Certainly one of the most important and artistically adventurous British novels of the 19th Century. ( )

375. The Ordeal of Richard Feveral A History of a Father and Son, by George Meredith (read 30 Jul 1950) I began reading this book on July 12, 1950 and on that date said: ""The outstanding example of the Victorian novelist. I can't see how I can like him, but everybody should read at least one of his novels and from what I can learn this is the best one to read. Point Counter Point is the best work I have read so far this year. It is in no danger of being displaced by what I am reading now.". On July 18 I said: "Reading slowly in Ordeal. It's so silly.." On July 28 I said: "Haven't read in Richard Feveral for a long time." I finished the book on July 30 but made no further mention of it in my diary. ( )

"What a great book it is, how wise and how witty! Others of the master's novels may be more characteristic or more profound, but for my own part it is the one which I would always present to the new-comer who had not yet come under the influence. I think that I should put it third after "Vanity Fair" and "The Cloister and the Hearth" if I had to name the three novels which I admire most in the Victorian era." --Through the Magic Door, pg. 158-159.

One of the great novels, and one of the greatest of the under-rated classics. Quite funny, with quirky prose and a great deal of imagination behind the novel's construction. The author's first "realistic" novel, a comedy of manners and education. ( )