Zuleika Dobson
What is Zuleika Dobson about?
Zuleika Dobson (1911) is Max Beerbohm’s only novel and one of the greatest comic novels in English. The beautiful Zuleika Dobson visits her grandfather, the Warden of Judas College, Oxford, and every undergraduate in the university immediately falls hopelessly in love with her. The situation escalates to absurd, tragic proportions as the entire student body threatens to drown themselves in the Isis for love of Zuleika. The novel is a brilliant satire of Oxford, romantic obsession, male vanity, and the aestheticism of the era, written in Beerbohm’s matchless prose style.
Main themes in Zuleika Dobson
Comic masterpiece
Zuleika Dobson thoughtfully explores comic masterpiece through its central conflicts.
Oxford satire
Oxford satire emerges as a defining element in Zuleika Dobson, shaping character development.
Romantic obsession
In Zuleika Dobson, romantic obsession provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Edwardian fiction
Edwardian fiction emerges as a defining element in Zuleika Dobson, shaping character development.
Why Zuleika Dobson is still relevant today
Zuleika Dobson is regularly voted one of the funniest novels in English. Its satire of Oxford, romantic obsession, and male ego remains brilliant and relevant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zuleika Dobson about?
A beautiful woman visits Oxford and every student falls in love with her, leading to absurd, tragic consequences in this brilliant comic novel.
Is it really that funny?
It is regularly ranked among the funniest novels in English. The comedy builds from social satire to glorious absurdity.
Do I need to know Oxford?
No, though familiarity with Oxford adds enjoyment. The humor is universal.
Can I read it free online?
Yes, the complete novel is available free on TextStack.