Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.5/5
Some of the stories work better than others, notably the longer ones seem to be Le Fanu's better forays. Particularly of note is Carmilla, predating Dracula by some 26 years (eat your heart out Bram) and arguably a much more interesting story with less two dimensional characters.
Admittedly the overweening usage of the comma is a bugbear, but the syntax is much easier to follow and comprehend than Henry James. The other main issue was with the narrative device of Dr Hesselius, it felt contrived as a means to anthologise these loosely connected stories, and added virtually nothing to the collection.
Some of the stories work better than others, notably the longer ones seem to be Le Fanu's better forays. Particularly of note is Carmilla, predating Dracula by some 26 years (eat your heart out Bram) and arguably a much more interesting story with less two dimensional characters.
Admittedly the overweening usage of the comma is a bugbear, but the syntax is much easier to follow and comprehend than Henry James. The other main issue was with the narrative device of Dr Hesselius, it felt contrived as a means to anthologise these loosely connected stories, and added virtually nothing to the collection.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Only had to read ‘Carmilla’ from this anthology for a class, may go back and read other stories soon
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This was wonderful. I enjoyed how each story has a different take on the supernatural occurrences. Some have “scientific” explanations, on the fence between hallucinations and actual spirits. One story only seems to be supernatural to advance the plot. And then, of course, Carmilla is firmly a supernatural story. Spoiler- it’s the best one in this collection. It’s a great example of suspense where the reader knows but the characters don’t. I dropped it down a star for “The Room in the Dragon Volant,” which is not as interesting, is too long and has a clunky and too sudden conclusion.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Green Tea - 3/5
The Familiar -3/5
Mr. Justice Harbottle -3/5
The Room in le Dragon Volant -4/5
Carmilla - 4.5/5
The Familiar -3/5
Mr. Justice Harbottle -3/5
The Room in le Dragon Volant -4/5
Carmilla - 4.5/5