"Angels & Insects" is a remarkable work that consists of two Victorian-style novellas penned by A.S. Byatt.

These novellas are rich with large themes, engaging philosophical arguments, and the constrictions of society.

The first novella, "Morpho Eugenia," revolves around a naturalist who finds himself increasingly confined within his refined and proper surroundings. It delves into various aspects such as religion, creationism, Darwinism, the norms of society, and anthropomorphism.

The second novella, "The Conjugial Angel," delves deep into the Victorian fixation with the afterlife. It explores elements like seances, religion, poetry, longing, and once again, the sense of being trapped within the roles imposed by society.

Overall, "Angels & Insects" is a very dense and philosophical piece of literature. However, it is also thoughtful and interesting, inviting readers to explore the complex themes and ideas presented within its pages.

Like other reviewers, I discovered that Morpho Eugenia was easier and more pleasurable to read than The Conjugal Angel. However, I believe that having some knowledge about Tennyson would have been beneficial for understanding the latter.

Christopher H. is correct in stating that to fully appreciate Byatt's work, one must read it slowly. When I was able to do this, both my enjoyment and understanding of her writing increased. The Conjugal Angel reminded me of Possession due to the embedded poetry and texts. Therefore, I made an effort to be patient, remembering how rewarding Possession was. After listening to her speak at a talk, I realized that this aspect of her writing truly distinguishes her from most authors and adds a depth that cannot be achieved in any other way.

On the side, I have The Biographer's Tale: A Novel and On Histories and Stories: Selected Essays waiting to be read, and I'm excited about delving into them.

After reading two collections of her short stories, I can say that both novellas in Angels and Insects are classic Byatt. In her work, one not only gets a sense of unreality but also a wealth of visceral imagery and emotions related to the earthy, decaying, and creeping aspects of life. On the other hand, there is such clarity of psychological insight into the characters and their relationships with each other.

I'm completely hooked. While I may not enjoy all of her books to the same extent, I'm captivated by her writing and eager for more.

A.S. Byatt, in her remarkable work Angels & Insects, has crafted a rich and intricate book consisting of two medium-length novellas set in the mid-1860s and 1870s. These novellas delve deep into themes that were of great significance to the people of the Victorian Era.

The first novella, Morpho Eugenia, centers around the relationships within a family, among its friends and servants, and with the natural world in the English countryside. It explores the study of society and nature, and the tension and struggle between theology and science that reverberates throughout. The story builds up to a shocking climax that involves the relationships of the central characters. Once you start reading, it's nearly impossible to put down. I must admit that not only is the plot captivating, but the prose is exquisitely beautiful. Byatt, in my view, solidifies her reputation as a superb storyteller with Morpho Eugenia.

The second novella, The Conjugial Angel, is a more complex yet lushly presented story. It examines the impact of 'Loss' on a small group of characters who gather around a seance table. The Victorian poetry of Alfred Lord Tennyson, the relationships between Tennyson, his sister Emily, and a young poet, Arthur Henry Hallam, who died years before the story commences, all play prominent roles. Elements of the supernatural, a hint of gothic horror, and the theology of Swedenborg all blend together in this wonderful tale. However, be forewarned that one needs to read The Conjugial Angel slowly and thoughtfully, much like savoring a slice of pecan pie.

Fans of A.S. Byatt or Victoriana in general will not be disappointed in the slightest with either of these two novellas. I know for sure that I will return to visit them again soon.

I picked up Angels & Insects mainly due to its second novella. It is centered around spiritualism and a seance, which greatly intrigues me. Regarding the first novella, all I knew was that it had a connection with insects and the Victorian era, so I decided to give it a try.

Well, that first novella completely blew me away. It definitely deserves a 5/5 stars rating. The twists and turns! The beautiful prose! The intense and unadulterated yearning! The discussions about insects, which I initially thought might be a bit dull, were made incredibly interesting! And that ending! I am truly in awe of the way A.S. Byatt skillfully weaves sentences together. It is a novella that I will definitely reread at some point and dissect carefully so that I can learn the art of writing from her. I am certain of that.

As for the second novella, it gets a 4/5. It was rather slow-paced, and I must admit that I knew very little about Tennyson. However, the story still worked for me because A.S. Byatt is a master of language. But I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had known more about the historical background. Still, I adored most of it, especially the parts where Sophy goes into a trance.

Lovely, lovely, lovely! I've discovered another author whose work I want to savor, that's for sure.

A S Byatt's works bear a certain resemblance to those of Jane Austen in that she seems to poke fun at her characters in some places. However, her stories are far murkier, teeming with sensuality and unseemliness.

They are also quietly intellectual and quirky. There are elements such as ants, Darwinism, spiritualism, Tennyson, and quite a number of vocabulary words that require me to look them up.

What is always interesting about Byatt's writing is the seamless integration of history, poetry, essays, and fables into the stories. At their best, these elements are quirky, charming, and add multiple layers to the narrative, creating a sense of life imitating art.

However, sometimes I do get a bit bogged down, like when there are 10 or so pages dedicated to the study of ants, for instance.

Nevertheless, Byatt's works continue to captivate and engage, offering a unique and thought-provoking reading experience.

I must confess that I managed to get only halfway through the two novellas. I was completely engrossed in reading (and absolutely loving!) "Morpho Eugenia" to the extent that I excluded "The Conjugal Angel" for the time being. The Victorian characters in "Morpho Eugenia" were vividly and skillfully drawn, which really brought the story to life. However, the treatises on insects, faith, and doubt were a bit overwhelming for me. As a result, I quickly skimmed over those parts.

