I just don't know

This is another of those books I'm not quite sure of my opinion. I'm not even sure if I understood it, it was one of those books that anyone can understand, they just have to care to do so. In truth, I didn't care to do so, if anything, I'm quite surprised that I persisted in reading it.

My somewhat poor opinion of it is not because of the writing- which was actually brilliantly old fashioned and very descriptive (though a little long-winded at times). I was troubled by the characters, the two older Aspen sisters, the drunkard Alex and the homely sensible Nancy were the only endearing features of the book.

Lydia, the leading character, was an impetuous, silly 'brat' of a woman: forcing those around her to obey her every command. Why they did is beyond me. Her words (something along the lines of) "'You will call me won't you. Do call me. I shall hate you if you don't. And I shall never speak to you again!"

I simply couldn't tolerate her, and now she has me speaking just as she would, were she writing this. Did English women in the 1920s actually speak this way? She just seemed so selfish, and unbearably childish. I don't know, I really don't.

The story, itself, escalated quite slowly- a tale of a young woman (Lydia) and her acquaintance with a young man (Mr. Richardson). During their time together, love blooms. She was a woman who had been kept from the world, hidden, and he- a man wanting her only for himself. She tires of him, quickly, and entertains his male companions; and leads them on. All the time, she actually has no knowledge of her 'feelings', though she never admits this- and only insults the ever so clever Mr. Robertson with the words. Really, why they 'loved' her is beyond me.

I received this through NetGalley.