A review by ed_moore
Olalla by Robert Louis Stevenson

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Stevenson’s ‘Olalla’ is quote difficult to place. It was certainly gothic, to an extent seems to be a tale of unrequited love as the nameless protagonist, a Scottish Soldier recovering in Spain, falls hopelessly in love with the fallen noble Olalla. There wasn’t much to go from but unlike ‘The Body Snatcher’ and ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ the characters were very distinct and developed. I particularly enjoyed the innocent and presented as half-witted son Felipe who seems only to mean well and be trying his best. ‘Olalla’ also left me with a lot of speculation, as the exact nature of its gothic isn’t explicitly revealed but leaves me with ideas on genre, I however shan’t expand on such to protect the main plot element. It was easily the best of Stevenson’s ‘Tales of Terror’ that I have encountered.

*This was apart of the 'Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' audiobook however I have logged separately to leave an individual rating and review.