Venetia by Benjamin Disraeli (1853)

Name: Venetia
Author: Benjamin Disraeli

This novel is a romance that takes place in the late 18th century. The story revolves around Venetia, a young woman who is engaged to marry a man she does not love. She meets a charming and wealthy gentleman who awakens her feelings, but their social differences make their relationship impossible. As Venetia navigates her emotions, she must also contend with the societal pressures that dictate her life. The novel explores themes of love, class, and identity as Venetia struggles to find her place in the world. The narrative is driven by Venetia's inner turmoil and her desire for independence. Through her experiences, the novel offers a commentary on the limited options available to women during this time period.

By Benjamin Disraeli · First published 1853 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama · 60 chapters · 191,673 words

First lines

Some ten years before the revolt of our American colonies, there was situate in one of our midland counties, on the borders of an extensive forest, an ancient hall that belonged to the Herberts, but which, though ever well preserved, had not until that period been visited by any member of the family, since the exile of the Stuarts. It was an edifice of considerable size, built of grey stone, much covered with ivy, and placed upon the last gentle elevation of a long ridge of hills, in the centre of a crescent of woods, that far overtopped its clusters of tall chimneys and turreted gables. Although the principal chambers were on the first story, you could nevertheless step forth from their windows on a broad terrace, whence you descended into the gardens by a double flight of stone steps, exactly in the middle of its length. These gardens were of some extent, and filled with evergreen shrubberies of remarkable overgrowth, while occasionally turfy vistas, cut in the distant woods, came sloping down to the south, as if they opened to receive the sunbeam that greeted the genial aspect of the mansion, The ground-floor was principally occupied by the hall itself, which was of great dimensions, hung round with many a family portrait and rural picture, furnished with long oaken seats covered with scarlet cushions, and ornamented with a parti-coloured floor of alternate diamonds of black and white marble. From the centre of the roof of the mansion, which was always covered with pigeons, rose the clock-tower of the chapel, surmounted by a vane; and before the mansion itself was a large plot of grass, with a fountain in the centre, surrounded by a hedge of honeysuckle.

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Venetia is listed on Textopian as a novel by Benjamin Disraeli, dated 1853 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Benjamin Disraeli
Date: 1853 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama, Literary Fiction
Length: 191,673 words
Structure: 85 chapters, 2,736 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The book is set in the historical context of 19th-century England, following the life of a noblewoman in this era.
Romance — There are significant romantic elements, focusing on the protagonist Venetia's romantic entanglements.
Drama — The book contains dramatic elements, including emotional conflicts and tension.
Literary Fiction — Written by esteemed author Benjamin Disraeli, the book demonstrates a hallmark of literary prowess with its in-depth character development and interpersonal dynamics.