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the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

Reading Experience Database UK Historical image of readers
 
 
 
 

Record Number: 19172


Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Elizabeth Barrett to Mary Russell Mitford, 4 February 1845: 'Do you think you cd. take courage & attempt the eight volumes of Frederic Soulie[']s Memoires du diable? eight rather thick volumes? I am in the midst & heat of them -- & though they stink in one's nostrils not infrequently & are full of the most gorgeous extravagances, the variety & power, the invention, (flash upon flash), & the vividness of life all through, render them to my mind, a most remarkable work [...] Much in it is most disgusting. But you [italics]must[end italics] be struck by the variety of power in it, -- & I cant keep back any new sight from you. Yes indeed! -- how nearer & nearer we are drawn in this "palpitating literature," as you call it so truly! palpitating is just the word! & it sets me palpitating too, whatever it may do by yourself'.

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

Between 15 Jan 1845 and 4 Feb 1845

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

city: London

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


Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Elizabeth Barrett

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

6 Mar 1806

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

Writer

Religion:

Evangelical

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

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

n/a


Additional Comments:

n/a



Text Being Read:

Author:

Frederic Soulie

Title:

Les Memoires du diable

Genre:

Fiction

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

1837-38

Provenance

unknown


Source Information:

Record ID:

19172

Source:

Print

Author:

n/a

Editor:

Philip Kelley and Scott Lewis

Title:

The Brownings' Correspondence

Place of Publication:

Winfield

Date of Publication:

1992

Vol:

10

Page:

57

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Philip Kelley and Scott Lewis (ed.), The Brownings' Correspondence, (Winfield, 1992), 10, p. 57, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=19172, accessed: 15 May 2024


Additional Comments:

None

   
   
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