A Positive Romance

Edward BellamyProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 27K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.A Positive Romance by Edward BellamyAuthor: Bellamy, Edward, 1850-1898,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Sep 21, 2007

Editor's review

This is an English novel by Edward Bellamy, included in the Project Gutenberg public-domain eBook series. Bellamy is best known for Looking Backward, and his works often interweave social ideals with personal feeling; this book likewise builds its narrative around emotional relationships, carrying the idealism and gentle irony characteristic of nineteenth-century American literature. As a public-domain electronic text, its value lies first in accessibility: readers can encounter a non-canonical work by an important utopian novelist at no cost, gaining a fuller picture of his creative range. It is short, written in the English prose of the late nineteenth century, with long sentences and elegant diction, making it suitable as supplementary reading in English literature. In terms of reading setting, it is better suited to slow reading in a quiet environment, or as auxiliary material for studying Bellamy and nineteenth-century American social fiction; readers expecting intense plot conflict or a modern pace should adjust their expectations. Overall, this is a light read suitable for literature enthusiasts seeking to broaden their horizons and for English learners encountering an older novel in the original.

Who it's for

A good fit for

English literature enthusiasts interested in Bellamy's fiction
Readers studying nineteenth-century American literature and social thought
Learners who want to practice close reading with a short original English text

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer modern fast-paced narrative and strong plot
Readers with little experience in English reading who are unaccustomed to nineteenth-century style
Readers who only want the major works such as Looking Backward and are not interested in minor works

Reading tips

Read a page or two first to get a feel for the rhythm of the prose, then decide whether to read closely or extensively
Note the relationships between characters as you read to avoid losing the thread in long sentences
Read alongside biographical material on Bellamy and background on nineteenth-century America

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book in Chinese or English?

The original is in English and is a public-domain eBook provided by Project Gutenberg. Chinese readers need some English reading ability, or should use a dictionary or a bilingual edition.

Can I read it without having read other works by Bellamy?

Yes. This is a standalone novel and does not depend on prior events from other works. However, knowing the background of Bellamy's utopian thought will make it easier to appreciate the social concern and irony in the book.

Is it suitable for learning English?

It can serve as extended reading, but nineteenth-century English has long sentences and old-fashioned wording, so it is not suitable as an introductory textbook. It is better to read it after gaining some foundation, focusing on understanding the meaning rather than looking up every word.

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About the author

Edward Bellamy Author · American · 1850–1898

Edward Bellamy (1850–1898) was an American novelist and journalist, best known for his utopian novel Looking Backward: 2000–1887. The book imagines a future society based on nationalization and cooperation; it became a bestseller of its time and gave rise to the Nationalist Club movement, influencing social reform debates. His other works include Equality, Dr. Heidenhoff's Process, Miss Ludington's Sister, and The Blindman's World. Twenty-two of his works are held in the collection. His writing often centers on social ideals, future visions, and human nature, combining narrative drive with speculative reflection. Public information on the details of his life is limited, so this introduction focuses on the themes and influence of his works.