Pistols at Dawn, 20 Feb 2003
For anyone looking for an accompaniment to Jane Austen this a great read about romance, duelling and regency women behaving badly. Not quite as well constructed as some of her contemporaries' writing, this reads like a 'moral' work and is sometimes more concerned with getting Edgeworth's ideals across than the storyline. A good read for those interested in early feminists.

Pistols at Dawn, 20 Feb 2003
For anyone looking for an accompaniment to Jane Austen this a great read about romance, duelling and regency women behaving badly. Not quite as well constructed as some of her contemporaries' writing, this reads like a 'moral' work and is sometimes more concerned with getting Edgeworth's ideals across than the storyline. A good read for those interested in early feminists.

Diabolical... as dull as Thady's pathetic attempt at malice, 10 Nov 2008
I have read Irish literature extensively and it doesn't matter what context or timeframe you put this "novel" into... it stinks! Dull, rambling and with a plot so thin you can see through it. Nothing happens! A glorified history lesson... I give it one star because its short... thank God.

Cultural history of Anglo Irish relations, 27 Jun 2004
A social satire on Anglo-Irish relations during early nineteenth century, the asks the qustion 'What is is to be Irish'? A period of great social turmoil between the two countries heightened by the industrial revolution's impression on the working classes in England, the novel sees the author navigating through a difficult minefield writing an Irish catholic narrator for an English market place! The Anglo-Irish Rackrent landlords claim an Irish Catholic heritage, but forfeit that personal history for the ephemeral run of the estate. The disenfranchised tenant farmers are forced to yield their produce to support the Rackrents' absurd behaviours. In the middle of this dynamic stand the novel's two most developed and challenging characters, Sir Condy Rackrent and Jason McQuirk, Thady's son. Raised in identical circumstances, these two leave open to question the ultimate judgment on the future of Ireland; With Condy as a new line of Irish aristocracy or Jason, representing the model for the 'British' assimilated Irishman.

Edgeworth carefully navigates herself around the novel opening the question of Irishness to the English reader without alienating either audience through the use of a glossary and internal footnotes which are devices used to try and neutralize the foreignness and threat of the Irish for Edgeworth's intended English audience, and allow us also an attempt also to understand this position of 'Irishness'.

This book is truly a classic piece of social satire that should not be overlooked byt anybody wishing to learn more about the history of Anglo-Irish relations.

Hilarious, eccentric, cynical and dark, 27 Jan 2002
I am buying this for a friend who was disappointed by MOLL FLANDERS. I read it years ago and was delighted by this little gem - although the satire really bites. But the touch is light, the characterisation extremely deft and the book is short - Perfect.

Pistols at Dawn, 20 Feb 2003
For anyone looking for an accompaniment to Jane Austen this a great read about romance, duelling and regency women behaving badly. Not quite as well constructed as some of her contemporaries' writing, this reads like a 'moral' work and is sometimes more concerned with getting Edgeworth's ideals across than the storyline. A good read for those interested in early feminists.

Diabolical... as dull as Thady's pathetic attempt at malice, 10 Nov 2008
I have read Irish literature extensively and it doesn't matter what context or timeframe you put this "novel" into... it stinks! Dull, rambling and with a plot so thin you can see through it. Nothing happens! A glorified history lesson... I give it one star because its short... thank God.

Cultural history of Anglo Irish relations, 27 Jun 2004
A social satire on Anglo-Irish relations during early nineteenth century, the asks the qustion 'What is is to be Irish'? A period of great social turmoil between the two countries heightened by the industrial revolution's impression on the working classes in England, the novel sees the author navigating through a difficult minefield writing an Irish catholic narrator for an English market place! The Anglo-Irish Rackrent landlords claim an Irish Catholic heritage, but forfeit that personal history for the ephemeral run of the estate. The disenfranchised tenant farmers are forced to yield their produce to support the Rackrents' absurd behaviours. In the middle of this dynamic stand the novel's two most developed and challenging characters, Sir Condy Rackrent and Jason McQuirk, Thady's son. Raised in identical circumstances, these two leave open to question the ultimate judgment on the future of Ireland; With Condy as a new line of Irish aristocracy or Jason, representing the model for the 'British' assimilated Irishman.

Edgeworth carefully navigates herself around the novel opening the question of Irishness to the English reader without alienating either audience through the use of a glossary and internal footnotes which are devices used to try and neutralize the foreignness and threat of the Irish for Edgeworth's intended English audience, and allow us also an attempt also to understand this position of 'Irishness'.

This book is truly a classic piece of social satire that should not be overlooked byt anybody wishing to learn more about the history of Anglo-Irish relations.

Hilarious, eccentric, cynical and dark, 27 Jan 2002
I am buying this for a friend who was disappointed by MOLL FLANDERS. I read it years ago and was delighted by this little gem - although the satire really bites. But the touch is light, the characterisation extremely deft and the book is short - Perfect.

