least, and wouldn’t it be beautiful to make twelve people, who had lost all hope and all courage, happy for the rest of their days?” Anna is convinced that by being a Good Samaritan to twelve women of the same class as her but who have fallen on hard times, she will achieve happiness. Righttttttttt 🙄
Well money may not make one happy but seeking happiness by making other people happy, and especially the type of people she has picked, is a tall order. But with this author, anything is possible. As I was reading, I was thinking, regarding the plot, that this novel might be a precursor and similar to The Enchanted April (wrong-o) or Princess Priscilla’s Fortnight (wrong-o). It’s different. It certainly has a cast of characters, but they are easy to keep track of. I think if I say anything more, I’ll ruin the surprise that is in store for those who decide to read this novel. Because I went into this novel with no knowledge of the plot. Usually in newer books there’s a dustjacket or, if softcover, a synopsis of some sort on the back cover. Not on a hardcover published in 1901. It’s 444 pages, so the more one gives away then the less fun in trying to figure out everything that unfolds in this book—let Elizabeth tell you in her own way. Although some of the reviews below reveal more about the book…
It’s too bad that so many of her books are out of print. I think she’s really really good…
Here are what reviewers back in 1901 thought:
• “It is clever and humorous, from first page to last, founded upon a clever plot, and reveals again her knowledge of the people among whom she has gone to dwell… ‘The Benefactress’ is capital reading; bright, humorous, full of life and action, and with many a shrewd observation on life and man scattered through its pages” — Mail and Express
• “Delightfully fresh and crisp, and as delightfully easy, polished, perspicacious…a piece of genuine literature.” — New York Tribune
• “Clever, ingenious, and thoroughly entertaining, and above all, it is written in Elizabeth’s inimitable style.” — Book Buyer
Notes:
• An underlying theme of the book is that Anna is striving for independence — she dislikes the notion that her very identity has to be tied to that of a man that she marries. For example:
• Anna smiled. “That is the German idea of female bliss—always to be led round by the nose by some husband.”
• ”And besides,” said Anna, “why does a woman everlastingly want to be led and propped? Why can’t she go about the business of life on her own feet? Why must she always lean on someone?”
• Rugen (The Adventures of Elizabeth in Rugen [1904]) is mentioned when Anna and her sister-in-law are on their way to Anna’s new home which is in Stralsund. Stralsund is located south west of Rügen (which is also Germany's largest island).
• I was shocked at the rabid anti-Semitism of the parish parson…apparently anti-Semitism was on the rise in Germany after the mid-18th century. Anna made comment in another part of the book that one of her friends was a Jew, so she harbored no ill will. But there’s another character late in the book who is Jewish, and he is portrayed in a negative light.
• The edition of the book I read was from MacMillan (London [published by Norwood Press in Massachusetts]), reprinted twice after the first edition, 1901, 444 pp. with two pages of advertisements of Elizabeth’s previously published works.
• I have been tempted to say that the author Elizabeth von Arnim reminds me of the English author, Elizabeth Taylor, and wouldn’t you know it, but someone has written a book about them (I learned this from the review below with a double- asterisk): Comedy and the Feminine Middlebrow Novel: Elizabeth von Arnim and Elizabeth Taylor (Routledge, 2016…wow, it’s expensive..60 dollars and up! ☹)
More recent reviews:
(from a blog site…a good review, but gives some stuff away): https://thecaptivereader.com/2012/07/...
**(extremely interesting review from a blogger): https://reading19001950.wordpress.com...
http://scribbleprint.com/a-brief-revi...
wow…this is a link in which there is an audio recording of the whole book (chapter by chapter): https://librivox.org/the-benefactress...
November 15, 2020
Available free at Librivox, here: https://librivox.org/the-benefactress...
Helen Taylor does the narration at Librivox. She does a fantastic job. She is the best narrator I have come across at Librivox. Her performance has the quality of professionals. There is no doubt in my mind that her narration deserves five stars. The story is read so it feels as though you are there beside the characters. The tempo is perfect and you catch the humor written into the lines.
First, it is interesting to know a bit about the author--Elisabeth von Arnim (1866-1941). She was born Mary Annette Beaucamp, her pen name was Elizabeth. An Australian-born British novelist, she was first married, from 1891 to 1910, to a German aristocrat, Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin. Many of her novels are set in Pomerania, Germany, where she lived with him. From 1630 to 1814 a portion of Pomerania was Swedish—which partially explains why characters’ names are frequently Swedish. After her husband’s death, she had a several-years-long affair with H.G. Wells. After this she was married to Frank Russell, the elder brother of Bertrand Russell, the Nobel prize-winning author and philosopher. Katherine Mansfield was her cousin. Arnim's exceptional life and character shine through in her novels. Through her books, one comes to know her.
This is a story about a twenty-five-year-old woman, an orphan, who inherits an estate from her maternal uncle. The estate is located near Stralsund, on Germany’s Baltic coast near the island Rügen, in Pomerania. It is the end of the 1800s. Anna is her name. She is preternaturally sweet and beautiful and kind, but make no mistake, she is also intelligent. She is brimming with a love of life. She is sooner to blame herself than others when things go wrong. She is a delightful character!
