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morenowagain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Review of The Mysteries of Udolpho
By: Ann Radcliffe
While traveling to visit her Aunt Madame Cheron, Emily’s father dies and she must live with her, but the pair don’t connect with each. Her aunt’s new husband Count Montoni tries to arrange Emily’s marriage to a Count Morano, but he turns out to not to be as rich as he led them to believe. Montoni uproots them to his Castle, Udolpho, in the Italian Mountains and holds them hostage, trying to force Emily’s aunt to give up her fortune.
This was quite the read and a page turner, but it was also an exhausting read. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t absolutely love it. Emily is sensible and isn’t completely naïve, but I did get frustrated and annoyed with her in the last part of the story. The last part of the novel also felt like a whole another story. Montoni is an unpredictable and frightening antagonist to read about as he tries to intimidate Emily and her aunt. I appreciate how Emily stood up to him even in fear and didn’t cower like other female heroines would. Her aunt, Madame was annoying, but I did feel sorry for her towards the end. It annoyed me when she was impatient with Emily’s grief over her father’s death, expecting her to get over it even though she lost him only a few days ago. Annette and Theresa were great secondary characters and Theresa was saying exactly what I was thinking. Annette’s assuming everything is supernatural and Emily getting impatient with Annette’s habit of going off on tangents is fun to read about it. There are so many beautiful descriptions of the landscapes that immerse me easily in the setting of France and Italy. Emily fancies herself a poet and loves poetry so there are poems throughout that are beautifully written, but sometimes tedious to read through, so at times I skipped some of them. The atmosphere was quite creepy and mysteries with a lot of secrets to unravel. It was written originally in 1794 and set in 1584, so the characters are so dramatic for me as a modern reader, and the dialogue is overtopped in tone and words. There were some challenging aspects of the writing such as the awkward sentences throughout. An example “They now returned to the supper-room, where the Count’s guests awaited to accompany him and Ludovico to the door of the north apartments, and Dorothee, being summoned for the keys, delivered them to Ludovico, who then led the way, followed by most of the inhabitants of the Chateau.” “Generously anxious for her peace, Emily, therefore, tried to persuade, when she could convince, and sought by every gentle means to induce her to forebear the asperity of reply, which so greatly irritated Montoni.” The sentences don’t flow or feel natural, too many pauses. I know Emily’s life is sad and terrifying, but if I had a dollar for every time Mrs. Radcliffe used the word melancholy I would have quite a bit of money. I had my problems, but wanted to know what was going to happen to Emily and if she would be reunited with Valancourt. This kept me engaged enough to keep reading the 672 pages, despite feeling of mental exhaustion while reading at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
dernhelms_bag's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Confinement, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Kidnapping, Racism, Murder, Violence, and Sexual harassment
jupitermond's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and Death
jessthanthree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity
heini's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse
readwithbells's review against another edition
challenging
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
1st Read: 4.0⭐️
What a wild ride of a novel that basically just ends up being a Scooby Doo story with the thesis that men suck and it’s really hard to be a woman in the 18th century. Quite enjoyed the author straight up telling us in no uncertain terms how we should feel and to be happy when she eventually gives us information. A LONG LONG LONGGGGG ride especially if you don’t read classics but oh man, Ann Radcliffe’s wit and style and opinions are some of the funniest and best I’ve ever seen. I had an absolute BALL reading this book. Enjoy at the peril of losing 2+ weeks of your life.
2nd Read: 4.75⭐️
I really love this book. Something about it is so engaging, I get so wrapped up in the landscape and the descriptions and Emily’s peril. On this read-through, I was analyzing it more closely through class and I think that added to my enjoyment of the piece a lot. Emily’s psychological state as matching the landscape, the politics and context, re-discovering Madame Cheron as possibly a new favourite character?? All really contributed to more enjoyment of the piece. My only gripe is in the relationship with Valancourt - he kind of sucks first off, but aside from the stalker gaslighting, the miscommunication trope is basically their entire relationship and does kind of get annoying. Otherwise though I think it’s pretty much a perfect book and a really interesting snapshot of French Revolution commentary.
Read for Romantic Period Gothics class.
What a wild ride of a novel that basically just ends up being a Scooby Doo story with the thesis that men suck and it’s really hard to be a woman in the 18th century. Quite enjoyed the author straight up telling us in no uncertain terms how we should feel and to be happy when she eventually gives us information. A LONG LONG LONGGGGG ride especially if you don’t read classics but oh man, Ann Radcliffe’s wit and style and opinions are some of the funniest and best I’ve ever seen. I had an absolute BALL reading this book. Enjoy at the peril of losing 2+ weeks of your life.
2nd Read: 4.75⭐️
I really love this book. Something about it is so engaging, I get so wrapped up in the landscape and the descriptions and Emily’s peril. On this read-through, I was analyzing it more closely through class and I think that added to my enjoyment of the piece a lot. Emily’s psychological state as matching the landscape, the politics and context, re-discovering Madame Cheron as possibly a new favourite character?? All really contributed to more enjoyment of the piece. My only gripe is in the relationship with Valancourt - he kind of sucks first off, but aside from the stalker gaslighting, the miscommunication trope is basically their entire relationship and does kind of get annoying. Otherwise though I think it’s pretty much a perfect book and a really interesting snapshot of French Revolution commentary.
Read for Romantic Period Gothics class.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
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