I knew nothing of this book when I came across it in a secondhand bookstore, but I know to trust the quality of the Apollo (Head of Zeus) publishing lI knew nothing of this book when I came across it in a secondhand bookstore, but I know to trust the quality of the Apollo (Head of Zeus) publishing list. The Nebuly Coat (published in 1903 but set sometime in the mid-19th century) is ostensibly a Victorian mystery novel.
I’m glad that I was able to read it during the school holidays when I had the time to really immerse myself in its old world and read great swathes in one sitting; I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much snatching twenty pages here and there.
This is the sort of novel that makes you work for your reward but it is ultimately extremely rewarding. It is atmospheric, clever, taut, tricksy, and very satisfying. Highly recommend!...more
Definitely makes some interesting points about education and gender roles, particularly given that it was written a hundred years ago. Slightly earnesDefinitely makes some interesting points about education and gender roles, particularly given that it was written a hundred years ago. Slightly earnest and preachy for my liking but I’m glad I’ve finally gotten around to reading it. 3.5 stars ...more
For me, this novel was initially difficult to get into. The first one hundred pages (Part One of three), I found quite hard to follow and slow moving,For me, this novel was initially difficult to get into. The first one hundred pages (Part One of three), I found quite hard to follow and slow moving, but it’s in the final two parts where the magic happens. The way that Kate O’Brien entwines the lives of the Reverend Mother and Anna is very cleverly done, as is her play with past and present. I read the last hundred pages in one sitting and finished with a tear in my eye....more
It’s been years since I’ve read an Edith Wharton novel and I had sort of forgotten what a staggeringly good writer she is. I was captivated by The CusIt’s been years since I’ve read an Edith Wharton novel and I had sort of forgotten what a staggeringly good writer she is. I was captivated by The Custom of the Country from start to finish and, to my mind, it is up there alongside The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence as one of her finest works. ...more
A rather strange, melancholy and beautiful novel. The descriptions of landscape and weather are sublime. A nice book to curl up with on a cold, wet daA rather strange, melancholy and beautiful novel. The descriptions of landscape and weather are sublime. A nice book to curl up with on a cold, wet day as winter plays an important role in the story.
"All day the fields were white with their thin coating of snow, the branches of the fir trees bent a little under its weight, but what was most beautiful was that everywhere small trees, which had before stood like grey skeletons holding out their stiff cold limbs in despairing supplication to the hidden sun, now glistened with the snow and looked as though their bare grey branches had put forth blossoms of some magic. For a moment one could believe that one was passing by an orchard in the month when the trees are in flower, although it was cold and the sky was grey. But very soon, even before night, the snow melted and only the grey bare branches were dripping with melted snow, and it seemed as if some lovely little princesses had turned into ugly bent witches. For winter is like the false Florimell, and her beauty melts away if it is touched." ...more
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