These letters have been really gripping. I'm noticing all the different forms Richardson is playing with, with tampered letters, false ones, fragments of letters and even scenes scripted like a play. We always knew Lovelace was not a good man but the extent of his evil and callousness is a genuine surprise as is the lengths he will go to achieve his ends and the huge resources at his disposal.
Now he's got what he wants, the book can only be a long, slow, sad decline for Clarissa.
I agree Adam, these have been the most engaging letters so far. I broadly knew the story already but it has disturbed and unsettled me more than I thought possible. I fear you are right, it looks like a very depressing read moving forward.
These letters have been really gripping. I'm noticing all the different forms Richardson is playing with, with tampered letters, false ones, fragments of letters and even scenes scripted like a play. We always knew Lovelace was not a good man but the extent of his evil and callousness is a genuine surprise as is the lengths he will go to achieve his ends and the huge resources at his disposal.
Now he's got what he wants, the book can only be a long, slow, sad decline for Clarissa.
I agree Adam, these have been the most engaging letters so far. I broadly knew the story already but it has disturbed and unsettled me more than I thought possible. I fear you are right, it looks like a very depressing read moving forward.