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Book Review By Jack Goodstein
The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Captain Absolute, masquerading as Ensign Beverly, is courting a beautiful young heiress, Lydia Languish. His father tells him that he has arranged a marriage for him, and at first the captain objects, but then he discovers that the woman has in mind is Miss Languish. This raises a new problem: Lydia thinks he is Beverly and she is thrilled with the idea of running off with her lover.
The captain decides to elope with her to satisfy her taste for romance.

Meanwhile a rival suitor, Bob Acres, is persuaded to challenge Beverly to a duel even though he is terrified of being killed. Everything is resolved when Acres discovers that Beverly is really Absolute, an old friend. Lydia decides that she will marry the captain, even though he is not a poor ensign.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - humorous
Time/era of story - 1600-1899 -
Romance/Romance Problems Yes
Kind of romance:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Lover is

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Nationality

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status:
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - below average

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - mostly dialog
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