The French Revolution by Thomas Carlyle

[citizenkreacher.livejournal.com]

This is my first post here, because I only ever lurk on the interweb :)

I was at a book sale today and I bought Carlyle's The French Revolution for $2. It's a hard-back copy, and it has that musty, old-book smell that I love *___*
Unfortunately, no one in real life "gets" why I'm very excited by this excellent find, so I thought I would post it here in case folks wanted to join in the squee. I hope you don't mind :)

Comments

[cat-empress.livejournal.com]

Just wondering, does it have a picture of him and a signature on one of the front pages? Cos I picked up a copy at a second-hand book store a while ago, and I want to know if mine is special or if they're all like that.

I haven't got far into it because it's so dense. It's the sort of thing you just leave by and read a chapter or so every now and then. But it's a fantastic read. All that flowery, nineteenth century language. But I've got to say the best bit is the way he describes Robespierre.

[hanriotfran.livejournal.com]

I have this book. I bought it when I was 13, I think. It's extremely FAT, so you'll put a lot of time to read it...but I love the books you must read slowly and that are along with you for some weeks.

The thing I liked the most of the book is that Carlyle actually speaks to you: he tells you "dear reader", so, it's a kind of being hearing a wonderful, exciting tale told by a storyteller.

The bad thing is that Carlyle doesn't like Robespierre, but it's a great book. It's worth to read it.

A detail I love of it: it has a lot of good illustrations. (My edition is published in Spanish in Buenos Aires, the year 1950)

HanriotFran (Vanesa)

[misatheredpanda.livejournal.com]

Yes! I loved Carlyle. I must confess. Basically it's crap as history, but the writing is so brilliant, it's completely worth reading anyway. I take it more as a slice of the history of history, if that makes sense, and a fantastic piece of literature. And suspending my critical instinct - I was actually moved to tears at one point (and giggles at several others)!

(My copy was about ten times more expensive and less pretty though, woe!)

[hanriotfran.livejournal.com]

Carlyle's prose is wonderful. Pure decimononic litterature. I can't said it's actually history...but, God! It's plainly glorious. You laughs and you cries along with the characters, and the bok has actually hilarious episodes. Just wait to read the celebration of the Supreme Being. LOL.

HanriotFran (Vanesa)

[missweirdness.livejournal.com]

his prose is so flowery and i have that book too. I was thinking he didn't like Robespierre..for some reason..i don't even think i've gotten far into that book myself..hmmm