Anna gets into her head that on the estate and with the money that it gives her she will set up a home for twelve women whom life has treated badly. The twelve will be freed from financial worries, meaning they need not be forced into marriage, will live in a place of natural beauty and will be one of a group of kind friends. Her goal is to make the twelve happy. This will be her small contribution to the making of a better world. Achieving this, turns out not to be harder than imagined. Can happiness be given to a person? Must it not come from within?
The book, through clever, humorous prose, points a finger at domineering men, suffocating social standards and human beings’ stubborn inability to enjoy the simple things of life. A clear message is that one should enjoy such simple things, particularly nature and friendship. Love cannot be based on pity; it must come from the heart and it must be coupled to freedom of opinion and thought.
Criticism of social standards is a common element of many novels. What makes this book better than most is that the message is conveyed through humor and witty lines. The excellence of the book is found in the prose.
*********************
*Elizabeth and Her German Garden 4 stars
*Love 4 stars
*The Pastor's Wife 4 stars
*The Benefactress 4 stars
*The Enchanted April 2 stars
*Vera TBR soon!
*The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight TBR
Helen Taylor does the narration at Librivox. She does a fantastic job. She is the best narrator I have come across at Librivox. Her performance has the quality of professionals. There is no doubt in my mind that her narration deserves five stars. The story is read so it feels as though you are there beside the characters. The tempo is perfect and you catch the humor written into the lines.
First, it is interesting to know a bit about the author--Elisabeth von Arnim (1866-1941). She was born Mary Annette Beaucamp, her pen name was Elizabeth. An Australian-born British novelist, she was first married, from 1891 to 1910, to a German aristocrat, Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin. Many of her novels are set in Pomerania, Germany, where she lived with him. From 1630 to 1814 a portion of Pomerania was Swedish—which partially explains why characters’ names are frequently Swedish. After her husband’s death, she had a several-years-long affair with H.G. Wells. After this she was married to Frank Russell, the elder brother of Bertrand Russell, the Nobel prize-winning author and philosopher. Katherine Mansfield was her cousin. Arnim's exceptional life and character shine through in her novels. Through her books, one comes to know her.
This is a story about a twenty-five-year-old woman, an orphan, who inherits an estate from her maternal uncle. The estate is located near Stralsund, on Germany’s Baltic coast near the island Rügen, in Pomerania. It is the end of the 1800s. Anna is her name. She is preternaturally sweet and beautiful and kind, but make no mistake, she is also intelligent. She is brimming with a love of life. She is sooner to blame herself than others when things go wrong. She is a delightful character!
Anna gets into her head that on the estate and with the money that it gives her she will set up a home for twelve women whom life has treated badly. The twelve will be freed from financial worries, meaning they need not be forced into marriage, will live in a place of natural beauty and will be one of a group of kind friends. Her goal is to make the twelve happy. This will be her small contribution to the making of a better world. Achieving this, turns out not to be harder than imagined. Can happiness be given to a person? Must it not come from within?
The book, through clever, humorous prose, points a finger at domineering men, suffocating social standards and human beings’ stubborn inability to enjoy the simple things of life. A clear message is that one should enjoy such simple things, particularly nature and friendship. Love cannot be based on pity; it must come from the heart and it must be coupled to freedom of opinion and thought.
Criticism of social standards is a common element of many novels. What makes this book better than most is that the message is conveyed through humor and witty lines. The excellence of the book is found in the prose.
*********************
*Elizabeth and Her German Garden 4 stars
*Love 4 stars
*The Pastor's Wife 4 stars
*The Benefactress 4 stars
*The Enchanted April 2 stars
*Vera TBR soon!
*The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight TBR
March 11, 2021
Elizabeth von Arnim's first novel about a charming but naive girls attempt to gain independence.
May 13, 2015
Excellent character development to the point that I ached for the heroine's naïveté, felt angry with the entrenched older women, and hoped the princess would be more involved. In other words, I was drawn into the story - despite the fact that Anna's fatal flaw was so painful to watch.
All of the German culture and such was overwhelming. Was it an instructive lesson for readers as well? It certainly did not make Germany appealing compared to England.
Listening to the book on Librivox read by Helen Taylor made it even better. I may not have continued the book without her excellent storytelling.
What disappointed me deeply was the way the ending was handled. After an amazing climax, the denouement was a dud. Without spoiling anything, the feeling to the reader is like one of those "oh, it was all a dream" where there is a sudden change that is disorienting and very distancing. After all we've been through, THIS IS HOW YOU'RE ENDING OUR READER/WRITER RELATIONSHIP? Come on! Don't cop out!
Still...worth the read with the warnings heeded.
All of the German culture and such was overwhelming. Was it an instructive lesson for readers as well? It certainly did not make Germany appealing compared to England.
Listening to the book on Librivox read by Helen Taylor made it even better. I may not have continued the book without her excellent storytelling.
What disappointed me deeply was the way the ending was handled. After an amazing climax, the denouement was a dud. Without spoiling anything, the feeling to the reader is like one of those "oh, it was all a dream" where there is a sudden change that is disorienting and very distancing. After all we've been through, THIS IS HOW YOU'RE ENDING OUR READER/WRITER RELATIONSHIP? Come on! Don't cop out!
