Read my profile description for rating explanation. You should have a good reason to read this book. I don't advise picking it up on a lark.

That said, I foolishly read it in its entirety and here are a few choice selections:

"Oh! what a poor thing is human life in its best enjoyments! subjected to imaginary evils, when it has no real ones to disturb it; and that can be made as effectually unhappy by its apprehensions of remote contingencies, as if it was struggling with the pangs of a present distress! This, duly reflected upon, methinks, should convince every one, that this world is not a place for the immortal mind to be confined to; and that there must be an hereafter, where the whole soul shall be satisfied."

In that passage, the author gives good advice. But don't be fooled -- the evil of this book is not imaginary. Don't waste your time unless your studies require it. Another:

"I am persuaded that fear brings one into more dangers, than the caution, that goes along with it, delivers one from."

Not a bad point. This may undermine my recommendation to avoid this novel, but take my word for it, this book is the exception that proves that rule.

It's clear why it was such a bestseller at the time. It's charms are decidedly wasted on modern readers. I recommend reality TV instead.

Also, I have hunches (thanks to a friend's suggestion) that Sex and the City is loosely inspired by this book, but I don't want to waste any more time on this novel by looking for any writings on the matter. ( )

Read my profile description for rating explanation. You should have a good reason to read this book. I don't advise picking it up on a lark.

That said, I foolishly read it in its entirety and here are a few choice selections:

"Oh! what a poor thing is human life in its best enjoyments! subjected to imaginary evils, when it has no real ones to disturb it; and that can be made as effectually unhappy by its apprehensions of remote contingencies, as if it was struggling with the pangs of a present distress! This, duly reflected upon, methinks, should convince every one, that this world is not a place for the immortal mind to be confined to; and that there must be an hereafter, where the whole soul shall be satisfied."

In that passage, the author gives good advice. But don't be fooled -- the evil of this book is not imaginary. Don't waste your time unless your studies require it. Another:

"I am persuaded that fear brings one into more dangers, than the caution, that goes along with it, delivers one from."

Not a bad point. This may undermine my recommendation to avoid this novel, but take my word for it, this book is the exception that proves that rule.

It's clear why it was such a bestseller at the time. It's charms are decidedly wasted on modern readers. I recommend reality TV instead.

Also, I have hunches (thanks to a friend's suggestion) that Sex and the City is loosely inspired by this book, but I don't want to waste any more time on this novel by looking for any writings on the matter. ( )

It was an interesting read. A bit strange (from today's point of view) that Pamela's virtue is more or less the only thing that matters.
That after all that happened, that B. did to her, she agreed to marry him without any hesitation.

Not my favourite and from contents I was wondering why on earth it would end up on the list.
Considering it in the time it was written in, I can imagine it earned a spot. You probably guess from the last sentence, that I have no/hardly any knowledge about that time or the writing that was main stream then. ( )

The problem with “Pamela” isn't that it's an infuriating book. It is, but of course you have to read it with the historical context in mind. That makes it a little less aggravating.

No, the problem is that most of the book is dull. There's at least some interest in the beginning, with Pamela trying to evade the threat of her employer. But after he supposedly grows a conscience and she tosses her brain out the window, the book is just one long meeting of their mutual admiration society—with the occasional break to let someone else pop up and compliment them for a change.

I made the mistake of thinking “it's classic literature, so it has to get better sometime!” It didn't. You may like it a lot more than I did. But I'd strongly advise potential readers to be willing to abandon ship. If you're bored partway through, it's very unlikely you'll find anything to recapture your interest. ( )

I was prompted to read this when I acquired a Henry Fielding send-up of the work- "Shamela"- and thought I'd better acquaint myself with the original first.
Written in 1740, this is one of the first English novels. This is the narrative (written - often furtively to her esteemed but lowly parents)- by the eponymous heroine. When her beloved mistress dies, servant Pamela finds herself in the hands of the lady's lordly son, Mr B. From early attempts to overcome her determination to preserve her virtue, Mr B subsequently spirits her off to another of his estates, a prisoner under the watchful eye of immoral Mrs Jukes. But Pamela's noble nature wins through.....beloved by all she meets, forgiving of all offences against her, ever prudent, humble and Christian, she causes those flawed humans about her to improve in their turn...
The first thing that struck me was a similarity to Jane Eyre. That sort of unquestioning acceptance of seemingly irrational, capricious behaviour from the nobleman (though I preferred Mr Rochester to Mr B!)
Pamela is not, I think - for all her words- quite as perfect as she would have us believe. One suspects she might have escaped with just a TAD more bravado / genuine outrage at her plight. As she assures her parents she would rather join them in honest rough toil than give into Sin, she quickly follows it up with a reflection on her poor hands bleeding at such lowborn tasks. I didnt quite buy her humility; and TOO much vaunting of one's qualities (Pamela does like to tell us how admired and feted she is. A lot) does make the reader think she's utterly puffed up...
For me, a 21st centure reader, I couldnt see how she could just wipe all Mr B's quite awful misdeeds under the carpet, once he offered her marriage and a handsome settlement. And how she could eulogize her master in - unfailingly- humble and "I'm not worthy" tones, when she knew herself to be the finer person.
As I say, it's readable and even occasionally humorous (I loved Mr B's nasty sister, calling to kick up a fuss over her brother's marriage to a commoner....her reading aloud of Mr B's letter with sarcastic asides was the highlight of the book). (Did I believe the nasty sister could be so easily completely won round? No, I didnt.)
So....once was enough, but give it a go! ( )