resurrecting the book blogs

[scoradh]

I'm off back to college in October to study English with a reading list as long as my arm. I've been really bad for 'reviewing' (and reading) for the last six months but I figure I should do this as a way to gather my thoughts - and possibly to amuse anyone who still uses this website.

First up:

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Comments

[evalangui]

I'm really happy for you! Not that having just graduated from an English literature degree I have no complaints but it's been stimulating, plus, I admit I hope it will make you write :p

Regarding the Mayor... They are ALL archetypes. Lucetta is vain, Henchard is prideful, Elizabeth is prudent and Fairfrae is smart. It's a tragedy because they don't grow or change with the plot, simply fulfill their destinies, although I don't think Hardy knew that. That said, yeah, the Lucetta thing is creepy and Henchard should die in a fire (I wanted to like him because he was holding a book in the opening scene but then came the selling not just his wife but his *child*). Then he changes his mind and plays with the child's (afa he is concerned) feelings and well-being to the point where she moves out.

[cleodoxa]

So you're abandoning the doctoring? I hope you enjoy English majoring a lot more!

I've read different Hardy books to yours, but I'm sure you wouldn't like Jude the Obscure, say, any better. The biggest problem with Hardy is the women. He writes them to be his dream women, in my experience, and his taste in dream women is terrible. He likes them to be elusive and completely inconsistent and fragiley highly-strung. Hence the "believable and consistent character" problem.

In a weird way, though, I like Hardy's shamelessness with wringing the melodrama out of stereotypes. The only enjoyable thing about Jude the Obscure is its thoroughness.

Never got the fuss over Jekyll and Hyde. Some people find it terrifying and intriguing, but the story is dry and I don't think the idea itself really grabs me. I think it helps if you're one of those people who likes to talk about what a terrible person they'd be if they didn't control themselves.

[oddishly]

I completely agree with everything you said about Hardy! Can't comment on Jude the Obscure as I haven't read that one but in every book that I have, yes, agreed.