Eugenie Fraser

Advantages: A pleasant period novel
Disadvantages: Could be regarded as moraliizing

...When it came to packing for my holiday in September, I wanted to take a couple of thin(nish), light books that wouldn't take up much room in my rucksack and that I would not mind leaving behind in a hotel or hostel for others travellers to take with them. I searched through a pile of books I had to read and one that matched my requirements perfectly was "Eugenie Grandet" by Honore de Balzac. Written in 1833, this is the story of the Grandet family, living in Saumur, in provincial France. The head of the family, Monsieur Grandet is a miser who lets his wife and daughter live in near poverty whilst he busies himself with the task of counting his gold in his private quarters. The Grandets live in a vast mansion which is on the brink of falling down for lack of repair. Each morning, Monsieur Grandet weighs out sugar, meat and other... Read review

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Advantages: it's something that feminists can have a chick fight over; i.e. disagree
Disadvantages: More violent than erotic, and might contain too much "philosophy" for some

...La Philosophie Dans le Boudoir, which is translated as Philosophy in the Bedroom in some versions and as The Bedroom philosophers in others, is a play written by Marquis de Sade in 1795. It represents the transformation of the 15-year-old virgin, Eugénie, who was brought up by her virtuous mother to become an honest woman. Her father, who disapproves of his wife's way of life, sends her to learn from three libertines how life should be lived. The trio encourages the young girl to express all her desires and passions, and her ultimate hatred seems to be saved for her own mother. The virtuous woman is ridiculed and humiliated by everyone and then she is stripped, beaten, and punished by her daughter and her companions. This punishment reaches its highest point when the group instructs a servant who has syphilis to have sex with the woman... Read review

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Advantages: well researched, original and quite hilarious
Disadvantages: Based as it is on the history of the horrific Indian mutiny, some readers may not have the stomach for some of the detail; and Flashy isnt the most politically correct reporter of events either

...George Macdonald Fraser has done it again with yet another installment to The Flashman series which is of the highest quality. Following the adventures of the great victorian poltroon in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the writing is as well researched, fast paced and humourous as we've come to expect from Fraser, a master of historical fiction. Once again he has old Flashy in the thick of it, fleeing, womanising and inevitably emerging as the hero of the hour at all the critical points within the mutiny in a work of fiction which also serves as great introduction to a fascinating bit of history, such is Fraser's attention to detail. For any fan of the Flashman series or those new to it, this is a tremendous book and comes highly recommended.... Read review

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