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rayaan_'s review against another edition
I felt like the plot was going nowhere. I read the entirety of volume one and I cannot remember one relevant thing to the plot besides the governess being fired and her dad dying . By the time I reached chapter 14 and we are introduced to her cousin I knew I had to put it down. This book was definitely not for me but I can see people who are fans of gothic classics enjoying this.
dajna's review against another edition
2.0
We know from the beginning that Maud will survive, but the question is: how? She's a victim. She's passive, she believes everything she's told, she spends her hours crying or experiencing some degree of emotional brakedown. Sometimes I really wanted to slap her: don't you see where all the hints are pointing? Should I spell it for you? You're a sitting duck!
I expected quite a different story. The plot is too thin to fill 500 pages.
I expected quite a different story. The plot is too thin to fill 500 pages.
greenhearted101's review against another edition
4.0
4 solid stars out of five. This was a very gripping novel; I never grew bored reading it and was always intrigued by what was going to happen next. It was a very dark, gloomy and atmospheric read, which was great (even thought it felt oppressive to me at times but that’s for other reasons). It was kind of predictable but some things were not, so I didn’t mind that at all. I will say, I thought this book was going to be horrifying and it really wasn’t (and I’m okay with that). I read some reviews saying that this was one of the most horrifying books they have ever read. I would say it’s more creepy than “horrifying”. Sure, if these things were to happen to someone in real life, then it would be more than terrifying. But written as a novel, it wasn’t so much so. But it was dark and creepy and that’s perfectly fine. Absolutely recommend it if you’re into Victorian novels like myself and like mystery/“horror”. Very nice book and enjoyable read.
marginaliant's review against another edition
4.0
Call it an enthusiastic 4.5. It certainly has a slow start but it amps up quickly and by the end I could hardly put it down. If you like a bit of gothic psycho-melodrama in your thrillers, I highly recommend it.
dianawhit's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
blearywitch's review against another edition
5.0
Lovers of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë rejoice. There is something sinister, some macabre, and something mad to be found in Le Fanu's Uncle Silas that I have not found before in my search for the similar atmosphere surrounding Wuthering Heights. There is nail biting suspense, brow wrinkling crazy, heartbeat arresting moments, eyes widening horror within these pages.
"- and as people like to be thanked, I sometimes wonder that we continued to throw our bread upon these ungrateful waters." - isn't that the god honest truth one has to admit? Anyone who says they didn't do something nice to be thanked is telling a small little lie. That's why almost nobody does anything charitable in absolute secrecy, and although I do charity quietly I like pointing out to my husband something I think he wouldn't notice so that he would thank me. I am merely a woman. I try to remember that God said the best charity is the one done in silence.
Maud said of Uncle Silas - "The devil approached the citadel of his heart by stealth, with many zigzags and parallels." And that's how we humans are ruined.
"- and as people like to be thanked, I sometimes wonder that we continued to throw our bread upon these ungrateful waters." - isn't that the god honest truth one has to admit? Anyone who says they didn't do something nice to be thanked is telling a small little lie. That's why almost nobody does anything charitable in absolute secrecy, and although I do charity quietly I like pointing out to my husband something I think he wouldn't notice so that he would thank me. I am merely a woman. I try to remember that God said the best charity is the one done in silence.
Maud said of Uncle Silas - "The devil approached the citadel of his heart by stealth, with many zigzags and parallels." And that's how we humans are ruined.
sean001's review against another edition
1.0
uncle silas barely being in the novel that’s named after him
samhackett's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
2.0