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A review by eososray
The Castle of Wolfenbach: A German Story by Eliza Parsons
3.0
This is the first of the 'Horrid Novels' mentioned in [b:Northanger Abbey|50398|Northanger Abbey|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388201718s/50398.jpg|4039699] that I have read (Udolpho not technically being one of them). I did not think it was particularly horrid, it was a lot more moralistic than anything else. Long suffering and abused women are urged to be even more long suffering and they will be rewarded, they are urged to forgive and be virtuous, and wouldn't you know it, everything turns out in their favour at the end and their tormentors all confess and repent.
The book also has a very strong patriotic bend and wouldn't you know it, England is the best country in the world. It has the best justice system, the most beautiful ladies and the most generous populous. If they could just organize their charities a little better and the rich gave up late nights and gambling, there would be nothing else to improve. A very highly amusing point of view.
I also found the oft stated opinion that our heroine must be of high birth and nobility because of her honourable character, good manners and beautiful comportment rather funny. She could not have been of mean birth because her beauty and manners were so far above those of lesser rank and standing. Such a naive idea but it must have appealed to the romantic sensibilities of the era.
Despite of (or maybe because of) all the above, I liked the book. It's a fast read and should be be read with a satirical frame of mind for best enjoyment.
The book also has a very strong patriotic bend and wouldn't you know it, England is the best country in the world. It has the best justice system, the most beautiful ladies and the most generous populous. If they could just organize their charities a little better and the rich gave up late nights and gambling, there would be nothing else to improve. A very highly amusing point of view.
I also found the oft stated opinion that our heroine must be of high birth and nobility because of her honourable character, good manners and beautiful comportment rather funny. She could not have been of mean birth because her beauty and manners were so far above those of lesser rank and standing. Such a naive idea but it must have appealed to the romantic sensibilities of the era.
Despite of (or maybe because of) all the above, I liked the book. It's a fast read and should be be read with a satirical frame of mind for best enjoyment.