Still...worth the read with the warnings heeded.
October 26, 2020
Quando un libro è perfetto dalla prima all'ultima riga bisogna gridarlo ai quattro venti.
E questo è il caso. MERAVIGLIOSO.
E questo è il caso. MERAVIGLIOSO.
January 28, 2015
What a surprising classic gem.
In what seems to be a lost literary treasure, this 1901 novel of manners could almost have been written a century earlier, with its recounting of social conventions and the circumscribed lives of women. For the most part, the book has the same fresh approach to these social mores as any Austen novel, told with similar gentle humor and seen with devastating clarity. Unlike Austen, though, von Arnim seems to run out of steam, dropping her intriguing characters abruptly about five chapters too soon. Others have commented on this poor pacing and perhaps this contributes to her absence in the literary canon. But for anyone who relishes beautiful writing, a fresh story line and a deceptively wicked eye on the frailties of human nature, The Benefactress pays dividends.
Listening to this book via Librivox and with the benefit of a pitch-perfect reader certainly contributed to the pleasure of meeting Anna Estcourt and the finely drawn people, good and bad, in her circle.
In what seems to be a lost literary treasure, this 1901 novel of manners could almost have been written a century earlier, with its recounting of social conventions and the circumscribed lives of women. For the most part, the book has the same fresh approach to these social mores as any Austen novel, told with similar gentle humor and seen with devastating clarity. Unlike Austen, though, von Arnim seems to run out of steam, dropping her intriguing characters abruptly about five chapters too soon. Others have commented on this poor pacing and perhaps this contributes to her absence in the literary canon. But for anyone who relishes beautiful writing, a fresh story line and a deceptively wicked eye on the frailties of human nature, The Benefactress pays dividends.
Listening to this book via Librivox and with the benefit of a pitch-perfect reader certainly contributed to the pleasure of meeting Anna Estcourt and the finely drawn people, good and bad, in her circle.
June 14, 2017
3.5 I absolutely adore the writing. I'd say if you're a fan of Elizabeth to read this book but if you haven't read her yet I suggest starting with The Enchanted April. This book was beautiful at the beginning but the second half was extremely dramatic and unbelievable. All the characters were flawed which I really enjoyed. And I thought the character growth was pretty good until the end when some things just seemed too rushed. The story is a 3 star for me and the writing is a 5 star.
August 5, 2021
What an odd book. So much potential, very good writing, but it wanders terribly. It's a moral story but I'm not sure what the moral is supposed to be.
July 10, 2024
3.75🌟 An entertaining, but also frustrating novel! I absolutely love Elizabeth von Arnim's novels, but I'm learning that she has two types. The satirical type and the cozy type. I definitely prefer her cozy books that include nature and home descriptions much more than the first type, such as The Enchanted April, Elizabeth and Her German Garden and The Solitary Summer.
Many readers seem to love her satirical novels (including Father, The Caravaners and The Pastor's Wife) and find them highly amusing. To me, these books are incredibly frustrating. I'm thinking that my sense of humor must be different! In these types of books, I find EVA's unlikable and haughty characters, unfair treatment and misunderstandings to ruin her lovely writing. I usually cannot wait to finish the book so I can be rid of those characters in my brain.
This book is in the realm that borders both types of books, so I liked it a bit more than some and less than others. Anna is a sweet character, but I did feel impatient with her goodness and innocence after a while. I think the Princess and Axel were my favorite characters — both strong, practical and caring about Anna's well-being. But, all the rest drove me crazy.
I'm not sure if I would reread this book, particularly since the ending was not quite what I'd hoped it to be. But, I just can't stay away from Elizabeth von Arnim's clever and lovely writing style. I only wish it had a little less "bite".
Many readers seem to love her satirical novels (including Father, The Caravaners and The Pastor's Wife) and find them highly amusing. To me, these books are incredibly frustrating. I'm thinking that my sense of humor must be different! In these types of books, I find EVA's unlikable and haughty characters, unfair treatment and misunderstandings to ruin her lovely writing. I usually cannot wait to finish the book so I can be rid of those characters in my brain.
This book is in the realm that borders both types of books, so I liked it a bit more than some and less than others. Anna is a sweet character, but I did feel impatient with her goodness and innocence after a while. I think the Princess and Axel were my favorite characters — both strong, practical and caring about Anna's well-being. But, all the rest drove me crazy.
I'm not sure if I would reread this book, particularly since the ending was not quite what I'd hoped it to be. But, I just can't stay away from Elizabeth von Arnim's clever and lovely writing style. I only wish it had a little less "bite".
July 20, 2019
Parts of this book reminds me of Far from the madding crowd, the fire in the farm buildings, an heiress coming to live in the countryside, a romance with the local landowner that the heroine wasn't interested in at first. Makes me wonder if Elizabeth had previously read Hardy.
It does seem as if Elizabeth had many ideas for the book and dropped them along the way without really resolving them, characters vanish and are never heard of again, it does seem a little unfinished.
I hated the spiteful characters of the Chosen, why Anna was determined to keep them at all costs was rather incomprehensible!
