Customer Reviews

Vera (Virago Modern Classics)

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There is fiction and then there is the very best in classic literary fiction that works on the highest level of art - and "Vera" falls squarely within this genre. The author was of the belief that this novel represented her finest novel. It is certainly one of her best because of its courageous, riveting examination of the perils of familial and marital relationships that begin in "honeymoon" fashion in any era; but all too often end in the darkest pockets of the human heart. Also, the novel manages to interweave its thrilling tale on the verge of horror - with the gorgeous prose, plot and characterization expected in truly great novels of the 20th century. I sincerely hope this edition returns back into print. Indeed, the Afterword of this edition is extremely valuable in that it provides the most thorough biography of Elizabeth von Arnim' life and death (explaining as well how "Vera" is a highly autobiographical-novel reflecting von Arnim's second marriage) along with the chronological explication of all her works (with an emphasis upon "Vera" as the runaway best seller it became at the time of its debut). A true bargain as well as a fine collectable.

I bought this book because I loved Enchanted April and it is by the same author. I found Enchanted April to be utterly charming and funny and I intend to keep it and read it many times over.
Vera, however, is a very different story. It is the most gloomy and depressing book I have ever read. I wish I could tell the author that. I hope I never read another novel so dark and depressing.

This is a book based loosely on the author's real life. It is a May/December romance of a needy young woman falling under the spell of a wealthy, older, and very controlling man whose first wife had died under suspicious circumstances. The first few chapters are beautifully and sensitively written - Von Arnim at her best. The book slows after that. There is a lot of dialogue about whether or not the young woman should marry the older (and disgraced) man. Almost all were strongly against the marriage. But she follows her heart. After the marriage, the young woman finds herself learning first hand what living under a possessive, bullying man is like. I did not enjoy reading about his tantrums and his manipulations, although there was an element of suspense. At times I felt sorry for the bride, and at other times wondered why on earth she didn't listen to others who had tried to warn her.

The introduction to the book states that Vera created a furor in England at the time it was published because, although the author published the book anonymously, her real identity and the identity of the man in the story, were easily recognized.

"Vera", the title of the book, comes from the name of the older character's first wife.