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thiswayforhorrorrecs's review against another edition
This book is so boring and nothing is holding my attention.
kdawn999's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t think I was going to recommend this half way through—and it is long and boring—but I actually ended up liking it once I accepted its caricatured characters and plot absurdities. The “romance” part is mostly sickly, and the main character is unlikeably perfect, but I appreciate reading the author who inspired Austen, the Bröntes, and later mystery writers. The book may feel tropey, but then you realize it started the tropes! I also can’t get over the fact that a 19th century French author decided to make Radcliffe a character in his vampire fan fiction. So it turns out Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has literary precedent and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies isn’t that radical! So, read this if you are curious about the literary origins of this vein of the Gothic romance—I promise there is blood if you read far enough! If you are looking for entertainment and thrill on the level her original readers might have had it, read Stephen King instead.
phantomwise's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, Valancourt is the worst romantic hero I've met since Heathcliff brooded across the moors. I think I liked every other character more than him - and that includes the legitimately rapey villains.
allmyexistentialcrises's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
dnietoperafan's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I read for my Gothic Literature class, and I just have to say, I hated and loved it at the same time. First off, the passing of this novel is incredibly slow. The first few chapters, maybe even the whole of volume 1, was filled with scenery descriptions and a kickstarter for the main plot. But to be fair, these give the characters, specially Emily, more of a real feel. In volume 2 the plot thickens. Ghosts, castles, and mysteries; what else could you ask for?
As for the characters, Emily might not be the most groundbreaking protagonist, but I definitely cared about her. All the emotions, the dramatic poetry, and over the top reactions made my reading experience amazing. I have to say though, I didn’t take them too seriously, so I kept laughing whenever Emily fainted. Nevertheless, she is a protagonist you can like and care for.
The descriptions are beautifully written, yet they are pretty slow at times. If you like descriptions, I would definitely recommend this novel; yet if you like more action-y books, maybe this is not the one for you. Either way, it was a great gothic novel.
As for the characters, Emily might not be the most groundbreaking protagonist, but I definitely cared about her. All the emotions, the dramatic poetry, and over the top reactions made my reading experience amazing. I have to say though, I didn’t take them too seriously, so I kept laughing whenever Emily fainted. Nevertheless, she is a protagonist you can like and care for.
The descriptions are beautifully written, yet they are pretty slow at times. If you like descriptions, I would definitely recommend this novel; yet if you like more action-y books, maybe this is not the one for you. Either way, it was a great gothic novel.
carladay83's review against another edition
3.0
I suppose I can't really fault one of the first books to give raise to the Gothic Romance trend for being too melodramatic but it was that. I suppose I just wasn't prepared for such so passive and her lover to be so ineffectual. I was more impressed by Emily's aunt. She may have been superficial and cruel but she at least stood up to Montoni and didn't give in to his scheming. I enjoyed parts of it but not enough to give it more than three stars.
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very good mystery. Some of it kind of dragged, but it was so intriguing that I always wanted to keep reading.
beckyfirebird's review against another edition
Just got bored, looked up the synopsis, was not impressed
misscoralinejones's review against another edition
3.0
I misteri di Udolpho, conosciuto anche come gli svenimenti di Emily
blondierocket's review against another edition
3.0
Not only is it on the 1,001 Books list but also referenced in The Jane Austen Book Club and I wanted to understand more fully what the references meant and how they applied.
Udolpho is this mysterious castle hidden away from the world and everyone is scared of it, including Emily, who is also intrigued by the nature of this forbidden place. At first I wasn’t sure if I would actually enjoy the story, not one for ghosts in castles, but the more I read the more I wondered what was going on and the stories, plus all the little hints to the past and Emily’s father. By the time the story ended I felt fulfilled by the revelations and not at all let down by the workings of Udolpho and other mysteries within the story.
Udolpho is this mysterious castle hidden away from the world and everyone is scared of it, including Emily, who is also intrigued by the nature of this forbidden place. At first I wasn’t sure if I would actually enjoy the story, not one for ghosts in castles, but the more I read the more I wondered what was going on and the stories, plus all the little hints to the past and Emily’s father. By the time the story ended I felt fulfilled by the revelations and not at all let down by the workings of Udolpho and other mysteries within the story.