It does seem as if Elizabeth had many ideas for the book and dropped them along the way without really resolving them, characters vanish and are never heard of again, it does seem a little unfinished.
I hated the spiteful characters of the Chosen, why Anna was determined to keep them at all costs was rather incomprehensible!
October 20, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book😄.
Anna's character is just fun to read. She gets her uncle's money after he dies and moves to Germany, some secluded home and looking for 12 women, to whom she can help to find independence and make them happy.
Dialogs between Anna and Sophie, her brother's wife, were so funny😁! Trudy and her brother come into her life as well, Trudy is frank and speaks her mind. I want the copy on my shelf.
Simple and light read it is. There is not much to add for morals or heavy words or notes from book, just to experience everyday Anna's life with her.
Anna's character is just fun to read. She gets her uncle's money after he dies and moves to Germany, some secluded home and looking for 12 women, to whom she can help to find independence and make them happy.
Dialogs between Anna and Sophie, her brother's wife, were so funny😁! Trudy and her brother come into her life as well, Trudy is frank and speaks her mind. I want the copy on my shelf.
Simple and light read it is. There is not much to add for morals or heavy words or notes from book, just to experience everyday Anna's life with her.
November 9, 2024
Elizabeth von Arnim mi piace tantissimo e questo romanzo non è da meno rispetto agli altri suoi che ho letto. Una donna inglese sui 24 anni (quindi una zitella!) riceve inaspettatamente una casa in eredità dallo zio tedesco. Decide di trasferirsi lì e di iniziare una nuova vita lontana dalla cognata che la vorrebbe solo vedere sposata, mentre lei non ci pensa nemmeno. La casa si trova vicino a Stralsund, nel Nord della Germania, quindi non proprio il posto che lei avrebbe sognato, ma pazienza. Qui decide di diventare la benefattrice di un circolo di donne che ospiterà a casa sua: donne di buona/ottima famiglia che però hanno avuto una vita difficile. Lei le salverà e diventeranno tutte sorelle. Vi dico solo che questo romanzo in italiano si intitola Il circolo delle ingrate e questo dovrebbe farvi capire come andranno le cose per questa benefattrice. Consigliato come tutti i libri di questa meravigliosa autrice.
June 30, 2013
À dix-huit ans, Anna Estcourt semblait promise au plus bel avenir. Élevée par un frère qu’elle adore depuis la mort de leurs parents, sir Peter, elle est introduite en société par sa belle-sœur Susie, qui ne ménage pas ses efforts pour en faire une femme accomplie et susciter les propositions de beaux partis londoniens. Mais Anna, pourtant charmante de visage et de manières, repousse toutes les offres qui lui sont faites. Et là voilà désormais âgée de vingt-cinq ans, déjà lasse des bals et des réceptions et du caractère vain d’une vie qui lui semble inutile. Mais une chose imprévue se produit : son oncle lui lègue à sa mort (et malgré ses trois fils) un domaine, des terres, un revenu, dans une région reculée d’Allemagne : Anna, folle de joie, décide d’y aller, puis une fois sur place, décide de s’y installer. Renonçant définitivement à se marier, elle imagine faire de sa maison un refuge pour des femmes de condition que la pauvreté aurait réduite à un sort misérable. Elle n’a qu’une idée en tête : rendre ces femmes heureuses autant qu’elle-même est heureuse, établir une communauté de sœurs qui s’aiment et se soutiennent. Mais rien ne va se passer comme Anna le souhaiterait… La difficulté de trouver ces femmes, puis de vivre avec elles, l’inexpérience d’Anna dans la gestion de son domaine qui lui met à dos ses gens, sa difficulté à communiquer en allemand, et surtout le voisinage du bel Axel von Lohm qui remet sans cesse en question ses projets font de ce chemin de roses un sentier sinueux et bordé d’épines. Anna n’a pour aller de l’avant que sa volonté farouche de rendre les autres heureux. Illusoire projet ?
La galerie de personnages que nous offre l’auteur autour de son héroïne est un pur délice : sir Peter, gentleman"philosophe" – entendez par là : qui ne s’intéresse à rien –, sa femme Susie, dévorée par l’envie de réussir en société en dépit de ses modestes origines, Letty, leur fille, adolescente un peu boulotte dont la tête est remplie de bêtises romantiques que lui raconte sa gouvernante, Miss Leech, le pasteur, trop heureux de pouvoir conseiller Anna dans ses desseins, mais aussi et surtout les trois dames invitées par Anna, deux vieilles pies et une jeune fainéante, ainsi qu’Axel von Lohm, dont les discussions avec Anna finissent en bouderies et incompréhensions. On a pendant toute la lecture le sourire aux lèvres.
