Introduction to Sally

by Elizabeth Von Arnim

On This Page

Description

A Pygmalion-style story told with von Arnim's characteristic wit and charm, this novel introduces us to Salvatia (known as Sally), a much longed-for child to humble shopkeepers. Sally grows up to be an extremely beautiful girl, attracting the attentions of every man who sees her. When her mother dies, her father decides it is just too difficult to defend her virtue and marries her to the first man who proposes. But Jocelyn is about to learn a lesson in marrying for looks alone. The two are show more from very different classes and have nothing in common: beauty can only bridge the gap so far. Meanwhile, his mother is being pursued by her own unsuitable suitor - debating if she can tolerate his crass personality in return for the security of his wealth. Von Arnim turns her ironic humor to great effect in showing us the follies of her cast of characters, whom we can't help wishing the best for, despite everything. Part of a curated collection of forgotten works by early to mid-century women writers, the British Library Women Writers series highlights the best middlebrow fiction from the 1910s to the 1960s, offering escapism, popular appeal, and plenty of period detail to amuse, surprise, and inform. show less

Tags

Recommendations

Member Reviews

2 reviews
Beh, tre stelle forse sono poche, meriterebbe tre e mezzo. L'idea è buona e lo stile perfetto: una donna bella ed educata rozzamente che fa cadere lo stesso ai suoi piedi tutti gli uomini, i quali se la contendono oppure (nel caso del padre) se la vogliono togliere dai piedi. C'è da stabilire allora se sia lei rozza o se lo siano i maschi che la circondano. Però... non l'ho trovato spassoso. Anzi: mi ha dato tanta tristezza. Forse perché sono in un periodo un po' down, ma l'analisi impietosa e sarcastica della società dell'epoca (con la donna povera e bella trattata da tutti più o meno come un pacco postale senza sentimenti) mi ha lasciato un velo di malinconia. L'autrice è bravissima, comunque e in alcuni brani mi ha strappato show more un sorriso. Il finale lascia molto in sospeso, devo dire. Merita ma per me non è stato un libro leggero, ho dovuto digerirlo. show less
Having stumbled upon "The Enchanted April'" and loved it, of course I pick up every title by "Elizabeth" now. This story begins hilariously, but the comedy becomes painful because it is so sustained. Your jaw freezes with the tongue in an awkward position in the cheek.
It is memorable and entertaining, but do take it in small doses.

Members

Recently Added By

Lists

Books Read in 2025
4,128 works; 98 members

Author Information

Picture of author.
47+ Works 8,143 Members

Series

Belongs to Publisher Series

Work Relationships

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Introduction to Sally
Original title
Introduction to Sally
Original publication date
1926

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, General Fiction, Romance
DDC/MDS
823.912Literature & rhetoricEnglish & Old English literaturesEnglish fiction1900-1901-19991901-1945
LCC
PZ3 .R9158Language and LiteratureFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction in English
BISAC

Statistics

Members
74
Popularity
427,015
Reviews
2
Rating
(3.15)
Languages
English, German, Italian
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
6
ASINs
9