Trilby opens in the Latin Quarter of nineteenth-century Paris, where Trilby O'Ferrall is working as an artist's model. Her grace and ingenuous charm make a poignant contrast to the cruel magnetism of Svengali, under whose spell she falls. Using hypnotic powers, Svengali shapes her into a virtuoso singer—Europe's most captivating soprano—but her golden voice, and even her life, become fatally tied to him.
A precursor to The Phantom of the Opera, Trilby was all the rage when it appeared in 1894, spawning songs, shoes, and most famously, the Trilby hat. This novel holds the mirror up to the art and science of the fin de si├¿cle and its darkest obsessions—to anti-Semitism, crime, sexuality and the occult, music and mesmerism, and to new investigations of hysteria and the unconscious.
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"After studying abroad in Paris and traveling throughout Europe as a student, this book just hits so many spots. " — Jill (5 out of 5 stars)
"After studying abroad in Paris and traveling throughout Europe as a student, this book just hits so many spots. "
" A highly romantic view of an artist's life in Paris during the fabled fin de siecle. It was a big hit at the time, and formed our popular view of "the artist's life;" "
" One of those books whose reputation is far greater than the book itself. For the book that spawned Svengali, the character of Svengali himself is pretty boring and the whole book a bit dull. "
" Supposedly the first best-seller from the 1890's/ Fin de Siècle; we're reading it in one of my Masters classes this Summer. I'm liking its quirky factor and pictures (it's been too long since I read a book with pictures)! "
" abandoned due to allergies (both to book dust and offensive ethnic stereotyping) "
" Delightful romp through Paris with a creepy Jew and a homo-erotic trio of painters. "
" An interesting read, but George follows the period by including way too much detail and a lot of pigeon French that might have impressed others at that point. What was far more interesting was the treatment of the 'Jew' of the sotry, Svengali, and how he fits every stereotype of that period. "
" good if you like artist's models, creepy old dudes, and delightful catchphrases like "milk below!" and "tit-for-tat." "
" A sometimes difficult read as there were a lot of French phrases with no translation, very descriptive, a lot of stereotypes, sort of typical novel for that time period with some people finding happiness, some sadness. "
" Svengali is a classic villian. Good for seeing into a mastermind of manipulation. Gothic story to the core but features a lot of Victorian conversation and frills. "
George du Maurier (1834–1896), English artist and novelist, studied chemistry, but later turned to art for a livelihood. In spite of the loss of one eye when he was a young man, he became a successful illustrator. His novels include Peter Ibbetson and Trilby.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
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