Interior Decoration Regency Style, 11 Oct 2004
Maria Edgeworth in this novel points satirically at wealthy ladies who aspire to gain a foothold in London society. The means to their social advancement is through interior decor of a very exotic sort!
The style of writing is very pointed,and Edgeworth's voice can be heard behind the witty words. The novel has a meaning today ,with so much interest shown in interior and exterior design as a result of television programmes.

Pistols at Dawn, 20 Feb 2003
For anyone looking for an accompaniment to Jane Austen this a great read about romance, duelling and regency women behaving badly. Not quite as well constructed as some of her contemporaries' writing, this reads like a 'moral' work and is sometimes more concerned with getting Edgeworth's ideals across than the storyline. A good read for those interested in early feminists.

Diabolical... as dull as Thady's pathetic attempt at malice, 10 Nov 2008
I have read Irish literature extensively and it doesn't matter what context or timeframe you put this "novel" into... it stinks! Dull, rambling and with a plot so thin you can see through it. Nothing happens! A glorified history lesson... I give it one star because its short... thank God.

Cultural history of Anglo Irish relations, 27 Jun 2004
A social satire on Anglo-Irish relations during early nineteenth century, the asks the qustion 'What is is to be Irish'? A period of great social turmoil between the two countries heightened by the industrial revolution's impression on the working classes in England, the novel sees the author navigating through a difficult minefield writing an Irish catholic narrator for an English market place! The Anglo-Irish Rackrent landlords claim an Irish Catholic heritage, but forfeit that personal history for the ephemeral run of the estate. The disenfranchised tenant farmers are forced to yield their produce to support the Rackrents' absurd behaviours. In the middle of this dynamic stand the novel's two most developed and challenging characters, Sir Condy Rackrent and Jason McQuirk, Thady's son. Raised in identical circumstances, these two leave open to question the ultimate judgment on the future of Ireland; With Condy as a new line of Irish aristocracy or Jason, representing the model for the 'British' assimilated Irishman.

Edgeworth carefully navigates herself around the novel opening the question of Irishness to the English reader without alienating either audience through the use of a glossary and internal footnotes which are devices used to try and neutralize the foreignness and threat of the Irish for Edgeworth's intended English audience, and allow us also an attempt also to understand this position of 'Irishness'.

This book is truly a classic piece of social satire that should not be overlooked byt anybody wishing to learn more about the history of Anglo-Irish relations.

Hilarious, eccentric, cynical and dark, 27 Jan 2002
I am buying this for a friend who was disappointed by MOLL FLANDERS. I read it years ago and was delighted by this little gem - although the satire really bites. But the touch is light, the characterisation extremely deft and the book is short - Perfect.

Interior Decoration Regency Style, 11 Oct 2004
Maria Edgeworth in this novel points satirically at wealthy ladies who aspire to gain a foothold in London society. The means to their social advancement is through interior decor of a very exotic sort!
The style of writing is very pointed,and Edgeworth's voice can be heard behind the witty words. The novel has a meaning today ,with so much interest shown in interior and exterior design as a result of television programmes.

Diabolical... as dull as Thady's pathetic attempt at malice, 10 Nov 2008
I have read Irish literature extensively and it doesn't matter what context or timeframe you put this "novel" into... it stinks! Dull, rambling and with a plot so thin you can see through it. Nothing happens! A glorified history lesson... I give it one star because its short... thank God.

Cultural history of Anglo Irish relations, 27 Jun 2004
A social satire on Anglo-Irish relations during early nineteenth century, the asks the qustion 'What is is to be Irish'? A period of great social turmoil between the two countries heightened by the industrial revolution's impression on the working classes in England, the novel sees the author navigating through a difficult minefield writing an Irish catholic narrator for an English market place! The Anglo-Irish Rackrent landlords claim an Irish Catholic heritage, but forfeit that personal history for the ephemeral run of the estate. The disenfranchised tenant farmers are forced to yield their produce to support the Rackrents' absurd behaviours. In the middle of this dynamic stand the novel's two most developed and challenging characters, Sir Condy Rackrent and Jason McQuirk, Thady's son. Raised in identical circumstances, these two leave open to question the ultimate judgment on the future of Ireland; With Condy as a new line of Irish aristocracy or Jason, representing the model for the 'British' assimilated Irishman.

Edgeworth carefully navigates herself around the novel opening the question of Irishness to the English reader without alienating either audience through the use of a glossary and internal footnotes which are devices used to try and neutralize the foreignness and threat of the Irish for Edgeworth's intended English audience, and allow us also an attempt also to understand this position of 'Irishness'.

This book is truly a classic piece of social satire that should not be overlooked byt anybody wishing to learn more about the history of Anglo-Irish relations.

Hilarious, eccentric, cynical and dark, 27 Jan 2002
I am buying this for a friend who was disappointed by MOLL FLANDERS. I read it years ago and was delighted by this little gem - although the satire really bites. But the touch is light, the characterisation extremely deft and the book is short - Perfect.