William Makepeace Thackeray, página 2 de 11

VANITY FAIR, Thackeray's panoramic, satirical saga of corruption at all levels of English society, was published in 1847 but set during the Napoleonic Wars. It chronicles the lives of two women who could not be more different: Becky Sharp, an orphan whose only resources are her vast ambitions, her native wit, and her loose morals; and her schoolmate Amelia Sedley, a typically naive Victorian heroine, the pampered daughter of a wealthy family. Becky's fluctuating fortunes eventually bring her to an affair with Amelia's dissolute husband; when he is killed at Waterloo, Amelia and her child are left penniless, while Becky and her husband Rawdon Crawley rise in the world, managing to lead a high life in London solely on the basis of their shrewdness. (The chapter entitled "How to Live on Nothing" is a classic.) Thackeray's subtitle, "A Novel Without a Hero," is understating the case; his view of humanity in this novel is distinctly bleak and deliberately antiheroic. Critics of the time misunderstood the book, decrying it as (among other things) vicious, vile, and odious. But VANITY FAIR has endured as one of the great comic novels of all time, and a landmark in the history of realism in fiction.

This is Thackerays first full-length novel, which appeared in serialised instalments in Frasers Magazine between May 1839 and February 1840. The story of Catherine was written by Mr. Thackeray, under the name of Ikey Solomons, Jun., to counteract the injurious influence of some popular fictions of that day, which made heroes of highwaymen and burglars, and created a false sympathy for the vicious and criminal.With this purpose, the author chose for the subject of his story a woman named Catherine Hayes, who was burned at Tyburn, in 1726, for the deliberate murder of her husband, under very revolting circumstances. Mr. Thackerays aim obviously was to describe the career of this wretched woman and her associates with such fidelity to truth as to exhibit the danger and folly of investing such persons with heroic and romantic qualities.

"Los Timmins viven en un vecindario muy refinado, y no es necesario decir que son de buena familia. Ella, que cree que su cariñoso marido tiene un despacho de abogados próspero y nada en la abundancia, decidio organizar una cena con lo mas exclusivo de la vieja sociedad londinense. Quiso demostrar que en su pequeño hogar podia celebrar la mejor velada de la ciudad. ¿Veinte personas en una mesa donde tan solo caben diez? ¿Que hacer con las viejas amistades si no estan a la altura? ¿Como proceder con los familiares menos favorecidos? ¿Y como conseguir vajilla y servicio para tantos? ¿Cocinero y mayordomo de alquiler? Ay, las infulas de Rosa Timmins no pertenecen solo a aquella epoca, son tambien de la nuestra, quiza de alguno de nuestros vecinos, de alguno de nuestros conocidos."

The Irish Sketch-book is a travelogue and collection of essays written by the famous 19th-century British author William Makepeace Thackeray. It was published in 1843 and presents Thackerays observations and experiences during his travels in Ireland.In "The Irish Sketch-book," Thackeray provides a series of witty and satirical sketches that depict Irish society, culture, and landscapes. He offers both humorous and critical insights into various aspects of Irish life, including the people, traditions, history, and social conditions prevalent in Ireland at that time.The book is divided into several chapters or sketches, each focusing on a different topic or location. Thackeray explores various regions of Ireland, such as Dublin, Wicklow, Cork, Killarney, and the Giants Causeway, providing vivid descriptions of the scenery and recounting his interactions with the locals.Thackerays writing style is characterized by his keen observations, biting humor, and occasional sentimentality. Through his sketches, he aims to entertain readers while also shedding light on the complex realities of Irish society during the 19th century. He discusses topics like poverty, politics, religion, and the contrasting lifestyles of the Irish aristocracy and the working class.It is worth noting that Thackerays perspective is that of an outsider, and his observations may reflect the biases and stereotypes prevalent during his time. Some critics argue that his portrayal of the Irish people perpetuates certain stereotypes and fails to capture the full complexity of Irish culture and history. Nonetheless, "The Irish Sketch-book" remains a significant literary work that provides valuable insights into Irelands past and serves as a historical document of its time.William Makepeace Thackeray (18 July 1811 24 December 1863) was a British novelist, author and illustrator. He is known for his satirical works, particularly his 1848 novel Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of British society, and the 1844 novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon, which was adapted for a 1975 film by Stanley Kubrick.

Thackeray, author of the masterpiece Vanity Fair, was considered one of the finest writers of the Victorian heyday: Dickens was his closest rival. This anthology covers all of Thackerays versatile genius: his sketches, journalism, essays, cartoons and fiction. With explanatory notes by Scholar and writer John Sutherland, this varied selection offers a lens into Victorian life by one of its most distinctive voices.

Thackeray's panoramic, satirical saga of corruption at all levels of English society, was published in 1847 but set during the Napoleonic Wars. It chronicles the lives of two women who could not be more different: Becky Sharp, an orphan whose only resources are her vast ambitions, her native wit, and her loose morals; and her schoolmate Amelia Sedley, a typically naive Victorian heroine, the pampered daughter of a wealthy family. Becky's fluctuating fortunes eventually bring her to an affair with Amelia's dissolute husband; when he is killed at Waterloo, Amelia and her child are left penniless, while Becky and her husband Rawdon Crawley rise in the world, managing to lead a high life in London solely on the basis of their shrewdness. (The chapter entitled "How to Live on Nothing" is a classic.) Thackeray's subtitle, "A Novel Without a Hero," is understating the case; his view of humanity in this novel is distinctly bleak and deliberately antiheroic. Critics of the time misunderstood the book, decrying it as (among other things) vicious, vile, and odious. But VANITY FAIR has endured as one of the great comic novels of all time, and a landmark in the history of realism in fiction.

This edition of one of the greatest social satires of the English language reproduces the text of the Oxford Thackeray and includes all of Thackeray''s own illustrations. William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) was an English novelist famous for his satirical works.