A domestic novel from the earliest days of the English novel written in 1749 and in two volumes. A series of difficulties besets the marriage of Amelia and Billy Booth, mostly as a result of the husband's impetuousness and difficulties in saying "No". Amelia, on the other hand, is irreproachable in her patience, love, faith in, and sense of right and wrong with her rather tiresomely gormless spouse.
This is a novel that doesn't flag because it is full of incident and crises. Fielding acknowledges female good sense and courage in the face of the trials the family is faced with, largely a result of Billy's gambling, borrowing and inability to face up to responsibilities.
One has to say "Thank goodness for a well regulated banking system". Billy's problems would have been much eased if it were not for unscrupulous borrowing from so-called friends.

Here's what I wrote after reading in 1991: "Slow reading but insightful into the 'moral and social' problems of Fielding's England. Amelia and William Booth endure the trials of marriage but finally find security and happiness through pure, Christian living. They (he) overcome many trials and temptations along the way." ( )

Decent book. Probably could have been improved by being shorter. ( )

2 v. ( )

»Madame de Riccoboni a altéré l'original anglais, mais elle a rendu le roman plus agréable, d'autant plus qu'elle a pris la liberté d'abréger quelques détails peu intéressants. » D. P.