This book, written in 1911, is one of the Modern Library's Top 100 of the 20th Century. It concerns the beautiful granddaughter of an Oxford University Warden. Zuleika Dobson, the epinonymous granddaughter comes to visit her grandfather at the university, causing a stir among the young men at the school, virtually all of who fall in love with her. Unfortunately, Zuleika is afflicted by a curse which rends her unable to love any man who loves her. Based on its ranking in the Top 100 and its reputation as a funny book, I was eager to read this novel. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Although mildly amusing at times, this book did not age well (if ever it was a great book). The prose was antiquated and uninspired and the characters were all one-dimensional and self-absorbed. As I neared the end, I found myself wishing that the book was finished. Rather than being a Top 100 book on my personal list of the century, this book could not make it onto my top 100 of the year.
by Max Beerbohm
This book, written in 1911, is one of the Modern Library's Top 100 of the 20th Century. It concerns the beautiful granddaughter of an Oxford University Warden. Zuleika Dobson, the epinonymous granddaughter comes to visit her grandfather at the university, causing a stir among the young men at the school, virtually all of who fall in love with her. Unfortunately, Zuleika is afflicted by a curse which rends her unable to love any man who loves her.
Based on its ranking in the Top 100 and its reputation as a funny book, I was eager to read this novel. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. Although mildly amusing at times, this book did not age well (if ever it was a great book). The prose was antiquated and uninspired and the characters were all one-dimensional and self-absorbed. As I neared the end, I found myself wishing that the book was finished. Rather than being a Top 100 book on my personal list of the century, this book could not make it onto my top 100 of the year.