Avec ce roman, j’ai eu l’impression de trouver un chaînon manquant : celui qui relie Jane Austen à Vita Sackville-West dans l’histoire littéraire anglaise. En plein règne victorien, Elizabeth von Arnim se sert de l’ironie pour éclairer la condition féminine, en profond questionnement. Il n’existe alors que deux voies pour une femme : le mariage (sécurité, moyens, famille, etc.) ou le célibat (solitude, difficultés financières, mise à l’écart de la société, etc.). L’héroïne prend dès le départ le parti de ne pas se marier, s’opposant ainsi aux conseils de son oncle. C’est pourtant grâce à lui qu’elle reçoit de quoi vivre autrement, seule et sans mari. Mais c’est aussi la réalisation de ce projet un peu fou de "demeure pour les âmes blessées" qui la met face à d’autres caractères de femmes qu’elle découvre bien plus mesquins qu’elle ne l’avait imaginé. On est donc là dans un réel roman d’apprentissage, avec une héroïne dont la naïveté peut paraître simpliste, mais qui donne de multiples occasions à l’auteur de dessiller les yeux d’Anna sur les vices et les vertus des femmes. L’auteur nous invite à considérer Anna avec sympathie, car ses buts sont nobles et son âme est belle. Mais cela ne l’empêche pas de taquiner son héroïne autant que les autres personnages, car rien ne lui sera épargnée avant de connaître, enfin, son destin.
La galerie de personnages que nous offre l’auteur autour de son héroïne est un pur délice : sir Peter, gentleman"philosophe" – entendez par là : qui ne s’intéresse à rien –, sa femme Susie, dévorée par l’envie de réussir en société en dépit de ses modestes origines, Letty, leur fille, adolescente un peu boulotte dont la tête est remplie de bêtises romantiques que lui raconte sa gouvernante, Miss Leech, le pasteur, trop heureux de pouvoir conseiller Anna dans ses desseins, mais aussi et surtout les trois dames invitées par Anna, deux vieilles pies et une jeune fainéante, ainsi qu’Axel von Lohm, dont les discussions avec Anna finissent en bouderies et incompréhensions. On a pendant toute la lecture le sourire aux lèvres.
Avec ce roman, j’ai eu l’impression de trouver un chaînon manquant : celui qui relie Jane Austen à Vita Sackville-West dans l’histoire littéraire anglaise. En plein règne victorien, Elizabeth von Arnim se sert de l’ironie pour éclairer la condition féminine, en profond questionnement. Il n’existe alors que deux voies pour une femme : le mariage (sécurité, moyens, famille, etc.) ou le célibat (solitude, difficultés financières, mise à l’écart de la société, etc.). L’héroïne prend dès le départ le parti de ne pas se marier, s’opposant ainsi aux conseils de son oncle. C’est pourtant grâce à lui qu’elle reçoit de quoi vivre autrement, seule et sans mari. Mais c’est aussi la réalisation de ce projet un peu fou de "demeure pour les âmes blessées" qui la met face à d’autres caractères de femmes qu’elle découvre bien plus mesquins qu’elle ne l’avait imaginé. On est donc là dans un réel roman d’apprentissage, avec une héroïne dont la naïveté peut paraître simpliste, mais qui donne de multiples occasions à l’auteur de dessiller les yeux d’Anna sur les vices et les vertus des femmes. L’auteur nous invite à considérer Anna avec sympathie, car ses buts sont nobles et son âme est belle. Mais cela ne l’empêche pas de taquiner son héroïne autant que les autres personnages, car rien ne lui sera épargnée avant de connaître, enfin, son destin.
February 9, 2015
A woman wants to be independent, and when she inherits the means, she wants to use her small wealth to help others.
However, 396 pages in, the main character shows her true colours:
"I always thought it would be so glorious to be independent," said Anna, "and now somehow it isn't. It is tiring.I want someone to tell me what I ought to do and then to see that I do it."
At this point, her future becomes certain. She will give up her schemes of philanthropy --and marry. Dreadful.
March 16, 2010
Not one of my favorites by Elizabeth von Arnim...the story is a little bit like a bad sitcom with too many cliched misunderstandings. And the heroine's foolishness annoyed me, but the author's writing is light and amusing as always.
July 12, 2014
The moral of this story, or should I say the philosophy of this story is so profound. Sure the style is a bit dated, sure it's a bit wordy in places but it's an interesting premise and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens to the heroine and her philanthropic endeavors.
June 6, 2018
Charming tale of an English woman who inherits an estate in Germany.
February 12, 2024
Cosa sognano davvero le donne? Cosa desiderano più di qualsiasi altra cosa al mondo? L’amore, ancor meglio il matrimonio.
Così risponderebbero le scrittrici vittoriane, perchè nulla si può chiedere ad una donna se non che si sposi e trovi la sicurezza e la pace all’interno delle proprie mura domestiche.
Perché una donna, si sa, ha bisogno di essere plasmata dalle mani esperte di un uomo, modellata dalla sua sicurezza e dalla sua protezione per fiorire e trovare il proprio posto nel mondo.
L’unica cosa che desidera Anna, però, l’unico pensiero che le fa brillare gli occhi di felicità e aspettative è essere indipendente, completamente libera di gestire la propria vita come vuole senza sentirsi in dovere nei confronti della cognata Susie, che non vede l’ora di usarla come un ariete per penetrare nella società inglese, fin troppo snob per accogliere tra le sue fila un’arricchita.
Anna immagina cosa farebbe se avesse abbastanza soldi da potersi allontanare da quell’ambiente asfissiante: userebbe la sua rinnovata ricchezza per aiutare i meno fortunati ad essere felici, a trovare nuovamente gioia in una vita fatta di avversità.
