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Liked It “This is the story of Svengali and the young woman who falls under his control, but mostly it's the story of three young Englishmen living the Bohemian life in Paris of the 1800s. The author's voice is like that of a sentimental old uncle telling stories from his youth. The author's own...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Never finished this book, Only made it to chapter 4” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Never finished this book, Only made it to chapter 4”
MaryJo H wrote this review Wednesday, March 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I'm not sure how to represent this to Shelfari readers because I do not understand enough about writing to know if this is a keen commentary or a light throwaway. It could be argued that this is a paean to George Sand ("the impersonation of the triumph of moral purity over manifold temptations") with Dryden's "noble savage" folded in. The text is in Victorian metre, and mixes in a generous amount of French colloquiallisms. These are not translated for the reader and web-based translation engines do a poor job. I recommend finding a french native speaker. Overall I enjoyed it but I think if I were a more studied reader I would see allusions that probably add much more to the overall effect.”
Stendhal666 wrote this review Sunday, February 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The book that contributed the myth of Svengali, a type of Pygmalion who specifically shapes and controls a musical artist. Svengali, who is a borderline-offensive Jewish stereotype, uses hypnosis to transform Trilby, a Left Banke model, into the singing sensation of Europe. Despite this intriguing subplot, the majority of the book focuses on Little Billie, an English artist making his way in Paris' Latin Quarter and who also falls for Trilby.
Johnny Waco wrote this review Tuesday, February 19 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The failings of this book lie in its attempt to capture the fin-de-siecle mood of the times--plot often gives way to pages and pages of Little Billie and his bohemian compatriots walking about Paris, eating at various restaurants, and hosting dinner parties for ex-pats streaming in from all over the continent. What would have been a compelling shorter novel drowns in "atmosphere."
Fittingly for the time of the title villains of Dracula and The Phantom of the Opera, Svengali also comes from the "poisonous East--birthplace and home of an ill wind that blows nobody good"--to spread his corruption in the civilized West.”“This is the story of Svengali and the young woman who falls under his control, but mostly it's the story of three young Englishmen living the Bohemian life in Paris of the 1800s. The author's voice is like that of a sentimental old uncle telling stories from his youth. The author's own illustrations add to the charm. A real period piece.”
willpw wrote this review Monday, December 24 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is more like a poignant tale. The story is filled with misery, sadness, loneliness and few happy pages sandwiched in between. But it is a moving tale that can actually make one feel for the character, Trilby!!!!!”
DeeptiDD wrote this review Sunday, September 23 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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