Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
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
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A strong start -- through the novel's first of four subset books -- gives way to ham-handed manneristic dialog in the later sections. One of the book's two female characters is one of strong will (or, at least as strong as the men in the book), which was refreshing. And there are some effective "haunted house" moments as the book builds to climax.
There are also charming sentences to enjoy here and there. Here's one such bit of dialog:
"It is enough! -- It is the end! -- it it his doom! He shall be ground between the upper and the nether stones in the towers of anguish, and all that is left of him shall be cast on the accursed stream of the bitter waters, to stink under the blood-grimed sun!"
Later, Marsh seems to anticipate detective noir fiction some 40 years early, as the narrator states:
"The weather out of doors was in tune with my frame of mind -- I was in a deuce of a temper, and it was a deuce of a night. A keen northeast wind, warranted to take the skin right off you, was playing catch-who-catch can with intermittent gusts of blinding rain. Since it was not fit for a dog to walk, none of your cabs for me -- nothing would serve but pedestrian exercise."
But mostly the book is a trifle and probably best remembered for its historical significance than anything else.
Opening passage:
"No room! -- Full up!"
He banged the door in my face.
That was the final blow.
Closing passage:
There are also charming sentences to enjoy here and there. Here's one such bit of dialog:
"It is enough! -- It is the end! -- it it his doom! He shall be ground between the upper and the nether stones in the towers of anguish, and all that is left of him shall be cast on the accursed stream of the bitter waters, to stink under the blood-grimed sun!"
Later, Marsh seems to anticipate detective noir fiction some 40 years early, as the narrator states:
"The weather out of doors was in tune with my frame of mind -- I was in a deuce of a temper, and it was a deuce of a night. A keen northeast wind, warranted to take the skin right off you, was playing catch-who-catch can with intermittent gusts of blinding rain. Since it was not fit for a dog to walk, none of your cabs for me -- nothing would serve but pedestrian exercise."
But mostly the book is a trifle and probably best remembered for its historical significance than anything else.
Opening passage:
"No room! -- Full up!"
He banged the door in my face.
That was the final blow.
Closing passage:
Spoiler
So far as I am personally concerned, experience has taught me that there are indeed more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy, and I am quite prepared to believe that the so-called Beetle, which others saw, but I never, was -- or is, for it cannot be certainly shown that the thing is not still existing -- a creature born neither of God nor man.
The book was tough to read in the beginning but it gained a rhythm as I read. I found the character of Sydney Atherton endearing and probably the only lovable character in the book. I know that Marjorie Lindon was supposed to represent the "new woman" but I found her irritating and selfish. The end of the book wasn't satisfying but the mystery through the book was, and I also enjoyed the writing of the book more than the actual story.
(4.5)
Hvem skulle trodd at en gotisk skrekkhistorie skrevet samme år som Dracula, men ble fullstendig glemt i vår samtid, som handler om biller kunne være så hysterisk morsom? Jeg satt med blyant og streket under så mange vittige og flotte sitater. Det er lenge siden jeg har kost meg så mye mens jeg har lest en roman.
Utdaterte fordommer trekker boka ned. Likevel en interessant refleksjon på holdningene og fryktene til Europeere på denne tiden som kommer veldig til utrykk i forfatteren.
Hvem skulle trodd at en gotisk skrekkhistorie skrevet samme år som Dracula, men ble fullstendig glemt i vår samtid, som handler om biller kunne være så hysterisk morsom? Jeg satt med blyant og streket under så mange vittige og flotte sitater. Det er lenge siden jeg har kost meg så mye mens jeg har lest en roman.
Utdaterte fordommer trekker boka ned. Likevel en interessant refleksjon på holdningene og fryktene til Europeere på denne tiden som kommer veldig til utrykk i forfatteren.
i liked the characters, the setting, and the writing but the mystery wasn't compelling, it wasn't remotely scary, the pacing was off, the whole "ancient creature getting revenge" thing is boring to me, there was a whole load of build up to nothing, and the ending was anticlimactic and annoying
I was unsure what to expect going into this novel, however, this was an interesting read. Starts off with an intriguing premise, and is surprisingly easy to read considering it was written in the late 19th century. The issue though is the novel ends up being too long and loses it's way towards the end. I enjoyed the novel, would probably recommend for fans of gothic/period novels, however, if you're expecting something as riveting as Dracula you will be left wanting.
Good story told from multiple perspectives. As with a lot of older books it is a little wordy at times but overall entertaining.