The Gadfly
Ratings5
Average rating4.2
15
Ratings5
Average rating4.2
The Gadfly was published in 1897, and its original publishers feared a hostile public reaction to its theme of revolution. Instead, it quickly became a classic of socialism, one of the very first politically aware novels. A story of love and conspiracy, it was based in part on the early life of Sidney Rosenblum, better known as "Reilly Ace of Spies" -- Voynich's boyfriend at the time.
Series
1 primary bookThe Gadfly is a 1-book series first released in 1897 with contributions by Ethel Lilian Voynich.
Reviews with the most likes.
Picked this up because it was read by the main character in the novel “Solenoid” by Mircea Cărtărescu and the character considered it a foundational book in his life. It probably never would have crossed my radar otherwise.
It's quite the romantic/historical story typical of early 1900s, with impassioned speeches and intense loves and relationships. Quite critical of religious and political institutions, with the Italian uprisings of the 1840s as the background for a general comment on the need for revolution and revolts to fight injustice all over the world.
I'm glad I read it simply for the look at a historical time/setting I was very unfamiliar with, and looking into the author's background and family led me down all kinds of neat trails. But, the novel itself wasn't exactly as riveting or transformational as I expected, based on the “Solenoid” character's reaction.
