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Novel 316: Mrs. Alfred Sidgwick, A Splendid Cousin (1892)

November 9, 2024 David Bywaters

Edward John Poynter, The Violinist


A self-involved would-be musician bedevils her cousin’s life.


Here is another novel by Sidgwick, for whom see Novels 082, 142, 200 and 258.

The title character is “an exaggeration” but “near enough . . . to a reality of the present day to be worth satirizing.” Bookman, January 1892

“It is a sombre tragedy, told with a simplicity and directness which heightens its effect. The obvious criticism that might be made is that all the characters are slightly exaggerated. . . . But this exaggeration, which would be a defect in a more elaborate book, really adds to the vividness of this short sketch; too much care bestowed on fine distinctions of light and shade would have weakened the strength and distinctness of the rapid impression so admirably given.” Athenaeum, January 14, 1892

A contrasting view:

“Ibsen-and-water.” Academy, January 21, 1892

Download this fortnight’s novel:

https://books.google.com/books?id=r2E1AQAAMAAJ&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=splendid%20cousin&pg=PA3#v=onepage&q&f=false

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