Scan barcode
A review by annettebooksofhopeanddreams
The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss
4.0
Last weekend I finished another one of the big classics. I was pretty certain that I had now tackled all the bigger gothic science novels. Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein. While reading this book, and most of all the afterword, I discovered that I have missed another one, the Isle of Dr. Moreau, which is something I'm gonna make up for in the near future. But, I was totally ready to start this read and to enjoy it to the fullest.
Let me start with telling that I do think the story also works without having read those classics. Everything you need to know is explained at some point. Some things earlier in the story, some things later in the story. It's a great way to get to know the classics without actively having to read those classics. Not all of them have aged well, after all. However, I think it's a lot more fun if you actually read them, because you have a little more knowledge, background and context.
But, even though Goss mixed quite a few of those Gothic novels, I think she did it brilliantly. She came up with an amazing bigger story arc that connects all those different stories and makes them all part of a bigger whole. And then she managed to give women their chance to shine and tell their side of the story. The result is an amazing ensemble of unique, different and in their own way powerful women taking on the world. What I like is that no women in this book is shamed for her choices or being held back. Everything is okay, as long as it is what THEY want.
Another thing Goss did amazingly is capturing the writing style of the old gothic novels. For some reason they all had those insane structures. And although this one is not insane, Goss did pull a trick like that. One of the characters is also writing the story, as an author, while the others, in between certain paragraphs and just that often that it's funny, but never annoying, comment on how the author described their feelings or thoughts. It's quite amusing and a nice wink to all those letters, paraphrasing transcripts within those letters and diary-like stories this book is based on.
I had originally planned to read a bit of this book today and the rest tomorrow. But I kept on stealing moments to read another chapter and another one and now I already finished. No need to say that I will certainly get myself the second book in this series too!
Let me start with telling that I do think the story also works without having read those classics. Everything you need to know is explained at some point. Some things earlier in the story, some things later in the story. It's a great way to get to know the classics without actively having to read those classics. Not all of them have aged well, after all. However, I think it's a lot more fun if you actually read them, because you have a little more knowledge, background and context.
But, even though Goss mixed quite a few of those Gothic novels, I think she did it brilliantly. She came up with an amazing bigger story arc that connects all those different stories and makes them all part of a bigger whole. And then she managed to give women their chance to shine and tell their side of the story. The result is an amazing ensemble of unique, different and in their own way powerful women taking on the world. What I like is that no women in this book is shamed for her choices or being held back. Everything is okay, as long as it is what THEY want.
Another thing Goss did amazingly is capturing the writing style of the old gothic novels. For some reason they all had those insane structures. And although this one is not insane, Goss did pull a trick like that. One of the characters is also writing the story, as an author, while the others, in between certain paragraphs and just that often that it's funny, but never annoying, comment on how the author described their feelings or thoughts. It's quite amusing and a nice wink to all those letters, paraphrasing transcripts within those letters and diary-like stories this book is based on.
I had originally planned to read a bit of this book today and the rest tomorrow. But I kept on stealing moments to read another chapter and another one and now I already finished. No need to say that I will certainly get myself the second book in this series too!