Persephone Books discussion

I am reading this now. The amouny of domestic detail is astounding, in a good way. I also like how much it's about money and choices. The less you have of one, the less you have of the other.

This is also the first book I've read where the author goes at great lengths to tell you how unremarkable her heroine is.

I think some reviewers of this novel are put off by how ordinary Emily really is. She lives a simple life, trusting in others. Her characteristics don't detract from the novel for me though, instead I find it interesting.

Don't you find it intriguing how passive Emily is? She simply will not speak up for herself, no matter how badly people treat her. Reminds me a bit of Sara Crewe in A Little Princess, but Sara was perfectly aware of people's bad intentions; Emily is oblvious. It also contrasts strongly with the heroine of The Shuttle, another Burnett novel, where the heroine is practically Emily's photgraphic negative.

Yes, Nancy, the contrast between Emily and Bettina of The Shuttle impressed me too. Bettina was very different and seemed to have an inborn way of reading people. So Burnett really comes at characters from all different directions.

I think Burnett brings a dose of real-world to her settings. Her stories that I have read are set among the rich, but she always manages to say-- you may think this is a fairytale but it ain't. The selfish, greedy, or the simple trials of life always step in.

In Part II she is more forthcoming but still almost painfully grateful for anything anyone does for her. However, it is interesting to compare her to Osborne. Their situations were so similar - well born, limited resources, she makes the most of hers and suceeds, whereas he does the opposite. He is all exterior conniving, she more passive and yet, hers is the more positive outcome.

Oh, and you are right, little Sara Crewe knew a lot more about life too -- she always had that inner wisdom. In a way, it seemed that was what saved Sara -- if she had been a totally innocent child, she could not have survived after the blow of her family tragedy AND the treatment at the seminary. (I am trying to avoid spoilers on the slight chance that someone has not read A Little Princess! ha ha)

I was interested in Emily's shift from innocence to experience and especially enjoyed the ending. I found the book overall to be an odd mix of sentiment, gothic chills, and a sharp insgith into marriage and money.

I hope to hear what others have to say!

Is it too soon to talk about the ending? I don't want to do spoilers, but talk about gothic...I have to admire little Mrs. Osborne's resolution! It's all a rather horrifying picture of marriage in the bad old days...and fascinating to see what Hester and Emily and the other women think about it. There was something about this novel that made me think: what, really, was the difference between marriage and slavery in those days?

I totally agree. And because certain things were resolved so easily at the end, the final pages shocked me. In a good way.

Should I start a thread called Marchioness spoilers?

Yes! I want to talk about the ending.