Alla morte di suo zio Joachim sembra che tutti i suoi sogni stiano per realizzarsi: l’uomo, infatti, le ha lasciato una piccola tenuta in una regione isolata nel nord della Germania; attraverso essa e il lavoro che una vita di campagna prevede, zio Joachim spera che Anna comprenda cosa voglia dire vivere una vita degna, piena.
Continua a leggere qui: https://parlaredilibri.wordpress.com/...
Così risponderebbero le scrittrici vittoriane, perchè nulla si può chiedere ad una donna se non che si sposi e trovi la sicurezza e la pace all’interno delle proprie mura domestiche.
Perché una donna, si sa, ha bisogno di essere plasmata dalle mani esperte di un uomo, modellata dalla sua sicurezza e dalla sua protezione per fiorire e trovare il proprio posto nel mondo.
L’unica cosa che desidera Anna, però, l’unico pensiero che le fa brillare gli occhi di felicità e aspettative è essere indipendente, completamente libera di gestire la propria vita come vuole senza sentirsi in dovere nei confronti della cognata Susie, che non vede l’ora di usarla come un ariete per penetrare nella società inglese, fin troppo snob per accogliere tra le sue fila un’arricchita.
Anna immagina cosa farebbe se avesse abbastanza soldi da potersi allontanare da quell’ambiente asfissiante: userebbe la sua rinnovata ricchezza per aiutare i meno fortunati ad essere felici, a trovare nuovamente gioia in una vita fatta di avversità.
Alla morte di suo zio Joachim sembra che tutti i suoi sogni stiano per realizzarsi: l’uomo, infatti, le ha lasciato una piccola tenuta in una regione isolata nel nord della Germania; attraverso essa e il lavoro che una vita di campagna prevede, zio Joachim spera che Anna comprenda cosa voglia dire vivere una vita degna, piena.
Continua a leggere qui: https://parlaredilibri.wordpress.com/...
November 27, 2022
Un libro di un'ironia unica, Elizabeth von Arnim al top, con tutti i pregiudizi degli inglesi verso i tedeschi e viceversa e la misoginia di gran parte degli uomini, che von Arnim tratta con una tale ironia da metterla alla berlina senza fare altro che farli parlare.
Una giovane donna che ormai si considera zitella - anche se ha soli venticinque anni ed è anche piuttosto bella, ma non è abbiente - riceve in eredità da uno zio tedesco una modesta tenuta nella campagna della Pomerania e - stanca di vivere in casa del fratello con una cognata che sta sempre a rinfacciarle che campano solo grazie a lei e alla sua dote - decide di trasferirsi in Germania e di ospitare delle donne che si trovano in condizioni simili alle sue. Ma naturalmente non fa i conti con l'intolleranza e l'ingratitudine delle beneficiarie del suo progetto, oltre all'invadenza del pastore e dell'intendente, che credevano di poterla manovrare impunemente. E, con un gioco di equivoci, manovre, bugie piccole e grandi, l'esilarante commedia è servita, ma non senza qualche piccolo siparietto commovente.
Una giovane donna che ormai si considera zitella - anche se ha soli venticinque anni ed è anche piuttosto bella, ma non è abbiente - riceve in eredità da uno zio tedesco una modesta tenuta nella campagna della Pomerania e - stanca di vivere in casa del fratello con una cognata che sta sempre a rinfacciarle che campano solo grazie a lei e alla sua dote - decide di trasferirsi in Germania e di ospitare delle donne che si trovano in condizioni simili alle sue. Ma naturalmente non fa i conti con l'intolleranza e l'ingratitudine delle beneficiarie del suo progetto, oltre all'invadenza del pastore e dell'intendente, che credevano di poterla manovrare impunemente. E, con un gioco di equivoci, manovre, bugie piccole e grandi, l'esilarante commedia è servita, ma non senza qualche piccolo siparietto commovente.
June 26, 2017
An early work by Elizabeth Arnim, this book is amusing, but by no means as delightful as her nchanted April. Its heroine is Anna, a young girl whose parents are dead and is living with her brother and his wife, Susie. Anna is very pretty and Susie is constantly trying to marry her off, but Anna will not cooperate, preferring to lead an independent life (even though she has no visible means of support).
When an uncle in Germany dies and leaves his estate to her, Anna decides to use her newly found money to provide a home for for ladies of quality who have fallen onto hard times. Her new German neighbors hardly know what to make of her, but she soon has an establishment set up with a down-at-the-heels Princess as her housekeeper, her niece, Lettie, as her ward, and two other ladies of semi-quality in her care. Plus it doesn't take long for the town's handsome landowner to become highly attracted to her.
Of course, as in most of von Anim's novels there is a lot of silliness with misplaced affections, some "straight out of central casting" villains, and a falsely accused man, before we get to the requisite happy ending.
