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ioanastoica 's review for:

This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart
3.0

Sure, it's preposterous, dated, narrated from a position of privilege (and of perceived benevolence towards purported simple but warm-hearted "islanders"/Greeks), but such is the world of Gothic "romantic suspense": beautiful islands, castles, dark cellars reachable by underground passages, secret doors, unexplored caves, mysterious men (even one by the name of Adonis), dolphins, touching and wholly unrealistic relationships with animals, men who propose after a week's acquaintance, brave yet helplessly romantic white "middle class" heroines, strong, unabashed, undeterred lovers, and the like.

As a tween, I loved this genre (aka my "Days of Our Lives" era), and Mary Stewart was a favorite (mostly, her Arthurian books). Rereading these as an adult is certainly much more amusing then when I believed in these worlds, and not any less entertaining. Sure, I had to completely suspend all critical thought in order to immerse myself in This Rough Magic, but who doesn't love a good escapist, romantic, mysterious escapade once in a while?