tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post7945604161211895346..comments2024-02-25T19:19:39.854+11:00Comments on I prefer reading: Effie : a Victorian scandal - Merryn Williamslynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04509400868331534237noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-78594122688035613482010-11-21T04:24:28.427+11:002010-11-21T04:24:28.427+11:00Thank you for that Lyn, looking forward to reading...Thank you for that Lyn, looking forward to reading it but currently very engrossed in Modern Romantics, one for the tbr pile if you don't have it there already.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-26345888995849229102010-11-14T12:13:22.089+11:002010-11-14T12:13:22.089+11:00Lynne I'm not sure either of them felt much gu...Lynne I'm not sure either of them felt much guilt at all! Ruskin convinced himself that Effie was insane & Effie blamed his parents for most of their problems. I think Millais felt the guiltiest, as Ruskin's friend & protege but falling in love with Effie, he was in an awkward position. Imagine how he must have felt, having to continue painting Ruskin's portrait when they got back to London. Ruskin didn't see why they couldn't continue to be friends. Millais had to write him a very blunt note explaining that he didn't want to see or write to him & wondering why Ruskin thought they could stay friends. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it, it's a fascinating book.lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04509400868331534237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-12335339776046992252010-11-14T01:14:52.913+11:002010-11-14T01:14:52.913+11:00Lyn, I've skimmed this because my copy has onl...Lyn, I've skimmed this because my copy has only just arrived but I am very much looking forward to reading it. I'm hoping it will fit my reading group's theme of "Guilt" in January, what do you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-38410569600323947392010-11-04T20:52:13.456+11:002010-11-04T20:52:13.456+11:00Very interesting, thanks.Very interesting, thanks.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-11177936572419071762010-11-04T12:42:19.224+11:002010-11-04T12:42:19.224+11:00I cannot believe that this book is available in th...I cannot believe that this book is available in the library here in Melbourne!!! Thank you for this review.Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-88217006231683632072010-11-03T18:53:05.306+11:002010-11-03T18:53:05.306+11:00There was so much more in the book & it was on...There was so much more in the book & it was only 200pp! One thing I didn't have space to mention was that Millais & Effie were afraid that Ruskin was leaving them alone together hoping they would have an affair so that he could divorce Effie which would have meant she would be completely ostracised. As it was, Queen Victoria wouldn't receive Effie at Court after the annulment even though the Church very clearly didn't blame her & restored her status as an unmarried woman. QV only received Effie when Millais ws on his deathbed as a special favour. Beatriz, I loved Desperate Romantics, even though it wasn't always entirely accurate. They did do a good job with this part of the story though. George Eliot obviously had some sympathy with Effie's situation, especially given her own relationship with Lewes. I would love to find time to reread Middlemarch. there are some clues in the text that Dorothea & Casaubon's marriage was also unconsummated which makes the parallels even closer.lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04509400868331534237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-25131736657828510382010-11-03T10:26:06.713+11:002010-11-03T10:26:06.713+11:00So THAT was what was going on in that episode of D...So THAT was what was going on in that episode of Desperate Romantics I caught on TV the other day!<br /><br />The story's both fascinating and inspirational; it might as well be the push I needed to finally commit myself to read "Middlemarch" :)Nathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13564896738045884621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-16612239841542335492010-11-03T07:55:40.761+11:002010-11-03T07:55:40.761+11:00I'd heard of Effie's story before, but not...I'd heard of Effie's story before, but not the fact that it may have inspired Middlemarch. That's fascinating as I really like Dorothea and what she goes through to learn that the heart is more important than the head. I'm still interested in reading Ruskin, since he inspired Marcel Proust and Oscar Wilde, but it's too bad he didn't know how to live in a world outside of frozen art.Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11538459607519844826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-58351812837589505572010-11-03T04:00:53.225+11:002010-11-03T04:00:53.225+11:00Yes, this is a fascinating post. I am not surprise...Yes, this is a fascinating post. I am not surprised that Effie was expected to sit still and lump it. The Victorians hated anyone to make a fuss. That she refused to keep being unhappy in an intolerable situation makes her a hero in my eyes. I'd never heard of this story, so methinks I will read the book. I love the Millais painting, Order of Release. SO emotional and heartfelt.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3020849054403226268.post-70460077097380110952010-11-03T01:55:53.167+11:002010-11-03T01:55:53.167+11:00What a fascinating story - I'd love to read th...What a fascinating story - I'd love to read this. Effie's story reminds me of Marie Stopes, whose lacklustre marriage also prompted her to speak up about what was her due. What a brave woman Effie was to risk so much. I can't believe that it was considered acceptable for a woman to live in misery and that Ruskin considered her mad for wanting to have sex...aside from the pleasurable aspects of it, surely he could have understood her desire to have children?!<br /><br />That Middlemarch association does seem very likely...another classic I need to reread!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com