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apple4dde1's review against another edition
4.0
This book drew me in at the first page with the narrator's description of his first independent accommodation away from the family home and all the freedom and uncertainty this brings.
The 'averageness' of the narrator appealed to me as well as his awareness of this. This and his ill judged but well intentioned disclosure to Phyllis -on which the latter half of the story partly turns - made him very relatable.
The 'averageness' of the narrator appealed to me as well as his awareness of this. This and his ill judged but well intentioned disclosure to Phyllis -on which the latter half of the story partly turns - made him very relatable.
rhrousu's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dnglvr's review against another edition
4.0
The negative of Cousin Phyllis is the thin storyline of unrequited love. The positive is the unique narration with Phyllis’s story being told by her male cousin, the descriptions of his thoughts and feelings, and the excellent dialogue. Elizabeth Gaskell’s skill as an author is clearly present in this novella.
benedettal's review against another edition
3.0
A perfectly serviceable novella, my first Gaskell. The late 19th century setting and general vibes of the story are not necessarily my cup of tea, but I appreciate this is a product of its time, a time in which relationships were not openly spoken of and women often suffered for love, due to inconsistent lovers. It’s a short and effective story, depicting poor Phyllis as a remarkable young Victorian woman, all proper and impressive for her time, though no Cathy Earnshaw or Jane Eyre even. It also funny enough reminded me a lot of a novel I also read recently, Eugenie Grandet by Balzac, which also talks about cousins and ill fated romances. Quite interesting that two such stories would emerge in two different countries at around the same time, and with a similar name, but it really goes to show they were both depicting a very course of events.
berrybot's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
laurynmailey's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
apechild's review against another edition
4.0
04/03/2022 - Cousin Phillis
I rather enjoyed this story. Bit longer than some of the others. Our narrator is a young (and short - this seems to be an issue for him) man, Paul Manning, I think it was, who gets a job as a railway clerk. The industrial age. Anyhow, it turns out close to where he's working, his mother's second cousin or something, is living, and she tells him to go and say hello. Cousin Holman, as she is referred to, married a farmer-minster, and the couple have once child, cousin Phillis, who is a couple of years younger than Paul. She is a total daddy's girl and always learning and studying when she's not working hard on the farm. Paul's manager, Mr Holdsworth, gets sick with a fever, and ends up going to stay with the Holmans to recuporate. One thing leads to another, and Holdsworth and Phillis develop feelings for one another, although they never speak together of how they feel. Holdsworth is then sent to Canada to work on a railway there and proves to be an inconstant lover. Phillis suffers from a broken heart and falls into ill health, on the brink of death. I love the ending though. A bit of down to earth talking from the maid and there is hope. Not to belittle love, but that life goes on, and one should not die over an inconstant lover.
I rather enjoyed this story. Bit longer than some of the others. Our narrator is a young (and short - this seems to be an issue for him) man, Paul Manning, I think it was, who gets a job as a railway clerk. The industrial age. Anyhow, it turns out close to where he's working, his mother's second cousin or something, is living, and she tells him to go and say hello. Cousin Holman, as she is referred to, married a farmer-minster, and the couple have once child, cousin Phillis, who is a couple of years younger than Paul. She is a total daddy's girl and always learning and studying when she's not working hard on the farm. Paul's manager, Mr Holdsworth, gets sick with a fever, and ends up going to stay with the Holmans to recuporate. One thing leads to another, and Holdsworth and Phillis develop feelings for one another, although they never speak together of how they feel. Holdsworth is then sent to Canada to work on a railway there and proves to be an inconstant lover. Phillis suffers from a broken heart and falls into ill health, on the brink of death. I love the ending though. A bit of down to earth talking from the maid and there is hope. Not to belittle love, but that life goes on, and one should not die over an inconstant lover.