Reviews

The Castle of Otranto by Michael Gamer, Horace Walpole

hannaberg's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

heather_boo's review against another edition

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4.0

It is taking me a moment to come to increased appreciation of this old text. While it is gothic in nature with supernatural elements, prophecies and such, it is also humorous in the face of what would otherwise be daunting atmosphere. The people feel like caricatures with almost spoof-like Scooby Doo moments. For his time, to pair humor and Gothic subject matter really was unique and out standing. My rating continues to increase as I write my review. Sure, it may feel a bit flat or empty to us now, but only because so many geniuses took this thread and ran with it.

morganewzb's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

kellyrenea's review against another edition

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4.0

Interesting read

I mostly read this book because I found out it was one of the first gothic novels written and published. Walpole inspired one of my favorite authors Edgar Allen Poe. The story was good, but a little too dramatic for my taste. Definitely worth reading though.

nenation's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

alisay's review against another edition

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Not as gothic as I thought it would be considering it’s the first gothic novel. The man was litro acting crazy tho. That do be kind of a gothic theme. They did my queen Matilda so dirty tho. Why not let her have her happy ending like. 

the_windrunner94's review against another edition

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

squeegybeckinheim's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

3.25

yogurtwater's review against another edition

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Can't be the best when you're the first.

mfeezell's review against another edition

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2.0

What a wild ride. Frankly, the story around the book (and Walpole's change in preface between the first and second edition) is more entertaining than the story itself, which is a fantastic mess in a way that only old gothic literature can be.