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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
I wasn't ready for just how dense and ponderous this one turned out to be. The story and writing are very pastoral and meditative for roughly the first third, waxing poetic (often quite literally) on the wonders of nature in the best Romantic tradition. Now I can enjoy that type of writing, but I just wasn't expecting to have to read quite so much of it before finally getting to the infamous Castle of Udolpho and its Gothic horrors. If I had been expecting that delay, it might not have felt like such a drag. I don't know if I will read this again (it'd be a great read if one is traveling to those regions of Europe that are so lovingly described), but if I did, I'd probably enjoy it more.
All that aside, by the end, I came to truly enjoy the book. The setting was dark, creepy, and full of midnight frights. Some of the side characters were fun, the villains were of the best mustache-twirling variety, and I became quite invested in the desperate and horrific plight of the long-suffering Emily, rooting for her victory and happiness with every page I turned. So really it was a very successful Gothic novel, if a bit on the long side.
All that aside, by the end, I came to truly enjoy the book. The setting was dark, creepy, and full of midnight frights. Some of the side characters were fun, the villains were of the best mustache-twirling variety, and I became quite invested in the desperate and horrific plight of the long-suffering Emily, rooting for her victory and happiness with every page I turned. So really it was a very successful Gothic novel, if a bit on the long side.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well.. what can I say? It is a classic that is interesting and well-written, but it is no Austen novel. There are heaps of ludicrously unlikely coincidences, stories within stories and an anaemic female lead who swoons on every other page. But there isn’t much wit and the pace drags - particularly as there is a lot of of inserted poetry that you can safely skip over.
The first two thirds of the book are the best and most exciting - the bits building up to and including the castle of Udolpho - with the last third almost feeling like a different book with new characters and yet more romantic complications. Also, with regards to the baddy he just disappeared and died off screen two thirds of the way through the novel! Why would you do that? He was the best thing in the story.
The first two thirds of the book are the best and most exciting - the bits building up to and including the castle of Udolpho - with the last third almost feeling like a different book with new characters and yet more romantic complications. Also, with regards to the baddy
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
I understand that this novel was very influential in its time... but oh my God I hated it. The experience was unbearably slow and bored me to tears for 90% of the story. When Radcliffe was determined to spook and keep her readers on edge, it wasn't half bad! But anytime Emily wasn't in the castle of Udolpho this novel was an absolute slog to get through.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
moody, evocative prose drapes like a velvet curtain over flat characters and a scooby-do plot, feel free to read the middle third and skip the rest
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book follows Emily, a young girl who after the deaths of her parents is imprisoned in a gloomy castle by her aunt's sinister new husband, who has designs on both her and her aunt's fortunes.
I liked this book quite a bit. Emily is a very likeable character and I found her easy to root for. I really enjoyed the gothic elements of this book, and there were some great suspenseful moments that had me on the edge of my seat. The setting is also very vivid, and I could easily picture what was happening. My main issue with the book is that I did find it easy to put down, and sometimes I struggled with picking it back up, though I was never bored while reading. I will definitely read more from Radcliffe, and I would recommend this to fans of gothic classics.
I liked this book quite a bit. Emily is a very likeable character and I found her easy to root for. I really enjoyed the gothic elements of this book, and there were some great suspenseful moments that had me on the edge of my seat. The setting is also very vivid, and I could easily picture what was happening. My main issue with the book is that I did find it easy to put down, and sometimes I struggled with picking it back up, though I was never bored while reading. I will definitely read more from Radcliffe, and I would recommend this to fans of gothic classics.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes