Scan barcode
filipa_maia's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is Romeo & Juliet meets gothic. It's a classic novel so it has its flaws and clichés - women keep fainting for everything; other women immediately assume that they are dead... the usual.
In some parts is very confusing, a lot of characters with weird intentions and very melodramatic.
Overall, this book was not amazing but it was entertaining.
In some parts is very confusing, a lot of characters with weird intentions and very melodramatic.
Overall, this book was not amazing but it was entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
raoulalexander's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
Surprisingly funny. Engaging and had its "spooky" moments. Pretty good for the first Gothic novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment
bweeb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
As a precursor to the gothic genre, or as the first gothic novel, you can indeed see the cultural influence it has had on the genre as a whole; from the suspense, terror, and horror, to the treatment of the divine, the gothic, and the supernatural, it is a masterpiece. In terms of plot, it is interesting, but at times does fall flat - whether it be the lack of description or excess of exposition, it feels dull or not fully fleshed-out. The fast-pace of the novel is often juxtaposed by long bouts of dialogue, but I would still consider it to be extremely fast-paced. As such, I found myself struggling to connect with characters. This being said, the pace certainly held the suspense throughout the novel, and was seldom diffused until the end of the novel and sometimes of the chapter. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, but it does not come without its flaws. A great read if you're interested in the gothic genre, but I would not necessarily call it the epitome of the gothic genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Incest
Minor: Gore
coolfijiwater's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: Infertility
readwithbells's review against another edition
3.75
OG review: 1.5 stars
Boring and misogynistic and just a bad story lol. It gets half a star for starting with a giant helmet crushing someone - top tier supernatural event. If you don’t have to read this, don’t.
Also the audiobook on Spotify is absolutely hilarious in how bad it is.
___
Updated Review after reading for gothics class
Ok idk why I hated this the first time I read it but it is anything but boring. This is an absolutely chaotic and wild ride that reads like a soap opera. There’s gigantic ghosts and curses and prophecies and a lot of hilarious “we are related” reveals. I do 100% still agree with myself that Walpole has never met a woman in real life (apart from possibly a servant woman because Bianca is the best character) but honestly this is a romp. Go in with minimal expectations (and read it physically do NOT read an audiobook you will miss all the sneaky lil references) and I think you’ll have a good time.
Read a second time for Romantic Period Gothic Fiction and Revolution.
Boring and misogynistic and just a bad story lol. It gets half a star for starting with a giant helmet crushing someone - top tier supernatural event. If you don’t have to read this, don’t.
Also the audiobook on Spotify is absolutely hilarious in how bad it is.
___
Updated Review after reading for gothics class
Ok idk why I hated this the first time I read it but it is anything but boring. This is an absolutely chaotic and wild ride that reads like a soap opera. There’s gigantic ghosts and curses and prophecies and a lot of hilarious “we are related” reveals. I do 100% still agree with myself that Walpole has never met a woman in real life (apart from possibly a servant woman because Bianca is the best character) but honestly this is a romp. Go in with minimal expectations (and read it physically do NOT read an audiobook you will miss all the sneaky lil references) and I think you’ll have a good time.
Read a second time for Romantic Period Gothic Fiction and Revolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Child death
Minor: Rape
rey_therese07's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- 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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Child death, Incest, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault and Adult/minor relationship
More...