Scan barcode
erinbarton's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.0
really enjoyed the writing and concept but the plot was so convoluted and confusing with multiple frame narratives
atoms749's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I will ever read.
“with a look in which memory struggled with grief”
“'How often does nature thus become an involuntary interpreter between us and our feelings! Is the murmur of the ocean without a meaning? - Is the roll of the thunder without a voice - Is the blasted spot on which the rage of both has been exhausted without its lesson?
“with a look in which memory struggled with grief”
“'How often does nature thus become an involuntary interpreter between us and our feelings! Is the murmur of the ocean without a meaning? - Is the roll of the thunder without a voice - Is the blasted spot on which the rage of both has been exhausted without its lesson?
xrichx's review against another edition
5.0
The Oxford World Classics version has 560 pages, not 592
heyimaghost's review against another edition
3.0
While parts of this were very interesting, it had one too many points that just dragged the reader down into the deep, dark depths of boredom. Also, a good chunk of it was just anti-Catholic propaganda, and while I'm not Catholic, I don't care for propaganda in general--unless, of course, it's a good read. Granted, the premise was very good, and the story of Immalee was enthralling, not to mention the actual story; but there was one too many stories within a story within a story. It became frustrating. Some scholars think it was never intended to be a novel, but a collection of stories with an interconnecting theme. Perhaps it would've been better that way. We'll never know. All I know is, the story of Moncada should've been half the length it was. I mean, how many times can one read a description of the loneliness and monotony of a monastery without it becoming a chore? The answer to that riddle is this: it's boring the first time.
ls0's review against another edition
Right up my alley and I 100% will return to it but I just wasn't in the right headspace.
maryehavens's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t know if it was listening to this stories within a story that was super-confusing (because it was), the beating over the head with the religious stuff (it was written by an Irish priest), or the fact that this is a forerunner to the Gothic and I was expecting some creepy castles and a linear plot (I was) but I found myself wanting something much more digestible. Sometimes you just need that.
If I stumble upon this again, I might give it a shot. Sometimes I abandon books because of the book and sometimes it’s because of me. This one is because of me. It’s not great but it’s not terrible.
Update: after reading most of The Monk, another foray into the beginnings of Gothic literature, I realize I will never go back to Melmoth unless I'm forced to. It was too difficult for me to digest and The Monk, although possible considered of less quality in literary circles, is easy enough for me to follow and actually want to read. And that makes all the difference :)
If I stumble upon this again, I might give it a shot. Sometimes I abandon books because of the book and sometimes it’s because of me. This one is because of me. It’s not great but it’s not terrible.
Update: after reading most of The Monk, another foray into the beginnings of Gothic literature, I realize I will never go back to Melmoth unless I'm forced to. It was too difficult for me to digest and The Monk, although possible considered of less quality in literary circles, is easy enough for me to follow and actually want to read. And that makes all the difference :)
lacurb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0