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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
I read this just less than a year after taking a class in eighteenth century British literature which ended on works that just preceded Radcliffe, so I was certainly helped along by what the endnotes were able to trigger of my memory of aesthetic theory of the day. One of the great things about Radcliffe is that, unlike other Gothic works such as The Castle of Otranto and The Old English Baron, all the supernatural goings-on are always revealed as having a physical, rational basis. The plot was ridiculous, the characters were flat, and poor Adeline became less likable as the story progressed -- regardless, this book was so good. I will be reading more Ann Radcliffe this summer.
dear god why this was not a gothic novel at all this was just. Romantic and romantic like no
What doesn't this novel have? Guns, swords, wars, theft, murder, seduction, high-speed chases, kidnapping, blackmail, romance, action, adventure, ghosts, hallucinations, elaborate escapes, confusing deaths, secret passageways, peaches, wine, revenge, innocence, creepy forests!
Hands down one of the most exciting pieces of literature I've read in a long while. If you're at all curious about the types of books that heavily influenced the works of Jane Austen, then I highly recommend this!
Hands down one of the most exciting pieces of literature I've read in a long while. If you're at all curious about the types of books that heavily influenced the works of Jane Austen, then I highly recommend this!
mysterious
medium-paced
Ann Radcliffe
The Romance of the Forrest
The odd and fascinating early exemplar of Gothic novels, was in Radcliffe for success. The novel has Derek has many fine moments, including its descriptions of people overwhelmed and odd by nature, its use of dramatic psychology., And many interesting things. However I found the novel a chore as it were right. There were too many long sections just advancing the clock and moving characters around.Well it received positive reception at the time, apparently the novel is not considered one of Radcliffe’s best. Given the quality of some of the writing and interesting themes explored, I might be counted to investigate some of the later knobs. However I did not enjoy this one overall.
Major themes.
The mystery of knowledge. The characters are constantly on aware of the facts, and a true motivations of many characters. Indeed they frequently miss read others motives. They don’t know what happened at the abby, Adele not reading madame’s motives. 186 event empirical facts are clouded in opinion, for example the disagreement between the doctors of Adele‘s condition
The irony of trying to influence others. Madame’s cool portrayal of Adele’s fate only increases her son’s concern. And ultimately the Marquise desire for control and dominance ultimately is his undoing.
What would a Gothic novel be without the mystery of nature playing a large role. This book shows both the beauty and repose and horror Of nature. The supernatural is always lurking The novel never strayed from naturalist psychology.
Adele herself is a type of quarts of nature. Having nearly unbreakable grip on the male characters she interacts with. Yet she is also helpless and almost entirely passive. Everyone gets in trouble protecting Adele.
126 “sentiments are easily pronounced that they may have no connection with the heart, I believe them to be sincere so far only as the influence our actions. “ Adele especially
Is the occult psychological or metaphysical
Is nature the best cure?
Guilt and the past driving current action. Guilt because like a supernatural force.
Use of stories with him stories and references to other fiction
The Romance of the Forrest
The odd and fascinating early exemplar of Gothic novels, was in Radcliffe for success. The novel has Derek has many fine moments, including its descriptions of people overwhelmed and odd by nature, its use of dramatic psychology., And many interesting things. However I found the novel a chore as it were right. There were too many long sections just advancing the clock and moving characters around.Well it received positive reception at the time, apparently the novel is not considered one of Radcliffe’s best. Given the quality of some of the writing and interesting themes explored, I might be counted to investigate some of the later knobs. However I did not enjoy this one overall.
Major themes.
The mystery of knowledge. The characters are constantly on aware of the facts, and a true motivations of many characters. Indeed they frequently miss read others motives. They don’t know what happened at the abby, Adele not reading madame’s motives. 186 event empirical facts are clouded in opinion, for example the disagreement between the doctors of Adele‘s condition
The irony of trying to influence others. Madame’s cool portrayal of Adele’s fate only increases her son’s concern. And ultimately the Marquise desire for control and dominance ultimately is his undoing.
