“The Scandal of the Season fictionalizes the events that inspired Alexander Pope’s satirical poem “The Rape of the Lock”. The novel is set in London in 1711, in a fascinating period in English history and literary history. I wish I could say Gee brings the figures of the time to life, but her social commentary works better than her character development.
I enjoyed The Scandal of the Season more as fictionalized history than as a novel. I appreciate the glimpses of the early-18th-century political and literary world. I’d prefer to see more of those dimensions and fewer of the rather bland social scenes and the stilted, un-historical romance.
Most importantly, the majority of the characters (apart from Pope) simply don’t breathe. Their situation itself is interesting, given the religious and political issues, the literary period, and the multiple interlocking love triangles. But the writing is too banal to capitalize on the great setup.
All the characters are articulate, but there's little nuance below the obvious level of repartee. Where there is additional meaning to be mined, Gee does the work for us, explicitly instructing us how to read the character's views and what they mean in the society of the time.
More detailed review here:
http://www.readforpleasure.com/2007/09/sophie-gee-scandal-of-season.html”