This is a pleasant, easy ready for the summertime
When an uncle in Germany dies and leaves his estate to her, Anna decides to use her newly found money to provide a home for for ladies of quality who have fallen onto hard times. Her new German neighbors hardly know what to make of her, but she soon has an establishment set up with a down-at-the-heels Princess as her housekeeper, her niece, Lettie, as her ward, and two other ladies of semi-quality in her care. Plus it doesn't take long for the town's handsome landowner to become highly attracted to her.
Of course, as in most of von Anim's novels there is a lot of silliness with misplaced affections, some "straight out of central casting" villains, and a falsely accused man, before we get to the requisite happy ending.
This is a pleasant, easy ready for the summertime
December 6, 2018
I got a print on demand copy with "World's Classics" on the cover. It was horrible--really bad, no proofreading, bad paragraph breaks and what they did to German phrases was awful. Be warned.
But I soldiered on with this early von Arnim. The quote from Wilhelm Busch on the title page seems sexist--It translates into something like "One needs the guidance and the male accompaniment"-- yet its author, a satirist, alerts us to the folly of charitable schemes. Poor Anna-- stuck with an aunt who has money who wants to unload her on a husband. She is 25 and unmarried when her German uncle suddenly gives her an estate in Prussia. Finally independent, Anna's German is shaky, but she decides to stay at the estate with a niece and her governess. Then for some weird reason, rather than marrying the hardworking gentleman next door, she wants to take in unhappy women and make them happy. It all falls apart of course. For von Arnim fans, this is noteworthy for the description of a German jail, possibly an autobiographical touch.
But I soldiered on with this early von Arnim. The quote from Wilhelm Busch on the title page seems sexist--It translates into something like "One needs the guidance and the male accompaniment"-- yet its author, a satirist, alerts us to the folly of charitable schemes. Poor Anna-- stuck with an aunt who has money who wants to unload her on a husband. She is 25 and unmarried when her German uncle suddenly gives her an estate in Prussia. Finally independent, Anna's German is shaky, but she decides to stay at the estate with a niece and her governess. Then for some weird reason, rather than marrying the hardworking gentleman next door, she wants to take in unhappy women and make them happy. It all falls apart of course. For von Arnim fans, this is noteworthy for the description of a German jail, possibly an autobiographical touch.
March 24, 2017
Over all, a good book, but not a great book. Most characters were irritating, written that way on purpose. There were two sane main characters, who undergo some character development. The ending was a bit sudden, but also sweet and kinda satisfying, like a candy bar that has nuts AND chocolate in it. Not von Arnim's best, but I did sort of enjoy the idea of the sane surviving among the insane (or the reasonable along the unreasonable, the Christian among the unchristian, the normal among the abnormally insecure, or something) through support and inner resources that got them through it all. Thinking back on it, the culture these characters moved through felt a bit Alice in Wonderland. Did von Arnim exaggerate? Or were these harmful social sentiments actually that common in German culture of the time? She certainly had plenty of personal experience to fall back on. It makes me shudder.
May 15, 2020
This is the third book by Elizabeth Von Arnim that I have read, where she brings her characters to Pomerania, which was at the time belonging to Germany, but now it is Poland. Anna lived with her brother Peter and his wife Susie in England after her parents death. Anna is now 25 and longing to be independent and free the obligation of her upbringing that Susie never lets her forget. She wants to live a life of philanthropy.
Then Peter and Anna's Uncle Joachim dies and leaves an estate to Anna in Pomerania.
This is the 4th book by Von Arnim that I have read, and most likely not the last. The book is quite humorous and I am glad I read it. I have to say though, Enchanted April is still my favorite book.
Then Peter and Anna's Uncle Joachim dies and leaves an estate to Anna in Pomerania.
This is the 4th book by Von Arnim that I have read, and most likely not the last. The book is quite humorous and I am glad I read it. I have to say though, Enchanted April is still my favorite book.
November 24, 2016
I was all set for this to be a 5 star book. The writing is beautiful, the characters are so real, both the Germans and the English - the author had a wickedly good eye for the flaws in human nature - and the plot was fine. If only she hadn't lost interest at the end and really not even finished it properly! Such a shame, I really wanted to know what happened after the hero and heroine got together - did the ladies leave? Did the fat niece and the useless governess stay? Did she sack the estate manager? That's how involving a story it was, what a shame!
July 4, 2011
I believe I would have enjoyed The Benefactress more if not for having read Elizabeth von Arnim's Enchanted April first. The Benefactress is well written (though overly detailed) and the author is adept at character development, but the story didn't rise anywhere near the level of Enchanted April. I SO wanted to experience the magic of Enchanted April again. I do intend to read more of von Arnim's books in the hope her writing can do again what Enchanted April did for me.
October 6, 2015
I thought the book was full of wonderful character details. I loved seeing the story unfold from the perspective of several characters. I could picture the neighborhood, if you could call it that, and all the characters in play. I truly enjoyed how Anna grew from the stubborn young woman who longed for her own freedom to the lovely woman who had learned to love and yet balance her freedom in a time when women had very few privileges and rarely any land holdings.
Read
July 17, 2023I found myself laughing aloud while listening to this book; it’s a charming and comical book. The heroine, Anna, has a newfound happiness and she goes about trying to make other people happy with many adventures occurring.
Because the story was written in the early 1900s and set in Germany, there are some antisemitism views expressed on a few occasions.