What would a Gothic novel be without the mystery of nature playing a large role. This book shows both the beauty and repose and horror Of nature. The supernatural is always lurking The novel never strayed from naturalist psychology.
Adele herself is a type of quarts of nature. Having nearly unbreakable grip on the male characters she interacts with. Yet she is also helpless and almost entirely passive. Everyone gets in trouble protecting Adele.
126 “sentiments are easily pronounced that they may have no connection with the heart, I believe them to be sincere so far only as the influence our actions. “ Adele especially
Is the occult psychological or metaphysical
Is nature the best cure?
Guilt and the past driving current action. Guilt because like a supernatural force.
Use of stories with him stories and references to other fiction
Not my favourite but still quite enjoyable! I found the beginning and the end so unbearably boring (what is it with books from this period having the most long, drawn-out unecessary endings), but once things started to happen around halfway through the book I was pretty invested. I would never have read this if I wasn't studying it this semester, so I am glad that I read it but I don't think it's something I'll want to reread in the future.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
The start is dated, but keep reading
If The Romance of the Forest (hereafter ROF), were a film, it would be gorgeous - crumbly ruins, Swiss Alps, lakes, weeping willows, dark prisons, skeletons in basements. Guillermo Del Toro would be all over this shit. And if M. Night and Del Toro had a lovechild, he would direct this rambling exploration of victimhood. Don't expect a hero, expect, as another reviewer aptly put it, "a whole lot of freaking tears" and fainting, with frequent poetry breaks (I skipped all of the poems. Sue me). Another reviewer didn't seem to like the epigraphs. I thought they were freakin' brilliant. Especially all the Macbeth. Somebody has to have done their thesis on Macbeth + ROF, or the world is not a fair place.
If you're looking for something that won't take you a month to read, read The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (kudos to the reviewer who suggested that). Longer, but better, and the plot moves quicker. Don't get me wrong, the last 60 pages of ROF will have you shredding your nails and dropping your jaw like a mental patient. It's that twisted. It just takes a lot of nature scenes, sighing, "harassed feelings" and anxiety to get you there. Indeed, get ready to "get pissed off at Adeline" (thank you previous reviewer!).
La Motte and son are more interesting, yes. But Louis (son), is the precursor to Stephenie Meyer's Jacob and Theodore (not a La Motte) is, you guessed it, sparkly Edward. It devolves into a love triangle at some points. Pierre (father), starts out the story, disappears, comes back at the end. He's conflicted, not a good guy and we're left doubting that he ever will be completely good. And that, my friends, makes for an interesting read.
Read this visually so that you can enjoy the scenery. If you can't, you might just get bored. But there's a lot to unpack here, if you're willing to take on the real work it takes. I think the last 60 pages make it worth it.
If you're looking for something that won't take you a month to read, read The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (kudos to the reviewer who suggested that). Longer, but better, and the plot moves quicker. Don't get me wrong, the last 60 pages of ROF will have you shredding your nails and dropping your jaw like a mental patient. It's that twisted. It just takes a lot of nature scenes, sighing, "harassed feelings" and anxiety to get you there. Indeed, get ready to "get pissed off at Adeline" (thank you previous reviewer!).
La Motte and son are more interesting, yes. But Louis (son), is the precursor to Stephenie Meyer's Jacob and Theodore (not a La Motte) is, you guessed it, sparkly Edward. It devolves into a love triangle at some points. Pierre (father), starts out the story, disappears, comes back at the end. He's conflicted, not a good guy and we're left doubting that he ever will be completely good. And that, my friends, makes for an interesting read.
Read this visually so that you can enjoy the scenery. If you can't, you might just get bored. But there's a lot to unpack here, if you're willing to take on the real work it takes. I think the last 60 pages make it worth it.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
So many things in this book!! It took a bit to get into, but once it got going it took off! Great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
This has everything you've ever wanted to read when craving life in a summer forest. The heroine is super pure hearted like most heroines in art and literature of the time, but you shoulldn't let modern feminist ire get you down and just enjoy book. A crumbly abby lost deep in the woods and all sort of ghoulish intrigue. So good.