Mary Reilly
3 journalers for this copy...
'A fresh twist on the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, a novel told from the perspective of Mary Reilly, Dr Jekyll's dutiful and intelligent housemaid.'
Not a book I usually would have chosen to read, but this was in with some books I bought as a set so I thought I'd give it a try. I have to say I enjoyed it much more than I expected to. Mary Reilly is a great character and it's a well-written book, easy to read, although I did feel a little disappointed with the way it ended. Maybe it helped that I knew very little about the Robert Louis Stevenson classic it's based on, or maybe I would have enjoyed it even more if I'd read that too, I have no idea.
Not a book I usually would have chosen to read, but this was in with some books I bought as a set so I thought I'd give it a try. I have to say I enjoyed it much more than I expected to. Mary Reilly is a great character and it's a well-written book, easy to read, although I did feel a little disappointed with the way it ended. Maybe it helped that I knew very little about the Robert Louis Stevenson classic it's based on, or maybe I would have enjoyed it even more if I'd read that too, I have no idea.
Thank you so much for this RABCK IzzyLizzy! I have received RABCK's before but they were on request, so you could say that this is the first REAL one!
Read from 25-07 until 03-08-2006
Like my predecessor I felt the need to read Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to be able to fully appreciate Mary Reilly. So that's what I did. And I'm glad of it because now I often knew what was happening while Mary did not.
Of course I was looking out for Mary Reilly in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but... she wasn't there! Just the kitchen maid, a nervous little person. So Valerie Martin made Mary up. I like how she uses her (and Stevenson's story) to acquaint us with the fact that there *were* housemaids and underhousemaids in the Victorian Age that could read and write. How she plays with fact and fiction on this matter.
BUT. Although I enjoyed reading the book I got annoyed by Mary every once in a while - how she adored her Master and resigned herself to her fate. But that's easily said in this day and age ;-)
His mouth was set and he looked at me so cold, I felt he hardly saw me, that I was some object to him, useful like his pen or his cheque, such as only exists to serve his will. A rush of anger came upon me, but I fought it down, remembering my place and my duty. Why, I thought, should he think of his own hands when he needs them? No more should he think of me.
In this Mary Reilly reminded me of reading Girl with a pearl earring.
I would like to know what happened to Mary after the death of her Master. Might there be a follow up some time in the future?
I do believe that Mary Reilly is a better read when you have a good (recent) knowledge of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - and I am even afraid of how little might be left without that. It certainly isn't gonna make my 2006 hit list ;-) And if you have the choice you'ld better read Valerie Martin's Property!
Read from 25-07 until 03-08-2006
Like my predecessor I felt the need to read Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to be able to fully appreciate Mary Reilly. So that's what I did. And I'm glad of it because now I often knew what was happening while Mary did not.
Of course I was looking out for Mary Reilly in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but... she wasn't there! Just the kitchen maid, a nervous little person. So Valerie Martin made Mary up. I like how she uses her (and Stevenson's story) to acquaint us with the fact that there *were* housemaids and underhousemaids in the Victorian Age that could read and write. How she plays with fact and fiction on this matter.
BUT. Although I enjoyed reading the book I got annoyed by Mary every once in a while - how she adored her Master and resigned herself to her fate. But that's easily said in this day and age ;-)
His mouth was set and he looked at me so cold, I felt he hardly saw me, that I was some object to him, useful like his pen or his cheque, such as only exists to serve his will. A rush of anger came upon me, but I fought it down, remembering my place and my duty. Why, I thought, should he think of his own hands when he needs them? No more should he think of me.
In this Mary Reilly reminded me of reading Girl with a pearl earring.
I would like to know what happened to Mary after the death of her Master. Might there be a follow up some time in the future?
I do believe that Mary Reilly is a better read when you have a good (recent) knowledge of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - and I am even afraid of how little might be left without that. It certainly isn't gonna make my 2006 hit list ;-) And if you have the choice you'ld better read Valerie Martin's Property!
It's ready to be sent to rahar109! >> sent on Friday 13th!
I hope you'll enjoy it, rahar109!
I hope you'll enjoy it, rahar109!
Arrived safely in the post this morning, as part of a trade.
Thank you!
Thank you!
I read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde many years ago, but I think I would have benefitted from re-reading it before tackling this book.However, I still enjoyed the book, wondering if Mary would work out what was going on.
Thank you for sending me this book, Gnoe!
Thank you for sending me this book, Gnoe!
Journal Entry 7 by rahar109 at The Crown Pub/Hotel in Chertsey, Surrey United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (11/4/2008 UTC) at The Crown Pub/Hotel in Chertsey, Surrey United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Being taken to the meet-up tonight.
Being taken to the meet-up tonight.