Trilby

Unusual Story

(3 stars)

Renee M

The readers did a decent job with this anti-Semitic melodrama. The first half tells of expatriate bohemians in Paris. The second tells what becomes of them, including the beautiful young model, Trilby, who becomes a singing sensation under the tutelage of the mysterious Svengali. It is interesting to note that the novel was wildly successful in its day, making the name Svengali synonymous with someone who has a seemingly hypnotic control over another person.

not a horror story and barely a novel

(2.5 stars)

Jon Mark Wilson

This is not a thriller or a chiller, it is a foray into metaphysical themes using the theories of the 19th century concerning mind control. The pacing is languid, the conflicts are scattered and the denouements are indirect. While such lends itself to a more rational plausibility, in a novel that comes at the expense of entertainment value. I believe that the novel is an agnostic's parable: we have an early existential critique of religious orthodoxy. Svengali the evil Jewish genius represents the Judeo Christian God that held so much of Europe in thrall, who is capable of bringing out the best of a person (as some might think) BUT that best is really only a manufactured reflection in the image of that external master manipulator. I am an evangelical preacher so I disagree with that theme and its premise as much as I do with the overt anti-Semitism. Maybe I am off the wall, but the novel is long, philosophical, and does not spend nearly enough time developing atmosphere to be anything close to spooky.

Miss Petticoat

(5 stars)

Miss Petticoat

Splendid. I now have the answer to the question recently asked of me by a friend, "What is your favourite book?": Trilby! Each narrator handled their readings exquisitely. My personal favourite narrator was the sweet, gentle voice of the French Canadian reader whose name I couldn't quite make out. I also really enjoyed Jersey City Frankie's readings. Thank you to everyone who contributed and brought these delightful characters to life. Such a sympathetic story.

This has not aged well

(2.5 stars)

Melanie Scheidler

The book is decently well written, though sometimes unnecessarily detailed which gets a bit boring. Trilby is a quite original character but as far as I've come the only one. And well, the anti semitic cliche sinister jew villain does not help. Doubt I'll finish it. The reading was solid though.

ok and good ensemble readers, but antsemitism is jarring

(3.5 stars)

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