Coningsby: Or, The New Generation (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Benjamin Disraeli (Author), Thom Braun (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: June 30, 1983

CONINGSBY; OR, THE NEW GENERATION, published in 1844, is the best of Disreali's novels, not as a story, but as a study of men, manners, and principles. The plot is slight -- little better than a device for stringing together sketches of character and statements of political and economic opinions; but these are always interesting and often brilliant. The motive which underlies the book is political. It is, in brief, an attempt to show that the political salvation of England was to be sought in its aristocracy, but that this aristocracy was morally weak and socially ineffective, and that it must mend its ways before its duty to the state could be fulfilled. Interest in this aspect of the book has, of course, to a large extent passed away with the political conditions which it reflected. As a picture of aristocratic life in England in the first part of the nineteenth century it has, however, enduring significance and charm."

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

(in full Coningsby, or The New Generation) Political novel by Benjamin Disraeli, published in 1844. It is the first novel in Disraeli's trilogy completed by Sybil (1845) and Tancred (1847). Coningsby follows the fortunes of Harry Coningsby, the orphaned grandson of the Marquis of Monmouth. It also traces the waning of the Whigs and the Tories and the nascency of the Conservative party. Above all, Coningsby is a tribute to a political group called "Young England," which hoped for an alliance of the nobility and the common people. -- The Merriam-Webster Encylopedia of Literature --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (June 30, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140431926
• ISBN-13: 978-0140431926
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,277,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting but dated political-romantic novel., August 30, 1997

By 

James Gallen (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coningsby (The World's Classics) (Paperback)

Coningsby is an interesting political-romantic novel set in early nineteenth century England. In much of the first part of the book, Disreali introduces the main characters and the political and social background against which the action in the later parts of the book will be played. In this book Disraeli covers several topics. He explains the state of parliamentary politics of the day and the changing social and political situations of the nobility and the rising manufacturing class. As the title character, Coningsby, develops his political philosophy, Disraeli gives an insight into his own core political beliefs. Through Sidonia, one of his main characters, Disreali makes a pitch for the rights of Jews, a group to which Disraeli is linked by consangunity, though not be religion. To make it all entertaining, Disraeli takes Coningsby and his lover through a long and chaste romantic quest, in which they finally overcome the obstacles placed in their way by their families. The book, ultimately, provides a triumph of love over hatred and pettiness. The strong points of this book are its pleasant story line and the ability to tell a romantic and political tale without including the moral failings, without which so many modern authors seem incapable of expressing themselves. The weak points are found in its age and storybook ending. The repeated references to so many details of political life of his day and the simililarities of characters to prominent people, which may have been amusing to the readers of his day, are lost on most contemporary readers. The ending, in which all the injustices inflicted on Coningsby by petty people around him are reversed through acts of self-sacrifice which set the world right, introduces a sense of fantasy which makes the book seem just a bit too much to believe. Overall this book is a worthwhile read

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars People,Polititcs,and Power., February 25, 2007

By 

J.L. Populist (WI,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coningsby; or, The New Generation (Paperback)

I normally don't care for fiction,but this book is an exception.
It may be fiction,but it is based on fact and real people.
This book offers a view of the politics of Disraeli's time and where political power really exists.
Well written and recommended book!

One caveat:
I have the Penguin Classic paperback and I don't recommend this edition as the print is very small.Thomas Braun edited it with notes for each chapter.It would have been great if not for the print.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A novel written by an English Prime Minister, February 2, 2005

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coningsby (Paperback)

This book caused a stir in its day if only because some famous political figures were actually very thinly disguised in the novel. It also was a book that clearly stated to the English aristocracy that if England was to be saved from imminent obscurity, the aristocracy had to change their ways. The book presents a very interesting picture of British politics during the twelve years following the Reform Bill of 1832 told by a crafty and sage politician who could also write a good story. Certainly one of Disraeli's most entertaining works.