Vanity Fair

Times change, Values change too. Becky Sharp was considered a terrible female when the novel came out. These days she would be considered a smart female, probably at the top of the ladder, a CEO of a large corporate perhaps. Amelia Sedly is all sugar, seeing good in people till you feel sickened. Her fiance is a blackguard, her brother is a fool, her father is a compulsive gambler, but she thinks they are all cats whiskers. Becky can see through a person at a glance, and knowing she has to make her way up in the world through her wits, she exploits the weakness of men and women. Here is a girl who makes lemonade when life deals her with lemons. A true survivor.

These are the thoughts that raced through my head when I watched the recently concluded TV adaptation of Vanity Fair by ye goode olde BBC

The production values are simply superb. The actors are simply APT. Natasha Little brings Becky Sharp to life. Amelia Sedly is played by Frances Grey.

I have read Vanity Fair when I was young. After the first batch of episodes aired (two episodes of an hour back to back) I nearly went and got the book. But then I remembered gutenberg.org and downloaded a free ebook. William Makepeace Thackeray is very witty and I am enjoying re-reading the book. More on this in the book-blog when I am thru.