Byatt is truly a master storyteller. Her incisive and knife-edge observations on class and social status are nothing short of brilliant. In fact, I would毫不犹豫地 give it 5 stars for the first novella, "Morpho Eugenia," alone. Guiltily, I chose to ignore the second novella, realizing that even on a rainy day, I would probably not have the determination to force myself to slog through it. I think I will come back to it at a later time when I am in a different frame of mind.

Morpho Eugenia ****

It is a truly remarkable and enchanting species. The Morpho Eugenia is known for its stunning and vibrant colors, which seem to glow and shine in the light. Its wings are like works of art, with intricate patterns and a beauty that is simply captivating.

El ángel conyugal **

This term, "El ángel conyugal," which means the conjugal angel, might be used to describe something or someone that is associated with the idea of a harmonious and loving partnership. It could refer to a relationship that is filled with mutual respect, understanding, and care.

Explicaré por qué.

I will explain why. Perhaps the Morpho Eugenia is being compared to the conjugal angel because of its beauty and grace, which could symbolize the qualities that are desired in a loving relationship. Just as the Morpho Eugenia brings a sense of wonder and delight, a conjugal angel might bring a sense of peace and happiness to a relationship. Additionally, the term "angel" often implies a sense of purity and goodness, which could also be associated with a healthy and fulfilling partnership.

“You could not make a man into a poem, neither the singer nor the sung, neither the rippling throat nor the still corpse.” This profound statement truly intrigues me. It seems to touch on the essence of human nature and the limitations of our attempts to capture the intangible.

Moreover, it completely checks all the boxes on my current passions. Spiritualism, with its exploration of the deeper meaning and connection beyond the physical world, finds resonance here. The female imagination, which has the power to create and envision worlds that are both beautiful and complex, is also a significant aspect.

And let's not forget the lightest sprinkle of polar exploration. The harsh and unforgiving environment of the poles represents a challenge and a mystery, much like the human experience. RIP AS Byatt, you were a real one. Your words have left a lasting impact on me and will continue to inspire my own exploration of these themes.

It took me an incredibly long time to read this particular piece.

The text was extremely dense, making it a bit of a struggle to get through.

The characters seemed rather flat and lifeless as they took a backseat to the message that the author was delving into.

I understand that the Insects were intended to be a metaphor for mankind, but the exploration of this concept dragged on for far too long and simply wasn't sufficient to maintain my interest throughout the entire story.

This work is essentially two stories in one.

The first one, I managed to push through and read in its entirety.

However, with the second story, I got lost right from the very first sentence.

They have wings. They're conducting seances (which was my least favorite aspect of her earlier novel, Possession).

I simply had no clue what was supposed to be happening and couldn't bring myself to care.

Overall, this reading experience was a bit of a disappointment for me.

I read this in French and for a very literary author, it was surprisingly easy to read.

Perhaps it could be due to the translation, but more likely it is the wonderfully clear and limpid writing that holds you spellbound.

The story is set in late Victorian times and delves into one of the passions of that era; namely, collecting specimens of the natural world and classifying them with the same meticulousness as their own society was ordered.

Unfortunately for the hero, William, he is trapped by poverty and at the mercy of the wealthy Alabaster family. They ensnare him like a moth to a collecting jar, intending for him to be the husband of their precocious daughter.

The family conceals more secrets than the deepest and darkest Amazon, where he yearns to return.

It offers a fascinating introduction to a society striving to understand its place in a world that has been profoundly shaken by the discoveries of Mr Darwin.

Some of the textbook entries about the ants were a bit long-winded, yet one can see that the author is drawing parallels between the two complex societies.

It is a triumph and highly recommended to all as a mock-history, a romance, and an adventure rolled into one.

I read this particular work for my literature discussion group, which is led by our truly extraordinary professor. He is a Victorian scholar par excellence, with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of that era.

Byatt, too, is clearly an excellent Victorian scholar herself. She has managed to craft a novel that could easily pass for one written by a Victorian during that very time period. In fact, it consists of two "novellas". The first one focuses on a Darwinian insect, mostly ants, and makes a metaphorical comparison with human society. It delves into the complex relationships and behaviors within both the insect and human worlds.

The second novella, on the other hand, centers around the Victorian preoccupation with seances and the "spirit world". It explores the beliefs and superstitions of that time, as well as the allure and mystery surrounding the idea of communicating with the dead.

What I liked most about these novellas were the endings. For some, they might be a bit melodramatic, but I found them to be both fun and somewhat unpredictable. Endings are notoriously difficult to do well, and Byatt has managed to create finales that leave the reader with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to think more deeply about the themes and ideas presented throughout the work.

This really wasn't what I freaking expected.

The fact that I was forced to read this for class disturbs me… but only the ending.

Overall, it was an interesting read. The way it connects to the natural world overall was definitely something to think about.

For example, the descriptions of the various landscapes and the behaviors of the animals within them made me realize how complex and interconnected the natural world truly is.

It also made me question our role as humans in this world and how our actions can have a significant impact on the environment.

Despite the fact that I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending, I still think that this piece has value and can serve as a starting point for further discussions about the natural world and our place within it.

I would recommend it to others who are interested in exploring these topics and who are willing to keep an open mind.