The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion

Please be aware if you have not finished the story spoilers may be posted here.

I very much enjoyed this story - the irony was delicious, although the ending felt a little flat to me. I thought the characters of Betton and Vyse were much fuller than in some of the other stories, and so more believable. I haven't got very far into New Grub Street yet, but I heard echoes of some of Gissing's voices here.

This one was a bit of a letdown for me. I kept waiting for a twist, and the twist of the author of letters just didn't seem to do it.

I think that's why I said the ending was flat - the "twist" was what I'd been imagining all along, and so I'd thought it would be something more surprising. I've found this with a few of these stories: nice proposition, interesting development, but much too predictable ending. Is this a sign of my times? Am I missing something special in the middle by hoping for a grotesque or surprising ending?

I don't think you are missing anything. I just think this story wasn't as successful as some others

I thought this story was interesting to read along side New Grub street, both dealing with struggling authors. I also do think it was interesting how it was reflective of the story Father and Son, with people writing falsified letters.

It is true that the ending was a bit predictable, but I thought it was a bit comical, and I did enjoy the irony of it.

I also thought it was interesting that Betton was so sure everything was about him. The elaborate web he imagined based on what he projected onto Vyse. And poor Vyse, just trying to keep his job so he wouldn't starve. Awkward.

Renee wrote: "I also thought it was interesting that Betton was so sure everything was about him. The elaborate web he imagined based on what he projected onto Vyse. And poor Vyse, just trying to keep his job s..."

In a way this can be seen as somewhat satirical of a horror/mystery-thriller story, because Betton is convinced that this is all a part of some elaborate revenge plot against him, but it turns out the real sort of surprise ending was that Vyse was acting out of the most mundane and simple of reasons.