Man of Feeling (Oxford Paperbacks)

Rating:
Summary: Mr. Generosity
Review: A novel, that would today be considered sappy (and even laughable), The Man of Feeling reminds us of the quinesstential purpose of all human beings, to help one another. The main character, Mr. Harley, is more then willing to share his wealth with everyone who asks. His benevolence (to the point of his own bankruptcy) gains him the reputation as Mr. Generosity. In the end, he dies because his heart cannot contain his happiness. As an uplifting change of pace, I recommend this book to all those who have lost faith in humanity. But, if your looking for an action packed thriller, try another book.:)

Rating:
Summary: A gem from another worldview
Review: This novel provides so many of the pleasures of reading a book from another era and another sensibility. Within 115 pages there are no fewer than 49 separate episodes of weeping, where exchanging tears produces further exchanges, usually monetary -- as with the narrative of the mad woman in Bedlam, whose story moves Harley so much that he leaves a large sum of money with the keeper of the madhouse. Do not read this expecting a modern novel; but do read it -- and read it not only expecting pleasure, but also expecting to be taught more about the late eighteenth century psychology than you've ever been taught before.