Record Number: 27413

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Caroline Norton to John Murray, 4 November 1837: 'I have received "Don Juan" and the October Quarterly [Review]. ... In thanking you for the two volumes of Byron belonging to the present beautiful edition, I must tell you that I had never read "Don Juan" [italics]through[end italics] before, which very few women in England of my age in England could say, -- and which I do not mind owning, since it adds greatly to the pleasure with which I perused the poem. I am afraid, in spite of the beauty, the wit, and the originality of the work, I think, with the Guiccioli [Byron's last mistress] -- "Mi rincrese solo che Don Giovanni non resti al inferno." It is a book which no [italics]woman[end italics] will ever like, whether for the reasons given by the author, or on other accounts, I will not dispute. To me the effect is like hearing some sweet and touching melody familiar to me as having been sung by a lost friend and companion, suddenly struck up in quick time with all the words parodied.'

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 1 Oct 1837 and 4 Nov 1837

Country:

n/a

Time

n/a

Place:

n/a

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Caroline Norton

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

Writer

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

n/a

Country of Experience:

n/a

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

George Gordon Lord Byron

Title:

Don Juan

Genre:

Fiction, Poetry

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

In two volumes, published by John Murray, 1837

Provenance

unknown

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Source Information:

Record ID:

27413

Source:

Print

Author:

Samuel Smiles

Editor:

n/a

Title:

A Publisher and His Friends: Memoir and Correspondence of the Late John Murray

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1891

Vol:

2

Page:

414-415

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Samuel Smiles, A Publisher and His Friends: Memoir and Correspondence of the Late John Murray, (London, 1891), 2, p. 414-415, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=27413, accessed: 03 May 2024

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Additional Comments:

None