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flowerish-cherry-blue · 11 months

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book review: the sorrows of satan by marie corelli | 1895

summary:

the setting is london, 1895, and the devil is on the loose. he is searching for someone morally strong enough to resist temptation, but there seems little chance he will succeed. britain is all but totally corrupt. the aristocracy is financially and spiritually bankrupt; church leaders no longer believe in god; victorian idealism has been banished from literature and life; and sexual morality is being undermined by the pernicious doctrines of the "new woman." everything and everyone is up for sale, and it takes a special kind of moral courage to resist the devil's seductions.

my opinion:

well… it wasn't easy, honestly. i confess that the first 10 chapters i thought i would die of boredom, although the most boring novel i've read so far was dracula, in terms of writing style, i mean. i really struggled to get through the intro where all geoffrey does is talk about how poor he is, don't get me wrong, i think it was important to make it clear what kind of character he is, but i think it could have been done in a more interesting way.

after i got over the opening of the book, i will say right away that it was all clear and obvious to me who was who. that is, from the first only mention of lucio i understood that he is satan, when lady sybil appeared i understood that geoffrey would decide to marry her, but there would be no happy ending for them and that mavis clare is the author's alter ego, and in fact the real love interest of the character. there weren't any interesting plot twists in the book, maybe a couple literally when they were sailing on a ship from england and perhaps the first death of that poor man from the gambling club.

overall, if you close your eyes on the predictability and boring writing style, i liked the book just for its moral and message that those who have everything may not appreciate the little things and be spoiled, like geoffrey, to whom money overshadowed the view of the real world, and that those who lack something in life learn to appreciate what they have, like mavis clare. this is what i appreciated in the book, and there were also some very beautiful moments, for example the discussion of balance in art, the scene where lucio sang while playing the piano and of course his monologue when geoffrey realized that he was satan.

of the whole book perhaps the following can be highlighted, as every book has pros and cons:

• despite the rather boring beginning, the book becomes interesting in the aftermath, even when you're just watching geoffrey try to find love or lucio pulling the strings like a puppeteer.

• although i said the plot is pretty predictable, a couple of moments still pleased me because i wasn't expecting them.

• i was invariably pleased with the morals and message of this book and i think this is a major plus, it was probably the best way to teach everyone a lesson with an example like this.

• in places the book reminded me of something in the style of edgar poe, and this appealed to me because there was some kind of dark vibe.

• the development of the character of geoffrey made me happy, he went from poverty to riches to a kind of stability, i think he is a good example for people today of how in one moment you can gain and lose everything.

perhaps this book is recommended to read for a reason, for the millionth time, i will say its meaning is what people today should remember - appreciate what you have and don't forget, that's why i liked it, so i would advise you to read it.

my rating:

3.9/5

sleep, my beloved, sleep!

be patient! － we shall keep

our secret closely hid

beneath the coffin-lid, －

there is no other place in earth or air,

for such a love as ours, or such despair!

and nether hell nor heaven shall care to win

our loathed souls, rejoicing in their sin!

sleep! － for my hand is sure, －

the cold steel bright and pure

strikes through thy heart and mine

shedding our blood like wine; －

Sin's sweetness is too sweet, and if the shame

of love must be our curse, we hurl the blame

back on the gods who gave us love with breath

and tortured us from passion into death!

#book review #marie correli #the sorrows of satan #literature #british literature #classics #fiction #fantasy #horror #gothic #mystery #books

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louebel · 6 months

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This is an anon bc hell I'm not exposing myself. :D (But know I'm out there and that I appreciate you very much!!) Anyway this is a really random appreciation anon.

LOOK I've just started watching one piece, I'm around episode 60 just as the crew sets foot on the Grand Line, I have no fucking idea who Trafalgar Law is outside of like appearance wise I'm trying not to spoil myself but whoever it is–

WHY. DO YOU WRITE. THAT MAN. SO G O O D.

Like???????????

I really don't know what it is about him, but he checks all the checkmarks for me. I have no idea what he does, what he stands for, or any sort of context for your fics (at least for now) but the Babygirl title is universal and I know how to recognise one (i hope?? idk fam).

This is the nth time I'm joining a fandom solely for the fanfics holy hell idk what you did but you've altered my brain chemistry a little and I don't know how to process this. Cause this feels like a start of a life changing journey??? I was just trying to get on with life in piece peace and now I'm trapped in a long game-changing side quest??? I could have been studying and socialising and achieving stuff irl but NOOO monkey brain has decided to hyperfocus on this specific thing with 1000+ episodes.

...So yes. I've joined simp nation. Another poor soul converted (that really couldn't be happier).

Anyway that's all I hope the mini rant doesn't sound weird or like I'm trying to fit in somewhere I don't belong. Ah, whatever, no take backs. I do have to say your writing is very chef's kiss though I'll tell you that. We love to see it, fanfic writers universally are doing god's work. Pls make sure to take care of and be kind to yourself on our behalf.

Much love <3333

oh you sweet and innocent nonnie, you just found a new drug... you're NEVER going to be the same again. WELCOME!! maybe one day you won't feel as shy!! you don't sound weird at all, nor is it a problem you read stuff even if you're at the beginning! (i did the same LOL, be careful of spoilers though!! not just in my blog but others too — unless they don't bother you, that's fine 💪) i could rant about one piece for hours HAHAHA it's so good! unironically i hated it before i watched it and look at me now LMAO it's one of my comfort shows!! and law is definitely a babygirl yes he's so. so. so. my tiny little man. he's so small and he. yeah you got it right he's babygirl, blorbo, he's a pookie a, a, a, he. one piece is a life-changing journey but it's a good one :) and thank you for the compliments TuT i think law is the one character i can easily write since i analyzed him and read a lot of things about him (the novel is great too, you could read it in the future!) so. i hope i'm writing him right HAHA. i was actually writing an analysis before but idk if it's something people are interested in lolol. but thank you again, i hope you're also doing well <3

#txt. ♠︎#mail. 💌

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