The History of Henry Esmond

The cover image is not for the one I have, but I couldn't find it. This is a Bantam Classic from 1961. I read the very nice introduction last night. Read the preface last night. It's a letter from Henry's daughter which brings up some intriguing plot points sure to be covered later. The letter is wri......more

I found The History of Henry Esmond to be a very challenging and difficult read. Ultimately, it became a frustrating read, and ended with (apologies to T.S. Eliot) a profound whimper and no bang at all. Perhaps it is because Thackeray's characters lack the presence of Dickens's creations, perhaps it......more

This is a rich, complex, but ultimately unsatisfying novel about a young man of principle making his way in the corrupt and luxurious world of the 1700's English aristocracy. Henry Esmond narrates the story of his own life, and the thing that sinks the novel is that he's always just a little too awa......more

Just a story of a guy who really, really, really likes his stately-hot aunt-mom and smokin-hot cousin-sister amid the Jacobite Uprisings and War of Spanish Succession.......more

You know what? This book isn't all that great. Sorry, William Makepeace Thackeray.......more