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topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
The Beetle is a classic horror story with a healthy dose of a detective/mystery element to it. First published in 1897, it actually out-sold [a:Bram Stoker|6988|Bram Stoker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1202438456p2/6988.jpg]’s [b:Dracula|17245|Dracula|Bram Stoker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387151694s/17245.jpg|3165724], published that same year. It was originally published in serial form under the name “The Peril of Paul Lessingham: The Story of a Haunted Man”.
The plot involves an ancient Egyptian supernatural entity that tries to take revenge on a British Member of Parliament (Paul Lessingham) for an atrocity committed at a temple in Cairo some twenty years ago. The novel is broken down into four parts, each with its own first-person narrator who relate the events that transpire over a three-day period. There are a few minor overlaps among their stories, just enough to establish how they relate to one another, but for the most part, we get to hear about new facts of the case as experienced from their own personal point of view. Interestingly, the fourth and final narrator is a detective who is able to pull all the strings of the plot together and provide context as well as a conclusion to the strange events.
The nature of the supernatural entity is not completely explained in the book. It appears to be a scarab beetle, quite a bit larger than normally found and has unusual abilities. There are also two Egyptian cult members who worship both Isis and the scarab entity although it is implied that both cultists are actually the same individual.
I found the novel to be much better than I expected. It’s fairly easy to read, unlike some fiction that was written during that era and the narrative plot was intriguing to be sure. It has a similar style to the original Dracula, meaning there is a lot of exposition as well as dancing around the nature of the supernatural element, leaving it more mysterious I suppose. All in all, a great classic read.
The plot involves an ancient Egyptian supernatural entity that tries to take revenge on a British Member of Parliament (Paul Lessingham) for an atrocity committed at a temple in Cairo some twenty years ago. The novel is broken down into four parts, each with its own first-person narrator who relate the events that transpire over a three-day period. There are a few minor overlaps among their stories, just enough to establish how they relate to one another, but for the most part, we get to hear about new facts of the case as experienced from their own personal point of view. Interestingly, the fourth and final narrator is a detective who is able to pull all the strings of the plot together and provide context as well as a conclusion to the strange events.
The nature of the supernatural entity is not completely explained in the book. It appears to be a scarab beetle, quite a bit larger than normally found and has unusual abilities. There are also two Egyptian cult members who worship both Isis and the scarab entity although it is implied that both cultists are actually the same individual.
I found the novel to be much better than I expected. It’s fairly easy to read, unlike some fiction that was written during that era and the narrative plot was intriguing to be sure. It has a similar style to the original Dracula, meaning there is a lot of exposition as well as dancing around the nature of the supernatural element, leaving it more mysterious I suppose. All in all, a great classic read.
book_busy's review
4.0
3.75/5
Surprisingly dynamic and kooky for its time. Although the overly exotic and stereotyped character of the Arab was dishearteningly clique and villainised, much like dracula, this bizarre character and its magic added a lot of excitement to the novel. Sydney Atherton was by far my favourite character as he was so annoying it became endearing. The beetle in itself was well-used but seemed to disappear completely for several chapters and I thought Lessingham's backstory could have potentially been revealed in a better-integrated way than a huge spool of dialogue. I enjoyed this but it felt at time like it dragged due to all the multiple perspectives sometimes rehashing the same details or the 'comedic' tone of the dialogue delaying plot progression slightly in favour of being wink wink amusing. Still, I much prefer it to Turn of the Screw of Castle of Otranto so that must mean something. The fact I didn't fly through it shows it wasn't amazing though.... it felt a bit aimless towards the end and the conclusion was far from what I'd call satisfying.
Surprisingly dynamic and kooky for its time. Although the overly exotic and stereotyped character of the Arab was dishearteningly clique and villainised, much like dracula, this bizarre character and its magic added a lot of excitement to the novel. Sydney Atherton was by far my favourite character as he was so annoying it became endearing. The beetle in itself was well-used but seemed to disappear completely for several chapters and I thought Lessingham's backstory could have potentially been revealed in a better-integrated way than a huge spool of dialogue. I enjoyed this but it felt at time like it dragged due to all the multiple perspectives sometimes rehashing the same details or the 'comedic' tone of the dialogue delaying plot progression slightly in favour of being wink wink amusing. Still, I much prefer it to Turn of the Screw of Castle of Otranto so that must mean something. The fact I didn't fly through it shows it wasn't amazing though.... it felt a bit aimless towards the end and the conclusion was far from what I'd call satisfying.
arash's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
all_piss_and_vinegar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A weird, unusual book with lovely writing - but for those who like their books to end with everything tied up in a neat little bow
arunendro's review against another edition
3.5
quite entertaining, shockingly. i really enjoyed the last section. felt like it might have been one inspiration for the atmosphere/style of lockwood and co. (a good thing!).
alrauna's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
grayjay's review against another edition
4.0
This Victoria gothic was a contemporary of Dracula, and it's just as spooky and enjoyable. Perhaps the reason it didn't make as sure a place for itself as Dracula is it's revealing of Victorian fears of the Oriental.
cozmicdotcom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5