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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
God I love 18th century novels. Tediously long descriptions of landscape and unnecessary poems aside, this was quite a potboiler and a joy to read.
This was an interesting book, perhaps a bit too long for today's standards. It seemed that Ms. Radcliffe could hardly find enough to trouble Emily. Both her mother and step mother were murdered, but different people and for different reasons. Love affairs gone wrong and healed again. Dark gloomy rooms and scary paintings, and statue as it turns out in the end.
I read this book because it was referred to in several books I liked. Wikipedia said it was the prototypical Gothic novel; published in four volumes on 8 May 1794. As such, the language was archaic and difficult for me. But I did solider through in about 2 years. I am glad I finished.
It seemed to me that Ms Radcliffe got tired at the end of the book as well, as she recaps the history behind the story in a 'dear reader' conclusion.
All in all, I am glad I got through it. It was an interesting story worth the effort.
I read this book because it was referred to in several books I liked. Wikipedia said it was the prototypical Gothic novel; published in four volumes on 8 May 1794. As such, the language was archaic and difficult for me. But I did solider through in about 2 years. I am glad I finished.
It seemed to me that Ms Radcliffe got tired at the end of the book as well, as she recaps the history behind the story in a 'dear reader' conclusion.
All in all, I am glad I got through it. It was an interesting story worth the effort.
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
This was a little tough going at times, but I really enjoyed it, overall. Very moody!
Has some good atmosphere, but we have come a LONG way from learning how to scare people in a story.
4/5stars
Take a shot every time Emily cries and you’ll be dead by page 15. fantastically ridiculous.
Take a shot every time Emily cries and you’ll be dead by page 15. fantastically ridiculous.
La obra cumbre de la literatura gótica, autora que sirvió de referente para los creadores de Scooby-Doo! y para algunos el primer thriller moderno.
Tiene cosas muy interesante pero la verdad es que hubiera preferido que me resultase graciosa como el Castillo de Otranto. Se me ha hecho larguísima (y no creo que sea solo una percepción mía). No me llevo bien con las descripciones enooooormes y las acciones pausaaaaadas en estas longitudes. Es una lectura que requiere paciencia.
Me ha aportado muchas cosas pero me alegro de haberlo terminado ya.
PD: me ha dejado con ganas de leerme la Abadía de Northanger para leer las alusiones que puso Jane Austen.
Tiene cosas muy interesante pero la verdad es que hubiera preferido que me resultase graciosa como el Castillo de Otranto. Se me ha hecho larguísima (y no creo que sea solo una percepción mía). No me llevo bien con las descripciones enooooormes y las acciones pausaaaaadas en estas longitudes. Es una lectura que requiere paciencia.
Me ha aportado muchas cosas pero me alegro de haberlo terminado ya.
PD: me ha dejado con ganas de leerme la Abadía de Northanger para leer las alusiones que puso Jane Austen.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
If you love Jane Austen and especially if you love Northanger Abbey, then you should definitely read this book! I can absolutely see why ladies in the early nineteenth century were mad for it, and thought it was breathtakingly exciting; and also why Jane Austen thought it was utter tosh. It's a little bit of both.
My only real complaint is that (despite the book being 8 million pages long) two of the many "mysteries" were not so much solved by events in the narrative, as explained outright by the author, almost in an aside, right at the end of the book. One of these was also super lame.
But, honestly, don't let that put you off!
My only real complaint is that (despite the book being 8 million pages long) two of the many "mysteries" were not so much solved by events in the narrative, as explained outright by the author, almost in an aside, right at the end of the book. One of these was also super lame.
But, honestly, don't let that put you off!