No Name by Wilkie Collins
This book actually has wonderful reviews if you read through Amazon. Those people write better reviews than I do, so all I’m here to talk about are merely comments. 
One of the things that I liked about the book is the way it touches the topic of illegitimate children during the Victorian times. And not just illegitimate children, but more importantly, female illegitimate children. The book manages to highlight the main concerns regarding the powerlessness of illegitimate females during during the past, and how very dependent they are in blood and money. Although the two sisters both have a happy ending at the end, there were definitely trials they had to undergo (either they brought it upon themselves or they have no power to control such fate).
There was a review in the past (as was discussed in the introduction in the book) - a review against Magdalen having a “happily ever after” of her own when she was so undeserving of it. Although I agree that Magdalen did things too far, she was, at least, someone who was courageous enough to fight a reality she knew was unfair. A stark contrast of her sister, Norah, who accepted things as they were and settled herself into a pattern of expected living. Even though Wilkie Collins also show how the patient are rewarded (in the character of Norah), Magdalen still deserved something good for fighting for what she thought was right and going against the unfairness of society. It cannot be denied, either, that she also wanted to get back their inheritance to save Norah from the hardships of a governess’ life and the happiness of her own.
Going off-topic: It’s nearly October! : D I can’t wait to read An Ice Cold Grave!
Tags: Wilkie Collins
August 25th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
This blog inspires me to actually read and relish the insights I get from the literature I encounter. Unfortunately I have this twisted mentality of reading to “catch up” as though I have to read what other people (those who I think highly of) have read. I guess that this attitude only degrades the whole experience of reading ne?
wah. Wala lang gusto ko lang sabihing kahanga-hanga ang ginagawa mo. ^^v
choupie!
Do you reread books? Or is going over them once enough for you?
August 25th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
I reread my favorites, usually during summer (kung kailan ang dami dami kong oras at hindi naman linggo-linggo ang bagong libro, LOL). Books that are on top of the list - I reread even before then.
O kaya tulad nung Twilight at New Moon, binasa ko ulit after ko basahin yung third sa series.
Just try not to think about what others like but what you like, personally. Though maganda rin namang subukan yung books na binabasa ng iba, lalo na kung hanga ka sa taste nila, para sakin kasi importante din na ineenjoy mo yung sarili mo pag nagbabasa ka. Yung hindi mo pinipilit yung sarili mo - relax lang.
I guess, just try not to get too pressured.
August 26th, 2007 at 9:15 am
“relax lang”
hai.