Because the story was written in the early 1900s and set in Germany, there are some antisemitism views expressed on a few occasions.
July 13, 2020
A story that rambles all of the place to a unsatisfactory conclusion. Some chuckles here and there but mostly pretty boring.
May 21, 2021
I love Von Arnim as much as I love her cousin, Katherine Mansfield. They are two such talented women.
I'm going to kind of bullet point my loves and non loves about this book;
a) The characters are great, so well developed
b) Von Arnim knows how to do ordinary villain's like no other. The horrible head of Anna's estate, the snobby, poor women she takes into her home, the son of one of the snobby poor women, Suzy (what a horror she is, even to her own child!), and even her pathetic brother.
c) The German landscape.
d) The writing
e) Helen Taylor's incredible, excellent reading style.
f) Von Arnim's own strong feminist voice with real comedic moments.
The dislikes
a) I studied history so know that the historical context is super important. No use judging the Romans for throwing Christians to the lions, etc, and no use being a bit offended by the anti-semitism, open misogyny and treatment of wives as possessions, or even the stereotyping of German people when this was all entirely normal and acceptable in the 18th and 19th centuries. Be offended if you will, but our current political correctness is also of this period. Still, I didn't like the way women were treated, etc.
b) The NAFF ending. EvA only needed 3 more pages to clean it all up. What happened? Did her husband tell her she was writing too much, or did she go into labour (she did have 5 children) or did she decide to order more lilacs instead?
c) Sometimes the baddies had almost no subtlety. Suzy was too awful to be true.
d) Anna at times annoyed me. She is just so naive, although shut up in a house with a narcissist for 15 yrs prob helps stunt one.
I am pleased to see that publishers are keen to resurrect Von Arnim and other excellent female writers. Persephone books have brought out Expiation, which is good too. I do love to see strong female voices with strong female viewpoints in the bookshops. We need this constant push back at patriarchal values. Also Von Arnim has such a good sense of fun, she loves to take a poke at people's behaviours and, while less subtle in this book, it is still enjoyable.
I'm going to kind of bullet point my loves and non loves about this book;
a) The characters are great, so well developed
b) Von Arnim knows how to do ordinary villain's like no other. The horrible head of Anna's estate, the snobby, poor women she takes into her home, the son of one of the snobby poor women, Suzy (what a horror she is, even to her own child!), and even her pathetic brother.
c) The German landscape.
d) The writing
e) Helen Taylor's incredible, excellent reading style.
f) Von Arnim's own strong feminist voice with real comedic moments.
The dislikes
a) I studied history so know that the historical context is super important. No use judging the Romans for throwing Christians to the lions, etc, and no use being a bit offended by the anti-semitism, open misogyny and treatment of wives as possessions, or even the stereotyping of German people when this was all entirely normal and acceptable in the 18th and 19th centuries. Be offended if you will, but our current political correctness is also of this period. Still, I didn't like the way women were treated, etc.
b) The NAFF ending. EvA only needed 3 more pages to clean it all up. What happened? Did her husband tell her she was writing too much, or did she go into labour (she did have 5 children) or did she decide to order more lilacs instead?
c) Sometimes the baddies had almost no subtlety. Suzy was too awful to be true.
d) Anna at times annoyed me. She is just so naive, although shut up in a house with a narcissist for 15 yrs prob helps stunt one.
I am pleased to see that publishers are keen to resurrect Von Arnim and other excellent female writers. Persephone books have brought out Expiation, which is good too. I do love to see strong female voices with strong female viewpoints in the bookshops. We need this constant push back at patriarchal values. Also Von Arnim has such a good sense of fun, she loves to take a poke at people's behaviours and, while less subtle in this book, it is still enjoyable.
April 23, 2022
Oh, this book was such a fun audioread!!!!
It's a five-star audioreading experience, for sure. But not a five-star book, since the Goodreads definition of five stars is "it's amazing!" And this was fun, and delightful, and super entertaining, and lovely, and sweet, and funny, but it wasn't amazing...
I only saw one flaw in this book, and the word "flaw" is a bit too harsh. I mean, I only wish there had been a few more paragraphs that analyzed the turn in Anna's feelings, or, rather, the realization of what those feelings were.
It was pretty enlightening, the profound anti-semitism among some German fundamentalists (whose fundamentalism is anti-semitism itself) so early in the 20th century... I also found interesting the difference in status between German "parsons" and English parsons.
Anyway, I truly enjoyed this audiobook.
It's a five-star audioreading experience, for sure. But not a five-star book, since the Goodreads definition of five stars is "it's amazing!" And this was fun, and delightful, and super entertaining, and lovely, and sweet, and funny, but it wasn't amazing...
I only saw one flaw in this book, and the word "flaw" is a bit too harsh. I mean, I only wish there had been a few more paragraphs that analyzed the turn in Anna's feelings, or, rather, the realization of what those feelings were.
It was pretty enlightening, the profound anti-semitism among some German fundamentalists (whose fundamentalism is anti-semitism itself) so early in the 20th century... I also found interesting the difference in status between German "parsons" and English parsons.
Anyway, I truly enjoyed this audiobook.
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