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xini's review against another edition
2.0
i had to read it for class and they gave me two weeks to do it; im not able to enjoy books with a deadline. this being said:
a sicilian romance is a book that i'll probably won't even remember in a year. the story is repetitive, obvious and easy, even though the english is a bit hard (english being my third language).
i probably wouldn't have finished it if it wasn't mandatory for class.
even though it's classified as "gothic" it isn't even a bit spooky, and they just talk about the "strange sounds" in the first 50 pages of the book.
i didn't enjoy it, but it wasn't that bad either.
a sicilian romance is a book that i'll probably won't even remember in a year. the story is repetitive, obvious and easy, even though the english is a bit hard (english being my third language).
i probably wouldn't have finished it if it wasn't mandatory for class.
even though it's classified as "gothic" it isn't even a bit spooky, and they just talk about the "strange sounds" in the first 50 pages of the book.
i didn't enjoy it, but it wasn't that bad either.
oliviabrisebois's review against another edition
2.0
This novel had substance to it, but close to the end I simply stopped caring. I think gothic novels of this time period are very repetitive.
hangsangareader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
4.25
A Sicilian Romance is another great book by Mrs. Radcliffe. She is a mysterious figure and also writes excellent fiction.
I will admit that a main character who passes out too much might be annoying, but Julia did try to keep herself from her father's plans in the face of so many tribulations that I must respect her. Ferdinand was also a favorite of mine in this book - this is what great brothers are made from.
The twists and turns had me. I listened to most of the book while walking my dog, and I must've looked silly, stopping and gasping as the story neared the end. I did not see that twist coming.
The use of horror and terror, or the focus on the Sublime, are excellent topics to consider while reading this. Pay attention to her word choice; Radcliffe was a master in her craft.
I will admit that a main character who passes out too much might be annoying, but Julia did try to keep herself from her father's plans in the face of so many tribulations that I must respect her. Ferdinand was also a favorite of mine in this book - this is what great brothers are made from.
The twists and turns had me. I listened to most of the book while walking my dog, and I must've looked silly, stopping and gasping as the story neared the end. I did not see that twist coming.
The use of horror and terror, or the focus on the Sublime, are excellent topics to consider while reading this. Pay attention to her word choice; Radcliffe was a master in her craft.
passthesalt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the descriptions of nature feed nicely into the gothic horror, and I adore it. my only complaint is that these descriptions of nature tend to run on too long all at once, but even so, I enjoyed this book very much
sophiemundy13's review against another edition
Ran out of time and interest in reading this book for my degree as had settled on the text for the module assessment. Hopefully will pick it up another time
ameliareadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The first book on my Gothic university class course list.
It's a good choice for a first book for a Gothic class and a good example of where the genre was in the late 1700s, with some rollicking, fun moments and good imagery. The prose makes it feel drawn out and often belabours the point, but that's partly to be expected, given the book's age and how writing styles have shifted. It's also the kind of novel where everyone is emotionally at an 11 all the time, which is a bit (a lot) much, but if nothing else feels genuinely earnest.
It's a good choice for a first book for a Gothic class and a good example of where the genre was in the late 1700s, with some rollicking, fun moments and good imagery. The prose makes it feel drawn out and often belabours the point, but that's partly to be expected, given the book's age and how writing styles have shifted. It's also the kind of novel where everyone is emotionally at an 11 all the time, which is a bit (a lot) much, but if nothing else feels genuinely earnest.
moominess's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book exemplifies what makes early Gothic literature so entertaining to read.
In A Sicilian Romance, Ann Radcliffe takes the reader on a winding journey full of frankly, batshit coincidences, heart pounding mysteries and beautiful descriptions typical of the Gothic.
Is the plot contrived and characters lacking in some complexity? Yes. But for the period, the agency Julia is written to have and how active a character she is was refreshing, rather than being a typical damsel in distress.
If you enjoy the tropes characteristic of Gothic lit, this book will undoubtedly be a fun time for you. But, if you can't get behind the contrivances and didactic "Virtue and goodness prevails" sentiment then you might want to give this one a miss.
In A Sicilian Romance, Ann Radcliffe takes the reader on a winding journey full of frankly, batshit coincidences, heart pounding mysteries and beautiful descriptions typical of the Gothic.
Is the plot contrived and characters lacking in some complexity? Yes. But for the period, the agency Julia is written to have and how active a character she is was refreshing, rather than being a typical damsel in distress.
If you enjoy the tropes characteristic of Gothic lit, this book will undoubtedly be a fun time for you. But, if you can't get behind the contrivances and didactic "Virtue and goodness prevails" sentiment then you might want to give this one a miss.
serving_goffman's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
smithel's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely my favourite of the Radcliffe's I've read so far.
oliviakateamerica's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0