(Anna’s Recommendation): I thought this novel was, for the most part, clever, amusing, and an enjoyable read. Anyone who was a fan of The Phantom Tollbooth in their younger years (or, in my case, still to this day) will find that this book is almost an adult version, with the same language tricks and playful consciousness of the way we use words and literature. With that comparison in mind, however, I would add that this book cannot quite capture the same magic, or rather, the same constancy of the sparkle of the Phantom Tollbooth. The Eyre Affair seems to slide back and forth from sparkle and wit to something a little more plodding. That said, the book is a fun read and a great book for those who yearn for something like an inside joke for literature lovers (Anna may even have used those same words in her recommendation of the book – so it must be true!).
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(Curty’s Recommendation): I just finished this book but a day ago, and thought it was fantastic. It did, however, take a little bit to get into, so don’t worry if after the first chapter you don’t feel entirely engaged. By chapter 3 or 4 the form of the novel begins to take shape, and you can start to sense the direction the novel is moving. I make the unfortunate error with this work, however, to read the introduction first. DO NOT DO THIS! You may think you are being clever and academic (which, to some degree, you are) but in the end, you are mostly just ruining the plot of the novel for yourself, and suspense and plot twists are key to this book. Now, I enjoyed the novel even sans suspense (knowing, as I did, exactly what the plot revelations were), so I can only imagine the fun it would be to read it unawares of what could occur. To the writing itself, Du Maurier is smart, almost Austen-like to some degree, with good descriptions, an excellent (and enviable vocularby) and the ability to really sketch out characters, events, and relationships. A Curty recommendation, and a good one at [...]  |
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