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Well its been a bit of an emotional week, 2 job interviews, (neither of which I heard anything back from!) results, and my sister visiting. I've also been talking lots at work about Chinese things. I'm doing my gallery talk on June 10th which is a sunday on Chinese books in the Library, I get to do a general introduction and then talk about any books in there I like! So I get to spend the next few months going through the catalogue and deciding my favorites! I was also dissapointed to hear that I wouldn't be able to help with Chinese New Year because of budget constraints! But I asked if I could just volunteer anyway as it would be great experience and just heard I could. Horray! Last night we went out with my uncle and two cousins and ate a very tasty celebratory dinner. Today my individual results came and I was dissapointed to see that the external examiners had marked me down for the stuff I did for my major course! I was quite dissapointed. Still my Chinese result was much better than expected, and overall I do still get a distinction so I shouldn't complain!

I feel rather drained! I think I'm going to attempt to be productive this afternoon and do a bit of cleaning and studying, and hopefully manage to write up a couple more books. But first some relaxation.

Ruben Sachs by Amy Levy

Ruben Sachs is a very good short late Victorian novel. The author, Amy Levy, was a young Jewish woman who committed suicide in her late 20s. The book looks at the lives of a group of young middle class Jewish people living in London and the constraints of Jewish society. In many ways it reminded me a lot of early 20th century Chinese literature that was also calling into question traditional views and behaviour. The book was criticised at the time for being anti-Semitic because the author's views were so critical, however I don't think its right to judge her that way as she was trying to explain how she saw things, the corruption and the materialism of those around her and the very limited role available for young women. It could almost be the 19th century culture critique comparable to Woody Allen. The author was clearly challenging the existing stereotypes found in England, in particular those of George Elliot. The style was very good. I got a real feel for the characters and the dilemma's they were facing, in places it was stunningly dramatic and tragic, particularly the scene at the dance. I wish the author had written more, I'm not sure I'll be able to track down her other novel, about four women struggling to make a living working in a shop but I'd really like to. Very many thanks to oursin for sending me her spare copy.