Romantics, Rebels and Reactionaries: English Literature and Its Background, 1760-1830 by Marilyn Butler
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Part of my ongoing research in preparation for my graduate thesis.
I mostly focused on the section dealing with Jane Austen and her work, regardless, I really have no idea what this author’s point was supposed to be.
I noticed slight anger in her writing, unnecessary social and even personal criticism and more than a few times I found the author judging Jane and her literary choices based on modern times and practices.
Almost every time the author began a new point it was built up to encourage literary discussion, maybe even a closer look into the literary criticism that it is supposed to address only to end in obscure judgement that turns in on itself.
Overall, I have to admit I did take notes, but I’m not quite sure why, since I don’t think I will be using any of them. I am giving this one a hard pass.
