I finally was able to get started on Vanity Fair this weekend. I'll have more time later this week to post on the first 10 chapters, but I would love to hear what you think about it if you have started the book!
Also, if you would like to be able to post here (on Vanity Fair or on any other book you're reading), please let Claire or me know.
6 comments:
I'm only a few chapters in, but I love Thackeray's style. Very light-hearted, lots of humor, and it appears he really loves his characters (even if they aren't loveable). And I'm looking forward to reading more!
I'm in the fourth chapter.
Best quote so far:
"A woman with fair opportunities, and without an absolute hump, may marry whom she likes."
I actually disagree with this, but find it amusing anyway. I think men are not as easily manipulated as all that.
I'm only on chapter 2, but so far I'm getting a kick out of Becky Sharp!
A couple of my favorite quotes so far--like Claire I don't necessarily agree with them but like them nonetheless:
"All the world used her ill, said this young misanthropist, and we may be pretty certain that person whom all the world treats ill, deserve entirely the treatment they get. The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face."
And then these two quotes, relating to an omniscient narrator:
"But who can tell you the real truth of the matter?" (About the Reverend Crisp affair), and
"(for novelists have the privilege of knowing everything)"
The answer to the first question should be answered by the second one, but Thackeray likes having it both ways here. And that's fine with me!
I will be able to get something up on the first 10 chapters on Thursday--I think I'll start with a format that doesn't say much in the original post, then fleshes out things a little more in the comments. If anyone has other structural suggestions, feel free to add them here.
I love Thackeray's hilarious descriptions of Joseph Sedley.
Post a Comment