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theconorhilton's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one much better than Udolpho. The way the Gothic features here is interesting. Radcliffe seems more interested in like family dynamics and lost women than the male Gothic authors I’ve read. Also less interested in real and over-the-top supernatural elements, much more like the horrors of tyrannical fathers/father-figures. I read this fairly quickly so I’ll need to refresh on the cast of characters because I think I missed some of the connections/revelations. Fascinating as a pair with Udolpho for how quickly we get to the action here, where we are almost immediately in some dire straits and at a Gothic location. Potentially useful for conversations about time and family alongside The Monk. Interesting.
hannahb2713's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were a few parts where it dragged on a little bit, but overall it was entertaining, spooky, and romantic.
redbluemoon's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up because of my dissertation for this year, so it was not one of these books in which you enter certain you love everything. It was an unavoidable read for someone studying Gothic novels.
It's true that this kind of book is not fast-paced, not action-packed, that some readers may be bored. But, in fact, there is action: after all, Adeline is going through a lot! And there is always something going on, intertwined with reflections of the characters and poems.
What really surprised me in this book was Adeline. I read everywhere that Gothic heroins such as the ones in Ann Radcliffe's works were unbearable, naive, and super annoying. I didn't think this reading the book; on the contrary, I thought Adeline had some personality, she doesn't let people walk all over her - even if she still is a girl in distress confronted with people wanting to harm her. She still faints a lot, and is really, really, REALLY kind to people who don't deserve her kindness. But I was surprised not to be more annoyed with her. And one prejudice overcome, one!
Concerning Ann Radcliffe's writing, I have to say it is really good; but, as she describes, or when there are not dialogues for a long time, it can become a little lengthy, mostly between two great actions.
This book is not a five-star read because, when I read Gothic fiction, I love to get supernatural elements, and there were none here. We are led to understand that, when there is supposed to be a ghost, it's just Adeline's imagination, or fear. There are dreadful events, and secrets revealed, "haunted" places and themes like [SPOILER] incest [END OF THE SPOILER], but no "magic" we'll say. In fact, "ghosts" are simply results of guilt, the criminal assailled by remorse.
Of course, the end is stereotyped too; [SPOILER] there are some elements from fairy tales, such as the recognition in the end, or the happy (double!) wedding [END OF THE SPOILER].
To conclude, a very good book that gives some essential Gothic elements.
It's true that this kind of book is not fast-paced, not action-packed, that some readers may be bored. But, in fact, there is action: after all, Adeline is going through a lot! And there is always something going on, intertwined with reflections of the characters and poems.
What really surprised me in this book was Adeline. I read everywhere that Gothic heroins such as the ones in Ann Radcliffe's works were unbearable, naive, and super annoying. I didn't think this reading the book; on the contrary, I thought Adeline had some personality, she doesn't let people walk all over her - even if she still is a girl in distress confronted with people wanting to harm her. She still faints a lot, and is really, really, REALLY kind to people who don't deserve her kindness. But I was surprised not to be more annoyed with her. And one prejudice overcome, one!
Concerning Ann Radcliffe's writing, I have to say it is really good; but, as she describes, or when there are not dialogues for a long time, it can become a little lengthy, mostly between two great actions.
This book is not a five-star read because, when I read Gothic fiction, I love to get supernatural elements, and there were none here. We are led to understand that, when there is supposed to be a ghost, it's just Adeline's imagination, or fear. There are dreadful events, and secrets revealed, "haunted" places and themes like [SPOILER] incest [END OF THE SPOILER], but no "magic" we'll say. In fact, "ghosts" are simply results of guilt, the criminal assailled by remorse.
Of course, the end is stereotyped too; [SPOILER] there are some elements from fairy tales, such as the recognition in the end, or the happy (double!) wedding [END OF THE SPOILER].
To conclude, a very good book that gives some essential Gothic elements.
ampersunder's review against another edition
4.0
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.
thewildewoolf's review against another edition
3.0
dear god why this was not a gothic novel at all this was just. Romantic and romantic like no
csnow33's review against another edition
5.0
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!
dngoldman's review against another edition
3.0
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
emilyparker's review against another edition
3.0
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.